Virology

 Influenza Virology

The term “//Influenza//” is used to describe the three RNA viruses that make up the //Orthomyxoviridae// family. //Influenza// is a family of viruses that affect //Avian//, //Canine//, //Equine//, //Human// and //Swine// organisms. //Influenza// has three subgroups which are Influenza A, Influenza B and Influenza C.2]

media type="youtube" key="Rpj0emEGShQ" height="313" width="560" align="center"

Figure 1. Short video showing a very basic overview of Influenza virology

All //Influenza// subgroups have almost identical replication cycles and structures, which consists of a viral envelope, hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), a caspid shell and a single strand of viral RNA in the very center.1] // Influenza // type A, B and C make up the three //Influ////enza// subgroups. All //Influenza// viruses are categorized using the H-N system. The H indicates the type of hemagglutinin receptor that is on the //Influenza// virus’ viral envelope, whereas, the N indicates which type of neuraminidase enzyme is located on the viral envelope. H1N1, for example, indicates that the virus houses type 1 hemagglutinin and type 1 neuraminidase on the viral envelope.1,3] Hemagglutinin is an antigenic membrane glycoprotein which is involved in vertebrate cell-cell recognition and host cell selection (keys and locks in the video). Neuraminidase is a viral enzyme which helps the //Influenza// virus detach during the budding process so that the viral progeny may continue to infect new cells.3,6]