MedWorm: Pandemics

Lab flu may not aid vaccines

Nature — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:11:27 +0100

Nature 482, 7384 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482142a Author: Declan Butler Game-changing vaccine technologies are needed to strengthen global pandemic defences. (Source: Nature)

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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...

Closing schools during pandemic effective

Health News - UPI.com — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:40:31 +0100

HAMILTON, Ontario, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Closing schools is effective in slowing the spread of infectious disease and should be considered during pandemic outbreaks, researchers in Canada suggest. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

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)

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Scientists call for curbs on own research on deadly bird flu virus

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0100

Virus experts in the US say outbreak of genetically engineered bird flu could be worst influenza pandemic in historyA group of the leading virus experts in the US has called for new, permanent restrictions on research in the face of a new genetically engineered flu virus that could kill half the population of the world.Scientists are currently observing a 60-day moratorium on research into the bird flu virus, after two groups found a way to make it infectious through airborne transmission.An outbreak of this virus could be worse than the 1918 Spanish flu that killed tens of millions of people, warned Michael Osterholm – who has led research into previous dangerous outbreaks – at a public meeting on censorship in science in New York on Thursday night."Frankly, I don't want a virus out t...

Malaria kills twice as many people than previously thought

OnMedica Latest News — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Study shows deaths are high in adults as well as youngRelated items from OnMedicaDrug-resistant TB set to become more dominantGuide helps GPs care for migrant patientsAfricans in the UK most likely to acquire malaria One or two doses of HPV jab may be enoughSharp rise of swine flu in Australia suggests pandemic (Source: OnMedica Latest News)

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...

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)

Africa: Nation, Sub-Saharan Africa Told to Reduce HIV Cases

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:55:18 +0100

[ANGOP] Luanda - The Angolan Health vice minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and Sub-Saharan countries to continue making effort to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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Public Health Burden Could Be Eased By Societal Control Of Sugar

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Sugar should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of UCSF researchers, who maintain in a new report that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Non-communicable diseases now pose a greater health burden worldwide than infectious diseases, according to the United Nations. In the United States, 75 percent of health care dollars are spent treating these diseases and their associated disabilities. In the Feb... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Spread Of Pandemic Flu Could Be Drastically Slowed By Hand Washing And Wearing Masks

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Masks and hand hygiene could cut the spread of flu-like symptoms up to 75 percent, a University of Michigan study found. A new report shows the second-year results (2007-2008) of the ground-breaking U-M M-Flu study found up to a 75 percent reduction in flu-like illness over the study period when using hand hygiene and wearing surgical masks in residence halls, said Allison Aiello, associate professor of epidemiology in the U-M School of Public Health. Aiello and Dr. Arnold Monto, SPH professor of epidemiology, are co-principal investigators of the M-Flu study... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Angola: Country, Sub-Saharan Africa Urged to Reduce HIV Cases

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:32:45 +0100

[ANGOP] Luanda - The Angolan Health Vice-minister, Evelize Frestas, defended on Wednesday in Luanda the need for Angola and sub-Saharan to continue making efforts to reduce the cases of HIV/AIDS infections, and thus slow down the death rate caused by this pandemic disease. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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)

The MPA initiates research on vaccine safety and narcolepsy

MPA RSS news - — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

The Medical Products Agency (MPA) has previously presented results from studies performed in Sweden on the safety of the pandemic vaccine Pandemrix. To further elucidate an association between narcolepsy and vaccination the MPA has initiated further research. The studies are coordinated by the MPA and are conducted both by in-house and by independent researchers and are expected to be ongoing during 2012. (Source: MPA RSS news -)

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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)

Societal control of sugar essential to ease public health burden

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of California - San Francisco) Sugar should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of UCSF researchers, who maintain in a new report that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

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)

Scientists created bird flu superbug that could set off next global pandemic

NaturalNews.com — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0100

During roughly the same time period that health experts worldwide have been warning that the infamous H5N1 avian flu virus could soon morph into a highly-transmissible, exceedingly-deadly "super strain" capable of killing millions, scientists from around the world have... (Source: NaturalNews.com)

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Pairing masks and hand washing could drastically slow spread of pandemic flu

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(University of Michigan) Masks and hand hygiene could cut the spread of flu-like symptoms up to 75 percent, a University of Michigan study found. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children

NeLM - Drug Class Focused Reviews — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Source: Cochrane Library Area: Evidence > Drug Class Focused Reviews Background Planning for outbreaks of influenza is a high priority public health issue for national governments. Neuraminidase inhibitors (NIs) are thought to help reduce the symptoms of influenza with several possible mechanisms proposed. NIs have been stockpiled with a view to their widespread use in the event of a pandemic. However, the evidence base for this class of agents remains a source of debate. In a previous review we have documented substantial risks of publication bias of trials of NIs for influenza (60% of patient data from phase III treatment trials of oseltamivir have never been published) and reporting bias in the published trials. Our confidence in the conclusions of previous versions of this rev...

