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This page shows you the latest news and research items in this category.

[Evolution and infection biology of new influenza A viruses with pandemic potential].
Abstract Wild aquatic birds are natural hosts for a large variety of influenza A viruses. Occasionally, viruses are transmitted from this reservoir to other species, such as chickens, pigs, and man, and may then cause devastating outbreaks in domestic poultry or give rise to human influenza pandemics. The H5N1-, H7N7-, H9N2-, and H2N2-viruses are considered to have high pandemic potential, because of their pathogenicity in humans and because of the lack of immune protection in the human population. However, the unexpected outbreak of the H1N1 pandemic in 2009 demonstrates that the reliability of such predictions is...
Source: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz - January 1, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Klenk HD Tags: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Source Type: research

Comprehensive global amino acid sequence analysis of PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1 viruses and the influenza A virus subtypes responsible for the 20th‐century pandemics
Conclusions Varying sizes and mutations of the PB1F2 protein in different influenza A virus subtypes with pandemic potential were obtained. There was genetic divergence of the protein in various hosts which highlighted the host‐specific evolution of the virus. However, studies are required to correlate this sequence variability with the virulence and pathogenicity. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - July 13, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Gunisha Pasricha, Akhilesh C. Mishra, Alok K. Chakrabarti Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Biological Evaluation of Mechlorethamine-Pt(II) Complex, Part II: Antimicrobial Screening and LOX Study of the Complex and its Ligand.
Abstract The reaction of K2PtCl4 with anticancer-alkylating agent mechlorethamine hydrochloride (CH3NH(C2H4Cl)2 ×HCl = HN2×HCl), in the molar ratio 1 : 2, affords the complex [H2N2]2[PtCl4]. In vitro antimicrobial and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of the complex and its precursor were evaluated. Antimicrobial activity of the HN2×HCl and [H2N2]2[PtCl4] complex was investigated against 29 species of microorganisms. Testing is performed by microdilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MMC) have been determined. The difference between antimicrobial activity...
Source: Medicinal Chemistry - June 25, 2012 Category: Chemistry Authors: Radojević ID, Petrović ZD, Comić LR, Simijonović D, Petrović VP, Hadjipavlou-Litina D Tags: Med Chem Source Type: research

An open‐label phase I trial of a live attenuated H2N2 influenza virus vaccine in healthy adults
Conclusions The live attenuated H2N2 1960 AA ca vaccine demonstrated a safety profile consistent with seasonal trivalent LAIV but was restricted in replication and minimally immunogenic in healthy seronegative adults. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - March 14, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Kawsar R. Talaat, Ruth A. Karron, Philana H. Liang, Bridget A. McMahon, Catherine J. Luke, Bhagvanji Thumar, Grace L. Chen, Ji‐Young Min, Elaine W. Lamirande, Hong Jin, Kathy L. Coelingh, George W. Kemble, Kanta Subbarao Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Protective efficacy of an H1N1 cold-adapted live vaccine against the 2009 pandemic H1N1, seasonal H1N1, and H5N1 influenza viruses in mice.
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+ ...
Source: Antiviral Research - January 18, 2012 Category: Virology Authors: Shi J, Wen Z, Guo J, Zhang Y, Deng G, Shu Y, Wang D, Jiang Y, Kawaoka Y, Bu Z, Chen H Tags: Antiviral Res Source Type: research

Mimotopes selected with neutralizing antibodies against Multiple Subtypes of Influenza A
Conclusions: Phage-displayed mimotopes against multiple subtypes of influenza A were accessible to the mouse immune system and triggered a humoral response to above virus. (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - December 15, 2011 Category: Virology Authors: Yanwei ZhongJiong CaiChuanfu ZhangXiaoyan XingEnqiang QinJing HePanyong MaoJun ChengKun LiuDongping XuHongbin Song Source Type: research

Genetic evolution of low pathogenecity H9N2 Avian influenza viruses in Tunisia: Acquisition of new mutations
Conclusion: Considering these mutations, the molecular basis of tropism, host responses and enhanced virulence will be defined and studied. Otherwise, Continuous monitoring of viral genetic changes throughout the year is warranted to monitor variations of Influenza viruses in the field. (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - October 12, 2011 Category: Virology Authors: Wafa TombariJihene NsiriImen LarbiJean GuerinAbdeljelil Ghram Source Type: research

