Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 influenza A virus exhibits high infectivity in human respiratory tract models

2026/03/12 by Anna Löwa, Matthias Budt, Anita Balázs +21 · 1 voice
Medicine · #Respiratory viral infections research #Influenza Virus Research Studies #Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections

paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.jinf.2026.106722

openalex publication_date 2026/03/12 · openalex created_date 2026/03/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22

Abstract

We read with great interest the recent letter by Li and colleagues reporting the emergence of mammalianadapted clade 2.3.4.4bH5N1 viruses carrying the PB2-E627K mutation in migratory birds at Qinghai Lake.

Citations

• H5N1 2.3.4.4b: a review of mammalian adaptations and risk of pandemic emergence
• Human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in the United States from March 2024 to May 2025

Discussions

• New paper online: Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 replicates efficiently in human respiratory models, including nasal ALI cultures, airway organoids and ex vivo lung tissue. Human 3D systems are critical for zoon [bsky, 2 points, 3 comments]

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