Influenza A Viruses: New Insights in 2022

Dear Colleagues,

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a major cause of respiratory infections worldwide, with the most severe cases occurring in the very young and in elderly individuals. Infants and children having their first encounter with the virus have the greatest incidence of severe enough infection to require medical attention. Although the highest illness rates occur in children, most deaths occur with infections of the elderly. In addition, immunocompromised individuals of any age are at greater risk of adverse outcomes.

Seasonal IAV was responsible for an average of 12,000–52,000 deaths annually between 2010 and 2020 in the U.S. before onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CDC, with preventive measures addressing the latter respiratory infection also reducing the impact of seasonal influenza. IAV pandemics emerge at unpredictable intervals. There have been four influenza pandemics in the last 103 years, with the 1918 H1N1 avian virus responsible for an estimated 675,000 U.S. deaths. Viral strains with pandemic potential continue to be isolated from avian species. For example, outbreaks of human infection by avian influenza A virus subtypes H5N1 and H7N9 have been associated with 53% and 39% mortality, respectively.

The aim of this Special Issue of Viruses is to contribute to the current knowledge regarding innate and adaptive immunity to IAV, the pathogenesis of the infection, the ecology of the infection, the populations at risk and epidemiology of the infection, treatment approaches directed at IAV or modification of host responses, and approaches to vaccine development that are likely to benefit the host upon subsequent natural challenge. Research articles, review articles, and short communications are invited. Reports of promising candidate "universal" (broadly protecting) IAV vaccines and reports of IAV co-infections (e.g., with SARS-CoV-2 which is currently producing a worldwide pandemic) are encouraged.

Dr. Norbert J. Roberts, Jr.
Dr. Leonard R. Krilov
Guest Editors

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• Influenza A virus (IAV)
• IAV pathogenesis
• Innate immunity to IAV
• Adaptive immunity to IAV
• IAV therapy
• IAV vaccines, including universal vaccines
• IAV epidemiology
• IAV co-infections