Such heterogeneities likely also impact the probability of emergence of zoonotic influenza viruses in the human population and call for further research. buy Vandetanib Influenza virus pathogenicity may represent another key yet under-studied component of human-to-human transmission barriers, by likewise impacting influenza transmission and infectious period. Influenza virus pathogenicity determines at least in part influenza morbidity and mortality, and the ability and speed of recovery. These in turn influence the infectious period (Eq. (1)). Furthermore, pathogenicity may influence transmissibility

and transmission rate β by impacting contact rates between infected and naïve individuals as well as viral excretion (see below). It is important to note however that only pathogenic effects of influenza occurring during the acute infection may impact R0. Severe respiratory disease, such as primary viral pneumonia, can occur upon acute

influenza virus infection and results from infection of epithelial cells in deeper parts of the respiratory tract and associated immune responses [163]. Pneumonia does not induce coughing and other respiratory signs that may facilitate aerosol transmission of the virus, and strongly impairs infected individuals, reducing their contact with naive individuals. Severe respiratory lesions and associated inflammation AZD2281 in the deep lungs may further reduce excretion of virus particles from these regions due to impairment of the muco-ciliary escalator and mechanical obstruction of smaller airways. Less severe disease associated with

infection of upper regions of the respiratory tract also is concurrent to acute infection and associated with the production and release of cytokines [188]. Although less dramatic than viral pneumonia, acute tracheo-bronchitis may as well impair infected individuals and reduce contact between infected and naïve individuals. On the other hand, clinical signs associated with tracheo-bronchitis include coughing, which may facilitate virus excretion and transmission. As a result, the role of pathogenicity on the ability of influenza virus to spread at the population level is difficult to assess, and therefore currently poorly understood. While transmissibility is a prerequisite for zoonotic influenza viruses to become pandemic, Cell press pathogenicity may have more subtle impact on their ability to successfully adapt to and sustainably spread in the human population. Three sets of barriers need to be crossed by zoonotic influenza viruses to fully adapt to and spread in the human population: (1) animal-to-human transmission barriers; (2) virus–cell interaction barriers; and (3) human-to-human transmission barriers. Adaptive changes allowing zoonotic influenza viruses to cross these barriers have been identified and represent key knowledge for improved pandemic preparedness (Table 5).