El Nino Climate Pattern May Influence Disease Outbreaks Globally

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:15:00 +0100

Certain disease outbreaks, including some of the worst pandemics of the 20th century, are linked to weather patterns in the Pacific Ocean, according to new research. Scientists said tracking these climate changes can help officials anticipate and plan for surges in illnesses. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

As Global Fund Turns Ten, Lack of Political Support to Health Threatens Gains Against AIDS, TB, and Malaria

MSF News — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:24:00 +0100

South Africa 2011 © Chelsea Maclachlan/Le Monde A woman receives antiretroviral medication at an MSF clinic in Cape Town. While MSF relies solely on private donors, a loss of funding from the Global Fund will leave thousands without treatment. NAIROBI, JANUARY 30, 2012 - As the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria marks its tenth anniversary—and on the heels of its leadership changes—people living with HIV/AIDS and those delivering and supporting HIV and TB treatment took to the streets as they warned that the political commitment made 10 years ago to address global health is evaporating, and that drastic funding shortfalls could cause an unraveling of a decade’s progress against the three diseases. The Global Fund Board in November took t...

Influenza Vaccination in the Face of Immune Exhaustion: Is Herd Immunity Effective for Protecting the Elderly?

Clinical and Developmental Immunology — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:22:18 +0100

At the start of the 21st century, seasonal influenza virus infection is still a major public health concern across the world. The recent body of evidence confirms that trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (TIVs) are not optimal within the population who account for approximately 90% of all influenza-related death: elderly and chronically ill individuals regardless of age. With the ever increasing aging of the world population and the recent fears of any pandemic influenza rife, great efforts and resources have been dedicated to developing more immunogenic vaccines and strategies for enhancing protection in these higher-risk groups. This paper describes the mechanisms that shape immune response at the extreme ages of life and how they have been taken into account to design more effe...

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Research into mutant flu 'must go on'

The Independent - Science — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 04:57:09 +0100

One of the scientists at the centre of the controversy over the creation a highly dangerous form of bird flu which could cause a devastating human pandemic has denounced attempts by the US Government to censor the research over fears that the findings might be misused by bioterrorists. (Source: The Independent - Science)

Evolution and adaptation of hemagglutinin gene of human H5N1 influenza virus

Virus Genes — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:53:08 +0100

Abstract The H5N1 HPAI virus has brought heavy loss to poultry industry. Although, there exists limited human-to-human transmission, it poses potential serious risks to public health. HA is responsible for receptor-binding and membrane-fusion and contains the host receptor-binding sites and major epitopes for neutralizing antibodies. To investigate molecular adaption of HPAI H5N1 viruses, we performed a phylogenetic analysis of HA sequences with 240 HPAI virus strains isolated from human. The topology of the tree reveals overall clustering of strains in four major clusters based on geographic location, and shows antigenic diversity of HA of human H5N1 isolates co-circulating in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The four clusters possess distinct features within the cleavage site a...

Ground-breaking service becomes the largest online support network for people with HIV in its first year

Terrence Higgins Trust — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:47 +0100

A year today, Friday 27 January, after its launch, almost 3,000 people with HIV in the UK are part of myHIV, a groundbreaking online support system. This makes it the largest community of people with HIV in the UK, with people helping each other to manage their health and wellbeing. To celebrate the success of these services and encourage even more people to join up, Terrence Higgins Trust is holding a monthly prize draw for members, with an iPad as the opening draw’s prize.MyHIV is part of Life Plus, a suite of integrated online, face-to-face and telephone support services for people living with HIV and supports individuals’ everyday, non-clinical needs. Created by HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust, the Elton John AIDS Foundation and people living with HIV, myHIV i...

In Battle To Prevent Pandemic Infection, Clinical Technique Sets New Standard For Speed

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

A new diagnosis technique developed by researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center (OSC) has succeeded in detecting influenza virus infection in only 40 minutes and with one hundred times the sensitivity of conventional methods. Clinical research conducted in 2009 and 2010 confirms the new technique accurately identified the 2009 pandemic (pdm) influenza virus in Japanese patients less than 24 hours after fever onset, much faster than standard diagnostic tests... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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)

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Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children.

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

CONCLUSIONS: We found a high risk of publication and reporting biases in the trial programme of oseltamivir. Sub-population analyses of the influenza infected population in the oseltamivir trial programme are not possible because the two arms are non-comparable due to oseltamivir's apparent interference with antibody production. The evidence supports a direct oseltamivir mechanism of action on symptoms but we are unable to draw conclusions about its effect on complications or transmission. We expect full clinical study reports containing study protocol, reporting analysis plan, statistical analysis plan and individual patient data to clarify outstanding issues. These full clinical study reports are at present unavailable to us. PMID: 22258996 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Cochrane Dat...

