Latest Flu News
- SciClone And Sigma-Tau Announce Additional Positive Resul... SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCLN) and its partner Sigma-Tau S.p.A., announced additional topline results in a clinical study evaluating the potential of ZADAXIN® (thymalfasin) to enhance immune response to the MF59 adjuvanted H1N1 influenza monovalent vaccine, Focetria™ from Novartis. According to investigators, ZADAXIN treatment given with the H1N1 vaccine led to a statistically significant (p value=0.04) increase in the percentage of subjects who seroconverted, also when evaluated 42 days after vaccination, compared to those who received the H1N1 vaccine alone... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
- Chief Medical Officer Mobilises GPs To Support Pandemic (... Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is calling on GPs to promote vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to their patients before the flu season begins in Australia . Professor Bishop has enlisted the support of his GP Roundtable, which includes representatives of the AMA, RACGP and the GP Network and he is writing to all GPs in Australia to ask them to proactively promote vaccination for all people aged 6 months and above in an effort to stop the spread of swine flu which is expected to be the dominant influenza strain in 2010... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
- Poll Finds That Nearly Half Of Americans Believe H1N1 Out... The latest poll from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) shows that almost half of Americans believe the H1N1 flu outbreak is over (44%), and levels of concern about getting sick with the virus continue to decline. Few (18%) think it is "very likely" there will be another widespread outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the U.S. during the next 12 months, although a larger share of the population (43%) does say such an outbreak is "somewhat likely... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
- Poll Finds That Nearly Half Of Americans Believe H1N1 Out... The latest poll from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) shows that almost half of Americans believe the H1N1 flu outbreak is over (44%), and levels of concern about getting sick with the virus continue to decline. Few (18%) think it is "very likely" there will be another widespread outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the U.S... (Source: Immune System / Vaccines News From Medical News Today)
- A family left behind by the H1N1 virus Virginia Romo was pregnant with her sixth child when she caught the swine flu. Her husband and children, raising the baby on their own, are still stunned at how swiftly the disease took her from them. On a rainy January day, Karen Romo, 15, feeds her five younger brothers and sisters an early dinner and tidies the kitchen while waiting for her father to return from work. One of the children vacuums the living room, maneuvering around a large box of diapers. Another sibling holds the baby. (Source: Los Angeles Times - Science)
- Swine flu vaccine safe, California and CDC data show At the height of fear over H1N1 flu this fall, vaccination foes claimed it was safer to get swine flu than to be inoculated against ... (Source: USATODAY.com Health)MedWorm Message: Get the very latest Swine Flu news via the MedWorm Swine Flu RSS news feed - updated hourly from thousands of authoritative health and news sources.
- Swine Flu Pandemic Weekly Report, Wales Key points: - The clinical consultation rate for influenza - not necessarily swine flu - in Wales during the week ending 31 January fell to 3.5 cases of flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales. It was 4.8 per 100,000 in the previous week. Current levels of flu in Wales are below the usual level for this time of year. - According to the latest data available from the Public Health Wales daily GP surveillance scheme, as at 2 February, the influenza consultation rate in Wales as a whole was 8... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)
- Swine Flu Pandemic Weekly Report, Wales Key points: - The clinical consultation rate for influenza - not necessarily swine flu - in Wales during the week ending 31 January fell to 3.5 cases of flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales. It was 4.8 per 100,000 in the previous week. Current levels of flu in Wales are below the usual level for this time of year... (Source: Public Health News From Medical News Today)
- 50% of Americans Believe H1N1 Outbreak is Over Nearly half of Americans believe H1N1 outbreak is over, poll finds - Majority of parents got or intend to get their children vaccinated, but majority of adults will not get H1N1 vaccine themselves... (Source: Disabled World)
- Swine flu still out there, officials caution WASHINGTON (Reuters) - H1N1 swine flu is still circulating around the world and still killing people, although it is on the decline everywhere, global health officials said on Friday. (Source: Reuters: Health)
Gov Official Updates
- WHO Updates International H1N1 Flu Situation As of 31 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 15174 deaths.
- Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for Week Endin... During week 4 (January 24-30, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week in the U.S.
- Non-Safety-Related Voluntary Recall Of Sanofi Pasteur 200... Why are some of the doses of H1N1 vaccine manufactured in pre-filled syringes being recalled from the market?
- Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 ... Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 Vaccine In Pre-filled Syringes Questions & Answers
- WHO Updates International H1N1 Flu Situation 29 January 2010 -- As of 24 January 2010, worldwide more than 209 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 14711 deaths.
