MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'antivirals'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:48:54 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4418797&cid=t_108426_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FVirologyBlog%2F%7E3%2F02yUppO3s6Y%2F Frederick Hayden, Professor of Medicine and Pathology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, U.K., has focused on the use of antiviral agents to prevent and treat respiratory viral infections. His interests range from the use of in vitro assays to study viral susceptibility and antiviral mechanisms of action, to clinical trials utilizing experimentally induced and naturally occurring infections. Work from his laboratory includes the demonstration that intranasal administration of interferons can prevent transmission of rhinovirus colds, studies of transmission of drug-resistant influenza A viruses in families, and the antiviral activity and clinical use of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors. His laboratory currently focuses on the application of nucleic acid hybridization to study rhi... virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4418797 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 17:23:48 +0100 4418797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3389159&cid=t_108426_139_f&fid=38879&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virology.ws%2F0319-fib56.mp4 I joined Marc Pelletier on episode 56 of Futures in Biotech for a conversation with Stanford University School of Medicine Professor Karla Kirkegaard.  We talked about RNA viruses – where they came from, where they are going, and Dr. Kirkegaard’s unique approach to discovering antiviral drugs. Don’t miss this episode: Dr. Kirkegaard is a brilliant and eloquent virologist who makes complicated science easy to understand. Video courtesy of Team ODTV Download video (114 MB .mp4) (Source: virology blog) virology blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3389159 Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:02:42 +0100 3389159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3122088&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FVdCPppBj34s%2Fa_new_front_line_drug_for_flu.php This week the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published a paper about a new antiviral drug that fully protected mice against virulent bird flu virus (H5N1). I don't usually pay a lot of attention to papers announcing new flu antivirals that work in animals. It's a long way from there to use in humans. But this drug, called T-705 (also known as favipiravir) seems different in several respects. The work was mainly supported by the Japanese government (with some support from the US NIH) and was led by Yoshihiro Kawaoka, one of the world's leading flu scientists (University of Tokyo and the University of Wisconsin). It is quite unlike the two other classes of antivirals for flu, the adamantane class of M2 blockers (Amantadine and Rimantadine) and the neuriminidase inhibi... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3122088 Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:18:38 +0100 3122088 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3075518&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2Fnr1Iqhmi7Xg%2Fthe_tamiflu_doesnt_work_non-st.php The other day the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a clutch of articles about whether Tamiflu was as useful a drug as some have touted. I read the main article, another one of the Cochrane Collaborative meta-analyses of the studies they deem useful about any particular subject, and it didn't seem to make much news. It confirmed what their previous review had said about the neuriminidase inhibitor antivirals for influenza (Tamiflu and Relenza): these drugs work but their effect is modest. We've been saying the same thing for years here, not because we did a fancy meta-analysis, but because that's quite clearly what the literature said. They confirmed it. Again. Not very interesting, I guess, so the BMJ, quickly becoming medical tabloid central, fastened on the one scientific aspect o... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3075518 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:03:02 +0100 3075518 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3052154&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F3BOb-wRV9VM%2Finfecting_your_computer_with_s.php Frequent readers here know we are fascinated with the similarities between computer viruses and real viruses. Both use their unwittingly infected hosts (computers or host cells) to make copies of themselves and in the process can cause varying degrees of sickness. It's hard to give any solid criteria which will differentiate one as qualitatively different than the other (except perhaps one is purely carbon based). But now you don't have to choose. You can have both at once: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3052154 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:31:20 +0100 3052154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2924786&cid=t_108426_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F24%2Fcollection-point-administration-system-cpas-user-guidance%2F Title: User guide for primary care trust (PCT) users Skinny: Training manuals are to provide guidance to users of the Collection Point Administration System (CPAS) for antivirals. Publisher: DH Size of Publication: 24p Published: 12/10/2009 Additional Manuals: User guide for strategic health authority (SHA) users User guide for single point of contact (SPOC) users Posted in Grey Literature, Influenza, NHS, Pandemic Tagged: Antivirals, Grey Literature, H1N1, Influenza, Pandemic (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2924786 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:00:23 +0100 2924786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2912206&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FWk7n9y39GGA%2Fwhen_to_use_antivirals_for_swi.php We've gotten the question here fairly frequently: If antivirals (Tamiflu, Relenza) for swine flu work best when given early but shouldn't be given to people who aren't really that sick, how do you balance waiting for them to get sick and have the drugs not work well with giving it when you don't need to? There is no absolutely right answer to this difficult question. Early in the pandemic antivirals were being given prophylactically to stop spread, then they were being given only when a diagnosis of swine flu was confirmed. Then only to the sickest patients. We're all on a learning curve. The latest recommendations from CDC try to walk the narrow line between over use and under use, taking into account that missing early treatment could endanger the lives of some patients who go on to seri... