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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Journal of Virology

From viral infection to emission: host barriers shaping airborne transmission

  • Patricia Romanos Martinez1
  • Maximilian Rohde2
  • Mohammad Yeasin3
  • Saikat Basu3
  • Christian Sieben2,4
  • Julia R. Port1,5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Laboratory of Transmission Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
  2. 2Nanoscale Infection Biology Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
  3. 3Department of Mechanical Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, USA
  4. 4Institute of Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
  5. 5Institute for Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract

Coughing, speaking, and even quiet breathing can release virus-laden particles into the air, triggering transmission events that spread through households and communities. Understanding why some respiratory viruses transmit so efficiently, and under which biological or environmental conditions this occurs, is central to anticipating future outbreaks. In this review, we outline the biological and physical factors that shape respiratory virus transmission, highlighting how the site of replication, mechanisms of droplet generation, and environmental conditions influence airborne spread. We examine how viral traits such as receptor usage, tissue tropism, and innate immune evasion intersect with airway physiology to determine the size, composition, and infectiousness of exhaled particles. We lastly draw attention to key gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding the host and environmental factors that govern both the release and uptake of virions. Filling these gaps will allow us to more accurately assess transmission risk and implement targeted approaches to reduce spread.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{martinez2026from,
  title = {{From viral infection to emission: host barriers shaping airborne transmission}},
  author = {Patricia Romanos Martinez and Maximilian Rohde and Mohammad Yeasin and Saikat Basu and Christian Sieben and Julia R. Port},
  journal = {Journal of Virology},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1128/jvi.00753-26},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00753-26},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - From viral infection to emission: host barriers shaping airborne transmission
AU  - Patricia Romanos Martinez
AU  - Maximilian Rohde
AU  - Mohammad Yeasin
AU  - Saikat Basu
AU  - Christian Sieben
AU  - Julia R. Port
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/28
JO  - Journal of Virology
DO  - 10.1128/jvi.00753-26
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00753-26
AB  - Coughing, speaking, and even quiet breathing can release virus-laden particles into the air, triggering transmission events that spread through households and communities. Understanding why some respiratory viruses transmit so efficiently, and under which biological or environmental conditions this occurs, is central to anticipating future outbreaks. In this review, we outline the biological and physical factors that shape respiratory virus transmission, highlighting how the site of replication, mechanisms of droplet generation, and environmental conditions influence airborne spread. We examine how viral traits such as receptor usage, tissue tropism, and innate immune evasion intersect with airway physiology to determine the size, composition, and infectiousness of exhaled particles. We lastly draw attention to key gaps in current knowledge, particularly regarding the host and environmental factors that govern both the release and uptake of virions. Filling these gaps will allow us to more accurately assess transmission risk and implement targeted approaches to reduce spread.
SN  - 0022-538X
SN  - 1098-5514
ER  -