Infectious Diseases 2025

Infectious Diseases 2025

Pathogenesis of bovine-derived H5N1 infection in Cynomolgus Macaques

Nature | 2025 16 January, 2025

A recent study published in Nature examined the infection dynamics and pathological outcomes associated with the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, specifically the clade 2.3.4.4b strain, in Macaca fascicularis (cynomolgus macaques). The investigation revealed that the route of viral inoculation significantly influenced disease severity. Intranasal and intratracheal inoculation resulted in systemic viral dissemination and varying degrees of respiratory pathology, whereas orogastric inoculation predominantly caused localized infection with minimal clinical manifestations.
These findings indicate that while the orogastric route, simulating the ingestion of contaminated materials, induces limited clinical disease, a potential risk of zoonotic transmission from cattle to humans remains.