Influenza viruses (INFV) are segmented RNA viruses that cause seasonal influenza epidemics and pandemics. Influenza A can infect and be transmitted between birds and some mammals (e.g. pigs and humans). Influenza B only infects humans and seals. Influenza infection poses a severe threat to public health and the agricultural economy. This virus mutates quickly by both antigenic drift and reassortment requiring the development and reformulation of new vaccines each year. Viruses resistant to almost all known drugs have been identified, making drug development a critical pursuit. Concerns about INFV infection are further heightened by the potential for transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains to humans.
IBT Bioservices has developed several influenza mouse models wherein mice are inoculated intranasally with an LD90 dose of various strains to antiviral efficacy of test candidates.
Influenza drug resistance
It is often of interest to test candidate therapies against influenza strains resistant to the standard of care. IBT Bioservices offers a mouse model using INFV A/Perth/261/2009, which has the naturally occurring H275Y antiviral resistance mutation.