- Syndication of CDC Guidance from Pediatric Stakeholders: ... Effective communication is a key component of emergency response planning. It can help direct the medical community and the general public to take appropriate action to contain a disease outbreak, limit exposure, and reduce morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, ineffective communication can lead to confusion in both the general public and the emergency response community. It can interfere with the response to an incident. It can lead to public distrust and skepticism, and, once that has happened, it is difficult to regain that trust.
- CDC MMWR Update: Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (... CDC MMWR Update: Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among Long-Term-Care Facility Residents - Three States, 2009
- Questions & Answers about the 2009–2010 Flu Season Flu seasons are unpredictable in a number of ways, including when they begin, how severe they are, how long they last and which viruses will spread. There were more uncertainties than usual going into this flu season (2009-2010), because of the emergence of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (previously called "novel H1N1" or "swine flu"). This virus caused the first influenza pandemic (global outbreak of disease) in more than 40 years.
- CDC Guidance from Pediatric Stakeholders: A Coordinated A... The purpose of this document is to provide a suggested approach, based on input from pediatric stakeholders, to communicating pediatric-related information on pandemic influenza at the community level in a step-by-step manner. This is a suggested approach to coordinating communication and disseminating information; it can be adapted or modified to suit most communities as they see fit. The goal is to give community planners "talking points" for discussions on a coordinated approach to communication in their community.
- Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for Week Endin... During week 2 (January 10-16, 2010), influenza activity decreased slightly in the U.S.
CDC Swine Flu News
- UPDATE: 2009 H1N1 Flu International Situation Update This report provides an update to the international situation as of January 31, 2010. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to report updated 2009 H1N1 flu-associated laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths on its Web page.
- UPDATE: Weekly FluView Map and Surveillance Report for We... During week 4 (January 24-30, 2010), influenza activity remained at approximately the same levels as last week in the U.S. 119 (3.2%) specimens tested by U.S. World Health Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories and reported to CDC/Influenza Division were positive for influenza.
- UPDATE: Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizatio... FluView reports that for the week of January 24-30, 2010, flu activity in the United States remained about the same as during the previous week. Flu activity is relatively low at this time, with most flu continuing to be caused by 2009 H1N1. Flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, but it is expected to continue for several more months.
- NEW: Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 ... All lots of monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pre-filled syringes manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, not included in the two earlier recalls, should now be administered by February 15, 2010 regardless of the expiration imprinted on the package.
- NEW: Non-Safety-Related Voluntary Recall Of Sanofi Pasteu... In recent testing of its influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur found five distributed lots of single-dose, pre-filled syringe pediatric (0.25 mL) vaccine and one distributed lot of single-dose pre-filled syringe for older children and adults (0.5 mL) vaccine had potency below pre-specified limits.
- CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Info Service Message: Non-... As of January 7, 2010, the cumulative pro rata allocation is approximately 136 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. As of January 5, 2010, approximately 111 million doses have been shipped, so supplies of 2009 H1N1 vaccine available to be administered are ample. Although the 2009 H1N1 vaccine was initially prioritized to certain target groups, due to the increase in supply most jurisdictions are now making vaccine available for everyone who wishes to receive it.
- UPDATE: Influenza and Pneumonia-Associated Hospitalizatio...
- MMWR: Outbreaks of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Among... Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) January 29, 2010 / 59(03);74-77
- UPDATED: Key Facts About 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine This document includes updated information about late season flu vaccination, including who is recommended, where to find vaccine, and why it should still be taken seriously.
- UPDATED: Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccines Questions an... This document includes updated information about late season flu vaccination, including who is recommended, where to find vaccine, and why it should still be taken seriously.
