Abstract
Influenza remains one of the most significant public health threats due to its ability to cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although understanding of influenza viruses has greatly increased in recent years, shortcomings remain. Additionally, the continuous mutation of influenza viruses through genetic reassortment and selection of variants that escape host immune responses can render current influenza vaccines ineffective at controlling seasonal epidemics and potential pandemics. Thus, there is a knowledge gap in the understanding of influenza viruses and a corresponding need to develop novel universal vaccines and therapeutic treatments. Investigation of viral pathogenesis, transmission mechanisms, and efficacy of influenza vaccine candidates requires animal models that can recapitulate the disease. Furthermore, the choice of animal model for each research question is crucial in order for researchers to acquire a better knowledge of influenza viruses. Herein, we reviewed the advantages and limitations of each animal model—including mice, ferrets, guinea pigs, swine, felines, canines, and non-human primates—for elucidating influenza viral pathogenesis and transmission and for evaluating therapeutic agents and vaccine efficacy.
Highlights
Influenza viruses are enveloped RNA viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family [1] and are classified as A, B, C, or D based on antigenic differences [2]
Lee et al showed that Baloxavir, a recently licensed antiviral drug for influenza, could reduce onward transmission of pandemic H1N1 virus in infected ferrets [92]
The Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is another of the animal models used for influenza virus pathogenesis, transmission, and vaccine efficacy studies, due to its ease in handling, reproduction capability, and relatively inexpensive maintenance cost [51]
Summary
Influenza viruses are enveloped RNA viruses belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family [1] and are classified as A, B, C, or D based on antigenic differences [2]. The potential for severity is increased by the fact that influenza can transmit with high efficiency to the human population from animal reservoirs. These viruses frequently undergo genetic reassortment, including antigenic shift and drift, to generate new viruses, occasionally giving rise to unpredictable pandemics. Shortcomings include understanding the transmission mechanisms, natural history and precise pathogenesis of influenza disease, and host immune responses. Given that universal influenza vaccines are still unavailable, there remains prodigious potential for influenza to reassort and cause severe human epidemics and pandemics. Host-virus interactions, transmission mechanisms, and the host immune response to different influenza viruses in various animal models. The advantages and disadvantages of different animal models used for influenza research, including mice, ferrets, guinea pigs, swine, felines, canines, and non-human primates, will be discussed
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