Mutations in the Neuraminidase-Like Protein of Bat Influenza H18N11 Virus Enhance Virus Replication in Mammalian Cells, Mice, and Ferrets

Bats are reservoirs for several severe zoonotic pathogens. The genomes of influenza A viruses of the H17N10 and H18N11 subtypes have been identified in bats, but no live virus has been isolated. The characterization of artificially generated bat influenza H18N11 virus in mammalian cell lines and animal models revealed that this virus can acquire mammal-adapting mutations that may increase its zoonotic potential; however, the wild-type and mutant...