MedWorm: H1N1

CADTH rapid response report: Antivirals for pandemic and human avian influenzas

NeLM - News — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) Area: News This rapid response report from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) reviews the evidence on the clinical benefits and harms of antivirals for the treatment and prevention of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and human avian influenza A (H5N1). It found that, 'There is limited evidence that oseltamivir is clinically effective for the treatment of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) and limited evidence that it is especially effective with treatment within 48 hours of symptom onset. There is insufficient evidence to make a definitive conclusion regarding the clinical effectiveness of antivirals for prophylaxis or treatment of pandemic influenza A(H1N1), and no evidence was identified re...

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As A Control Measure During Pandemic Outbreaks, School Closures Should Be Considered

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0100

Closing elementary and secondary schools can help slow the spread of infectious disease and should be considered as a control measure during pandemic outbreaks, according to a McMaster University led study. Using high-quality data about the incidence of influenza infections in Alberta during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, the researchers show that when schools closed for the summer, the transmission of infection from person to person was sharply reduced... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

School closures slow spread of pH1N1

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(McMaster University) Using high-quality data about the incidence of influenza infections in Alberta during the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic, the researchers show that when schools closed for the summer, the transmission of infection from person to person was sharply reduced. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

H1N1 vaccination does not increase risk of relapse in multiple sclerosis: a self-controlled case-series study

Multiple Sclerosis — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Multiple Sclerosis)

Highlights from this issue

Gut — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Luminal GIH1N1 influenza vaccination and IBD The global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) affected 70 countries in 2009. There was particular concern for infection in immunocompromised patients, including those with IBD. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine produced seroprotection rates of >85% in the general population but there are no data on the immunogenicity of the vaccine in patients with IBD. In this issue of Gut, Cullen et al report their observational prospective open-label study which examined the immunogenicity of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in IBD patients. Patients with IBD vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine had a low rate of seroprotection, particularly those who were immunosuppressed or received combination immunosuppression (see table 1). An assay of T lym...

Serological response to the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Gut — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Patients with IBD vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine had a low rate of seroprotection, particularly among those who were immunosuppressed. Although there is a need for studies of the clinical benefit of vaccines in this population, patients with IBD need to be aware of this reduced immunogenicity. (Source: Gut)

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Comparison of Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza A InfectionsComparison of Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza A Infections

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:00:00 +0100

This study compares the clinical and epidemiological features. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Vaccination against influenza a virus (H1N1) among Spanish healthcare workers.

European Journal of Internal Medicine — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:24:32 +0100

Authors: Olalla J, de Ory F, Casas I, Benítez N PMID: 22284261 [PubMed - in process] (Source: European Journal of Internal Medicine)

Improved serological response to H1N1 monovalent vaccine associated with viral suppression among HIV‐1‐infected patients during the 2009 influenza (H1N1) pandemic in the Southern Hemisphere

HIV Medicine — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ConclusionsA high prevalence of HI H1N1 antibodies was found before vaccination in the cohort, consistent with previous exposure to H1N1 influenza virus. The response to vaccination was considered adequate, as more than two‐thirds of patients achieved a fourfold or more increase in antibody titre after vaccination. The response to vaccination was significantly greater in those patients who were aviraemic for HIV, suggesting that antiretroviral therapy improves the humoral response, which is important in optimizing vaccine effectiveness. (Source: HIV Medicine)

Neurologic adverse events following influenza A (H1N1) vaccinations in children

Pediatrics International — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Post‐vaccine NAEs were mainly motor weakness due to poly‐neuropathy, which had a good prognosis of complete improvement within a few months without sequelae.© 2012 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2012 Japan Pediatric Society (Source: Pediatrics International)

Socio-economic disparities in mortality due to pandemic influenza in England

International Journal of Public Health — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:12:22 +0100

Conclusion Tackling socio-economic health inequalities is a central concept within public health, but has not always been a part of emergency preparedness plans. These data demonstrate the opportunity to reduce the overall impact and narrow inequalities by considering socio-economic disparities in future pandemic planning. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s00038-012-0337-1Authors Paul D. Rutter, Imperial College, London, UKOliver T. Mytton, University of Oxford, Oxford, UKMatthew Mak, King’s College Hospital, London, UKLiam J. Donaldson, Imperial College, London, UK Journal International Journal of Public HealthOnline ISSN 1661-8564Print ISSN 1661-8556 (Source: International Journal of Public Health)

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Clinical features and risk factors for severe and critical pregnant women with 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza infection in China

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Severe hypoxemia and higher BMI on admission were associated with adverse outcomes for pregnant women. Preterm delivery was a risk factor for neonatal death among pregnant women with pH1N1 influenza infection. NIV may be useful in selected pregnant women without septic shock. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

A DNA vaccine expressing PB1 protein of influenza A virus protects mice against virus infection

Archives of Virology — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:44:28 +0100

Abstract Although influenza DNA vaccine research has focused mainly on viral hemagglutinin and has led to promising results, other virion proteins have also shown some protective potential. In this work, we explored the potential of a DNA vaccine based on the PB1 protein to protect BALB/c mice against lethal influenza A virus infection. The DNA vaccine consisted of pTriEx4 plasmid expressing PB1. As a positive control, a pTriEx4 plasmid expressing influenza A virus HA was used. Two weeks after three subcutaneous doses of DNA vaccine, the mice were challenged intranasally with 1 LD50 of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus, and PB1- and HA-specific antibodies, survival rate, body weight change, viral mRNA load, infectious virus titer in the lungs, cytokines IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10, ...

Natural flu resistance discovery offers universal vaccine hope

The Telegraph : Swine Flu A H1N1 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:13:31 +0100

Some people have a natural resistance to all flu strains, according to British scientists who believe the finding will enable them to create a universal vaccine. (Source: The Telegraph : Swine Flu A H1N1)

ECMO Centers and Mortality From Influenza A(H1N1) [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

ECMO Centers and Mortality From Influenza A(H1N1)--Reply [Letters]

JAMA — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

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More Use of Whole Gene Sequencing Poised to Play Important New Roles in Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Testing

Dark Daily — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:57:04 +0100

Cheaper, faster, and more accurate rapid gene sequencing technologies show great promise in identifying infectious disease agents In clinical laboratories across the nation, microbiology has greatly benefited from the introduction of molecular diagnostics in clinical practice. Now the field of microbiology is poised to undergo a more profound transformation of clinical practice, due to advances [...] (Source: Dark Daily)

A case of novel swine influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia complicated with virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:32:07 +0100

Abstract Influenza related to complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis have sporadically been reported. However, influenza A (H1N1)-virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (VAHS) has rarely been reported. A 39-year old woman complained of high fever and was referred to us. Chest infiltrations in both lungs and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimen was confirmed and she was diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia. Pancytopenia was found, and hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) was diagnosed by bone marrow aspiration. Following intravenous administration of antiflu drug and combination therapy of steroid pulse and erythromycin IV, the patient’s respiratory dysfunction a...

Health Highlights: Jan. 27, 2012

Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:24:00 +0100

FDA Approves New Drug for Type 2 Diabetes Erin Brockovich Takes on High School Girls' Mystery Illness H1N1 'Swine' Flu Cases Increase in Mexico Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Tested on Dogs High Heels Affect Biomechanics: Study Fake News Sites for Acai Berry Pills Shut Down by FTC (Source: Primary Care News - Doctors Lounge)

Immune response to an adjuvanted influenza A H1N1 vaccine (Pandemrix(R)) in renal transplant recipients

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. These data suggest that Pandemrix® does not provide a protective immune response in the majority of kidney transplant recipients. Therefore, for new vaccines, efficacy as well as safety profiles should be evaluated in this subgroup of patients. (Source: Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation)

Different virucidal activities of hyperbranched quaternary ammonium coatings on poliovirus and influenza virus.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tuladhar E, de Koning M, Fundeanu I, Beumer R, Duizer E Abstract Virucidal activity of immobilized quaternary ammonium compounds (IQACs) coated onto glass and plastic surfaces was tested against enveloped influenza A (H1N1) virus and non-enveloped poliovirus Sabin1. The IQACs tested were virucidal against the influenza virus within 2 min but no virucidal effect against poliovirus was found in 6 h. PMID: 22287007 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology)

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Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in children.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:18:08 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Oseltamivir and zanamivir appear to have modest benefit in reducing duration of illness in children with influenza. However, our analysis was limited by small sample sizes and an inability to pool data from different studies. Oseltamivir reduces the incidence of acute otitis media in children aged one to five years but is associated with a significantly increased risk of vomiting. One study demonstrated that laninamivir octanoate was more effective than oseltamivir in shortening duration of illness in children with oseltamivir-resistant influenza A/H1N1. The benefit of oseltamivir and zanamivir in preventing the transmission of influenza in households is modest and based on weak evidence. However, the clinical efficacy of neuraminidase inhibitors in 'at risk' children is still...

The role of facemasks and hand hygiene in the prevention of influenza transmission in households: results from a cluster randomised trial; Berlin, Germany, 2009-2011.

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Results suggest that household transmission of influenza can be reduced by the use of NPI, such as facemasks and intensified hand hygiene, when implemented early and used diligently. Concerns about acceptability and tolerability of the interventions should not be a reason against their recommendation.The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT00833885). (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies after pandemic and trivalent seasonal influenza vaccination as well as natural infection in November 2010 in Hamburg, Germany.