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)

Bird flu mutation studies must go on, says scientist

Reuters: Health — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:40 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - A scientist researching a potentially highly lethal airborne version of the H5N1 bird flu virus said on Wednesday he must be allowed to pursue his studies if deadly pandemics are to be prevented. (Source: Reuters: Health)

Bird Flu Mutation Studies Must Go on, Says Scientist

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:02:31 +0100

A scientist researching a potentially highly lethal airborne version of the H5N1 bird flu virus said on Wednesday he must be allowed to pursue his studies if deadly pandemics are to be prevented. Source: Reuters Health Related MedlinePlus Pages: Biodefense and Bioterrorism, Bird Flu (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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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)

Clinical technique sets new standard for speed in battle to prevent pandemic infection

EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(RIKEN) A new diagnosis technique developed by researchers at the RIKEN Omics Science Center has succeeded in detecting influenza virus infection in only 40 minutes and with 100 times the sensitivity of conventional methods. Clinical research conducted in 2009 and 2010 confirms the new technique accurately identified the 2009 pandemic influenza virus in Japanese patients less than 24 hours after fever onset, much faster than standard diagnostic tests. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)

H5N1: Flu transmission work is urgent

Nature AOP — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nature advance online publication 25 January 2012. doi:10.1038/nature10884 Author: Yoshihiro Kawaoka Yoshihiro Kawaoka explains that research on transmissible avian flu viruses needs to continue if pandemics are to be prevented. (Source: Nature AOP)

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...

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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)

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)

Genetic Basis, Nutritional Challenges and Adaptive Responses in the Prenatal Origin of Obesity and Type-2 Diabetes.

Current Diabetes Reviews — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Ovilo C Abstract Obesity and type-2 diabetes are currently considered global pandemics. A large set of epidemiological evidences are addressing both the importance of a genetic predisposition -starting with the thrifty genotype hypothesis- and the determinant role of the maternal nutrition during pregnancy -starting with longitudinal studies of individuals born during the Dutch famine- on the adult onset of the disease. Compelling evidences suggest that both over- and under nutrition may modify the intrauterine environment of the conceptus and may alter the expression of its genome, predisposing to disease in the adult life. However, the most recent data indicate that the consequences of this phenomenon, termed as prenatal programming, are influenced bot...

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CDC Selects New H3N2v Pandemic Vaccine Target

Recombinomics — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:47:52 +0100

The commentary discusses the CDC’s new pandemic H3N2v vaccine target, A/Indiana/10/2011. (01/23/12 21:45) (Source: Recombinomics)

A Global Perspective of Wound Care©

Advances in Skin and Wound Care — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:39:47 +0100

ABSTRACT: Chronic wounds, particularly foot ulcers in persons with diabetes, have become a global pandemic in the developing and developed world. The authors propose a longitudinal interactive education program (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) linked to interprofessional centers of excellence to reduce the incidence of foot ulcers and unnecessary lower-limb amputations. This model is generalizable to other skin and wound conditions. (Source: Advances in Skin and Wound Care)

Improving global influenza surveillance: trends of A(H5N1) virus in Africa and Asia

BMC Research Notes — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our study reveals that some countries suffering from human cases of avian influenza have limited participation (e.g. genetic surveillance or data share) with global surveillance networks. Also, we demonstrate that the implementation of genetic surveillance programs could increase and strengthen worldwide epidemic and pandemic preparedness. We hope that this work promotes new discussions between policy makers and health surveillance organizations to improve current methodologies and regulations. (Source: BMC Research Notes)

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)

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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Tamiflu effects 'still uncertain'

Nursing Times Breaking News — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:07:00 +0100

The effects of antiviral drug Tamiflu - which was stockpiled by the government at the height of the swine flu pandemic - are still uncertain, researchers said as they accused pharmaceutical giant Roche of withholding data. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

Variability among the neuraminidase, non-structural 1 and PB1-F2 proteins in the influenza A virus genome

Virus Genes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:46:44 +0100

Abstract Influenza A viruses infect a large number of mammals and birds resulting in sporadic infections, seasonal epidemics, epizootics and pandemics. The segmented genome of the virus encodes 10 or 11 proteins depending on the strain. The neuraminidase, non-structural 1 and the PB1-F2 proteins are known to be variable in their length due to very specific deletions, truncations and elongations. This review presents an update on what is currently known about these three proteins and discusses their length variations in relation to virulence and host adaptation in addition to identifying possible areas of future research. Content Type Journal ArticlePages 1-11DOI 10.1007/s11262-012-0714-0Authors William G. Dundon, OIE/FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Inf...

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...

Pause on avian flu transmission studies

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

Authors: Ron A. M. Fouchier, Adolfo García-Sastre & Yoshihiro Kawaoka The continuous threat of an influenza pandemic represents one of the biggest challenges in public health. Influenza pandemics are known to be caused by viruses that evolve from animal reservoirs, such as birds and pigs, and can acquire genetic changes that increase their ability to (Source: Nature)

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Complicated secondary pneumonia after Swine-origin influenza a virus infection in an immunocompetent patient.

Herpes — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:30:02 +0100

We report an immunocompetent patient with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Herpes simplex virus (HSV) pneumonia secondary to S-OIV infection. A 57-year-old man previously without major medical illness was admitted to our hospital with severe pneumonia accompanied by ARDS due to S-OIV. In his clinical course, anti-influenza treatment was not effective. Sputum culture revealed the presence of MRSA, and HSV was isolated in broncho-alveoler lavage (BAL) fluid. Administration of an antiviral agent (acyclovir), an antibacterial agent (linezolid), and a corticosteroid (methylprednisolone) successfully improved the pneumonia and ARDS. HSV pneumonia can scarcely be seen in healthy people. However recently it has been recognized as a ventilator-associated pneumonia. Although co...