Memory T-Cell Immune Response in Healthy Young Adults Vaccinated with Live Attenuated Influenza A (H5N2) Vaccine.
Abstract Cellular immune responses of both CD4 and CD8 memory/effector T cells were evaluated in healthy young adults who received two doses of live attenuated influenza A (H5N2) vaccine. The vaccine was developed by reassortment of nonpathogenic avian A/Duck/Potsdam/1402-6/68 (H5N2) and cold-adapted A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) viruses. T-cell responses were measured by standard methods of intracellular cytokine staining of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing cells and a novel T-cell recognition of antigen-presenting cells by protein capture (TRAP) assay based on the trogocytosis phenomenon, namely, plasma membran...
Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology - October 1, 2011 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Chirkova TV, Naykhin AN, Petukhova GD, Korenkov DA, Donina SA, Mironov AN, Rudenko LG Tags: Clin Vaccine Immunol Source Type: research

Comparative safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of several anti‐H5N1 influenza experimental vaccines in a mouse and chicken models (Testing of killed and live H5 vaccine)
Conclusions The high yield, safety, and protectivity of VN‐Len and Ku‐Len made them promising strains for the production of inactivated and live vaccines against H5N1 viruses. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - September 23, 2011 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alexandra S. Gambaryan, Natalia F. Lomakina, Elizaveta Y. Boravleva, Ekaterina A. Kropotkina, Vadim V. Mashin, Igor V. Krasilnikov, Alexander I. Klimov, Larisa G. Rudenko Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Comparative safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of several anti‐H5N1 influenza experimental vaccines in a mouse and chicken models (Testing of killed and live H5 vaccine)
Conclusions The high yield, safety, and protectivity of VN‐Len and Ku‐Len made them promising strains for the production of inactivated and live vaccines against H5N1 viruses. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - September 1, 2011 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Alexandra S. GambaryanNatalia F. LomakinaElizaveta Y. BoravlevaEkaterina A. KropotkinaVadim V. MashinIgor V. KrasilnikovAlexander I. KlimovLarisa G. Rudenko Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Memory T-cell immune response in healthy young adults vaccinated with live attenuated influenza A(H5N2) vaccine.
Cellular immune responses of both CD4 and CD8 memory/effector T cells were evaluated in healthy young adults who received two doses of live attenuated influenza A(H5N2) vaccine. The vaccine was developed by reassortment of non-pathogenic avian A/Duck/Potsdam/1402-6/68 (H5N2) and cold-adapted A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) viruses. T-cell responses were measured by standard methods of intracellular cytokine staining of IFNγ-producing cells and a novel TRAP-assay based on the trogocytosis phenomenon - plasma membrane exchange between interacting immune cells. TRAP (T-cell Recognition of Antigen-Presenting Cells by Protein...
Source: Clinical and Vaccine Immunology - August 2, 2011 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Chirkova TV, Naykhin AN, Petukhova GD, Korenkov DA, Donina SA, Mironov AN, Rudenko LG Tags: Clin Vaccine Immunol Source Type: research

Pandemic influenza in Africa, lessons learned from 1968: a systematic review of the literature
Conclusion The 1968 H3N2 influenza pandemic, generally regarded as mild worldwide, appears to have had a substantial impact upon public health in Africa. Without more epidemiologic data the impact of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in Africa cannot be assumed to have been mild. Assessment of the burden of 2009 H1N1 virus and future influenza pandemics in Africa should attempt to assess disease impact by a variety of methods, including substudies among specific populations. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - April 30, 2011 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Justin R. OrtizKathryn E. LafondTiffany A. WongTimothy M. Uyeki Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

