Читать книгу Principles of Virology, Volume 2 - Jane Flint, S. Jane Flint - Страница 98

Ferrets, which are carnivorous mammals, are excellent models for the study of influenza virus infection, pathogenesis, and transmission. Human and avian influenza viruses reproduce in the ferret airway, and infected animals develop many characteristic signs of the flu, including fever and sneezing. The release of infectious virus through nasal discharges allows for ferret-to-ferret transmission of influenza, an observation first reported in 1933.

In 2011, influenza virus experiments using this well-established model came under intense media scrutiny when two research groups genetically engineered an H5N1 strain of influenza virus that was suspected to have pandemic potential in humans. These investigators showed that the engineered viruses were transmissible in ferrets, raising concerns that, if the viruses or an infected ferret escaped or was otherwise released, a new influenza pandemic could be triggered. The debate, which continues to impact the scientific and lay communities, centers around “dual-use” experiments: studies that have both a potential public health benefit but that could also be used for bioterrorism or could endanger humans. Some scientists have contended that work such as this should never have been done, given the risks. Others, including many virologists, counter with multiple points. First, that a virus can be transmitted in ferrets does not indicate that it will also spread in humans. However, knowing the genetic changes that affect transmission would have great benefit should an H5N1 virus infection occur in humans. Moreover, high-level biocontainment facilities and procedures for performing such experiments safely are in place to prevent accidental release of nefarious viruses (or infected animals). While it may seem like the basis of an exciting thriller, work with these agents is strictly controlled.

 Belser JA, Katz JM, Tumpey TM. 2011. The ferret as a model organism to study influenza A virus infection. Dis Model Mech 4:575–579.