'Can Public Health England improve the way we respond to pandemics?'

HSJ — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

The Department of Health’s intention for Public Health England to strengthen the national response to public health crises alongside local bodies may not work in practice unless experiences of previous pandemics are learned from, write Drs Jacky Chambers and Andrew Rouse. (Source: HSJ)

Doubts cast over whether anti-flu drug Tamiflu works

NHS News Feed — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0100

Conclusion This systematic review aimed to assess comprehensively the effect of NIs including Tamiflu and Relenza on the prevention and treatment of flu in healthy adults and children by including results known to have been missed in previous reviews. In this sense, the review failed to meet its aims but for two distinct reasons. The evidence review of Relenza was suspended because new information about its effects on individual patients became available. The results of this are eagerly awaited. The review of Tamiflu was incomplete because of difficulties in obtaining sufficiently detailed information from the manufacturer. The systematic review included 25 studies in its final analysis, but had to exclude 42 relevant studies. By excluding these relevant studies, important information tha...

Flu and climate may be connected

Physics Today News Picks — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

BBC: Global climate shifts and flu pandemics may be linked, say researchers. Weather can influence the migratory patterns of wild birds; thus different species are brought together that don’t normally mix. The birds then share viruses, which can morph into different strains to which the human population has not been previously exposed. In a paper published yesterday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University and Marc Lipsitch of Harvard University note that the four most recent human influenza pandemics—in 1918, 1957, 1968, and 2009—were preceded by a climate pattern called La Niña. However, the researchers emphasize, most La Niñas have not preceded a pandemic. Rather, climate patterns could be one of several factors th...

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...

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Flu Pandemics May Follow La NiÃ±a

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0100

US scientists propose that flu pandemics follow La NiÃ±a weather conditions in the equatorial Pacific. The conditions alter bird migration patterns and this promotes new strains of flu (migrating birds are known to be primary pools of human influenza virus). However, since La NiÃ±a occurs more frequently than global flu pandemics, the researchers suggest other factors must also come into it, and their findings are just one piece of the puzzle... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

La Nina weather pattern could increase risk of flu pandemics by altering flight path of migratory birds

the Mail online | Health — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:42:18 +0100

Harvard scientists found that La Nina events - when the sea temperature cools three to five celsius lower than normal - preceded the last four worldwide flu pandemics. (Source: the Mail online | Health)

Flu Pandemics And La Nina

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0100

Worldwide pandemics of influenza caused widespread death and illness in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009. A new study examining weather patterns around the time of these pandemics finds that each of them was preceded by La Nina conditions in the equatorial Pacific. The study's authors - Jeffrey Shaman of Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health and Marc Lipsitch of the Harvard School of Public Health - note that the La Nina pattern is known to alter the migratory patterns of birds, which are thought to be a primary reservoir of human influenza... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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...

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)

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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)

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, ...

Recombinant protein vaccines produced in insect cells.

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

Authors: Cox MM Abstract The baculovirus-insect cell expression system is well known as tool for the production of complex proteins. The technology is also used for commercial manufacture of various veterinary and human vaccines. This review paper provides an overview of how this technology can be applied to produce a multitude of vaccine candidates. The key advantage of this recombinant protein manufacturing platform is that a universal "plug and play" process may be used for producing a broad range of protein-based prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines for both human and veterinary use while offering the potential for low manufacturing costs. Large scale mammalian cell culture facilities previously established for the manufacturing of monoclonal antibodies that have now become ob...

La Nina weather precedes flu pandemics

Health News - UPI.com — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:38:43 +0100

NEW YORK, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists theorize that altered migration patterns of birds due to La Nina weather patterns in the equatorial Pacific promote new strains of influenza. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)

La Nina 'may abet' flu pandemics

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:03:40 +0100

Scientists discover indications of a relationship between La Nina climatic conditions and influenza pandemics. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

La Nina 'linked' to flu pandemics

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:03:40 +0100

Scientists discover indications of a relationship between La Nina climatic conditions and influenza pandemics. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Removal of the antiviral agent oseltamivir and its biological activity by oxidative processes.

Environmental Pollution — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:18:13 +0100

Authors: Mestankova H, Schirmer K, Escher BI, von Gunten U, Canonica S Abstract The antiviral agent oseltamivir acid (OA, the active metabolite of Tamiflu(®)) may occur at high concentrations in wastewater during pandemic influenza events. To eliminate OA and its antiviral activity from wastewater, ozonation and advanced oxidation processes were investigated. For circumneutral pH, kinetic measurements yielded second-order rate constants of 1.7 ± 0.1 × 10(5) and 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10(9) M(-1) s(-1) for the reaction of OA with ozone and hydroxyl radical, respectively. During the degradation of OA by both oxidants, the antiviral activity of the treated aqueous solutions was measured by inhibition of neuraminidase activity of two different viral strains. A transient, moderate (...

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...