A nanobeads amplified QCM immunosensor for the detection of avian influenza virus H5N1.
In this study, magnetic nanobeads amplification based quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) immunosensor was developed as a new method and application for AI H5N1 virus detection. Polyclonal antibodies against AI H5N1 virus surface antigen HA (Hemagglutinin) were immobilized on the gold surface of the QCM crystal through self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (MHDA). Target H5N1 viruses were then captured by the immobilized antibodies, resulting in a change in the frequency. Magnetic nanobeads (diameter, 30nm) coated with anti-H5 antibodies were used for further amplification of the binding reaction bet...
Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics - April 12, 2011 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Li D, Wang J, Wang R, Li Y, Abi-Ghanem D, Berghman L, Hargis B, Lu H Tags: Biosens Bioelectron Source Type: research

Study urges H2N2 vaccination drive
An H2N2 flu vaccination programme should be carried out by governments in a bid to protect against any future pandemic, a report has claimed. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)
Source: Nursing Times Breaking News - March 11, 2011 Category: Nursing Source Type: news

NHS Choices assessment of press reports warning about future flu strains
Source: NHS Choices Area: News NHS Choices has conducted an assessment of a report in The Independent that "Governments should start vaccinations against a lethal strain of the influenza virus circulating in birds and pigs." The news is based on a report by researchers working at the Vaccine Research Centre of the US National Institutes of Health and published in the journal Nature. The report notes that an old flu strain known as H2N2, which caused a pandemic in the 1950s and 60s, could easily start circulating again in humans. The researchers also conducted a small test of 90 people, which showed that people ...
Source: NeLM - News - March 10, 2011 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: news

Scientists warn about future flu strains
Conclusion The researchers raise important questions about the possibility of a future flu pandemic caused by the H2N2 virus, and about whether vaccination programme planning could be used to prevent it. However, many issues need further consideration, including a detailed assessment of the probability of the H2N2 strain jumping to humans, whether it would pose a serious health threat, how long it would take to emerge and which groups of people would be vulnerable. It is important to note that infection with the H1N1 virus, although dangerous for some population groups, did not make most people seriously ill. As the resear...
Source: NHS News Feed - March 10, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medical practice Swine flu Source Type: news

Call to vaccinate against new flu
Governments should launch a vaccination programme now to guard against a possible H2N2 flu pandemic, according to an article in the journal Nature. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)
Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition - March 9, 2011 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Vaccinate for the next H2N2 pandemic now
dgerwood An old influenza strain still circulating in birds and swine could easily jump back to humans now that immunity to it has dropped, warn Gary J. Nabel and his colleagues. (Source: Nature)
Source: Nature - March 8, 2011 Category: Research Authors: Gary J. NabelChih-Jen WeiJulie E. Ledgerwood Tags: Comment Source Type: research

Genetic bases of the temperature-sensitive phenotype of a master donor virus used in live attenuated influenza vaccines: A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2).
Trivalent live attenuated influenza vaccines whose type A components are based on cold-adapted A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) (caLen17) master donor virus (MDV) have been successfully used in Russia for decades to control influenza. The vaccine virus comprises hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes from the circulating viruses and the remaining six genes from the MDV. The latter confer temperature-sensitive (ts) and attenuated (att) phenotypes. The ts phenotype of the vaccine virus is a critical biological determinant of attenuation of virulence. We developed a plasmid-based reverse genetics system for MDV caLen17 to stud...
Source: Virology - February 8, 2011 Category: Virology Authors: Isakova-Sivak I, Chen LM, Matsuoka Y, Voeten JT, Kiseleva I, Heldens JG, den Bosch HV, Klimov A, Rudenko L, Cox NJ, Donis RO Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Upstream start codon in segment 4 of North American H2 avian influenza A viruses.
H2N2 influenza A virus was the cause of the 1957 pandemic. Due to its constant presence in birds, the H2 subtype remains a topic of interest. In this work, comparison of H2 leader sequences of influenza A segment 4 revealed the presence of an upstream in-frame start codon in a majority of North American avian strains. This AUG is located seven codons upstream of the conventional start codon and is in a good Kozak context. In vivo experiments, using a luciferase reporter gene fused to leader sequences derived from North American avian H2 strains, support the efficient use of the upstream start codon. These results were ...
Source: Infection, Genetics and Evolution - January 10, 2011 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Girard G, Gultyaev AP, Olsthoorn RC Tags: Infect Genet Evol Source Type: research

