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

[News & Analysis] Dual Use Research: New U.S. Rules Increase Oversight of H5N1 Studies, Other Risky Science
Scientists interested in doing experiments involving the H5N1 avian influenza virus and 14 other potentially dangerous biological agents face new requirements to get funding from the U.S. government.Authors: David Malakoff, Martin Enserink (Source: Science: Current Issue)
Source: Science: Current Issue - March 1, 2013 Category: Science Authors: David Malakoff Source Type: research

[Policy Forum] Research Funding: A Framework for Decisions About Research with HPAI H5N1 Viruses
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveils a Framework for funding decisions about highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 research.Authors: Amy P. Patterson, Lawrence A. Tabak, Anthony S. Fauci, Francis S. Collins, Sally Howard (Source: Science: Current Issue)
Source: Science: Current Issue - March 1, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Amy P. Patterson Source Type: research

Mutation altering stability of surface molecule in acid enables H5N1 infection of mammals
(American Society for Microbiology) A single mutation in the H5N1 avian influenza virus that affects the pH at which the hemagglutinin surface protein is activated simultaneously reduces its capacity to infect ducks and enhances its capacity to grow in mice according to research published ahead of print today in the Journal of Virology. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - February 28, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Source Type: news

2013 Guizhou H5N1 Sequences Match 2012 Fatal Case
The commentary discusses the sequence similarities between 2013 and 2012 H5N1 cases in Guizhou, China. (02/25/13 17:30) (Source: Recombinomics)
Source: Recombinomics - February 26, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news

Studies of H5N1 bird flu to require strict reviews
Strict rules are issued to address security fears about experiments with the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.U.S. health officials announced plans for scientists to move forward with controversial research on the deadly H5N1 bird flu and said that any discoveries about how the virus might gain the ability to spread easily among humans should be shared with other scientists and the public. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - February 21, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

U.S. Announces More New Rules for Potentially Risky Research
Policies target studies involving the H5N1 influenza virus and 14 other 'especially dangerous' agents (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - February 21, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

[Articles] Safety and immunogenicity of an oral, replicating adenovirus serotype 4 vector vaccine for H5N1 influenza: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study
Oral Ad4 vector priming might enhance the efficacy of poorly immunogenic vaccines such as H5N1. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - February 19, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Marc Gurwith, Michael Lock, Eve M Taylor, Glenn Ishioka, Jeff Alexander, Tim Mayall, John E Ervin, Richard N Greenberg, Cynthia Strout, John J Treanor, Richard Webby, Peter F Wright Tags: Articles Source Type: research

[Newsdesk] Infectious disease surveillance update
Five cases of avian influenza H5N1, including four fatalities, have been confirmed so far in Cambodia in 2013. In all cases, the patients presented with fever, cough, and other symptoms of influenza-like illness. Four of the patients had been in close contact with poultry, and human-to-human transmission is not suspected. The Cambodian Ministry of Health's rapid response team is investigating the cases, and public health education campaigns are underway in villages to inform people about the virus and how to protect themselves from it. (Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases)
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - February 19, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Katherine Gourd Tags: Newsdesk Source Type: research

Bird Flu Reported In German Poultry Farm
Initial tests confirm H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) infection in a duck farm in Brandenburg, eastern Germany, authorities announced today. Environment Ministry officials say that H5N1 was initially suspected when the poultry farm, which was carrying out its own tests, had positive results for avian influenza. Environment Minister Anita Tack said: "All the necessary measures to contain and control (the H5N1 spread) have been initiated." Samples were sent to counter-check to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute (FLI) on the Baltic island of Riems... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - February 15, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Bird Flu / Avian Flu Source Type: news