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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...

Does the La Niña weather pattern lead to flu pandemics?

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) Worldwide pandemics of influenza caused widespread death and illness in 1918, 1957, 1968 and 2009. A new study examining weather patterns around the time of these pandemics finds that each of them was preceded by La Niña conditions in the equatorial Pacific. Since the La Niña pattern is known to alter the migratory patterns of birds, the scientists theorize that altered migration patterns promote the development of dangerous new strains of influenza. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Hand washing with soap and water together with behavioural recommendations prevents infections in common work environment: an open cluster-randomized trial

Trials — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: We conclude that intensified hand hygiene using water and soap together with behavioural recommendations can reduce the occurrence of self-reported acute illnesses in common work environment. Surprisingly, the occurrence of reported sick leaves also increased in the soap-and water-arm.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00821509Source of funding: The Finnish Work Environment Fund and the National Institute for Health and Welfare (Source: Trials)

Effectiveness of Three Decontamination Treatments against Influenza Virus Applied to Filtering Facepiece Respirators

Annals of Occupational Hygiene — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

This study examined the effectiveness of three energetic decontamination methods [ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), microwave-generated steam, and moist heat] on two National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified N95 FFRs (3M models 1860s and 1870) contaminated with H5N1. An aerosol settling chamber was used to apply virus-laden droplets to FFRs in a method designed to simulate respiratory deposition of droplets onto surfaces. When FFRs were examined post decontamination by viral culture, all three decontamination methods were effective, reducing virus load by >4 log median tissue culture infective dose. Analysis of treated FFRs using a quantitative molecular amplification assay (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) indicated that UVGI decontaminat...

A cell-based backup to speed up pandemic influenza vaccine production.

Trends in Microbiology — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lee MS, Hu AY Abstract Influenza vaccines are currently produced through egg-based methods, with one drawback being that this system is slow to respond to the surging global demand during an influenza pandemic. Alternative influenza vaccine production strategies, such as using a cell-based strategy, should be considered in pandemic situations. PMID: 22257962 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Trends in Microbiology)

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Preventing pandemics: The fight over flu

Nature AOP — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Nature advance online publication 15 January 2012. doi:10.1038/481257a A proposal to restrict the planned publication of research on a potentially deadly avian influenza virus is causing a furore. Ten experts suggest ways to proceed. (Source: Nature AOP)

The importance of coping appraisal in behavioural responses to pandemic flu.

British Journal of Health Psychology — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:07:05 +0100

Conclusions. Coping appraisals appear to be an important, and hitherto underresearched, predictor of how people may behave in pandemics, and our findings provide encouraging preliminary evidence that it may be possible to change these perceptions. PMID: 22233104 [PubMed - in process] (Source: British Journal of Health Psychology)

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...

Potential for Pet Animals to Harbour Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus When Residing with Human MRSA Patients

Zoonoses and Public Health — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:08:45 +0100

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for MRSA carriage by pets residing in households with an MRSA‐infected person. From 66 households in which an MRSA‐infected patient resided, we screened 47 dogs and 52 cats using a swab protocol. Isolates from pets and humans were genotyped using two techniques and compared for concordance. Human participants completed a 22‐question survey of demographic and epidemiologic data relevant to staphylococcal transmission. Eleven of 99 pets (11.5%) representing 9 (13.6%) of households were MRSA‐positive, but in only six of these households were the human and animal‐source strains genetically concordant. Human infection by strain USA 100 was significantly associated with pet carriage [OR = 11.4 (95% CI ...

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Inconsistencies in Estimating the Age of HIV-1 Subtypes Due to Heterotachy

Molecular Biology and Evolution — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Rate heterogeneity among lineages is a common feature of molecular evolution, and it has long impeded our ability to accurately estimate the age of evolutionary divergence events. The development of relaxed molecular clocks, which model variable substitution rates among lineages, was intended to rectify this problem. Major subtypes of pandemic HIV-1 group M are thought to exemplify closely related lineages with different substitution rates. Here, we report that inferring the time of most recent common ancestor of all these subtypes in a single phylogeny under a single (relaxed) molecular clock produces significantly different dates for many of the subtypes than does analysis of each subtype on its own. We explore various methods to ameliorate this problem. We conclude that current molecula...

Pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 present in the Coastal Environment of Northwest Mexico is associated with recurrent diarrheal cases from 2004 to 2010.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Velazquez-Roman J, León-Sicairos N, Flores-Villaseñor H, Villafaña-Rauda S, Canizalez-Roman A Abstract In 2004, more than 1230 cases of gastroenteritis due to pandemic O3:K6 strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were reported in southern Sinaloa, a state in Northwestern Mexico. Recurrent sporadic cases arose from 2004 to 2010, spreading from the south to the north. In the present study, Vibrio parahaemolyticus was detected in both environmental samples and clinical cases along the Pacific Coast of Sinaloa during 2004 to 2010. An evaluation was made of the serotypes, distribution of virulence genes, and presence of pandemic O3:K6 strains. A total of 144 strains were isolated from environmental samples (from sediment, seawater and shrimp), and 154 clinical strains were isola...

