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Tumpey et al. Science 315:655-659
Terry Tumpey et al. show that two amino acid mutations that cause a switch in receptor binding preference from the human alpha-2,6 to the avian alpha-2,3 sialic acid results in a virus incapable of respiratory droplet transmission between ferrets but that maintains its lethality and replication efficiency in the upper respiratory tract. These findings confirm an essential role of hemagglutinin receptor specificity for the transmission of influenza viruses among mammals.
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Changes in amino acids in the 1918 influenza virus cut transmission
Questions & Answers: Small change in 1918 influenza virus halts transmission
