R292K Substitution and Drug Susceptibility of Influenza A(H7N9) Viruses

Abstract

Neuraminidase inhibitors are the only licensed antiviral medications available to treat avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infections in humans. According to a neuraminidase inhibition assay, an R292K substitution reduced antiviral efficacy of inhibitors, especially oseltamivir, and decreased viral fitness in cell culture. Monitoring emergence of R292K-carrying viruses using a pH-modified neuraminidase inhibition assay should be considered.

Keywords

• H7N9
• avian influenza
• neuraminidase inhibitor
• zanamivir
• oseltamivir
• R292K