Viral protein mutations enabling mammalian adaptation in Avian Influenza A viruses: Strategies for zoonotic risk mitigation and future perspectives.

Abstract

Avian influenza viruses have long been a significant problem for the poultry livestock sector, due to the pathogenicity of some strains and the economic and environmental damage they cause. The close relationship between poultry species of livestock interest and the detection of these viruses in other livestock and pets has prompted the scientific community to investigate the transmission dynamics and the risk of contagion for humans. Research shows how the possible spillover can be driven by some amino acid mutations that regulate the molecular interactions between viruses and different hosts. In this work, the mutations are analyzed, their possible role in expanding the host spectrum is discussed, and the importance of deepening their characterisation is discussed to better understand these dynamics. This paper also intends to underline the need to use this information in the implementation of monitoring plans and strategic interventions, as well as the urgency of expanding scientific knowledge through the search for new mutations potentially involved in the species jump, using innovative tools.