Germany discovers bird flu case on poultry farm
HAMBURG (Reuters) - German authorities said a case of H5N1 bird flu had been discovered during initial tests on a poultry farm in the eastern state of Brandenburg. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - February 15, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Enhanced Influenza VLP Vaccines Comprising Matrix-2 Ectodomain and Nucleoprotein Epitopes Protects mice from Lethal Challenge.
In this study, a recombinant M2 protein with three tandem copies of M2e (3M2e), nucleoprotein (NP) epitopes and hepatitis B virus core (HBc), were expressed in E. coli and purified by column chromatography. Mice immunized with 3M2e-NP-HBc in combination with an oil-in-water SP01 adjuvant produced robust M2e specific antibodies and cellular immune responses. Most importantly, the 3M2e-NP-HBc VLP vaccine provided enhanced protection against a lethal challenge with pandemic 2009 H1N1 and HPAI H5N1 virus through increased survival rates, a significant decrease in viral replication, and obvious alleviation of histopathological ...
Source: Antiviral Research - February 14, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Gao X, Wang W, Li Y, Zhang S, Duan Y, Xing L, Zhao Z, Zhang P, Li Z, Li R, Wang X, Yang P Tags: Antiviral Res Source Type: research

China reports 2 bird flu cases in humans
GUIYANG, China, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- China's Health Ministry said Sunday two human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the southwestern city of Guiyang. (Source: Health News - UPI.com)
Source: Health News - UPI.com - February 11, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Two infected with bird flu in southwest China
BEIJING (Reuters) - Two people in southwest China have tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus and are critically ill, state news agency Xinhua said on Sunday, citing the Chinese health ministry. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - February 10, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Serologic evidence of avian influenza virus infections among Nigerian agricultural workers
This study aimed to determine if Nigerians exposed to poultry had evidence of avian influenza virus transmission to man. Between 2008 and 2010, 316 adult farmers and open market workers and 54 age‐group matched, non‐animal exposed controls were enrolled in a prospective, population‐based study of zoonotic influenza transmission in four towns in southeastern Nigeria. Questionnaire data and sera obtained at the time of enrollment were examined for evidence of previous infection with 10 avian influenza virus strains. Serologic studies on sera collected at the time of enrollment showed modest evidence of previous infecti...
Source: Journal of Medical Virology - February 8, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: John Okoye, Didacus Eze, Whitney S. Krueger, Gary L. Heil, John A. Friary, Gregory C. Gray Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

H5N1 Avian Flu Research and the Ethics of Knowledge.
Abstract Scientists and policy-makers have long understood that the products of research can often be used for good or evil. Nuclear fission research can be used to generate electricity or create a powerful bomb. Studies on the genetics of human populations can be used to understand relationships between different groups or to perpetuate racist ideologies. While the notion that scientific research often has beneficial and harmful uses has been discussed before, the threat of bioterrorism-a concern that has only grown since 2001-has led to increased awareness about the need to prevent the misuse of biomedical resear...
Source: The Hastings Center Report - February 6, 2013 Category: Medical Ethics Authors: Resnik DB Tags: Hastings Cent Rep Source Type: research

The PB2, PA, HA, NP, and NS genes of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/whooper swan/Mongolia/3/2005 (H5N1) are responsible for pathogenicity in ducks
Conclusion: The present results indicate that multigenic factors are responsible for efficient replication of MON3 in ducks. In particular, virus growth in the brain might correlate with neurological dysfunction and the disease severity. (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - February 2, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Masahiro KajiharaYoshihiro SakodaKosuke SodaKenji MinariMasatoshi OkamatsuAyato TakadaHiroshi Kida Source Type: research

[Editorial] What is the purpose of medical research?
One of the conclusions by the authors of the controversial research papers that showed how H5N1 avian influenza strains can be altered to pass between mammals is perhaps unsurprising, but certainly gives pause for thought: the need to discuss the importance of the research earlier in the process of doing it. A year-long voluntary moratorium on this H5N1 work was lifted last week. It came after a long debate about the regulation of such research and whether it should be published only partly or whether its dissemination should be restricted. (Source: LANCET)
Source: LANCET - February 1, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: The Lancet Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Avian influenza – situation in Cambodia – update
The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Cambodia reported five new human cases of avian influenza that were confirmed positive for the H5N1 virus in January 2013. (Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks)
Source: WHO Disease Outbreaks - February 1, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news

U.S. virologists intentionally engineer super-deadly pandemic flu virus
Two American researchers whose efforts to deliberately re-engineer the H5N1 avian flu virus to be more virulent and deadly to humans are now asking that a government-advised moratorium on their controversial research be lifted. According to TIME, the duo alleges that... (Source: NaturalNews.com)
Source: NaturalNews.com - January 31, 2013 Category: Consumer Health Advice Source Type: news

