An official website of the United States government.
<OL> <LI> Pathogenesis of avian inluenza virus isolates in swine.<LI> Role of avian polymerases in adaptation of swine influenza viruses to swine. <LI> Genetic characterization of swine and avian influenza viruses to swine.<LI>Preparation of reagents.
APPROACH: <OL> <LI> Pathogenesis of avian influenza virus isolates in swine will be evaluated after inoculation into a group of four week old pigs. Microscopic and macroscopic lung lesions and viral replication in lungs and nasal cavities will be determined. <LI> Various reassortant viruses containing avian and/or swine polymerase genes will be established using reverse genetics approaches. These reassortant viruses will be tested for their pathogenic potential in swine. <LI> Swine and avian influenza isolates will be genetically characterized using conventional sequencing approaches. <LI> Hyperimmune sera and various viruses will be made available as reagents.