Severe pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza disease due to pathogenic immune complexes
Graciela Cabral, Julia Font, Liliana Solari, Kevin P Weller, Joyce Johnson, Marcela Echavarria, Kathryn M Edwards, James D Chappell, James E Crowe, John V Williams, Guillermina A Melendi & Fernando P Polack Pandemic influenza viruses often cause severe disease in middle-aged adults without preexisting comorbidities. The mechanism of illness associated with severe disease in this age group is not well understood. Here we find preexisting serum antibodies that cross-react with, but do not protect against, 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in middle-aged adults. Nonprotective antibody is associated with immune complex–medi...
Source: Nature Medicine - December 4, 2010 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Ana Clara MonsalvoJuan P BatalleM Florencia LopezJens C KrauseJennifer KlemencJohanna Zea HernandezBernardo MaskinJimena BugnaCarlos RubinsteinLeandro AguilarLiliana DalurzoRomina LibsterVilma SavyElsa BaumeisterLiliana AguilarGraciela CabralJulia FontLil Tags: Letter Source Type: research

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a live attenuated vaccine against the 2009 pandemic A H1N1 in Mice and Ferrets.
In this study, using reverse genetic technology, we produced a cold-adapted (ca), live attenuated BJ/AA ca that contained hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes from a 2009 pandemic A H1N1 isolate, A/Beijing/501/2009 virus (BJ501), and the remaining six internal gene segments from the cold-adapted influenza H2N2 A/Ann Arbor/6/60 virus (AA virus). BJ/AA ca exhibited phenotypes of temperature sensitivity (ts), ca, and attenuation (att). The candidate BJ/AA ca was immunogenic in mice and induced strong mucosal secretory IgA (sIgA) in the respiratory tract. Two dosages of intranasal immunization induced robust HI anti...
Source: Vaccine - November 23, 2010 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Yang P, Duan Y, Wang C, Xing L, Gao X, Tang C, Luo D, Zhao Z, Jia W, Peng D, Liu X, Wang X Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Origin of the 1918 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus as studied by codon usage patterns and phylogenetic analysis.
The pandemic of 1918 was caused by an H1N1 influenza A virus, which is a negative strand RNA virus; however, little is known about the nature of its direct ancestral strains. Here we applied a broad genetic and phylogenetic analysis of a wide range of influenza virus genes, in particular the PB1 gene, to gain information about the phylogenetic relatedness of the 1918 H1N1 virus. We compared the RNA genome of the 1918 strain to many other influenza strains of different origin by several means, including relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU), effective number of codons (ENC), and phylogenetic relationship. We found that...
Source: RNA - November 9, 2010 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Anhlan D, Grundmann N, Makalowski W, Ludwig S, Scholtissek C Tags: RNA Source Type: research

Influenza A virus strains that circulate in humans differ in the ability of their NS1 proteins to block the activation of IRF3 and interferon-β transcription.
We demonstrate that influenza A virus strains that circulate in humans differ markedly in the ability of their NS1 proteins to block the activation of IRF3 and interferon-β transcription. Strong activation occurs in cells infected with viruses expressing NS1 proteins of seasonal H3N2 and H2N2 viruses, whereas activation is blocked in cells infected with viruses expressing NS1 proteins of some, but not all seasonal H1N1 viruses. The NS1 proteins of the 2009 H1N1 and H5N1 viruses also block these activations. The difference in this NS1 function is mediated largely by the C-terminal region of the effector domain, which c...
Source: Virology - October 6, 2010 Category: Virology Authors: Kuo RL, Zhao C, Malur M, Krug RM Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Hunt for universal flu vaccine
Conclusion This is complex and valuable scientific research. It found that H1N1 and H3N2 plasmid vaccines in combination with the seasonal booster gave protection against numerous H1N1 and H3N2 strains. When the H1N1 plasmid was combined with the adenovirus 5 booster, protection was given against other viral strains as well (H5N1 and H2N2 strains). The research is in the early stages and has so far been carried out only in animal models. The newsreports of a vaccine that protects against ‘every strain’ are premature. The current experiments have not tested whether the vaccine can produce effective antibodies against ev...
Source: NHS News Feed - July 16, 2010 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Source Type: news