Recombinant UL16 antigen-based indirect ELISA for serodiagnosis of duck viral enteritis.
In this study, a recombinant fusion antigen of duck enteritis virus (DEV) UL16 protein was expressed in Escherichia coli Rossetta (DE3). This target protein was used as a coating antigen to establish an indirect ELISA for detecting anti-DEV antibodies in serum samples from ducks. In the optimal method for the UL16-ELISA, the fusion protein was coated at 1.25μg/ml and duck serum samples were diluted at 1:160. The endpoint cut-off value of this assay was 0.598. The inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) were both lower than 10%. There was no cross-reaction with duck positive sera of either DHBV, DHV, RA...
Source: Journal of Virological Methods - January 31, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: He Q, Cheng A, Wang M, Zhu D, Zhou Y, Jia R, Chen S, Chen Z, Chen X Tags: J Virol Methods Source Type: research

Global Response To Pandemic Flu Must Change: New Research Sets Out Alternative Approach To Preparing For Pandemics
'Evil' scientists, deadly viruses and terrorist plots are usually the preserve of Hollywood blockbusters. But when it comes to pandemic influenza, it is the stuff of real life. As controversy about research into the H5N1 bird flu virus continues, a new paper argues for a complete overhaul of current approaches to pandemic preparedness... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
Source: Health News from Medical News Today - January 30, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Flu / Cold / SARS Source Type: news

Pandemic controversies: The global response to pandemic influenza must change
(Institute of Development Studies) "Evil" scientists, deadly viruses and terrorist plots are usually the preserve of Hollywood blockbusters. But when it comes to pandemic influenza, it is the stuff of real life. As controversy about H5N1 bird flu virus research continues, a new paper argues for a new approach to pandemic preparedness. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - January 28, 2013 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Controversial bird flu research to resume
Bird flu researchers end a yearlong moratorium on experiments to determine whether the H5N1 virus can mutate and spread among humans. The work, which was deemed risky, won't resume yet in the U.S.Bird flu researchers said Wednesday that they would end a self-imposed moratorium on controversial experiments to determine how the deadly H5N1 virus might mutate and gain the ability to spread easily among humans. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
Source: Los Angeles Times - Science - January 23, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

Controversial bird flu research to resume
Bird flu researchers end a yearlong moratorium on experiments to determine whether the H5N1 virus can mutate and spread among humans. The work, which was deemed risky, won't resume yet in the U.S.Bird flu researchers said Wednesday that they would end a self-imposed moratorium on controversial experiments to determine how the deadly H5N1 virus might mutate and gain the ability to spread easily among humans. (Source: L.A. Times - Health)
Source: L.A. Times - Health - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Research on Deadly Bird Flu to Resume After Safety Debate
Experiments that were halted after H5N1 was made more contagious will start up again in a number of countries. (Source: NYT Health)
Source: NYT Health - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: By DENISE GRADY Tags: United States National Institutes of Health Viruses Netherlands National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Avian Influenza Source Type: news

Research to Resume on Bird Flu After Safety Debate
Experiments that were halted after H5N1 was made more contagious will start up again in a number of countries. (Source: NYT Health)
Source: NYT Health - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: By DENISE GRADY Tags: United States National Institutes of Health Viruses Netherlands National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Avian Influenza Source Type: news

H5N1 Influenza Research Begins Again, but Not in USH5N1 Influenza Research Begins Again, but Not in US
H5N1 influenza researchers have announced that they will resume transmissibility research in some countries, but not in the United States. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases News Source Type: news

Bird flu studies, halted over terrorism fear, to resume
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists around the world declared an end on Wednesday to a moratorium on researching mutant forms of the deadly H5N1 bird flu that had raised international biosecurity concerns. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: healthNews Source Type: news

Bird flu research resumes -- but not in U.S.
Drama surrounding research on the deadly H5N1 avian flu continues, as 40 scientists urge work on the virus to continue in countries that have established guidelines on the safety and aims of the research. The United States is not among them. (Source: WDSU.com - Health)
Source: WDSU.com - Health - January 23, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news