An Algorithm for the Preclinical Development of Anti-HIV Topical Microbicides.

Current HIV Research — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Buckheit Jr RW, Buckheit KW Abstract Throughout the world, and especially in countries comprising the developing world, women are now bearing the brunt of the HIV pandemic, with over 50% living with HIV infection primarily contracted through sexual transmission in monogamous relationships Thus, effective chemical or physical means of preventing HIV transmission are urgently needed and in the absence of an approved and effective vaccine, microbicides have become the strategy of choice to provide women with the ability to prevent HIV transmission from their infected partners. Topical microbicides include agents specifically developed and formulated for use in either the vaginal or rectal environment to prevent the sexual transmission of infectious organisms, including pathog...

Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors as Microbicides.

Current HIV Research — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lewi P, Heeres J, Ariën K, Venkatraj M, Joossens J, Van der Veken P, Augustyns K, Vanham G Abstract The CAPRISA 004 study in South Africa has accelerated the development of vaginal and rectal microbicides containing antiretrovirals that target specific enzymes in the reproduction cycle of HIV, especially reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTI). In this review we discuss the potential relevance of HIV-1 RTIs as microbicides, focusing in the nucleotide RTI tenofovir and six classes of nonnucleoside RTIs (including dapivirine, UC781, urea and thiourea PETTs, DABOs and a pyrimidinedione). Although tenofovir and dapivirine appear to be most advanced in clinical trials as potential microbicides, several issues remain unresolved, e.g., the importance of nonhuman primates as a "ga...

Mucosal Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Current HIV Research — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Tebit DM, Ndembi N, Weinberg A, Quiñones-Mateu ME Abstract Since the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, and following the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the etiological agent of the disease, it was clear that the virus gains access to the human host predominantly through the mucosal tissue after sexual exposure. As a consequence, the female genital tract (vaginal and cervical), as well as the rectal, penile, and oral mucosae have been extensively studied over the last thirty years towards a better understanding of - and to develop strategies to prevent - sexual HIV transmission. This review seeks to describe the biology of the events leading to HIV infection through the human mucosa and introduce some of the approaches attempted to prevent the sexual ...

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One mistake away from a worldwide flu pandemic

New Scientist - Health — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:20:21 +0100

Two labs have made lethal, highly transmissible versions of bird flu virus – do the risks of it escaping outweigh the benefits of the research? (Source: New Scientist - Health)

Liberia: New Approach Developed to Intensify Fight Against HIV/Aids

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:01:54 +0100

Heritage (Monrovia)-The Lutheran Church in Liberia (LCL) HIV&AIDS Program has developed a new approach to intensity its fight against the threatening pandemic HIV&AIDS in Liberia. The strategy referred to as "Congregational Response," is a mechanism aimed at engaging and empowering parishes within the Lutheran Church in the country. The strategy will also buttress relevant institutions involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS to reach the targeted audience. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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...

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)

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)

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The origin and diversity of the HIV-1 pandemic.

Trends in Molecular Medicine — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hemelaar J Abstract This review examines the enormous progress that has been made in the past decade in understanding the origin of HIV, HIV genetic variability, and the impact of global HIV diversity on the pandemic. Multiple zoonotic transmissions of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have resulted in different HIV lineages in humans. In addition, the high mutation and recombination rates during viral replication result in a great genetic variability of HIV within individuals, as well as within populations, upon which evolutionary selection pressures act. The global HIV pandemic is examined in the context of HIV evolution, and the global diversity of HIV subtypes and recombinants is discussed in detail. Finally, the impact of HIV diversity on pathogenesis, transmission,...

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)

Cholera-Modern Pandemic Disease of Ancient LineageCholera-Modern Pandemic Disease of Ancient Lineage

Medscape Today Headlines — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:18:52 +0100

How has cholera survived the transition from ancient to modern world? Emerging Infectious Diseases (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)

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...

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)

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Reducing The Impact Of Diabetes: Is Prevention Feasible Today, Or Should We Aim For Better Treatment? [Lifestyle Interventions]

Health Affairs — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Type 2 diabetes prevention studies have shown that the onset of the disease can be delayed or prevented, chiefly by weight loss. But the current efforts to establish community-based lifestyle modification programs will not be very effective in preventing diabetes, largely because most overweight or obese people cannot maintain weight loss over time. A complex environment is driving greater food consumption along with less energy expenditure, making maintenance of weight loss extremely difficult. To improve the likelihood of achieving populationwide success in reducing the obesity pandemic, we need a better understanding of the biological processes that underlie the balance between intake and expenditure of energy. In the meantime, once diabetes develops, we can greatly reduce the likelihoo...