Euro Surveill — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:06:03 +0100

Authors: Cramer J, Mac T, Hogan B, Stauga S, Eberhardt S, Wichmann O, Mertens T, Burchard G PMID: 22264864 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Euro Surveill)

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination policies and coverage in Europe

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 'Swine' Flu Epidemic?

MedicineNet Senior Health General — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Title: How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 'Swine' Flu Epidemic?Category: Health NewsCreated: 1/24/2012 4:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 1/25/2012 (Source: MedicineNet Senior Health General)

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Public health management of antiviral drugs during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic: A survey of local health departments in California

BMC Public Health - Latest articles — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic presented an unusual opportunity to learn about the role of local public health in the management of antiviral response activities during a real public health emergency. Results of this study offer an important descriptive account of LHD management of publicly purchased antivirals, and provide practitioners, policy makers, and academics with a practice-based assessment of these events. The issues raised and the challenges faced by LHDs should be leveraged to inform public health planning for future pandemics and other emergency events that require medical countermeasure dispensing activities. (Source: BMC Public Health - Latest articles)

How Did Generation X Respond to the H1N1 ‘Swine’ Flu Epidemic?

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0100

Young adults did 'reasonably well,' report concludes, although most avoided flu shot (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Updates on the genetic variations of Norovirus in sporadic gastroenteritis in Chungnam Korea, 2009-2010

Virology Journal — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Previously, we explored the epidemic pattern and molecular characterization of noroviruses (NoVs) isolated in Chungnam, Korea in 2008, and the present study extended these observations to 2009 and 2010. In Korea, NoVs showed the seasonal prevalence from late fall to spring, and widely detected in preschool children and peoples over 60 years of age. Epidemiological pattern of NoV was similar in 2008 and in 2010, but pattern in 2009 was affected by pandemic influenza A/H1N1 2009 virus. NoV-positive samples were subjected to sequence determination of the capsid gene region, which resolved the isolated NoVs into five GI (2, 6, 7, 9 and 10) and eleven GII genotypes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 16 and 17). The most prevalent genotype was GII.4 and occupied 130 out of 211 NoV isolates (61.6%). C...

Immunogenicity and safety of the influenza A H1N1v 2009 vaccine in cancer patients treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or targeted therapy: the VACANCE study

Annals of Oncology — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A single dose of AS03-adjuvanted A/H1N1 vaccine triggered a low immune response in cancer patients on chemotherapy depending on their treatment type and frequency. Two doses are needed for these cancer patients. (Source: Annals of Oncology)

Revisiting influenza deaths estimates--Learning from the H1N1 pandemic

The European Journal of Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

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The burden of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) in the Netherlands

The European Journal of Public Health — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This disease burden estimate confirmed that, although there was a higher mortality observed among young people, the 2009 pandemic was overall a mild influenza epidemic. The disease burden of this pandemic was comparable to the burden of seasonal influenza in the Netherlands. (Source: The European Journal of Public Health)

Notice to Readers: Revised Estimates of the Public Health Impact of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccination [From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

JAMA — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Influenza A 2009 (H1N1) Virus in Admitted and Critically Ill Patients

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: A high percentage of patients with H1N1 presented with underlying comorbid conditions including asthma and pregnancy. Traditional markers of pneumonia severity including CURB-65 score, Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI), serum lactate, and AG did not correlate with ICU admission in patients with H1N1. Strong ion gap effectively identified significant acid–base disturbances not identified by lactate or AG, however the trend of greater ICU admission rates among patients with elevated SIG did not reach statistical significance. Further study is needed to identify clinical tools to aid in risk-stratifying H1N1 patients. (Source: Journal of Intensive Care Medicine)

Characterizing antiviral mechanism of interleukin-32 and a circulating soluble isoform in viral infection.

Cytokine — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bae S, Kang D, Hong J, Chung B, Choi J, Jhun H, Hong K, Kim E, Jo S, Lee S, Kim SH, Kim S Abstract Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is an inflammatory cytokine, and its activity is associated with various auto-inflammatory disorders as well as infectious pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and viral infections. However, the precise antiviral mechanism of IL-32 remains unclear. We assessed the IL-32 level in the sera of H1N1 influenza A patients and IL-32 level was significantly elevated. Next we examined the antiviral activity of recombinant IL-32γ (rIL-32γ) with WISH cells infected by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) but no antiviral activity was observed. Therefore we investigated the supernatant of rIL-32-treated THP-1 cells since this cell line effectively responded ...

H1N1 (2009) Infection: Comparison to Other PneumoniasH1N1 (2009) Infection: Comparison to Other Pneumonias

Medscape Today Headlines — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0100

This research will help institutions prepare for future H1N1 pandemics. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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Egypt H5N1 PB2 H1N1pdm09 and Seasonal H1N1 Recombination

Recombinomics — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:40:48 +0100

The commentary discusses a H5N1 PB2 recombination with H1N1pdm11 and seasonal H1N1. (01/17/12 23:45) (Source: Recombinomics)

Soluble RAGE as a severity marker in community acquired pneumonia associated sepsis

BMC Infectious Diseases — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The association of elevated sRAGE with a fatal outcome suggests that it may have an independent causal effect in CAP. SOFA scores were the only clinical factor with the ability to identify surviving and ARDS patients. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Differing clinical characteristics between influenza strains among young healthy adults in the tropics

BMC Infectious Diseases — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study aims to determine the clinical differences between circulating influenza strains in a young healthy adult population in the tropics. Methods: A febrile respiratory illness (FRI) (fever[greater than or equal to] 37.5 degrees centigrade with cough and/or sore throat) surveillance program was started in 4 large military camps in Singapore on May 2009. Personnel with FRI who visited the camp clinics from 11 May 2009 to 25 June 2010 were recruited. Nasal washes and interviewer-administered questionnaires on demographic information and clinical features were obtained from consenting participants. All personnel who tested positive for influenza were included in the study. Overall symptom load was quantified by counting the symptoms or signs, and differences between strains evaluated us...

Lectin-mediated innate defences are important in limiting disease in influenza

Thorax — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study investigates the effect of blocking these defences on antiviral activities and disease severity in influenza infection. Mice were infected with two influenza viruses that differ in the degree of glycosylation of the surface glycoprotein haemagluttinin. Infection with the poorly glycosylated H1N1 virus PR8 resulted in rapid weight loss and a 100% 5-day mortality, whereas the highly glycosylated PR8 reassortant BJx109 resulted in no significant weight loss and a 0% 10-day mortality. This result was replicated in knockout mice with impaired B and T cell function demonstrating that the innate immune system was sufficient to limit disease. In vitro only the highly glycosylated BJx109 (H3N2) virus infected airway macrophages to high levels and was neutralised by mouse bronchoalveolar ...

Flu season off to slow start, so far

USATODAY.com Health — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:22:56 +0100

After the H1N1-linked drama of prior years, the low number of cases of influenza circulating in the US is reassuring, experts said. (Source: USATODAY.com Health)

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Guillain-Barré syndrome in temporal association with influenza A vaccine

Revista Paulista de Pediatria — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 06:37:28 +0100

OBJETIVO:Descrever um caso de síndrome de Guillain-Barré em associação temporal com a vacina influenza A (H1N1) 2009. DESCRIÇAO DO CASO: Menino de quatro anos com queixa inicial de dor em coxa direita e perda de força muscular ascendente 15 dias após a segunda dose da vacina influenza A (H1N1) 2009. Ao exame neurológico apresentava tetraparesia e arreflexia, com predomínio em membros inferiores. A eletroneuromiografia evidenciou redução da velocidade e bloqueio de condução neuronal, com discreta perda axonal secundária. Foi tratado com imunoglobulina por via intravenosa, atingiu platô no quarto dia de evolução da doença e, depois, houve melhora progressiva da força muscular. COMENTÁRIOS: Com o emprego em larga escala da vacina influenza A (H1N1) 2009 em nosso meio e os ...

Protective efficacy of an H1N1 cold-adapted live vaccine against the 2009 pandemic H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H5N1 influenza viruses in mice.

Antiviral Research — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Shi J, Wen Z, Guo J, Zhang Y, Deng G, Shu Y, Wang D, Jiang Y, Kawaoka Y, Bu Z, Chen H Abstract Vaccination is a key strategy for preventing influenza virus infections. Here, we generated a reassortant virus (SC/AAca) containing the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes from a 2009 pandemic influenza virus A/Sichuan/1/2009 (H1N1) (SC/09) and six internal genes from the cold-adapted virus A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) (AAca). The SC/AAca reassortant induced a sound humoral immune response and complete protection against homologous SC/09 virus challenge in mice after intranasal administration of an at least 10(6) 50% egg infectious dose (EID(50)) of SC/AAca. SC/AAca inoculation also induced significant CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and provided solid protection against heterologou...

