A bovine-derived influenza A virus (H5N1) shows efficient replication in well-differentiated human nasal epithelial cells at the temperature of the upper airways
Étori Aguiar Moreira, Samuel Constant, Charlene Constant, Lisa Butticaz, Michele Wyler, Teodora David, Peter M. Grin, Charaf Benarafa, Volker Thiel, Marco P. Alves, Gert Zimmer
This study shows that a bovine-derived H5N1 virus replicates efficiently in human nasal epithelial cells at both 37°C and 33°C, with specific mutations enhancing replication at lower temperatures.
bioRxiv · May 22, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology