Dutch scientists have identified the respiratory tract sites and cell types targeted by human versus avian influenza viruses.

   Professor Thijs Kuiken and colleagues at the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam said their findings provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of the divergent diseases.

   To elucidate the differences between low and highly pathogenic avian influenza virus versus human influenza virus, the researchers said they used a technique called virus histochemistry that examines the attachment pattern of an influenza virus to isolated respiratory tissues, thus identifying the cells targeted by the virus.

   When human viruses were tested, both attached strongly to the trachea and bronchi but virus binding to the bronchioles and alveoli was less abundant in comparison. In contrast, viral attachment of avian viruses was rare in the trachea, but more abundant in the bronchioles and alveoli.

   The detailed study is featured in The American Journal of Pathology.

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