Narcolepsy after A/H1N1 vaccination

Clinics — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:35:44 +0100

CONCLUSION: The data presented in this study suggest that brain death itself induces hypoperfusion in the mesenteric microcirculation that is associated with a pronounced reduction in the endogenous corticosterone level, thereby leading to increased local inflammation and organ dysfunction. These events are paradoxically associated with induced leukopenia after brain damage (Source: Clinics)

Influenza A virus vaccine-H1N1: Narcolepsy with cataplexy: 2 case reports

Reactions — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:08:18 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Influenza A virus vaccine-H1N1: Encephalitis in an elderly patient: case report

Reactions — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:08:18 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

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Influenza Virus Resistance to Neuraminidase Inhibitors: Implications for Treatment

Current Infectious Disease Reports — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:14:02 +0100

Abstract Oseltamivir and Zanamivir are the two main Neuraminidase inhibitors used for the treatment of Influenza. Oseltamivir resistance has been identified in non-pandemic influenza viruses, as well as H1N1 pandemic Influenza A viruses. Resistance is associated with increased morbidity, and poorer outcomes in severely immunocompromised hosts. Newer neuraminidase inhibitors, increased vaccination and combination therapy may be alternatives for the treatment of Influenza in this setting. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Upper Respiratory, Head, and Neck Infections ( I. Brook, Section Editor)Pages 1-6DOI 10.1007/s11908-012-0236-xAuthors Shivanjali Shankaran, Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center, 1201 Broad rock Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23249, USAGonzalo M. L. Bearm...

Update: Influenza Activity--United States, October 2-November 26, 2011 [From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]

JAMA — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: JAMA)

Epidemiologic Parameters and Evaluation of Control Measure for 2009 Novel Influenza A (H1N1) in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China

Virology Journal — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Our analysis indicated that the characteristics of this novel influenza virus were similar to those of seasonal influenza. The principle of "interception of imported cases" applied at Xiamen ports, and vaccination of students effectively limited the spread of the influenza pandemic and reduced the epidemic peak. (Source: Virology Journal)

Traditional Chinese Herbal Therapy as a Treatment Option for H1N1 Influenza.

Annals of Internal Medicine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wang CZ, Li P, Yuan CS PMID: 22250153 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annals of Internal Medicine)

Safety and immunogenicity of a monovalent MF59(®)-adjuvanted A/H1N1 vaccine in HIV-infected children and young adults.

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: One dose of MF59-adjuvanted vaccine was sufficient to provide adequate levels of seroprotection against A/H1N1 influenza disease in HIV-positive children. However, a two-dose vaccination schedule may be optimal for this population. PMID: 22261282 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Biologicals : Journal of the International Association of Biological Standardization)

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The reporting completeness of a passive safety surveillance system for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccines: A capture-recapture analysis.

Vaccine — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Huang WT, Huang WI, Huang YW, Hsu CW, Chuang JH Abstract Adverse events following pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccines ("2009 H1N1 vaccines") in Taiwan were passively reported to the National Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System. To evaluate the completeness of spontaneous reporting, cases of death, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), convulsion, Bell's palsy, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after 2009 H1N1 vaccination that occurred between November 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010 were selected from the National Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting System (NADRRS) database and an additionally constructed nationwide large-linked database (LLDB), and matched on a unique personal identifier, date of vaccination (within ±7 days), and date of diagnosis (within ±7 days). Overall, ...

Genetic diversity of HA1 domain of hemagglutinin gene of pandemic influenza H1N1pdm09 viruses in New Delhi, India

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:23 +0100

AbstractGenetic analysis of pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1; H1N1pdm09) virus was undertaken to understand virus evolution during 2009 and 2010 in India. Surveillance of influenza viruses from July 2009 to December 2010 revealed major peaks of circulating H1N1pdm09 viruses in August–September and December–January 2009 and then in August–September 2010. To understand the diversity of the H1N1pdm09 virus, selected specimens (n = 23) from 2009 or 2010 were characterized by nucleotide sequence determination of the HA1 subunit of the HA gene. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 22 clustered with clade 7 viruses characterized by S203T mutations, whereas one virus from 2010 fell within clade 6. None of the viruses from either 2009 or 2010 formed a monophyletic group, suggesting a contin...

Case report: Increased viral receptor expression associated with high viral load and severe pneumonia in a young patient infected with 2009 H1N1 influenza a with no pre‐existing conditions

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:21 +0100

AbstractA case of unusually high severity of influenza pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death was investigated. This was a previously a healthy 28‐year‐old man with no underlying conditions, admitted to a hospital during the first wave of influenza pandemic in Thailand in July 2009. He had experienced high fever and influenza‐like illness for 5 days before coming to the hospital. He developed acute respiratory distress syndrome and expired on day 7 after admission. In comparison to three other cases of influenza pneumonia in the same outbreak with known risk factors for severe influenza, such as pregnancy and diabetes mellitus, a much higher viral load was detected in the lungs of this patient despite antiviral treatment. In agreement with the high viral l...

Viral load and epidemiological profile of patients infected by pandemic influenza a (H1N1) 2009 and seasonal influenza a virus in Southern Brazil

Journal of Medical Virology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 07:19:20 +0100

AbstractCorrelation between virologic profile and clinical features of patients infected by influenza virus provides important information for epidemiological control and clinical management of future disease outbreaks. Samples from patients in Southern Brazil, from June to December 2009, were examined and the viral load was correlated with epidemiological data. All samples were analyzed by qRT‐PCR for detection of the 2009‐pandemic Influenza A (H1N1). Relative viral loads were assessed based on the 2−ΔCT method and epidemiological data were obtained for each patient, following ethical policies. A total of 933 samples were positive for pH1N1 (2009) influenza; 172 were positive for seasonal influenza A; 13 were undetermined; 1992 samples were negative for influenza A. Combined molecu...

Autoimmune response following influenza vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Lupus — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:30:03 +0100

We report that after the administration of seasonal/H1N1 vaccine there were mostly transient changes in autoantibody production in AIRD patients and in healthy participants. However, a small subset of patients, especially ANA-positive patients, had a tendency towards anti-ENA development. Although no convincing differences between the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines were observed, our results imply that there might be a slight tendency of the H1N1 vaccine towards aCL induction. Although seasonal and H1N1 vaccines are safe and effective, they also have the potential to induce autoantibodies in selected AIRD patients and healthy adults. Follow-up of such individuals is proposed and further research is needed. PMID: 22235050 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Lupus)

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H1N1: overview and perspectives

Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 16:50:49 +0100

O vírus influenza de origem suína, A/California/04/2009 (H1N1), foi inicialmente detectado no México e determinou a pandemia de influenza de 2009. Em agosto de 2010, a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) declarou o início da fase pós-pandêmica. As características dessa última pandemia foram marcadamente diferentes das anteriores. O vírus emergiu de rearranjos genéticos originários em hospedeiro mamífero não humano, demonstrou transmissibilidade interespécies e afetou a população humana de forma diferente dos vírus pandêmicos anteriores (1918, 1957 e 1968) com maior morbidade e mortalidade em crianças e adultos jovens. Atualmente, o vírus apresenta padrão sazonal da mesma forma que o influenza A H3N2 e o influenza B, mantendo, até o momento, o mesmo perfil de patogen...

Egypt H5N1 Recombines With Seasonal H1N1 H3N2 pH1N1

Recombinomics — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:12:20 +0100

The commentary discusses PB1 and PB2 recombination in avian H5N1 with seasonal H1N1, H3N2, and H1N1pdm09.. (01/13/12 23:30) (Source: Recombinomics)

Influenza viruses and cross-reactivity in healthy adults: Humoral and cellular immunity induced by seasonal 2007/2008 influenza vaccination against vaccine antigens and 2009 A(H1N1) pandemic influenza virus.

Vaccine — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Iorio AM, Bistoni O, Galdiero M, Lepri E, Camilloni B, Russano AM, Neri M, Basileo M, Spinozzi F Abstract We analyzed humoral and cellular immune responses against vaccine antigens and the new A(H1N1) virus in healthy adults before and after immunization with the 2007/2008 commercially available trivalent subunit MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine during the Fall 2007, prior to the emergence of the new virus. Antibody titers were significantly boosted only against the three vaccine antigens. Seasonal vaccination boosted pre-existing cellular responses upon stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells not only with the homologous three vaccine antigens, but also with the heterologous new 2009 A(H1N1) and with a highly conserved peptide present in the stalk region of hem...

Immunogenicity of an Inactivated Monovalent 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccine in Patients Who Have Cancer.