Leading scientists condemn decision to continue controversial research into deadly H5N1 bird-flu virus
Leading scientists have condemned a decision by flu researchers to continue their controversial research into the deadly H5N1 bird-flu virus, which has already led to the creation of a mutated form of avian flu that can spread easily between mammals – including humans. (Source: The Independent - Science)
Source: The Independent - Science - January 23, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Science Source Type: news

Bird flu researchers get green light to continue work on engineered virus
A voluntary moratorium on research involving lab-created versions of the H5N1 bird flu virus has been liftedResearch on lab-engineered strains of the H5N1 bird flu virus is set to restart a year after the scientists voluntarily paused it to allow for an international public debate on the safest way to proceed.Last year, two teams of scientists in the United States and the Netherlands submitted papers for publication in Science and Nature describing how they had engineered the H5N1 bird flu virus – which kills half of the people it infects but cannot naturally transmit from person to person – to spread more easily betwe...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - January 23, 2013 Category: Science Authors: Alok Jha Tags: Bird flu Genetics Biology World news Infectious diseases Health guardian.co.uk Medical research Microbiology Society Controversies in science Source Type: news

H5N1 Researchers Announce End of Research Moratorium
Letter published by Science and Nature says benefits outweigh risks (Source: ScienceNOW)
Source: ScienceNOW - January 23, 2013 Category: Science Source Type: news

H5N1 virus: Transmission studies resume for avian flu
Nature advance online publication 23 January 2013. doi:10.1038/nature11858 Authors: Ron A. M. Fouchier, Adolfo García-Sastre & Yoshihiro Kawaoka (Source: Nature AOP)
Source: Nature AOP - January 23, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Ron A. M. FouchierAdolfo García-SastreYoshihiro Kawaoka Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research

H5N1 virus: Transmission studies resume for avian flu
hiro Kawaoka In January 2012, influenza virus researchers from around the world announced a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading to the generation of viruses that are more transmissible in mammals. We declared a pause to (Source: Nature)
Source: Nature - January 23, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Ron A. M. FouchierAdolfo García-SastreYoshihiro Kawaoka Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research

Transmission Studies Resume for Avian Flu
Science: Voluntary Pause on Avian Flu Transmission Research Should End in Some Countries Researchers announce in Science and Nature that the voluntary pause on certain types of H5N1 avian flu research should end in some countries where the aims of this pause have been met. (Source: AAAS)
Source: AAAS - January 22, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Science News Source Type: research

Descriptive Results of a Prospective Cohort Study of Avian Influenza in the Mekong River Delta of Viet Nam
Summary A prospective cohort study of avian influenza infection in poultry flocks was carried out in the Mekong River Delta of Viet Nam between December 2008 and April 2010. Our objectives were to (i) estimate the prevalence and incidence of avian influenza virus infection and (ii) assess the efficacy of H5N1 vaccination programmes as indicated by the presence of H5 antibody in vaccinated and unvaccinated poultry. Real‐time PCR and H5 multiplex assays were used to detect the antigen of avian influenza viruses from swab samples. The haemagglutination inhibition test was used to detect H5 antibody. A total of 17 968 swab ...
Source: Transboundary and Emerging Diseases - January 18, 2013 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Long Nguyen, M. Stevenson, B. Schauer, D. T. Nguyen, Q. D. Tran, T. N. Tien, P. T. T. Tran, G. Jones, D. Prattley, R. Morris Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Systemic distribution of different low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses in chicken
Conclusion: We speculate that chicken isolated LPAI viruses are spreading systemically in chicken, independently of the strain. (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - January 17, 2013 Category: Virology Authors: Jacob PostEveline de GeusLonneke VerveldeJan CornelissenJohanna Rebel Source Type: research

