Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects

Viral evolution refers to the genetic changes that a virus accumulates during its lifetime which can arise from adaptations in response to environmental changes or the immune response of the host. Influenza A virus is one of the most rapidly evolving microorganisms. Its genetic instability may lead...

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Main Authors: Julia M. Smyk, Natalia Szydłowska, Weronika Szulc, Anna Majewska
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/20/12244
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author Julia M. Smyk
Natalia Szydłowska
Weronika Szulc
Anna Majewska
author_facet Julia M. Smyk
Natalia Szydłowska
Weronika Szulc
Anna Majewska
author_sort Julia M. Smyk
collection DOAJ
description Viral evolution refers to the genetic changes that a virus accumulates during its lifetime which can arise from adaptations in response to environmental changes or the immune response of the host. Influenza A virus is one of the most rapidly evolving microorganisms. Its genetic instability may lead to large changes in its biological properties, including changes in virulence, adaptation to new hosts, and even the emergence of infectious diseases with a previously unknown clinical course. Genetic variability makes it difficult to implement effective prophylactic programs, such as vaccinations, and may be responsible for resistance to antiviral drugs. The aim of the review was to describe the consequences of the variability of influenza viruses, mutations, and recombination, which allow viruses to overcome species barriers, causing epidemics and pandemics. Another consequence of influenza virus evolution is the risk of the resistance to antiviral drugs. Thus far, one class of drugs, M2 protein inhibitors, has been excluded from use because of mutations in strains isolated in many regions of the world from humans and animals. Therefore, the effectiveness of anti-influenza drugs should be continuously monitored in reference centers representing particular regions of the world as a part of epidemiological surveillance.
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spelling doaj.art-94f079c789834c50b594f5404a33a4dc2023-11-24T00:29:51ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences1661-65961422-00672022-10-0123201224410.3390/ijms232012244Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and ProspectsJulia M. Smyk0Natalia Szydłowska1Weronika Szulc2Anna Majewska3Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chalubinskiego 5 Str., 02-004 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chalubinskiego 5 Str., 02-004 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chalubinskiego 5 Str., 02-004 Warsaw, PolandDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Chalubinskiego 5 Str., 02-004 Warsaw, PolandViral evolution refers to the genetic changes that a virus accumulates during its lifetime which can arise from adaptations in response to environmental changes or the immune response of the host. Influenza A virus is one of the most rapidly evolving microorganisms. Its genetic instability may lead to large changes in its biological properties, including changes in virulence, adaptation to new hosts, and even the emergence of infectious diseases with a previously unknown clinical course. Genetic variability makes it difficult to implement effective prophylactic programs, such as vaccinations, and may be responsible for resistance to antiviral drugs. The aim of the review was to describe the consequences of the variability of influenza viruses, mutations, and recombination, which allow viruses to overcome species barriers, causing epidemics and pandemics. Another consequence of influenza virus evolution is the risk of the resistance to antiviral drugs. Thus far, one class of drugs, M2 protein inhibitors, has been excluded from use because of mutations in strains isolated in many regions of the world from humans and animals. Therefore, the effectiveness of anti-influenza drugs should be continuously monitored in reference centers representing particular regions of the world as a part of epidemiological surveillance.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/20/12244anti-influenza drugsinfluenza treatmentdrug resistance
spellingShingle Julia M. Smyk
Natalia Szydłowska
Weronika Szulc
Anna Majewska
Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
anti-influenza drugs
influenza treatment
drug resistance
title Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
title_full Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
title_fullStr Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
title_short Evolution of Influenza Viruses—Drug Resistance, Treatment Options, and Prospects
title_sort evolution of influenza viruses drug resistance treatment options and prospects
topic anti-influenza drugs
influenza treatment
drug resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/20/12244
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AT nataliaszydłowska evolutionofinfluenzavirusesdrugresistancetreatmentoptionsandprospects
AT weronikaszulc evolutionofinfluenzavirusesdrugresistancetreatmentoptionsandprospects
AT annamajewska evolutionofinfluenzavirusesdrugresistancetreatmentoptionsandprospects