Class

Article

College

College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences Department

Faculty Mentor

Brett Hurst

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Introduction

Animal models are key to the research and development of antiviral interventions. Two strains of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a 2013 outbreak in China and acquired by USU’s Institute for Antiviral Research from the CDC, are the subject of this project.

Developing antiviral interventions against Influenza A H7N9 is essential because:

• Global outbreaks have caused high mortality among bird and human populations since 2013.[1]

• Low-pathogenic avian flu viruses can mutate to become highly pathogenic.[2]

• No current prophylactic or therapeutic human interventions exist.[3]

BALB/c mice, commonly used for antiviral research, are not naturally susceptible to H7N9 infection, as they lack the appropriate sialic acid receptors in their respiratory tissue. To create animal models for future in-vivo antiviral studies, this project aims to: adapt these virus strains to infect BALB/c mice and determine a 90% Lethal Dose (LD90).


Location

Logan, UT

Start Date

4-9-2025 3:30 PM

End Date

4-9-2025 4:20 PM

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Apr 9th, 3:30 PM Apr 9th, 4:20 PM

Adaptation of Influenza A Virus Strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9) For Development of Effective Mouse Models

Logan, UT

Introduction

Animal models are key to the research and development of antiviral interventions. Two strains of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a 2013 outbreak in China and acquired by USU’s Institute for Antiviral Research from the CDC, are the subject of this project.

Developing antiviral interventions against Influenza A H7N9 is essential because:

• Global outbreaks have caused high mortality among bird and human populations since 2013.[1]

• Low-pathogenic avian flu viruses can mutate to become highly pathogenic.[2]

• No current prophylactic or therapeutic human interventions exist.[3]

BALB/c mice, commonly used for antiviral research, are not naturally susceptible to H7N9 infection, as they lack the appropriate sialic acid receptors in their respiratory tissue. To create animal models for future in-vivo antiviral studies, this project aims to: adapt these virus strains to infect BALB/c mice and determine a 90% Lethal Dose (LD90).