Avian and Human Influenza A Virus Receptors in Bovine Mammary Gland

Abstract

An outbreak of influenza A (H5N1) virus was detected in dairy cows in the United States. We detected influenza A virus sialic acid -α2,3/α2,6-galactose host receptors in bovine mammary glands by lectin histochemistry. Our results provide a rationale for the high levels of H5N1 virus in milk from infected cows.

Keywords

• influenza A virus
• influenza
• viruses
• host tropism
• sialic acid
• receptor