[Perspectives] Creatively confronting addiction

LANCET — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

We are all at risk of addiction. Vices are endemic to the human condition and each of us has the potential to become an addict. Scare statements? Not at the Museo Interactivo Sobre Las Adicciones (aka MIA) in Culiacán, Mexico. MIA is a unique interactive games and exhibit-based addiction museum—narcotics feature, but so too do alcohol, tobacco, food, gambling, and internet addictions. MIA broadcasts a strong message: addictions are pandemic and they are global. (Source: LANCET)

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)

Health Care Workers' Ability and Willingness to Report to Work During Public Health Emergencies. - Stergachis A, Garberson L, Lien O, D'Ambrosio L, Sangaré L, Dold C.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:21:09 +0100

Objectives: We conducted a county-wide survey to assess the ability and willingness of health care workers to report to work during a pandemic influenza and a severe earthquake and to identify barriers and strategies that would help them report to work. ... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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Verbal autopsy-based cause-specific mortality trends in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2000-2009. - Herbst AJ, Mafojane T, Newell ML.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:21:09 +0100

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The advent of the HIV pandemic and the more recent prevention and therapeutic interventions have resulted in extensive and rapid changes in cause-specific mortality rates in sub-Saharan Africa, and there is demand for timely and accur... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

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...)

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...

Origin, evolution, and phylogeography of recent epidemic CHIKV strains.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, we reconstructed the geographic spread of CHIKV during the last epidemic wave, which showed an eastward path from Africa to Indian Ocean island to India, and from there to other South East Asian countries. Whether A226V variants followed the same migration path remains undefined, since local independent mutations, followed by fixation due to selective advantage conferred by better adaptation to local vectors of infection, cannot be excluded. PMID: 22244786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution)

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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...

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)

Bariatric Surgery

Springer Medicine titles — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:44:38 +0100

Technical Variations and ComplicationsThe increasing prevalence of obesity in many countries means that it should now be considered a pandemic. It is widely recognized that obesity increases the risk of a variety of life-threatening conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and severe joint problems. Bariatric surgery is often the most effective way to treat such morbid obesity. Nevertheless, while various ... (Source: Springer Medicine titles)

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 ...

Cholera epidemics in 2010: respective roles of environment, strain changes and human‐driven dissemination

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

AbstractCholera burden grew strikingly during the past years and spread to countries previously spared by this disease. The current spread proved specifically violent as illustrated by the recent deadly epidemics around the Lake Chad basin, in Eastern Africa, and in Haiti. This onset of severe cholera epidemics proved part of the overall dynamic of the current seventh cholera pandemic, made of successive epidemic waves. The current wave is due to new atypical El Tor strains which spread from the Bay of Bengal to Papua in the East, Africa, and Caribbean Sea in the West and caused 100,000s of cases and thousands of deaths during each of the last years. The particular severity of the resulting epidemics is partially due to the specific characteristics of the atypical El Tor strain involved. B...

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Universal vaccine against influenza virus: linking TLR signalling to anti‐viral protection

European Journal of Immunology — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

A vaccine protecting against all influenza strains is a long‐sought goal, particularly for emerging pandemics. As previously shown, vaccines based on the highly conserved extracellular domain of M2 (M2e) may protect against all influenza A strains. Here we demonstrate that M2e‐specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) protect mice from a lethal influenza infection. To be protective, antibodies had to be able to bind to Fc receptors and fix complement. Furthermore, mAbs of IgG2c isotype were protective in mice, while antibodies of identical specificity, but of the IgG1 isotype, failed to prevent disease. These findings readily translated into vaccine design. A vaccine targeting M2 in the absence of a toll‐like receptor (TLR) 7 ligand primarily induced IgG1, whilst the same vaccine linked ...

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)

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....

Cholera epidemics in 2010: respective roles of environment, strain changes, and human‐driven dissemination

Clinical Microbiology and Infection — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Clin Microbiol InfectAbstractThe cholera burden has grown strikingly during the past 4 years, and has spread to countries previously spared by this disease. The current spread has proved especially violent, as illustrated by the recent deadly epidemics around the Lake Chad Basin, in East Africa, and in Haiti. This onset of severe cholera epidemics is part of the overall dynamic of the current seventh cholera pandemic, composed of successive epidemic waves. The current wave is attributable to new atypical El Tor strains, which spread from the Bay of Bengal to Papua in the east, Africa, and the Caribbean Sea in the west, and caused hundreds of thousands of cases and thousands of deaths during each of the last 4 years. The particular severity of the resulting epidemics is partially attributab...

Targeting the restricted {alpha}-subunit repertoire of airway smooth muscle GABAA receptors augments airway smooth muscle relaxation

AJP: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, selective subunit targeting of endogenous airway smooth muscle-specific GABAA receptors may represent a novel therapeutic option for patients in severe bronchospasm. (Source: AJP: Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology)

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Gladstone And UCSF Scientists Provide A Global View Of How HIV/AIDS Hijacks Cells During Infection

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0100

Gladstone Institutes scientist Nevan Krogan, PhD, today is announcing research that identifies how HIV-the virus that causes AIDS-hijacks the body's own defenses to promote infection. This discovery could one day help curb the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Dr. Krogan conducted this research in his laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)-a leading medical school with which Gladstone is affiliated-where Dr. Krogan is an associate professor of cellular and molecular pharmacology and an affiliate of the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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...

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 ...)

