Immunossupression murine model to study antiviral resistance emergence during Influenza A infection

Abstract

Introduction: Influenza virus infection is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality, affecting thousands of people annually. Severe cases are treated with viral Neuraminidase inhibitors like Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). However, high genetic variation could lead to emergence of antiviral resistant strains, limiting the treatment effectiveness. Antiviral-resistant viruses may arise spontaneously, by inappropriate antiviral use or by prolonged viral shedding observed in immunosuppressed patients.