The NF‐κB inhibitor SC75741 efficiently blocks influenza virus propagation and confers a high barrier for development of viral resistance
Abstract Ongoing human infections with highly pathogenic avian H5N1 viruses and the emergence of the pandemic swine‐origin influenza viruses (IV) highlight the permanent threat elicited by these pathogens. Occurrence of resistant seasonal and pandemic strains against the currently licensed antiviral medications points to the urgent need for new and amply available anti‐influenza drugs. The recently identified virus‐supportive function of the cellular IKK/NF‐κB signaling pathway suggests this signaling module as a potential target for antiviral intervention. We characterised the NF‐κB inhibitor SC75741 as a broa...
Source: Cellular Microbiology - January 16, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Christina Ehrhardt, Andrea Rückle, Eike R. Hrincius, Emanuel Haasbach, Darisuren Anhlan, Katharina Ahmann, Carina Banning, Sarah J. Reiling, Joachim Kühn, Stefan Strobl, Daniel Vitt, Johann Leban, Oliver Planz, Stephan Ludwig Tags: Research Article Source Type: research

What Science Should We Fund? Questioning New Policy on H5N1 Gain-of-Function Research
[caption id="attachment_5355" align="alignleft" width="316" caption="Terrence Tumpey, whose team reconstructed the extinct 1918 "Spanish Flu" virus. Cutting edge influenza research has generated controversy, with some claiming that the benefits of creating new (or resurrecting old) viruses are outweighed by the risks of an accidental or intentionally caused pandemic. Source: CDC"] [/caption]Science can be risky business, but it is important to know what those risks are. It is established wisdom that we need to experiment on viruses, for example, to better defend against emerging infectious diseases. But there is a fine li...
Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed - January 15, 2013 Category: Science Tags: Health,More Science Source Type: research

Cross-protective efficacy of bivalent recombinant baculoviral vaccine against heterologous influenza H5N1 challenge.
Abstract The present study demonstrates the cross-protective efficacy of baculovirus displayed HAs of A/Indonesia/669/06 and A/Anhui/01/05 against heterologous H5N1 challenges in a mouse model. Mice orally or subcutaneously immunized with live bivalent-BacHA vaccine significantly induced higher HA-specific humoral and cellular immune responses when compared with inactivated bivalent-BacHA. In addition, oral administration of live bivalent-BacHA vaccine was able to induce significant level of antigen-specific mucosal IgA levels. Microneutralization assay indicated that live bivalent-BacHA vaccine was able to induce ...
Source: Vaccine - January 14, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Prabakaran M, Kolpe AB, He F, Kwang J Tags: Vaccine Source Type: research

Pandemic Planning and Response in Academic Pediatric Emergency Departments During the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic
ConclusionsDespite a decade of investment in hospital preparedness, gaps in pediatric ED pandemic preparedness remain. This work suggests that raising awareness of pandemic planning standards and promoting strategies to overcome barriers to their adoption could enhance ED and hospital preparedness. Helping hospitals better prepare for pandemic events may lead to strengthened all‐hazards preparedness. Resumen Planificación y Respuesta de los Servicios de Urgencias Pediátricos Universitarios durante la Pandemia de Gripe H1N1 2009ObjetivosLos ataques terroristas del 11 de Septiembre del 2001 iniciaron un cambio hacia un ...
Source: Academic Emergency Medicine - January 13, 2013 Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Clara E. Filice, Federico E. Vaca, Leslie Curry, Stephanie Platis, Nicole Lurie, Sandy Bogucki Tags: Original Research Contribution Source Type: research

Evolution and control of H5N1
EMBO Reports. doi:10.1038/embor.2012.212 Authors: Yohei Watanabe, Madiha S Ibrahim & Kazuyoshi Ikuta (Source: EMBO Reports AOP)
Source: EMBO Reports AOP - January 11, 2013 Category: Research Authors: Yohei WatanabeMadiha S IbrahimKazuyoshi Ikuta Tags: Science & Society Source Type: research

Flu moratorium to be lifted imminently
The ban on research involving potentially pandemic mutants of H5N1 bird flu could be lifted within a few weeks (Source: New Scientist - Health)
Source: New Scientist - Health - January 9, 2013 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: research