Filling Gaps on Influenza En Route and the Etiology of Influenza During a Pandemic Year

Journal of Travel Medicine — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

(Source: Journal of Travel Medicine)

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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)

Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countries

Nutrition Reviews — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

Decades ago, discussion of an impending global pandemic of obesity was thought of as heresy. But in the 1970s, diets began to shift towards increased reliance upon processed foods, increased away‐from‐home food intake, and increased use of edible oils and sugar‐sweetened beverages. Reductions in physical activity and increases in sedentary behavior began to be seen as well. The negative effects of these changes began to be recognized in the early 1990s, primarily in low‐ and middle‐income populations, but they did not become clearly acknowledged until diabetes, hypertension, and obesity began to dominate the globe. Now, rapid increases in the rates of obesity and overweight are widely documented, from urban and rural areas in the poorest countries of sub‐Saharan Africa and Sout...

Epidemiological isolation causing variable mortality in Island populations during the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic

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

Conclusions Mortality differed more than 50‐fold during pandemic‐related epidemics on Pacific islands [range: 0·4% (Hawaii) to 22% (Samoa)], and on some islands, mortality sharply varied among demographic subgroups of island residents such as Saipan: Chamorros [12%] and Caroline Islanders [0·4%]. Among soldiers from island populations who had completed initial military training, influenza‐related mortality rates were generally low, for example, Puerto Rico (0·7%) and French Polynesia (0·13%). The findings suggest that among island residents, those who had been exposed to multiple, antigenically diverse respiratory pathogens prior to infection with the 1918 pandemic strain (e.g., less isolated) experienced lower mortality. The continuous circulation of antigenically diverse inf...

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)

The 1918-19 influenza pandemic in boyacá, Colombia.

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

Authors: Chowell G, Viboud C, Simonsen L, Miller MA, Acuna-Soto R, Díaz JM, Martínez-Martín AF Abstract To quantify age-specific excess-mortality rates and transmissibility patterns for the 1918-20 influenza pandemic in Boyacá, Colombia, we reviewed archival mortality records. We identified a severe pandemic wave during October 1918-January1919 associated with 40 excess deaths per 10,000 population. The age profile for excess deaths was W shaped; highest mortality rates were among infants (<5 y of age), followed by elderly persons (>60 y) and young adults (25-29 y). Mean reproduction number was estimated at 1.4-1.7, assuming 3- or 4-day generation intervals. Boyacá, unlike cities in Europe, the United States, or Mexico, experienced neither a herald pandemic wave of death...

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...

Differential mortality rates by ethnicity in 3 influenza pandemics over a century, new zealand.

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

Authors: Wilson N, Barnard LT, Summers JA, Shanks GD, Baker MG Abstract Evidence suggests that indigenous populations have suffered disproportionately from past influenza pandemics. To examine any such patterns for Māori in New Zealand, we searched the literature and performed new analyses by using additional datasets. The Māori death rate in the 1918 pandemic (4,230/100,000 population) was 7.3× the European rate. In the 1957 pandemic, the Māori death rate (40/100,000) was 6.2× the European rate. In the 2009 pandemic, the Māori rate was higher than the European rate (rate ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval 1.3-5.3). These findings suggest some decline in pandemic-related ethnic inequalities in death rates over the past century. Nevertheless, the persistent excess in adverse o...

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...

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Newly Established Monoclonal Antibodies for Immunological Detection of H5N1 Influenza Virus.

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

In conclusion, these mAbs may be useful for rapid and specific diagnosis of H5N1 influenza. Therapeutically, they may have a role in antibody-based treatment of the disease. PMID: 22274153 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases)

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...

Obesity: From the Agricultural Revolution to the Contemporary Pediatric Epidemic

Congenital Heart Disease — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100

ABSTRACTObesity is pandemic in Western society. Currently, approximately 100 million Americans are overweight (body mass index >25 kg/m2) or obese (body mass index >30 kg/m2). The pandemic is largely attributable to the relatively recent (from an evolutionary perspective) adoption of a sedentary lifestyle, coupled with the high availability of foods with high caloric content in Western cultures. These factors superimposed on dated genotypes have given rise to the global obesity epidemic. Over the past two decades, the discovery of leptin and other new molecules (e.g., adiponectin, resistin, ghrelin) has shed significant light on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of obesity‐related morbidities, many of which became apparent through human epidemiologic studies during the last half ...

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)

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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)

WHO concerned that new H5N1 influenza research could undermine the 2011 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework

WHO news — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0100

30 December 2011 -- WHO takes note that studies undertaken by several institutions on whether changes in the H5N1 influenza virus can make it more transmissible between humans have raised concern about the possible risks and misuses associated with this research. WHO is also deeply concerned about the potential negative consequences. However, WHO also notes that studies conducted under appropriate conditions must continue to take place so that critical scientific knowledge needed to reduce the risks posed by the H5N1 virus continues to increase. (Source: WHO news)

Zimbabwe: Let's Be Responsible, Not Gamble With Our Health

AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:44:47 +0100

The proliferation of non-communicable diseases in addition to the HIV pandemic means that an ever increasing percentage of the population is battling a serious or chronic illness of one sort or another. (Source: AllAfrica News: HIV-Aids and STDs)

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...

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)

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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...

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)

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)