Swine Flu Blogs
- SWINE FLU, DAMMIT! How many people have died, been impaired, sickened, because "Swine Flu" fell off the radar screen, replaced by the incomprehensible "H1N1" ... just to protect the pork industry? For […]
- Swine flu blotter Government Announces Flu Pandemic PSA Propaganda Contest 300 death claims from 1976 swine flu vaccine, only one death from flu Legal Immunity Set For Swine Flu Vaccine Makers Monopoly […]
- The Swine Flu Conspiracy [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMqYlnAiIUU&feature=player_embedded#] Related: Militarization of Swine Flu Preparations Fear, Intimidation & Media Disinformation: U.K Government is Planning Mass Graves in Case of H1N1 Swine Flu Pandemic What are Obama’s investments in biotech companies apparently […]
- Swine flu, Bird flu 'never happened': Probe int... [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3haectEvDq0] Related: International Hearings Begin On “Falsified” Swine Flu Pandemic Swine Flu: Who Profits? VIDEO – Flashback: 1976 Swine Flu Scam H1N1, the False Pandemic The ‘false’ pandemic: Drug firms cashed in on scare over swine flu, claims […]
- Swine Flu There has been numerous articles over the last week about the Swine Flu outbreak. Many are asking themselves the following questions: What is Swine Flu, how do you […]
- H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu) We are swiftly approaching the 2009 Flu season and there have already been report of the H1N1 Influenza or Swine Flu. Many are again asking themselves the following […]
- VIDEO: Swine Flu Pandemic: Where Did It Come From? by Michel Chossudovsky Global Research, May 6, 2009 GlobalResearch TV A Global Research Video Production [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgI8Xi8_YvQ] Also See: Is it the “Mexican Flu”, the “Swine Flu” or the “Human Flu”? Are quarantines the […]
- WHO: swine flu infects 29 countries Sun, 10 May 2009 07:19:57 GMT Press TV Image of newly-identified H1N1 influenza virus obtained at the CDC Influenza Laboratory. The World Health Organization announced Saturday that the H1N1 (swine) flu […]
- Swine flu posts and images page For those of you that are coming here for the swine flu images and info I am adding this page so that you don't have to wade through […]
- Recent Comments RE: CIA's Swine Flu The CIA’s Swine Flu & Your Plastic FEMA Coffin « Alligator Farm onWho Will Profit from the Deadly Flu This Time? The CIA’s Swine Flu & Your Plastic FEMA Coffin […]
Swine Flu Google
- Understanding cruise line swine flu lawsuit | swin... With the out break of swine flu and also due to the patients found in the cruise there is need of cruise line swine flu lawsuit. Swine flu patients have been found in the ships of different cruise line companies which raises question on ...
- Swine flu symptoms checker The dreadful disease that goes around us is the swine.
- Swine Flu Test DOA This is incredible...No mandatory Swine (H1N1) Flu test for those.
- Swine Flu Virus Information, The Precautions You C... Today we are more at a greater risk from the various mutations of the flu virus than we have been for a long time. First we had alarms over bird flu, and more.
- This little swine flu went all the way home | Dail... After months of commotion, it looks like the swine flu epidemic is finally coming to a close. No more mass school shutdowns, no more hurried vaccinations and no more door handle-related trepidation. If the number of cases keeps dropping ...
- Obama On U.S. Swine Flu Cases During a speech to the National Academy Of Sciences, President Obama spoke on.
- CIA plane with mutated swine flu virus shot down i... Upload from Free Truth Show--- SWINE FLU VIRUS PLANE SHOT DOWN IN CHINA freetruthshow's webcam recorded.
- A TIME'S MEMORY: Australia. Two new swine flu ... Australia. Two new swine flu cases spark warnings in Tasmania. There have been two new cases of swine flu in Tasmania as authorities prepare to vaccinate 350000 people before a predicted second wave of the virus hits. ...
- Swine flu still out there, officials caution - ... Swine flu still out there, officials caution -Swine Flu - Swine flu still out there, officials caution.
- MSM Monitor: The Swine Flu Secret Almost half of Americans believe the global swine flu epidemic is over, according to a Harvard survey released yesterday that found children were more likely to be inoculated than adults. But federal health officials cautioned that the ...
Global Swine Flu In
- Estimating the impact of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pande... We analysed mortality among people aged 65 years or older in Navarre, Spain in 2009 and compared it with the mean for the same period of time in the previous three years. In the pandemic weeks 24 to 52 2009 we observed 4.9% more deaths than expected (p=0.0268). Excess mortality occurred during the circulation of seasonal influenza (8.0%, p=0.0367) and the first wave of pandemic influenza (9.9%, p=0.0079). In the second wave of pandemic influenza there was a non-significant excess of deaths (5.2%, p=0.1166). Surveillance of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza cases detected only one death in this age group.