Neolignans from leaves of Miliusa mollis.
Abstract From the leaves of Miliusa mollis Pierre (Annonaceae), five new dihydrobenzofuran neolignans, namely miliumollin, 7-methoxymiliumollin, 3'-methoxymiliumollin, 4'-O-methylmiliumollin and miliumollinone, and a new 8-O-4' neolignan named miliusamollin were isolated, and their structures were elucidated through analysis of spectroscopic data. Miliumollin, 3'-methoxymiliumollin, miliumollinone and decurrenal exhibited weak cytotoxicity against KB, MCF7 and NCI-H187 cells. Miliumollinone possessed weak inhibitory effects against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. None of the isolates displayed inhibitory activi...
Source: Fitoterapia - January 8, 2013 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Sawasdee K, Chaowasku T, Lipipun V, Dufat TH, Michel S, Likhitwitayawuid K Tags: Fitoterapia Source Type: research

[News & Analysis] Avian Influenza: H5N1 Researchers Ready as Moratorium Nears End
Researchers who study the H5N1 avian influenza virus will soon be able to do some science that's been off-limits for nearly a year.Author: David Malakoff (Source: Science: Current Issue)
Source: Science: Current Issue - January 3, 2013 Category: Science Authors: David Malakoff Source Type: research

The pathobiology of two Indonesian H5N1 avian influenza viruses representing different clade 2.1 sublineages in chickens and ducks.
Abstract To determine the pathobiology of Indonesian H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, two viruses representing clades 2.1.1 and 2.1.3 were inoculated into broiler chickens and Pekin ducks via the eyes, nostrils and oropharynx. In chickens, both viruses produced fulminant disease; tissue tropism was broad but predominantly endothelial and viral loads in tissues were high. Except for one case of meningoencephalitis, the infection in ducks was sub-clinical, leading only to seroconversion. In these ducks, virus and viral antigen occurred in lower amounts, mainly in the respiratory tract (airsac and sinuses), pri...
Source: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases. - January 2, 2013 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Wibawa H, Bingham J, Nuradji H, Lowther S, Payne J, Harper J, Wong F, Lunt R, Junaidi A, Middleton D, Meers J Tags: Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis Source Type: research

Microevolution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses Isolated from Humans, Egypt, 2007-2011.
AI, Donis RO, Kandeel A Abstract We analyzed highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses isolated from humans infected in Egypt during 2007-2011. All analyzed viruses evolved from the lineage of subtype H5N1 viruses introduced into Egypt in 2006; we found minimal evidence of reassortment and no exotic introductions. The hemagglutinin genes of the viruses from 2011 formed a monophyletic group within clade 2.2.1 that also included human viruses from 2009 and 2010 and contemporary viruses from poultry; this finding is consistent with zoonotic transmission. Although molecular markers suggestive of decreased susce...
Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases - January 1, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Younan M, Poh MK, Elassal E, Davis T, Rivailler P, Balish AL, Simpson N, Jones J, Deyde V, Loughlin R, Perry I, Gubareva L, Elbadry MA, Truelove S, Gaynor AM, Mohareb E, Amin M, Cornelius C, Pimentel G, Earhart K, Naguib A, Abdelghani AS, Refaey S, Klimov Tags: Emerg Infect Dis Source Type: research

The role of the WHO Regional Office for Europe in response to seasonal, avian, and pandemic influenza.
Abstract Between 2005 and 2011, the WHO Regional Office for Europe assisted the member states of the WHO European Region to prepare and respond to outbreaks of avian influenza H5N1, the 2009 pandemic, and to enhance their capacities for the prevention and control of seasonal influenza. It did this through conducting a combination of regional and subregional meetings and trainings, establishing a regional network for influenza surveillance, providing operational guidance for implementing influenza surveillance and strengthening the capacities of National Influenza Centers, and through assistance at the country-level...
Source: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz - January 1, 2013 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Brown CS Tags: Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz Source Type: research

[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

Oxygen free radical involvement in acute lung injury induced by H5N1 virus in mice
ConclusionsThe LA‐SOD treatment has a mild inhibitory effect on H5N1 influenza virus infection in mice. OFRs, therefore, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by H5N1 virus. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses - January 1, 2013 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Guimei He, Changgui Dong, Zhihua Luan, Bronwyn M. McAllan, Tong Xu, Lihong Zhao, Jian Qiao Tags: Original Article Source Type: research