Master donor viruses A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) and B/USSR/60/69 and derived reassortants used in live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) do not display neurovirulent properties in a mouse model
Abstract Demonstration of the absence of neurovirulent properties of reassortant viruses contained in live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is a regulatory requirement. A mouse model was used to detect neurovirulent properties of the cold-adapted, temperature-sensitive and attenuated influenza master donor viruses (MDVs) A/Leningrad/134/17/57 (H2N2) and B/USSR/60/69 and derived reassortant influenza viruses. A/NWS/33 (H1N1), which is known to be neurovirulent in mice, was used as a positive control. Under conditions where the positive control virus induced symptoms of disease and showed viral replication ...
Source: Archives of Virology - June 9, 2010 Category: Virology Tags: Archives of Virology Source Type: research

In vitro antiviral activity of favipiravir (T-705) against drug-resistant influenza and 2009 A(H1N1) viruses.
This study demonstrates that favipiravir inhibits in vitro replication of a wide range of influenza viruses, including those resistant to currently available drugs. PMID: 20350949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy)
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - March 28, 2010 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sleeman K, Mishin VP, Deyde VM, Furuta Y, Klimov AI, Gubareva LV Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: research

H1N1 Influenza Pandemics: Comparing the Events of 2009 in Mexico with those of 1976 and 1918–1919
Outbreaks of influenza A (H1N1) of avian- or swine-related origin have substantially impacted human populations. The most dramatic pandemic of influenza H1N1 occurred during 1918–1919 producing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. In the 20th century, two other major pandemics took place but they were the H2N2 and H3N2 reassorted influenza strains. In 1976, a small outbreak of swine-related H1N1 in the U.S. led to a national scare but without any significant public health impact. More recently, in April 2009, in Mexico, and subsequently worldwide, an influenza (H1N1) triple reassortant strain produced >200,000 ...
Source: Archives of Medical Research - January 6, 2010 Category: Research Authors: Carlos Franco-Paredes, Isabel Hernandez-Ramos, Carlos Del Rio, Kelly T. Alexander, Roberto Tapia-Conyer, Jose I. Santos-Preciado Tags: Review Articles Source Type: research

Safety, immunogencity, and efficacy of a cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) vaccine in mice and ferrets.
We studied the attenuation, immunogenicity and efficacy of the cold-adapted A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (AA ca) (H2N2) virus in mice and ferrets to evaluate its use in the event of an H2 influenza pandemic. The AA ca virus was restricted in replication in the respiratory tract of mice and ferrets. In mice, 2 doses of vaccine elicited a >4-fold rise in hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) titer and resulted in complete inhibition of viral replication following lethal homologous wild-type virus challenge. In ferrets, a single dose of the vaccine elicited a >4-fold rise in HAI titer and conferred complete protection against homol...
Source: Virology - December 21, 2009 Category: Virology Authors: Chen GL, Lamirande EW, Jin H, Kemble G, Subbarao K Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Seasonal, Avian, and Novel H1N1 Influenza: Prevention and Treatment Modalities (December).
CONCLUSIONS: Influenza subtypes continue to change, causing disease in animals and humans. Utilization of immunization and antiviral treatment options are available to prevent, treat, and contain the spread of this infection. PMID: 19920156 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy)
Source: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy - November 16, 2009 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Sym D, Patel PN, El-Chaar GM Tags: Ann Pharmacother Source Type: research

New WHO Criteria To Qualify Flu Viruses As Pandemic Strains
An editorial published today in BMJ Clinical Evidence reports that more flu viruses could qualify as pandemic strains as a result of recent changes to the World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria for a flu pandemic. A change from, for example, A [H2N2] influenza to A [H3N2] is a process known as a "shift". (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - November 4, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Swine Flu Source Type: news

