Enhanced replication of contemporary human highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus isolate in human lung organoids compared to bovine isolate

We compared virus replication and host responses in human alveolar epithelium infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses. A/Vietnam/1203/2004 replicated most efficiently, followed by A/Texas/37/2024, then A/bovine/Ohio/B24OSU-342/2024. Induction of interferon-stimulated genes was lower with A/Texas/37/2024 and A/bovine/Ohio/B24OSU-342/2024, which may indicate a reduced disease severity of these viruses.