Influenza virus infection of well-differentiated human airway epithelial cells by infectious aerosols: insights into the earliest stages of infection

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Influenza viruses cause annual epidemics that are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. We have previously used human ciliated epithelial cells in culture to evaluate the effects of bacteria and viruses. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of influenza virus infection, either by aerosol or by liquid immersion, on ciliary function and inflammation of differentiated primary human nasal epithelial cells. Objectives Course Objective Influenza virus is a major human pathogen, yet surprisingly little data is available on the earliest stage of infection. We have developed a novel method to study natural transmission influenza infection by aerosol and to observe the effects of early infection on the ciliated airway epithelium using high-speed video microscopy.. Primary human ciliated epithelial cultures were infected with influenza A (H1N1), delivered either by aerosol or by liquid immersion.