Table 2

Characteristics and pathogenicity of influenza A viruses


Viral features

Number of HA subtypes
16
Number of NA subtypes
9
Predominant human subtypes
H1, H2, H3
Avian subtypes
H1–H16
HPAI subtypes
H5 and H7
Conversion to HPAI
Basic amino acid insertion in HA
Avian sialic acid-galactose linkages
α-2,3 linkages
Human sialic acid-galactose linkages
α-2,6 linkages

HA, hemagglutinin; HPAI, highly pathogenic avian influenza; NA, neuroaminidase.

Sandrock and Kelly Critical Care 2007 11:209   doi:10.1186/cc5675