The influence of the multi-basic cleavage site of the H5 hemagglutinin on the attenuation, immunogenicity and efficacy of a live attenuated influenza A H5N1 cold-adapted vaccine virus.
A recombinant live attenuated influenza virus DeltaH5N1 vaccine with a modified hemagglutinin (HA) and intact neuraminidase genes from A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) and six remaining genome segments from A/Ann Arbor/6/60 (H2N2) cold-adapted (AA ca) virus was previously shown to be attenuated in chickens, mice and ferrets. Evaluation of the recombinant H5N1 viruses in mice indicated that three independent factors contributed to the attenuation of the DeltaH5N1 vaccine: the attenuating mutations specified by the AA ca loci had the greatest influence, followed by the deletion of the H5 HA multi-basic cleavage site (MBS), and t...
Source: Virology - October 12, 2009 Category: Virology Authors: Suguitan AL, Marino MP, Desai PD, Chen LM, Matsuoka Y, Donis RO, Jin H, Swayne DE, Kemble G, Subbarao K Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Residual immunity in older people against the influenza A(H1N1) - recent experience in northern Spain
The 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus has a higher incidence in children and young adults, a pattern that has also been reported in seasonal influenza caused by the influenza A(H1N1) virus. We analysed age at infection in symptomatic patients with influenza in the Basque Country (northern Spain), reported through the sentinel influenza surveillance system which monitors 2.2-2.5% of the population. Between September 1999 and August 2009, influenza A(H3N2) or seasonal influenza A(H1N1) was detected in 941 patients, and from April to August 2009, pandemic influenza A(H1N1) was detected in 112 patients. The H3/H1 seasonal ...
Source: Eurosurveillance latest news - September 30, 2009 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research

Molecular Detection of a Novel Human Influenza (H1N1) of Pandemic Potential by Conventional and Real-Time Quantitative RT-PCR Assays [Brief Communications]
Conclusions: These assays appear useful for the rapid diagnosis of cases with the novel H1N1 virus, thereby allowing better pandemic preparedness. (Source: Clinical Chemistry)
Source: Clinical Chemistry - July 27, 2009 Category: Chemistry Authors: Poon, L. L.M., Chan, K.H., Smith, G.J., Leung, C.S.W., Guan, Y., Yuen, K.Y., Peiris, J.S.M. Tags: Brief Communications Source Type: research

H1N1 traced to 1918 pandemic
This article was written by D M Morens and colleagues from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, in the US. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. No potential conflicts of interest were reported. A related article on the evolution of the current pandemic strain of the H1N1 virus was also published in the same issue and has been covered in Behind the Headlines. What kind of study was this? This was a review article written by acknowledged experts in the field, explaining the lineage of the pandemic flu virus seen in 1918 and relating it to the emergence of the pandemic H...
Source: NHS News Feed - July 21, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Swine flu Source Type: news

The history of swine flu
The Independent says that “the swine flu pandemic might not have happened had it not been for the accidental release of the same strain of influenza virus from a research laboratory in the late 1970s.” The news comes from a medical article which analysed the history of the influenza A H1N1 virus, including the recent development of swine flu seen around the world. The reports say that the H1N1 influenza strain was responsible for a flu pandemic in 1977, but before this it had not been found in humans for more than 20 years. By looking at the genetic makeup of the 1977 virus, researchers have found that it was similar t...
Source: NHS News Feed - June 30, 2009 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Genetics/stem cells Source Type: news

Extant blood samples to deduce the strains of the 1890 and possibly earlier pandemic influenzas
Summary: Influenza outbreaks in 1918, 1957 and 1968 caused some of the highest infectious disease mortality in the 20th century. In particular the 1918 pandemic caused more than 50 million deaths worldwide—the most deaths caused by any infectious disease ever in human history. Influenza pandemics in 1890 and earlier in the 19th century and back until at least the 16th century also caused non-trivial mortality. The excessively high mortality from flu in these years is thought to be due to major antigenic shifts in influenza strains, as opposed to smaller drifts in flu strains in years between pandemics. It is also thought...
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 24, 2009 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Eric Lewin Altschuler, Yvonne M. Kariuki, Aesha Jobanputra Source Type: research

