Prions and virus pathogen gain-of-function

Abstract

There are many rumors and mutual accusations between belligerent nations of carrying out studies of gain of function of pathogens with the intention of using such pathogens as weapons of hybrid war. Thus the reported of A neurotropic H5N1 avian influenza A virus (IAV) strain named IAV/WSN /33 (H1N1) that induced the conversion of PrPC into PrPSc and the formation of infectious prions bring out the danger of a type of virus as potential risk for development of such weapons to warfare of fourth and fifth generation.