In the early stage of sudden H7N9 outbreak, the group of academician Lanjuan Li published the paper “Human infections with the emerging avian influenza A H7N9 virus from wet market poultry: clinical analysis and characterisation of viral genome” in Lancet at the fastest pace. It was first reported internationally that wet poultry market was the source of avian influenza A H7N9 virus, first discovered that key gene mutation of H7N9 led to virus spread from poultry to human, and first confirmed the presence of cytokine storm similar to SARS in severe H7N9 patients, all of which provided important and scientific basis for prevention and control decision of government.
Another research achievement from the group of academician Lanjuan Li “Clinical findings in 111 cases of influenza A (H7N9) virus infection” was published online in New England Journal of Medicine on May 23, systematically described and analyzed the clinical features of 111 patients with avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) infection for the first time, including demographic characteristics, symptoms, signs, laboratory examinations, imaging changes, natural course, etc. It was of great significance for global medical workers to identify H7N9 influenza virus infection correctly, recognize its pathogenetic regularity, establish a standard system of diagnosis, as well as early warning of severe cases.