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2912206 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:17:18 +0100 2912206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709080&cid=t_108426_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F18%2Fthe-lancet-2009-volume-374-issue-9688%2F Contents Page Fade Fave:H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection during pregnancy in the USA Fade Skinny:Identifies that pregnant women might be at increased risk for complications from pandemic H1N1 virus infection. These data lend support to the present recommendation to promptly treat pregnant women with H1N1 influenza virus infection with anti-influenza drugs. (Print Subscription Held by the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Antivirals, Current Awareness, H1N1, Influenza, Journals, Pregnancy (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709080 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:02:19 +0100 2709080 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688693&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FbiXiWrlsUko%2Fflu_antivirals_the_good_news_t.php Yesterday (today as I am writing this) the British Medical Journal published another Cochrane meta-analysis on the efficacy of neurimminidase inhibitor antivirals (the only two in use now, being oseltamivir [Tamiflu] and zanimivir [Relenza]). Their conclusions have made the news, so I guess I should cast my baleful eye on their handiwork. I think there is less here than meets the eye, but first let's look at what meets the eye. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688693 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:53:14 +0100 2688693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2630150&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FvmYbYo-gKsc%2Ftamiflu_resistance_puzzle.php There have been three reported oseltamivir (Tamiflu) resistant isolates of H1N1 swine flu (added: and now a fourth in Canada) but with those exceptions all others have been resistant to this oral antiviral. This is in marked contrast to the other H1N1 strain, the seasonal variety which is almost entirely resistant. The spread of Tamiflu resistance in the seasonal strain happened with dramatic suddenness in the winter of 2007 - 2008 and came as an unhappy surprise. People assume that a rapidly mutating virus would inevitably become resistant, but based on several laboratory studies there were reasons to believe the mutation or mutations conferring resistance also made the virus less fit to replicate, infect host cells or cause disease. Moreover the resistance developed and spread very rapid... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2630150 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:50 +0100 2630150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561257&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FcNUna5CrRac%2Ftamiflu_and_adverse_effects.php For reasons not revealed to anyone I know, WHO is saying the Tamiflu resistance in a Danish swine flu isolate is "isolated case." Could be, but I'd sure like to know why they think so, other than they don't have any other examples. Meanwhile WHO and CDC continue to advise prompt use of Tamiflu (oral oseltamivir) for treatment of swine flu in high risk patients. Which brings up the question of side effects. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561257 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:12:49 +0100 2561257 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2348169&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FwO4xSnopHZA%2Fpotential_new_antiviral_why_th.php The news of a new antiviral comes at a Press Conference. That could either mean a blockbuster breakthrough or an unwarranted device to get attention for some otherwise decent but not blockbuster science. Unfortunately, the news that "Experts Identify Compound That May Fight Bird Flu" is of the second type: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2348169 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:41:44 +0100 2348169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2240688&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F2Dq4wJkruCE%2Ftreating_flu_in_mice_with_mono.php I'm not sure what to make of the report that scientists in Boston, California and the CDC in Atlanta have made monoclonal antibodies that protect mice against many different flu subtypes. Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies made by the descendants of a single immune cell (that is a single clone, hence monoclonal). Thus unlike natural antibodies, these are also monospecific, i.e., they are directed against one specific target. Our natural immune system "sees" a protein on the surface of the virus called hemagglutinin (HA), of which there are 16 broad subtypes and many, many variations within each subtype. Humans are infected with subtypes H1, H2 and H3, although several hundred cases of the H5 subtype (H5N1, "bird flu") have been reported and occasionally there are infections with some oth... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2240688 Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:26:37 +0100 2240688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1363670&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F267676124%2Fnew_relenza_warning.php First Tamiflu (oseltamivir), now Relenza (zanamivir): Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1363670 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:55:08 +0100 1363670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=693206&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F06%2Ftamiflu_resistance_again.php There's been a bit of a buzz about a paper by Australian researcher Jennifer McKimm-Breschkin at the Toronto flu meetings last week. McKimm-Breschkin told the gathering of 1500 flu obsessed scientists just what they didn't want to hear: that she and her colleagues had evidence from the laboratory that clade 2 H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from birds in Indonesia were becoming resistant to the only oral antiviral effective against the virus, oseltamivir (Tamiflu). In comparison to clade 1 (southeast asian) virus from a few years back, the sensitivity was 20 to 30 times less. Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=693206 Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:46:03 +0100 693206 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=510540&cid=t_108426_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F03%2Ftamiflu_and_the_rare_reaction.php Tamiflu side effects have been much in the news and we have concurrently been posting our mega-series on modeling antiviral resistance in influenza control. The two subjects are related in two ways, one obvious (Tamiflu is the main antiviral being stockpiled for influenza control) and one not so obvious: both topics are related to the fact that million, tens of millions or hundreds of millions of doses are contemplated. For antiviral resistance this means even very rare mutations producing a fully transmission-competent resistant virus can spread widely through the population (you will see that shortly in the modeling series). For drug side effects it means that even very rare side effects will occur almost certainly. The same will be true for vaccine use, and for drugs or vaccines used pr... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=510540 Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:47:31 +0100 510540