The Oncologist — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion. Cancer patients, whether taking myelosuppressive chemotherapy or not, are able to generate an immune response to the H1N1 vaccine similar to that of healthy controls. PMID: 22240540 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Oncologist)

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 antibodies after pandemic and trivalent seasonal influenza vaccination as well as natural infection in November 2010 in Hamburg, Germany

Eurosurveillance latest news — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0100

(Source: Eurosurveillance latest news)

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H1N1 inspired FDA call for adverse reactions app

mobihealthnews — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:22:40 +0100

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to develop a mobile app that helps it collect information and send out alerts about adverse reactions to experimental medications prescribed during public health crises. The agency realized the need for such an app during the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. The need for the app became apparent [...] (Source: mobihealthnews)

Onset of Narcolepsy Following H1N1 Seasonal PeakOnset of Narcolepsy Following H1N1 Seasonal Peak

Medscape Today Headlines — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:18:10 +0100

Is narcolepsy a consequence of H1N1 infection or H1N1 vaccination? Medscape Neurology (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

Patterns of early transmission of pandemic influenza in London – link with deprivation

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Early transmissions were highest amongst school‐aged children but linked with socio‐economic deprivation across all age groups. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

A comparison of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass concentrations in severe community-acquired pneumonia and severe Pandemic 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gordon CL, Holmes NE, Grayson ML, Torresi J, Johnson PD, Cheng AC, Charles PG Abstract We compared immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses in patients with severe non-influenza community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) to those with severe Pandemic 2009 influenza (H1N1) infection. Low IgG(1) and IgG(2) occurred often in the CAP group; however, H1N1 patients had lower IgG(1) and IgG(2) (5.4 vs. 3.3g/L, p=0.008; 2.5 vs. 1.2g/L, p<0.001, respectively). Low IgG(2) may be specifically linked to severe H1N1, however, it is not clear whether this association is related to H1N1 or to other features of severity. PMID: 22237894 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

Transmission of Influenza A Virus in Pigs

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 10:23:55 +0100

SummaryInfluenza A virus infections cause respiratory disease in pigs and are a risk to public health. The pig plays an important role in influenza ecology because of its ability to support replication of influenza viruses from avian, swine and human species. Influenza A virus is widespread in pigs worldwide, and influenza A virus interspecies transmission has been documented in many events. Influenza A virus is mostly transmitted through direct pig‐to‐pig contact and aerosols although other indirect routes of transmission may also exist. Several factors contribute to differences in the transmission dynamics within populations including among others vaccination, pig flow, animal movement and animal introduction which highlights the complexity of influenza A transmission in pigs. In add...

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Influenza in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients (February).

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:The solid organ transplant population is at an increased risk of severe complications from influenza infection. Identifying risks, preventing illness, and appropriately treating active infection is essential in this patient population. PMID: 22234989 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)

SINUSIN (Pulsatilla Vulgaris And Euphorbia Resinifera Resin And Luffa Operculata Fruit And Mercuric Iodide And Silver Nitrate And Calcium Sulfide And Sinusitisinum And Influenza A Virus A/Singapore/6/86 (H1n1) Hemagglutinin Antigen (Heat Inactivated) And Influenza A Virus A/Beijing/32/92 (H3n2) Hemagglutinin Antigen (Heat Inactivated) And Influenza B Virus B/Panama/45/90 Hemagglutinin Antigen (Heat Inactivated)) Liquid [Heel Inc]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Jan 10, 2012 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Receipt of A(H1N1)pdm09 Vaccine by Prisons and Jails — United States, 2009–10 Influenza Season

CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 03:08:18 +0100

(Source: CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)

Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1)2009 in Hospital Healthcare Workers in New Zealand

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:56:46 +0100

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Volume 33, Issue 2, Page 196-199, February 2012. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

Nosocomial Influenza in a Pediatric Hospital: Comparison of Rates of Seasonal and Pandemic 2009 ; Influenza A/H1N1 Infection

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:34:54 +0100

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page 000, Ahead of Print. (Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol Latest Issue)

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U.S. jail inmates should get flu vaccine

Health News - UPI.com — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:19:02 +0100

ATLANTA, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- People in U.S. jails and prisons are at increased risk for exposure to infection but most did not get the H1N1 vaccine in 2009-2010, health officials say. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

Induction and maintenance of anti‐influenza antigen‐specific nasal secretory IgA levels and serum IgG levels after influenza infection in adults

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Low levels of nasal anti‐viral s‐IgA and neutralizing antibody were noted compared with a wide range of serum anti‐viral IgG and HI titers at the onset of infection. Elevated s‐IgA and IgG returned toward the initial levels within 300 days of infection with minor exceptions. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Update: Influenza A (H3N2)v Transmission and Guidelines - Five States, 2011.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abstract From August 17 to December 23, 2011, CDC received reports of 12 human infections with influenza A (H3N2)v viruses that have the matrix (M) gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus (formerly called swine-origin influenza A [H3N2] and pandemic influenza A [H1N1] 2009 viruses, respectively). The 12 cases occurred in five states (Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia), and 11 were in children. Six of the 12 patients had no identified recent exposure to swine. Three of the 12 patients were hospitalized, and all have recovered fully. PMID: 22217624 [PubMed - in process] (Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl...)

Receipt of A(H1N1)pdm09 Vaccine by Prisons and Jails - United States, 2009-10 Influenza Season.

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This report summarizes the results of that survey, which found that 55% of jails did not receive A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine during the pandemic period, whereas only 14% of federal prisons and 11% of state prisons did not receive the vaccine. Greater inclusion of correctional facilities, especially smaller facilities, in pandemic preparedness planning might better protect correctional facility populations and the community as a whole in the event of future influenza pandemics. PMID: 22217623 [PubMed - in process] (Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl...)

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Aerosol Susceptibility of Influenza Virus to UVC Light.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: McDevitt JJ, Rudnick SN, Radonovich LJ Abstract Person-to-person transmission of influenza virus, especially in the event of a pandemic caused by a highly virulent strain of influenza, such as H5N1 avian influenza, is of great concern due to widespread mortality and morbidity. The consequences of seasonal influenza are also substantial. Because airborne transmission appears to play a role with influenza, public health interventions should focus on preventing or interrupting this process. Air disinfection via upper-room 254 nm germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) light in public buildings may be able to reduce influenza transmission via the airborne route. We characterized the susceptibility of influenza A (H1N1, PR-8) aerosols to UVC light using a benchtop chamber equipped with an...

Cloned cDNA of A/swine/Iowa/15/1930 internal genes as a candidate backbone for reverse genetics vaccine against influenza A viruses.

Vaccine — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this report, the internal genes from rg1930 were used for construction of reverse genetics viruses carrying a cleavage site-modified hemagglutinin (HA) gene and neuraminidase (NA) gene from a highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. The resulting virus (rg1930H5N1) was low pathogenic in vivo. Inactivated rg1930H5N1 vaccine completely protected chickens from morbidity and mortality after challenge with highly pathogenic H5N1. Protective immunity was obtained when chickens were immunized with an inactivated vaccine consisting of at least 2(9) HA units of the rg1930H5N1 virus. In comparison to the PR8-based reverse genetics viruses carrying the same HA and NA genes from an H5N1 virus, rg1930 based viruses yielded higher viral titers in MDCK and Vero cells. In addition, the reverse genetics derived H3...

Many Jails Got No Flu Shots During H1N1 Outbreak: CDC

The Doctors Lounge - Infections — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0100

Researchers want small correctional facilities included in vaccine program (Source: The Doctors Lounge - Infections)

Perspectives of Pulmonologists on the 2009-2010 H1N1 Vaccination Effort

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:27:21 +0100

Persons with high-risk conditions such as asthma were a target group for H1N1 vaccine recommendations. We conducted a mailed survey of a national sample of pulmonologists to understand their participation in the 2009-2010 H1N1 vaccine campaign. The response rate was 59%. The majority of pulmonologists strongly recommended H1N1 vaccine for children (73%) and adults aged 25–64 years (51%). Only 60% of respondents administered H1N1 vaccine in their practice compared to 87% who offered seasonal influenza vaccine. Other than vaccine supply, respondents who provided H1N1 vaccine reported few logistical problems. Two-thirds of respondents would be very likely to vaccinate during a future influenza pandemic; this rate was higher among those who provided H1N1 vaccine...

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Surveillance in Eastern India (2007-2009) Revealed Reassortment Event Involving NS and PB1-F2 Gene Segments among Co-circulating Influenza A Subtypes

Virology Journal — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Overall the study highlights reassortment event involving gene segments other than HA and NA in the co-circulating A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 strains and their importance in complexity of influenza virus genetics. In contrast, NS and PB1-F2 genes of all A/H3N2 eastern India strains were highly conserved and homologous to the concurrent A/H3N2 vaccine strains suggesting that these gene segments of H3N2 viruses are evolutionarily more stable compared to H1N1 viruses. (Source: Virology Journal)

Experiences after Twenty Months with Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Infection in the Naïve Norwegian Pig Population

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:29:49 +0100

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A virus was detected in Norwegian pigs in October 2009. Until then, Norway was regarded free of swine influenza. Intensified screening revealed 91 positive herds within three months. The virus was rapidly transmitted to the susceptible population, including closed breeding herds with high biosecurity. Humans were important for the introduction as well as spread of the virus to pigs. Mild or no clinical signs were observed in infected pigs. Surveillance of SIV in 2010 revealed that 41% of all the Norwegian pig herds had antibodies to pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus. Furthermore, this surveillance indicated that pigs born in positive herds after the active phase did not seroconvert, suggesting no ongoing infection in the herds. However, results from surveillance in ...

Acute sleep deprivation has no lasting effects on the human antibody titer response following a novel influenza A H1N1 virus vaccination

BMC Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: These findings concur with the notion that sleep is a supportive influence in the very early stage of an adaptive immune response to a viral antigen. However, our results do not support the view that acute sleep deprivation has lasting effects on the human antibody titer response to influenza vaccination. (Source: BMC Immunology)

The Application of High-throughput siRNA Screening Technology to Study Host-Pathogen Interactions.

Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ou L, Duan D, Wu J, Nice E, Huang C Abstract Recent advances in high-throughput screening technologies have accelerated the identification and characterization of potential factors involved in host-virus interactions, facilitating early detection and diagnosis of diseases, as well as providing promising drug targets. The last decade has seen a plethora of successful examples of high-throughput screening approaches, especially siRNA screening. With support from protein interaction studies, mRNA expression profiling, and bioinformatics, siRNA screening has also been successfully utilized to identify host factors required for a number of viruses including HIV, West Nile virus and H1N1 virus. Such studies have raised the awareness of virologists, and have opened a new chapter ...

A reduced dose seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine is safe and immunogenic in adult and elderly patients - a randomized controlled trial.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We found that the present reduced dose vaccine is safe and immunogenic in healthy adult and elderly subjects and triggers immune responses to comply with licensing criteria. PMID: 22219315 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology)

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Evaluation of three commercially available influenza A type-specific blocking-ELISA assays for seroepidemiological studies of influenza A virus infection in pigs.

Clinical and Vaccine Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tse M, Kim M, Chan CH, Ho PL, Ma SK, Guan Y, Peiris JS Abstract The reverse zoonotic transmission of the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus to swine necessitates enhanced surveillance of swine for influenza virus infection. Using a well characterized panel of naturally infected swine sera we evaluate and optimize the performance of three commercially available competitive ELISA assays, IDEXX® Influenza A Ab test, IDEXX® AI MultiS-Screen Ab Test and IDVet ID Screen® Influenza A Antibody Competition ELISA kit for detecting influenza type A reactive antibodies in swine. ROC analysis suggests that adjustment of the manufacturer recommended cut-off values would optimize sensitivity and specificity of these assays making them applicable for sero-epidemiology studies of swine influenza....

Public health impact of including two lineages of influenza B in a quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccine.

Vaccine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Reed C, Meltzer MI, Finelli L, Fiore A Abstract The annual trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) includes viruses representing three influenza strains - one A/H1N1, one A/H3N2, and one B, although two antigenically distinct lineages of influenza B (Victoria and Yamagata) co-circulate annually in the United States. Predicting which lineage of influenza B will predominate during a season is challenging, and cross-protection by immunization against the other lineage is expected to be low. One proposed alternative is to produce a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) including an influenza B virus from each of the two circulating lineages. We estimated the additional public health benefit of QIV compared with TIV by calculating the expected impact on influenza-related health outcom...

Narcolepsy in the Pediatric Population

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 06:44:58 +0100

Abstract Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, with or without cataplexy. Associated features include sleep paralysis, hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations, and disturbed nocturnal sleep. Narcolepsy is strongly associated with the HLA DQB1*0602 allele, and its symptoms stem from destruction of hypocretin-secreting neurons in the hypothalamus. Recently identified autoantibodies to Tribbles homologue 2 in some patients, as well as cases associated with H1N1 vaccination, support an autoimmune mechanism. There are many challenges in diagnosing and treating pediatric narcolepsy. Caution must also be used in interpreting polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test results in children. HLA testing is nonspecific, and no commercial test exists to mea...

An outbreak of the 2009 influenza a (H1N1) virus in a children’s hospital

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Prompt institution of isolation precautions is essential in preventing nosocomial outbreaks of the 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. Our data suggest that isolation precautions may need to be continued for a prolonged period of time in immunocompromised patients with influenza infection. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

H1N1 Influenza Infection Complicated with Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Moghadami M, Honarvar B, Sabaeian B, Zamiri N, Pourshahid O, Rismanchi M, Lankarani KB Abstract The 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus was the first infectious pandemic of the 21st century which spread rapidly throughout the world. High-risk groups, such as diabetics, suffered more and showed higher hospital admission and death rates due to this virus. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) may develop the fulminant picture of their disease after being infected with influenza. From June to December 2009 at Nemazee Hospital, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, two patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) were admitted. The H1N1 influenza virus triggered DKA and its complications in these patients. Both patients were female, of ages 16 and 40 years. When admitted, t...

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Maternal mortality rate in fars province: trends and associated factors in a community-based survey.

Archives of Iranian Medicine — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of serious deficiencies in postpartum care that need urgent action. Priority should be given to vaginal bleeding and high-risk status mothers. PMID: 22208437 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Archives of Iranian Medicine)

Clinical characteristics of critical patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in Chengdu, China.

J Zhejiang Univ Sci ... — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The critical patients with H1N1 infection have high APACHE II, SOFA, and MODS scores, which may be associated with an increased risk of death and complex clinical courses. PMID: 22205620 [PubMed - in process] (Source: J Zhejiang Univ Sci ...)

The impact of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 on the circulation of respiratory viruses 2009–2011

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Please cite this paper as: Mak et al. (2012) The impact of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 on the circulation of respiratory viruses 2009–2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750‐2659.2011.00323.x.Surveillance of respiratory viruses has been conducted for many years at the public health laboratory in Hong Kong. With the occurrence of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, we observed a change in the seasonality of influenza activity with a seemingly corresponding change in the activity of respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and adenovirus during 2009–2011. This phenomenon could most likely be explained by virus interference. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Neuraminidase H275Y and hemagglutinin D222G mutations in a fatal case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We report the first clinical description of 2009 H1N1 virus infection with both NA‐H275Y and HA‐D222G mutations detected by pyrosequencing of bronchioalveolar lavage fluid obtained on symptom day 19. The 59‐year‐old immunosuppressed patient had multiple conditions conferring higher risk of prolonged viral replication and severe illness and died on symptom day 34. Further investigations are needed to determine the significance of infection with strains possessing NA‐H275Y and HA‐D222G. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Influenza Research Database: an integrated bioinformatics resource for influenza research and surveillance

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The IRD provides a wealth of integrated data and information about influenza virus to support research of the genetic determinants dictating virus pathogenicity, host range restriction and transmission, and to facilitate development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

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Mutations I117V and I117M and Oseltamivir Sensitivity of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Viruses.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hurt AC, Leang SK, Speers DJ, Barr IG, Maurer-Stroh S Abstract Analysis of mutations I117V and I117M in the neuraminidase of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 viruses showed that I117V confers a mild reduction in oseltamivir sensitivity and has a synergistic effect of further increasing resistance when combined with H275Y. Contrary to recent reports, the I117M mutation does not alter oseltamivir sensitivity. PMID: 22260817 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases)

Early Detection of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Bangladesh.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Azziz-Baumgartner E, Rahman M, Al Mamun A, Haider MS, Zaman RU, Karmakar PC, Nasreen S, Muneer SM, Homaira N, Goswami DR, Ahmed BN, Husain MM, Jamil KM, Khatun S, Ahmed M, Chakraborty A, Fry A, Widdowson MA, Bresee J, Azim T, Alamgir AS, Brooks A, Hossain MJ, Klimov A, Rahman M, Luby SP Abstract To explore Bangladesh's ability to detect novel influenza, we examined a series of laboratory-confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases. During June-July 2009, event-based surveillance identified 30 case-patients (57% travelers); starting July 29, sentinel sites identified 252 case-patients (1% travelers). Surveillance facilitated response weeks before the spread of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 infection to the general population. PMID: 22257637 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Emerging Infec...

Use of lean response to improve pandemic influenza surge in public health laboratories.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Isaac-Renton JL, Chang Y, Prystajecky N, Petric M, Mak A, Abbott B, Paris B, Decker KC, Pittenger L, Guercio S, Stott J, Miller JD Abstract A novel influenza A (H1N1) virus detected in April 2009 rapidly spread around the world. North American provincial and state laboratories have well-defined roles and responsibilities, including providing accurate, timely test results for patients and information for regional public health and other decision makers. We used the multidisciplinary response and rapid implementation of process changes based on Lean methods at the provincial public health laboratory in British Columbia, Canada, to improve laboratory surge capacity in the 2009 influenza pandemic. Observed and computer simulating evaluation results from rapid processes changes...

The Food and Drug Administration's Post‐Licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring program: strengthening the federal vaccine safety enterprise

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTIn 2009, the Department of Health and Human Services created the new Post‐Licensure Rapid Immunization Safety Monitoring (PRISM) program, which used data from national health insurance plans and immunization registries to monitor the safety of the H1N1 influenza vaccine. PRISM has now been integrated into the FDA's Mini‐Sentinel pilot program. It strengthens the federal vaccine safety enterprise in two important ways. First, PRISM monitors the largest US general population cohort designated for active surveillance of vaccine safety. Second, PRISM links data from health plans with data from state and city immunization registries, which were a crucial source of exposure data in the H1N1 vaccine evaluation. The Mini‐Sentinel data that support PRISM are updated quarterly, and PRI...

Seroprevalence following the First Wave of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) in Turkey, 2009.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we sought to describe the community seropositivity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in order to estimate immunity shortly after the peak of the first pandemic wave in two provinces in Turkey. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the provinces of Diyarbakir and Ankara, after the first wave of H1N1 incidences in 2009. It was designed to evaluate 276 houses in Diyarbakir and 455 houses in Ankara. Everyone living in these houses was included in the study. An antibody titer of ≥1:40 was considered as a positive result for all age groups. Antibody titers of ≤1:20 were considered as 1 while calculating the log titer and geometric mean. The pandemic H1N1 seropositivity was found to be 24.1% for Ankara and 27.7% for Diyarbakir. In Ankara, seropositivity was statistically ass...