Functional significance of the hemadsorption activity of influenza virus neuraminidase and its alteration in pandemic viruses
Abstract Human influenza viruses derive their genes from avian viruses. The neuraminidase (NA) of the avian viruses has, in addition to the catalytic site, a separate sialic acid binding site (hemadsorption site) that is not present in human viruses. The biological significance of the NA hemadsorption activity in avian influenza viruses remained elusive. A sequence database analysis revealed that the NAs of the majority of human H2N2 viruses isolated during the influenza pandemic of 1957 differ from their putative avian precursor by amino acid substitutions in the hemadsorption site. We found that the NA of ...
Source: Archives of Virology - May 21, 2009 Category: Virology Tags: Archives of Virology Source Type: research

Characteristics of arbidol-resistant mutants of influenza virus: Implications for the mechanism of anti-influenza action of arbidol.
The antiviral drug arbidol (ARB), which is licensed in Russia for use against influenza, is known to inhibit early membrane fusion events in influenza A and B virus replication. To investigate in more detail the target and mechanism of ARB action we generated and studied the characteristics of ARB-resistant influenza virus mutants. Observations of the ARB susceptibility of reassortants between A/Singapore/1/57(H2N2) and A/chicken/Germany/27(H7N7, "Weybridge" strain) and of mutants of the latter virus identified the virus haemagglutinin (HA) as the major determinant of ARB sensitivity. ARB-resistant mutants, selected fr...
Source: Antiviral Research - November 21, 2008 Category: Virology Authors: Leneva IA, Russell RJ, Boriskin YS, Hay AJ Tags: Antiviral Res Source Type: research

Genetic characterization and protective immunity of cold-adapted attenuated avian H9N2 influenza vaccine.
H9N2 influenza viruses are endemic in many Asian countries including China and Korea, and cause a considerable economic loss to chicken industry by reduction in egg production and about 30% mortality. Here we developed live cold-adapted attenuated H9N2 influenza vaccine by adaptation of viruses in hen's eggs at 25 degrees C. Genetic analysis shows that the cold-adapted H9N2 (A/Chicken/Korea/S1/03) viruses contain a total of 44 amino acid substitutions, of which 7 amino acids are identical to the loci identified in the cold-adapted H2N2 (A/Ann Arbor/6/60) vaccine strain compared to genes in wild-type H9N2 (A/Chicken/Kor...
Source: Vaccine - October 3, 2008 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Lee JS, Kim HS, Seo SH Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Prevalence of avian influenza viruses, Borrelia garinii, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in waterfowl and terrestrial birds in Slovakia, 2006.
The prevalence of Borrelia, Mycobacteria and avian influenza virus (AIV) infections, together with the distribution of different AIV subtypes, was studied in migratory waterfowl and terrestrial birds trapped in three localities in Slovakia during 2006. Samples obtained from waterfowl captured in the Senianske Ponds area of Eastern Slovakia showed the highest diversity of AIV isolates. A total of 13 different subtypes were detected in 19 samples from this location (H1N2, H2N2, H3N2, H6N6, H7N6, H9N2, H9N5, H9N6, H10N5, H10N6, H12N6, H13N6, and H16N6). H3N5 virus was detected in 50% of passerines testing positive for AIV...
Source: Avian Pathology - September 18, 2008 Category: Pathology Authors: Gronesova P, Ficova M, Mizakova A, Kabat P, Trnka A, Betakova T Tags: Avian Pathol Source Type: research

Homologous recombination evidence in human and swine influenza A viruses.
This study reports several significant evidence demonstrating that homologous recombination also takes place between influenza A viruses in human and swine lineages. Moreover, in a mosaic descended from swine H1N1 subtype and human H2N2, we found that its minor putative parent might be a derivative from the human cold-adapted vaccine lineage, which suggests that live vaccine is capable of playing a role in genetic change of influenza A virus via recombination with circulating viruses. These results would be important for knowing the molecular mechanism of mammal influenza A virus heredity and evolution. PMID: 18721995 ...
Source: Virology - August 20, 2008 Category: Virology Authors: He CQ, Han GZ, Wang D, Liu W, Li GR, Liu XP, Ding NZ Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Effects of single-point amino acid substitutions on the structure and function neuraminidase proteins in influenza A virus.
In order to clarify the effect of amino acid substitutions on the structure and function of the neuraminidase (NA) protein of influenza A virus, we introduced single-point amino acid substitutions into the NA protein of the A/Tokyo/3/67 (H2N2) strain using PCR-based random mutation. The rate of tolerant random one amino acid substitutions in the NA protein was 47%. Rates of tolerant substitutions for the stalk and for the surface and inner portion of the head region of the NA protein were 79, 54, and 19%, respectively. Deleterious changes, such as those causing the NA protein to stop at the Golgi/endoplasmic reticulum,...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - July 3, 2008 Category: Microbiology Authors: Yano T, Nobusawa E, Nagy A, Nakajima S, Nakajima K Tags: Microbiol Immunol Source Type: research

