The Influenza

&
Parainfluenza viruses
Orthomyxoviridae

&

Paramyxoviridae
 Classification

Family: ORTHOMYXOVIRIDAE

Genus: Influenza viruses

Types: Type A Type B Type C

• “myxo” refers to interaction
with mucins (glycoproteins)

• Different from
paramyxoviruses : -
segmented genome
- smaller (average 110 nm in
diameter against 150 nm).
An enveloped viruse, helical symmetry
capsid, segmented linear RNA genome

Nucleocapsid: Internal
Nucleoprotein (7 or 8 RNA segments) antigens
Matrix protein (M)

Lipid bilayer

Haemaglutinin (HA)
Surface
Neuraminidase (NA) antigens
80 to 120 nm
Each hemagglutinin spike is made up of
three entwined molecules while each
neuraminidase is comprised of four
entwined molecules.

On the surface of the virus are M2

proteins. Inside the lipid envelope, there are
eight RNA gene segments called RNPs (RNA
molecule+ Nucleoprotein+ Polymerases).
Ball shaped M1 proteins: as cushions for
the RNPs inside.
 Surface glycoproteins
 Haemagglutinin
– H or HA
– responsible for pathogenicity of the virus
– allows virus to adhere to endothelial cells in the
respiratory tract
– main determinant of immunity
 Neuraminidase
– N or NA
– allows release of newly formed viruses within
host
– determinant of disease severity
Antibody against the hemagglutinin
neutralizes the infectivity of the
virus and prevents disease. Ab
against neuraminidase only reduces
disease.
 Influenza subgroups
 Influenza A
– highly infective
– infects many species
– causes widespread epidemics
 Influenza B
– found only in humans
– capable of producing severe disease
– causes regional epidemics
 Influenza C
– causes mild disease
– humans are natural hosts, but isolates also found in pigs
– does not cause epidemics
 Reassortment of segments of the
genome RNA
Influenza viruses, especially type A show
changes in the antigenicity of their
hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. 
epidemics.

Influenza viruses antigenes

1.Group-specific (internal
ribonucleoprotein) antigenes.
2.Type-specific (surface N and H) antigens.
Many species of animal (eg. Birds, swine, and
hourses) have their own influenza A viruses.

These animal viruses are probably the source

of the new antigenic types.

Antigenic shift: Major changes based on

reassortment of genome pieces. Occurs every
10-11 years

Antigenic drift: Minor changes based on

mutation occurs every year.
Antigenic shift appears to result
from genetic recombination of
human with animal or bird
,providing major antigenic
change.This can cause a major
epidemic or pandemic involving
most or all age groups.
Epidemics and pandemics occur
when the antigenicity of the
virus has changed sufficiently
that the preexisting immunity of
many people is no longer
effective.
Various combinations of RNA segments can
result in a new subtype of virus (known as
antigenic shift

It is even possible to include RNA strands from

birds, swine, and human influenza viruses into
one virus if a cell becomes infected with all
three types of influenza.
 Occurrence of influenza A
viruses
Influenza A viruses 16 HA types
9 NA types

Species affected humans, pigs, horses,

birds, marine mammals

In humans 3 HA types (H1, H2, H3)

3 NA types (N1, N2, N8)

In birds all HA types

all NA types
Influenza viruses nomenclature

For example:

A / Beijing / 32 / 92 (H3N2)
A virus type, here A

Beijing place where the strain was isolated

32 strain number

92 year of first isolation

H3N2 subtypes H3 and N2 virus sub type, here H3N2

ELECTRON MICROSOPE IMAGE
OF H1N1 INFLUENZA VIRUS
 Pathogenesis

After the virus is inhaled, the

neuraminidase degrades the
protective mucus layer, allowing
the virus to gain access to the
cells of the upper and lower
respiratory tract.
Viremia rarely occurs, but there
is necrosis of the superficial
layers of respiratory epithelium.
Immunity
Circulating IgG against the virus occurs
after infection, but offers little protection.
Secretory IgA in the respiratory tract is
protective.
SYMPTOMS OF SWINE FLU IN
HUMANS
Clinical findings
• Incubation period: 24-48 hours
• Symptoms: fever, myalgias, headache,
cough develop suddenly.
• The symptoms resolve spontaneously in
4-7 days but sometimes is complicated
with secondary infections.
•Rey’s syndrome (Encephalopathy and
liver degeneration life-threatening
complication in children) following some
viral infections, particularly influenza B
and chikenpox, if they have been given
Asprin to reduce the fever.
 COMPLICATIONS

Pneumonia
Respiratory failure
Convulsion (muscles contract and
relax rapidly and repeatedly, resulting in an
uncontrolled shaking of the body)
 When to Seek Emergency
Medical Care
 has difficulty breathing or chest pain
 has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
 is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
 has signs of dehydration such as dizziness when
standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a
lack of tears when they cry
 has seizures (for example, uncontrolled
convulsions)
 is less responsive than normal
 RISK GROUPS
Persons with certain chronic medical
condition
School children
Travelers to some high risk places
Border workers
Health care workers or public health
workers
 PREVENTION

 Prevention in swine or other

animal hosts.
 Prevention of transmission to
humans.
 Prevention of its spread among
humans.
 Prevention of its spread among
humans.
Frequent
washing of
hands with
soap and
water
Use of
face
masks
Use of
towel while
sneezing
Use of
alcohol
based
sanitisers.
 Lab diagnosis
1. Virus isolation (by throat washing)
with cell culture. Then flurescent-
antibody staining of the infected
cells by using antisera to influenza A
and B.

1. A rise in antibody titer of at least 4-

fold in serum samples using
hemmagglutination inhibition or
complement fixation.

1. PCR reactions
 TREATMENT
supportive care is required. Bed Rest
Keep the sick person in a room separate
from the common areas of the house.
 Antibiotics (to treat this disease, do help prevent
bacterial pneumonia and other secondary
infections.)
Viral agent is used in severe infections.
(Zanamivir or Tamiflu is recommended by
C.D.C.)
VACCINE

 The current trivalent influenza

vaccine is likely to provide
protection against the new 2009
H1N1 strain.