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Surveillance of hospitalised patients with influenza-like illness during pandemic influenza A(H1N1) season in Sicily, April 2009-December 2010.

Euro Surveill — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:18:02 +0100

Authors: Tramuto F, Maida CM, Bonura F, Perna AM, Puzelli S, De Marco MA, Donatelli I, Aprea L, Firenze A, Arcadipane A, Palazzo U, Vitale F Abstract This paper describes the epidemiology of hospitalised cases with influenza-like illness (ILI) and laboratory-confirmed influenza A cases in Sicily (Italy) during the 2009 influenza pandemic. The first ILI case diagnosed as infected with pandemic influenza A(H1N1)2009 in Sicily was reported in June 2009 and it rapidly became the dominant circulating strain. In the period from 30 April 2009 through 31 December 2010, a total of 2,636 people in Sicily were hospitalised for ILI and 1,193 were laboratory-confirmed for influenza A. Basic demographic and clinical information for all hospitalised patients was collected and population mortality...

Seroprevalence of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza and effectiveness of 2010/2011 influenza vaccine during 2010/2011 season in Beijing, China

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:21:19 +0100

Conclusions A slight increase in herd immunity against pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza was observed in Beijing, China, during the 2010/2011 season. Prior vaccination and immunity had a suppressive impact on immune response toward this novel influenza virus, elicited by 2010/2011 trivalent vaccine. This trivalent vaccine conferred good protection against ILI and LRI. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

The determinants of 2009 pandemic A/H1N1 influenza vaccination: A systematic review.

Vaccine — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Vaccine coverage during the pandemic varied widely across countries and population sub-groups. We identified some consistent determinants of this variation that can be targeted to increase vaccination during future influenza pandemics. PMID: 22214889 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Vaccine)

Development of common variable immunodeficiency in IgA- and IgG2-deficient patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Pediatric Nephrology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:50:37 +0100

Conclusion We report the development of CVID in an IgA- and IgG2-deficient patient with SLE on the basis of multiple episodes of infection. To prevent the development of CVID in IgA- and IgG2-deficient patients with SLE, it is important to prevent immune dysregulation by the avoidance of infections through the use of IVIG therapy. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief ReportPages 1-4DOI 10.1007/s00467-011-2063-yAuthors Kazuhide Suyama, Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, JapanYukihiko Kawasaki, Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, 1 Hikariga-oka, Fukushima City, Fukushima 960-1295, JapanYusaku Abe, Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima ...

Surveillance of feral cats for influenza A virus in North Central Florida

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Please cite this paper as: Gordy JT et al. (2011) Surveillance of feral cats for influenza A virus in North Central Florida. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/j.1750‐2659.2011.00325.x.Background Transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza and the recent pandemic H1N1 viruses to domestic cats and other felids creates concern because of the morbidity and mortality associated with human infections as well as disease in the infected animals. Experimental infections have demonstrated transmission of influenza viruses in cats.Objectives An epidemiologic survey of feral cats was conducted to determine their exposure to influenza A virus.Methods Feral cat sera and oropharyngeal and rectal swabs were collected from November 2008 through July 2010 in Alachua Coun...

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Transmission of pandemic influenza H1N1 (2009) in Vietnamese swine in 2009–2010

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Our findings suggest extensive reverse‐zoonotic transmission from humans to pigs with subsequent onward transmission within pig herds. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

Influenza‐like illness surveillance on the California‐Mexico border, 2004–2009

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions The US‐Mexico border is one of the busiest in the world, with a large number of daily crossings. Due to its traffic, this area is an ideal location for surveillance sites. We identified a pathogen in 36% of the specimens tested, with influenza A the most common pathogen. A number of other viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens were identified. An understanding of the incidence of respiratory pathogens in border populations is useful for development of regional vaccination and disease prevention responses. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)

The contribution of neutrophil‐derived myeloperoxidase in the early phase of fulminant acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by influenza virus infection

Microbiology and Immunology — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study suggests that MPO‐mediated OCl− generation affects claudin molecules and leads to protein leakage and viral spread as a damage factor oin influenza‐induced ARDS. (Source: Microbiology and Immunology)

Antibody response of healthy children to pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus

Virology Journal — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Otherwise healthy children seem to show seroprotective antibody titres after natural infection with pandemic A/H1N1/2009 influenza virus. The strength of the immune response seems to be related to the severity of the disease, but not to previous seasonal A/H1N1 influenza immunity. (Source: Virology Journal)

Computational model for analyzing the evolutionary patterns of the neuraminidase gene of influenza A/H1N1.

Computational Biology and Chemistry — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

In this study, we performed computer simulations to evaluate the changes of selection potentials of codons in influenza A/H1N1 from 1999 to 2009. We artificially generated the sequences by using the transition matrices of positively selected codons over time, and their similarities against the database of influenzavirus A genus were determined by BLAST search. This is the first approach to predict the evolutionary direction of influenza A virus (H1N1) by simulating the codon substitutions over time. We observed that the BLAST results showed the high similarities with pandemic influenza A/H1N1 in 2009, suggesting that the classical human-origin influenza A/H1N1 isolated before 2009 might contain some selection potentials of swine-origin viruses. Computer simulations using the time series co...

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Tamiflu-Resistant Influenza Virus Spreading in AustraliaTamiflu-Resistant Influenza Virus Spreading in Australia

Medscape Today Headlines — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:33:53 +0100

Meanwhile, the CDC worries that the pandemic 2009 A(H1N1) virus that continues to circulate on a seasonal basis could become as oseltamivir-resistant as its predecessor. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

IgG Subclass Levels and Antibody Responses to the 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Monovalent Vaccine among HIV‐Infected and HIV‐Uninfected Adults

Clinical and Experimental Immunology — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Prevaccination IgG subclass levels did not correlate with the ability to develop robust antibody responses to the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccine. IgG2 deficiencies were common among HIV‐infected persons but did not correlate with poor influenza vaccine responses. Further investigations into the etiology of disparate vaccine responses are needed. (Source: Clinical and Experimental Immunology)

Influenza A/H1N1 septic shock in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case to report severe septic shock from influenza A/H1N1 virus, without overt pulmonary involvement. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Cases of Tamiflu-Resistant Flu Concern Experts

Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:00:00 +0100

WHO researchers report H1N1 strain passing among people and proving immune to Tamiflu (Source: Pharmacy News - Doctors Lounge)

Community Transmission of Oseltamivir-Resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 Influenza

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:00:18 +0100

New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 365, Issue 26, Page 2541-2542, December 2011. (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

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Timeliness of contact tracing among flight passengers for influenza A/H1N1 2009

BMC Infectious Diseases — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: CT for influenza A/H1N1 2009 among flight passengers was not successful for timely provision of prophylaxis. CT had little additional value for alerting passengers for disease symptoms, as this information already was provided during and after the flight. Public health authorities should take into account patient delays in seeking medical advise and laboratory confirmation in relation to maximum time to provide postexposure prophylaxis when deciding to install contact tracing measures. International standardization of CT guidelines is recommended. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Development of an antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using monoclonal antibodies for detecting H6 avian influenza viruses.

Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Chen YT, Tsao Z, Chang ST, Juang RH, Wang LC, Chang CM, Wang CH Abstract The H6 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) infection occurs frequently in wild and domestic birds. AIV antigen detection is preferred for controlling AIV as birds are infected before they produce antibodies. The purpose of this study was to develop an early diagnostic method for AIV detection. Six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed from a field H6N1 AIV strain were tested for their ability to bind to viruses. The two that showed the greatest binding ability to AIVs were used for antigen detection. An antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect H6 AIVs was developed using these mAbs. One mAb was coated onto an ELISA plate as the capture antibody. The other mAb was used as...

Characteristics of Outpatients with Pandemic H1N1/09 Influenza in a Tertiary Care University Hospital in Korea.

Yonsei Medical Journal — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:55:11 +0100

Authors: Park KS, Park TS, Suh JT, Nam YS, Lee MS, Lee HJ Abstract The pandemic H1N1/09 emerged rapidly in Korea. Here, we describe the clinical characteristics of outpatients in Seoul, Korea who were infected in the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. We reviewed the cases of outpatients with pandemic H1N1/09 who visited a tertiary care teaching hospital between September 1 and December 31, 2009. Infection with pandemic H1N1/09 was confirmed by molecular tests. Of a total of 7,182 tests, 3,020 (42.0%) were positive. Compared with 473 cases of influenza- like illness (ILI), the 586 confirmed cases of pandemic H1N1/09 differed in age [odds ratio (OR) 0.975] and fulfilling at least one of the following factors: age <5 or ≥65 years, history of contact with other pandemic H1N1/09-infected individ...

Obstetric, clinical, and perinatal implications of H1N1 viral infection during pregnancy

International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Early treatment with oseltamivir may prevent serious complications associated with H1N1 infection in pregnant women but it does not affect perinatal outcome. (Source: International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics)

Pathology and virology findings in cases of fatal influenza A H1N1 virus infection in 2009–2010

Histopathology — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 17:27:03 +0100

Conclusions: The pulmonary findings are similar to those described in past pandemics. Secondary fungal and viral infections, which have not been reported previously, were noted. Although the number of cases in this study is small, the findings reinforce the notion that changes in extrapulmonary organs are attributable to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome rather than a viral cytopathic effect, and that there is no transplacental transmission of virus. (Source: Histopathology)

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Active surveillance of adverse events following immunization against pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Korea.

Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:27:37 +0100

Authors: Choe YJ, Cho H, Song KM, Kim JH, Han OP, Kwon YH, Bae GR, Lee HJ, Lee JK Abstract Surveillance of vaccine safety is one of the public health interventions used to investigate the causal relationship between vaccines and adverse events. Using active surveillance data, we aimed to compile a detailed summary describing the safety of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) vaccine. Computer-assisted telephone interview was used to investigate adverse events for 9,000 subjects who had received non-adjuvanted vaccines between November 2009 and January 2010, and for 19,000 adults who received adjuvanted vaccines from January through March 2010. The participants were interviewed to obtain information about local and systemic adverse events. Among subjects who received the non-adjuvanted v...

Ultrasensitive detection of rare mutations using next-generation targeted resequencing

Nucleic Acids Research — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

With next-generation DNA sequencing technologies, one can interrogate a specific genomic region of interest at very high depth of coverage and identify less prevalent, rare mutations in heterogeneous clinical samples. However, the mutation detection levels are limited by the error rate of the sequencing technology as well as by the availability of variant-calling algorithms with high statistical power and low false positive rates. We demonstrate that we can robustly detect mutations at 0.1% fractional representation. This represents accurate detection of one mutant per every 1000 wild-type alleles. To achieve this sensitive level of mutation detection, we integrate a high accuracy indexing strategy and reference replication for estimating sequencing error variance. We employ a statistical ...

Isolation and phylogenetic analysis of avian-origin European H1N1 swine influenza viruses in Jiangsu, China

Virus Genes — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:45:39 +0100

Abstract Isolates of the A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus were first identified in asymptomatic swine in Jiangsu province, China in January 2010, indicating that the virus has retro-infected swine after circulating through humans in mainland China. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the avian-origin European H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV) and the A(H1N1)pdm2009 virus are cocirculating in swine in Jiangsu province of China. From May 2010 to May 2011, 1,030 nasal swab samples were collected from healthy swine in Jiangsu province of China and were tested for influenza A H1N1 using reverse transcription-PCR. Fragments of the complete genomes of viruses from the samples that were positive for influenza A H1N1 were sequenced and analysed. A total of 32 avian-origin Europea...

Emergence of novel reassortant H3N2 swine influenza viruses with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 genes in the United States

Archives of Virology — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:55:43 +0100

Abstract Reassortant H1 swine influenza viruses (SIVs) carrying 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus (pH1N1) genes have been isolated from pigs worldwide. Seven novel reassortant H3N2 SIVs were identified from diseased pigs in the USA from winter 2010 to spring 2011. These novel viruses contain three or five internal genes from pH1N1 and continue to circulate in swine herds. The emergence of novel reassortant H3N2 SIVs demonstrates reassortment between pH1N1 and endemic SIVs in pigs and justifies continuous surveillance. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief ReportPages 1-8DOI 10.1007/s00705-011-1203-9Authors Qinfang Liu, Department of Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Mosier Hall, K233, Manhattan, KS 66506, USAJingjiao Ma, Department of Diagnosti...

Missed Opportunities: A National Survey of Obstetricians About Attitudes on Maternal and Infant Immunization

Maternal and Child Health Journal — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:55:30 +0100

Discussion of routine childhood immunization between obstetricians and their patients is an area for future improvements in childhood vaccination. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief ReportPages 1-5DOI 10.1007/s10995-011-0936-0Authors Ruth Link-Gelles, Emory Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta GA 30322, USAAllison T. Chamberlain, Emory Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta GA 30322, USAJay Schulkin, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, DC, USAKevin Ault, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USAEllen Whitney, Emory Preparedness and Emergency...

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Palindromes drive the re-assortment in Influenza A.

Bioinformation — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:42:02 +0100

Authors: Zubaer A, Thapa S Abstract Different subtypes of Influenza A virus are associated with species specific, zoonotic or pandemic Influenza. The cause of its severity underlies in complicated evolution of its segmented RNA genome. Although genetic shift and genetic drift are well known in the evolution of this virus, we reported the significant role of unique RNA palindromes in its evolution. Our computational approach identified the existence of unique palindromes in each subtype of Influenza A virus with its absence in Influenza B relating the fact of virulence and vigorous genetic hitchhiking in Influenza A. The current study focused on the re-assortment event responsible for the emergence of pandemic-2009 H1N1 virus, which is associated with outgrow of new palindrome and i...

Pathologic study of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 cases from India

Pathology International — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:25:02 +0100

This study also emphasizes the use of the postmortem needle biopsy technique whenever an autopsy is not possible. (Source: Pathology International)

Clinical Impact of Infection with Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 2009 Virus in Naïve Nucleus and Multiplier Pig Herds in Norway

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:52:09 +0100

The Norwegian pig population has been free from influenza viruses until 2009. The pandemic influenza outbreak during the autumn 2009 provided an opportunity to study the clinical impact of this infection in an entirely naïve pig population. This paper describes the results of a case-control study on the clinical impact of pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 infection in the nucleus and multiplier herds in Norway. The infection spread readily and led to seroconversion of 42% of the Norwegian nucleus and multiplier herds within a year. Positive and negative herds were identified based on surveillance data from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute. Telephone interviews were conducted with pig herd owners or managers between November 2010 and January 2011. Pigs with clinical signs were reporte...

Persistence of pandemic influenza H1N1 virus in young patients after oseltamivir therapy in the 2009–2010 season: a comparison with seasonal H1N1 with or without H275Y mutation

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:50:52 +0100

In conclusion, oseltamivir was effective for fever and other clinical symptoms; however, the virus persisted longer than expected after treatment in H1N1pdm influenza-infected children in the 2009–2010 season, similar to seasonal H1N1 with H275Y mutation in the 2008–2009 season. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticlePages 1-7DOI 10.1007/s10156-011-0314-2Authors Naoki Kawai, Japan Physicians Association, Tokyo Medical Association Building 3F, 2-5 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062 JapanHideyuki Ikematsu, Japan Physicians Association, Tokyo Medical Association Building 3F, 2-5 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062 JapanNorio Iwaki, Japan Physicians Association, Tokyo Medical Association Building 3F, 2-5 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 101-0062...

Two Birds with One Stone? Possible Dual-Targeting H1N1 Inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicine

PLoS Computational Biology — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

by Su-Sen Chang, Hung-Jin Huang, Calvin Yu-Chian Chen The H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 has claimed over 18,000 lives. During this pandemic, development of drug resistance further complicated efforts to control and treat the widespread illness. This research utilizes traditional Chinese medicine Database@Taiwan (TCM Database@Taiwan) to screen for compounds that simultaneously target H1 and N1 to overcome current difficulties with virus mutations. The top three candidates were de novo derivatives of xylopine and rosmaricine. Bioactivity of the de novo derivatives against N1 were validated by multiple machine learning prediction models. Ability of the de novo compounds to maintain CoMFA/CoMSIA contour and form key interactions implied bioactivity within H1 as well. Addition of a pyrid...

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Rituximab blocks protective serologic response to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 vaccination in lymphoma patients during or within 6 months after treatment

Blood — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Cancer patients are often encouraged to receive seasonal influenza vaccination. The monoclonal antibody rituximab is widely used in treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This results in a prolonged depletion of normal B cells, which might impair humoral responses. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether lymphoma patients undergoing rituximab-containing treatment regimens or having received such regimens within the past 6 months were able to mount protective antibody responses to the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus vaccine Pandemrix during the 2009 "swine flu" pandemic. Contrary to the control group, where 82% responded adequately to the vaccine, none of the 67 patients achieved protective antibody titers, suggesting that lymphoma patients receiving rituximab-containing regimens m...

Stability and Infectivity of Novel Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus In blood-derived matrices under Different Storage Conditions

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These data indicate that encapsidated viral RNA was stable overall in all three liquid matrices at room temperature or 4 degreesC although it was most stable in PBS; virus infectivity in buffy coats at 4 degreesC decayed in a time dependent manner while it remained unchanged in plasma. These findings have implications for storage, handling and transport of blood derived samples from influenza patients for epidemiological and laboratory investigations. It should be noted that there is little known about influenza viremia, and whether influenza viruses can be transmitted by blood or blood derived samples. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

I hope that fear of terrorism will not lead to the suppression of valuable research about engineering the H5N1 virusA few months ago, Dutch virologist Ron Fouchier made what he hoped would be a low-key announcement at a conference on influenza in Malta. After a series of painstaking experiments, Fouchier announced he had achieved the holy grail of influenza research: engineering the H5N1 bird flu virus so that it could pass easily between mammals. The "airborne" virus had been created, Fouchier explained, not by using sophisticated, lab-based genetic technology but by the relatively low-tech method of passaging H5N1 repeatedly through ferrets.The significance of the discovery was not lost on the assembled delegates. If ferrets could be infected this way, then so could humans. Fouchier had ...