Confronting an influenza pandemic with inexpensive generic agents: can it be done?
Avian influenza A H5N1 presents a serious and possibly imminent pandemic threat. In such an event, adequate supplies of affordable vaccines and antiviral agents will be unavailable to most people in the world. In view of the overwhelming need for effective alternatives, generic agents that target the host immune response or the pandemic virus should be considered. Many scientists doubt the effectiveness of these agents. Nonetheless, several studies suggest that statins improve outcomes in patients with bacteraemia and pneumonia and might be similarly effective against influenza. An experimental study has shown that the...
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - April 15, 2008 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Fedson DS Tags: Lancet Infect Dis Source Type: research

An exploratory method for estimating the changing speed of epidemic waves from historical data
Conclusions The new measure of wave velocity appears to be applicable to those historical time series where breakdown into regional or local areas is available. The study is being extended to (i) other countries where similar influenza time series are available and (ii) to other diseases within Iceland. (Source: International Journal of Epidemiology)
Source: International Journal of Epidemiology - January 31, 2008 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Cliff, A. D, Haggett, P., Smallman-Raynor, M. Tags: Special Theme: Communicable Disease Source Type: research

Healthy Human Subjects Have CD4+ T Cells Directed against H5N1 Influenza Virus.
It is commonly perceived that the human immune system is naive to the newly emerged H5N1 virus. In contrast, most adults have been exposed to influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 viruses through vaccination or infection. Adults born before 1968 have likely been exposed to H2N2 viruses. We hypothesized that CD4(+) T cells generated in response to H1N1, H3N2, and H2N2 influenza A viruses also recognize H5N1 epitopes. Tetramer-guided epitope mapping and Ag-specific class II tetramers were used to identify H5N1-specific T cell epitopes and detect H5N1-specific T cell responses. Fifteen of 15 healthy subjects tested had robust CD4(+) ...
Source: Journal of Immunology - January 24, 2008 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Roti M, Yang J, Berger D, Huston L, James EA, Kwok WW Tags: J Immunol Source Type: research

Automated extraction of avian influenza virus for rapid detection using real-time RT-PCR.
CONCLUSION: The main advantages of automated robotic viral nucleic acid extraction are high throughput processing; hands-free operation; and reduction in human and technical error. This study demonstrates successful detection of influenza A virus with magnetic beads utilizing the Qiagen MagAttract cell kit on a BioRobot M48 platform. PMID: 17875401 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Journal of Clinical Virology)
Source: Journal of Clinical Virology - September 15, 2007 Category: Virology Authors: Tewari D, Zellers C, Acland H, Pedersen JC Tags: J Clin Virol Source Type: research

Non-compact nucleocapsid protein multimers in influenza-virus-infected cells
In this study we demonstrate that, in addition to compact NP oligomers, incompletely folded NP multimers are detected in tracellularly by SDS/PAGE carried out under weak dissociating conditions. In cells infected with avian, human A(H2N2), and human A(H3N2) viruses, NP multimers are detected in the stacking gel of SDS/PAGE as retarded and loose structures dissociating at +50??C. NP multimers are more sensitive to proteolysis than NP oligomers, but they are more resistant to proteolysis than NP monomers. In contrast to compact NP oligomers, NP multimers possess a weak immunoreactivity to some monoclonal antibodies. Pulse-ch...
Source: Archives of Virology - January 10, 2007 Category: Virology Source Type: research

Laboratory Exposure to Influenza A H2N2, Germany, 2004–2005, A. Schrauder et al.
(Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal)
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal - November 15, 2006 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research