Why are swine able to mix influenza viruses?

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Multiple Choice

Why are swine able to mix influenza viruses?

The key idea is receptor compatibility in the swine respiratory tract that allows infection by both avian and mammalian influenza viruses, enabling co-infection and genetic reassortment. Pigs have both alpha-2,3-linked and alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid receptors on their airway cells, which bind avian and mammalian influenza strains, respectively. This means a pig can be infected by two different influenza A viruses at the same time, providing an opportunity for the viruses’ segmented genomes to mix when new virions are produced. The result can be novel reassortant strains with unpredictable properties, contributing to the emergence of strains capable of infecting humans or spreading more widely. Birds, particularly wild aquatic birds, are the primary reservoir for influenza, not swine. Swine can be infected and support replication and transmission of influenza; they are not immune.

The key idea is receptor compatibility in the swine respiratory tract that allows infection by both avian and mammalian influenza viruses, enabling co-infection and genetic reassortment. Pigs have both alpha-2,3-linked and alpha-2,6-linked sialic acid receptors on their airway cells, which bind avian and mammalian influenza strains, respectively. This means a pig can be infected by two different influenza A viruses at the same time, providing an opportunity for the viruses’ segmented genomes to mix when new virions are produced. The result can be novel reassortant strains with unpredictable properties, contributing to the emergence of strains capable of infecting humans or spreading more widely.

Birds, particularly wild aquatic birds, are the primary reservoir for influenza, not swine. Swine can be infected and support replication and transmission of influenza; they are not immune.

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