When it comes to bird flu, nature is the greatest bioterrorist | Mark Honigsbaum

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 17:48:53 +0100

Epidemiology of Influenza A 2009 H1N1 Virus Pandemic in the U.S.

Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:06:04 +0100

Authors: Abdalla E, Habtemariam T, Nganwa D, Dibaba AB, Gerbi G, Vinaida R, Tameru B Abstract Abstract:A novel influenza, Influenza A 2009 H1N1 virus outbreak, emerged in mid-April 2009, and by December 2009, spread across the world. This epidemiologic analysis uses the epidemiologic problem oriented approach to gather information for, and develop a quantitative risk assessment model that evaluates the likelihood of an influenza outbreak in the U.S., utilizing weekly incidence rates (WIR) and case fatality rates (CFR) stratified by age and the 10 U.S. regions. In addition ArcGIS was used to show variability regarding morbidity rate and WIR. Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Infections Program and applying Monte Carlo sim...

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Apoptosis, cytokine and chemokine induction by non-structural 1 (NS1) proteins encoded by different influenza subtypes

Virology Journal — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In conclusion, the NS1 protein encoded by H5N1 carries a remarkably different property as compared to other avian and human subtypes, and is one of the keys to its high pathogenicity. NCI-H292 cells system proves to be a good in-vitro model to delineate the property of NS1 proteins. (Source: Virology Journal)

Factors Affecting Intention among Students to Be Vaccinated against A/H1N1 Influenza: A Health Belief Model Approach

EURASIP Journal on Bioinformatics and Systems Biology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:07:57 +0100

This study examined the factors affecting the intention to be vaccinated against the swine flu among students in Israel. Questionnaires were distributed in December 2009 among 387 students at higher-education institutions. The research questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and Health Belief Model principles. The results show that the factors positively affecting the intention to take the swine flu vaccine were past experience with seasonal flu shot and three HBM categories: higher levels of perceived susceptibility for catching the illness, perceived seriousness of illness, and lower levels of barriers. We conclude that offering the vaccine at workplaces may raise the intention to take the vaccine among young people in Israel. (Source: EURASIP Journal on Bioinformatics an...

Pathological Findings and Distribution of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Virus in Lungs from Naturally Infected Fattening Pigs in Norway

Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:04:20 +0100

The Norwegian pig population was considered free from influenza A virus infections until the first case of porcine pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus infection in October 2009. Human to pig transmission of virus was suspected. Unusual lung lesions were observed in fattening pigs, with red, lobular, multifocal to coalescing consolidation, most frequently in the cranial, middle, and accessory lobes. The main histopathological findings were epithelial degeneration and necrosis, lymphocyte infiltration in the epithelial lining and lamina propria of small bronchi and bronchioles, and peribronchial and peribronchiolar lymphocyte infiltrations. Infection with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus was confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemical detection of influenza A virus nucleop...

Successful Treatment of Novel H1N1 Influenza related Fulminant Myocarditis with Extracorporeal Life Support

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We report a case of fulminant myocarditis associated with this virus treated successfully using extra-corporal membrane oxygenator. (Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery)

Discordant antigenic drift of neuraminidase and hemagglutinin in H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses [Microbiology]

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Seasonal epidemics caused by influenza virus are driven by antigenic changes (drift) in viral surface glycoproteins that allow evasion from preexisting humoral immunity. Antigenic drift is a feature of not only the hemagglutinin (HA), but also of neuraminidase (NA). We have evaluated the antigenic evolution of each protein in H1N1 and H3N2 viruses used in vaccine formulations during the last 15 y by analysis of HA and NA inhibition titers and antigenic cartography. As previously shown for HA, genetic changes in NA did not always lead to an antigenic change. The noncontinuous pattern of NA drift did not correspond closely with HA drift in either subtype. Although NA drift was demonstrated using ferret sera, we show that these changes also impact recognition by NA-inhibiting antibodies in hu...

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Sedation and Analgesia Usage in Severe Pandemic H1N1 (2009) Infection: A Comparison to Respiratory Failure Secondary to Other Infectious Pneumonias (January).

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS:Sedative and analgesic use may be uniquely higher in critically ill patients with pH1N1 infection compared to patients with other infectious pneumonias. This finding may be important for resource planning in future pandemics. Further study is required to explore the underlying mechanisms for potentially higher sedative and analgesic requirements in this patient population. PMID: 22170974 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)

Analysis of cellular proteome alterations in porcine alveolar macrophage cells infected with 2009 (H1N1) and classical swine H1N1 influenza viruses.

Journal of Proteomics — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

This study provides insights into the biologic characteristics, potential virulence alteration and cross-species transmission mechanisms of the pandemic H1N1/2009. PMID: 22202185 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Proteomics)

Formerly healthy, energetic boy still suffers from extreme narcolepsy two years after getting swine flu vaccine

NaturalNews.com — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0100

Shortly after six-year-old Josh Hadfield of Somerset, UK, got jabbed with Pandemrix, GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) vaccine for H1N1 / swine flu, a few years ago, he developed extreme narcolepsy that caused him to sleep up to 19 hours a day. Two years later, the boy is still... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

2009/H1N1 infection in pregnancy association with adverse perinatal outcomes

Evidence-Based Nursing — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Implications for practice and research 2009/H1N1 infection is associated with increased risk of perinatal death and preterm birth. Infected women delivering preterm were more likely to be infected in the third trimester, be admitted into intensive care unit and have secondary pneumonia. Further evaluation using larger sample size, rigorous matching of controls and consideration for variables lacking in current study will be advantageous. Context Since identification of the 2009/H1N1 influenza virus, the increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality from this novel infection has been highlighted.1 Past pandemics and seasonal flu have shown inconsistent perinatal effects. Some data have shown increased risk of preterm birth and fetal death.2 Other studies have indicated no increased f...

Oral administration of patchouli alcohol isolated from Pogostemonis Herba augments protection against influenza viral infection in mice.

International Immunopharmacology — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Li YC, Peng SZ, Chen HM, Zhang FX, Xu PP, Xie JH, He JJ, Chen JN, Lai XP, Su ZR Abstract Seasonal influenza A infection results in considerable morbidity and mortality. The limited efficacy of available therapeutic strategies stresses the need for development and study of new molecules against influenza virus (IFV). Patchouli alcohol (PA), the major chemical constituent of Pogostemonis Herba, was previously found to strongly inhibit influenza H1N1 replication in vitro. In the present study, the in vivo anti-IFV effect of PA was investigated. In a mouse model infected with lethal levels of FM1, oral administration of PA (20mg/kg to 80mg/kg) for 7d post IFV infection significantly increased the survival rate and survival time. For IFV infection at nonlethal levels, the quant...

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Hepatitis E in three immunocompromized children in southeastern France

Journal of Clinical Virology — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

We describe here acute hepatitis E in three immunocompromized children. Case no. 1 was a 9-year-old liver transplant recipient girl in whom H1N1 2009 flu infection was diagnosed concurrently with hepatitis E. Case no. 2 was a 12-year-old boy presenting early medullar relapse of lymphoblastic leukemia of type B and in whom HEV RNA was detected over a 29-week period. Case no. 3 was a 9-year-old boy with a rare primary immunodeficiency due to XIAP deficiency. HEV infections were all autochthonously acquired and involved different viruses classified as subtype f, c, and e of genotype 3, which are those described in autochthonous cases in Europe. These three observations prompt to consider HEV as a causative agent of hepatitis in children in developed countries, and to perform particularly HEV ...

Study of influenza A virus in wild boars living in a major duck wintering site

Journal of Dentistry — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:16:10 +0100

Publication year: 2011Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution, Available online 17 December 2011Marion Vittecoq, Viviane Grandhomme, Gaëlle Simon, Séverine Herve, Thomas Blanchon, ...Wild birds, which are reservoirs of influenza viruses, are believed to be the original source of new influenza viruses—including highly pathogenic ones—that can be transmitted to domestic animals as well as humans and represent a potential epizootic and/or pandemic threat. Despite increasing knowledge on influenza A virus dynamics in wild birds, the viral circulation in wild boars remains largely unknown. This is of particular interest since pigs can be infected with both human and avian viruses; upon co-infection, they can act as a mixing vessel through reassortment, a mechanism that resulted in ...

Complications of the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in pregnant women in The Netherlands: a national cohort study

Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:10:17 +0100

Please cite this paper as: Bogers et al. (2011) Complications of the 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in pregnant women in The Netherlands: a national cohort study. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/j.1750‐2659.2011.00315.x.The 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic caused an increase in complications in pregnant women. To be well prepared for a next pandemic, we investigated the obstetric and maternal complications of this pandemic. In our national cohort of 59 pregnant women who were admitted to the hospital, no major complications apart from preterm birth and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were observed. Although the small size of this study precludes us drawing any definitive conclusions, comparing our results with those in other countries suggests that the i...

Excess mortality related to seasonal influenza and extreme temperatures in Denmark, 1994-2010

BMC Infectious Diseases — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: It is doable to model influenza-related mortality based on data on all-cause mortality and ILI, data that are easily obtainable in many countries and less subject to bias and subjective interpretation than cause-of-death data. Further work is needed to understand the variations in mortality observed across seasons and in particular the impact of vaccinationagainst influenza. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)