How influenza a causes ‘‘epidemics and pandemics’’ among the population: novel targets for anti-influenza molecules

Abstract

Influenza A is the most important infectious disease confronting the world caused by Influenza A virus. It generally causes seasonal epidemic and pandemic flu with the high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide, mainly because the reservoir is difficult to eradicate as well as the virus, like other RNA viruses, is capable to undergo a continuous antigenic variation either via a point mutation in the surface antigens (called Antigenic drift) leading to seasonal epidemics or through a genetic reassortment (called Antigenic shift) which is a major change in the surface antigens leading to generation of entirely novel strains and sporadic pandemics among the population with no pre-existing immunity. Several targets such as (HA, NA, M2) are studied to inhibit binding and entry of virus into the target cells and prevent infection but due to high antigenic variations at these targets and the presence of drug resistance, it is found to be difficult to control the infection, therefore; alternative targets are thought to be crucial for treatment and management of potential future pandemics. Recently Nuclear export of NP are described as a common target of viral lifecycle for antiviral compounds. Some molecules such as RK424 and DP2392-E10 are found to inhibit the transportation of viral NP into- and from cytoplasm of infected cells and prevent the generation of viral progenies.The purpose of this review is to describe the mechanism of seasonal epidemic and pandemic flu among the human population as well as to describe the recent targets of viral lifecycle for antiviral compounds to control and treat the unpredictable future pandemic infections.