- High frequency of cross-reacting antibodies against 2009 ... Since May 2009, the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus has been spreading throughout the world. Epidemiological data indicate that the elderly are underrepresented among the ill individuals. Approximately 1,000 serum specimens collected in Finland in 2004 and 2005 from individuals born between 1909 and 2005, were analysed by haemagglutination-inhibition test for the presence of antibodies against the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) and recently circulating seasonal influenza A viruses. Ninety-six per cent of individuals born between 1909 and 1919 had antibodies against the 2009 pandemic influenza virus, while in age groups born between 1920 and 1944, the prevalence varied from 77% to 14%. Most individuals born after 1944 lacked antibodies to the pandemic virus. In sequence comparisons the haemagglutinin (HA) gene of the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) virus was closely related to that of the Spanish influenza and 1976 swine influenza viruses. Based on the three-dimensional structure of the HA molecule, the antigenic epitopes of the pandemic virus HA are more closely related to those of the Spanish influenza HA than to those of recent seasonal influenza A(H1N1) viruses. Among the elderly, cross-reactive antibodies against the 2009 pandemic influenza virus, which likely originate from infections caused by the Spanish influenza virus and its immediate descendants, may provide protective immunity against the present pandemic virus.
- Update: Follow-up study showing post-pandemic decline in ... This study aimed to measure rates of hand sanitiser use in a hospital entrance foyer four months after a baseline study during New Zealand's influenza pandemic. Of the 743 people observed over one (summer) day in December 2009, 8.2% used the hand sanitiser, which was significantly lower (p<0.0001) than the 18.0% reported in the August (winter) study. Health authorities may need to intensify promotion of hand hygiene to reduce the impact of future influenza pandemic waves.
- School absence data for influenza surveillance: a pilot s... School-age children are at a high risk of acute respiratory virus infections including the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1). School absence records have been suggested as a tool for influenza surveillance. We analysed absence records from six primary schools (children aged from around five to 11 years) in London during the years 2005 to 2007 in order to provide baseline epidemiological characteristics of illness-related school absence, and to correlate school absence with seasonal influenza. The daily average prevalence of absence due to illness was 2.9%. The incidence was 1.3% per person-day. The mean duration of absence was 1.8 days (SD 1.8). Over 60% of absence episodes lasted for one day. Absence prevalence did not differ by sex. Prevalence was highest in the youngest children and then declined slightly, but was again high again in the oldest. Absence was slightly higher on Mondays and Fridays. In general, peaks of absenteeism coincided with peaks of influenza A and B (laboratory reports) but several high peaks were not associated with influenza. There was a better correlation between absence and laboratory reports and prevalence compared to incidence. School absence data may be useful for the detection of localised school outbreaks and as an additional surveillance tool but are limited by lack of data on weekends and during holidays.
- The vaccination campaign against 2009 pandemic influenza ...
- Surveillance of Hospitalisations for 2009 Pandemic Influe... We analysed and reported on a weekly basis clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients hospitalised in the Netherlands for the 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) using information from the national mandatory notification system. The notification criteria changed on 15 August 2009 from all possible, probable and confirmed cases to only laboratory-confirmed pandemic influenza hospitalisations and deaths. In the period of comprehensive case-based surveillance (until 15 August), 2% (35/1,622) of the patients with pandemic influenza were hospitalised. From 5 June to 31 December 2009, a total of 2,181 patients were hospitalised. Of these, 10% (219/2,181) were admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and 53 died. Among non-ICU hospitalised patients, 56% (961/1,722) had an underlying medical condition compared with 70% (147/211) of the patients in ICU and 46 of the 51 fatal cases for whom this information was reported. Most common complications were dehydration among non-ICU hospitalised patients and acute respiratory distress syndrome among patients in ICU and patients who died. Children under the age of five years had the highest age-specific hospitalisation rate (62.7/100,000), but relatively few were admitted to an ICU (1.7/100,000). Characteristics and admission rates of hospitalised patients were comparable with reports from other countries and previous influenza seasons. The national notification system was well suited to provide weekly updates of relevant monitoring information on the severity of the pandemic for professionals, decision makers, the media and the public, and could be rapidly adapted to changing information requirements.
- Severe hospitalised 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) cases... From 1 July 2009 to 15 November 2009, 244 patients with 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) and were compared with 514 cases hospitalised in medical wards in France until 2 November 2009. Detailed case-based epidemiological information and outcomes were gathered for all hospitalised cases. Infants and pregnant women are overrepresented among cases admitted to ICU with seven per cent for both groups respectively, and twenty per cent of ICU cases did not belong to a risk group. Chronic respiratory disease was the most common risk factor among cases but obesity (body mass index ? 30 Kg/m2), chronic cardiac disease and immunosuppression were risk factors associated with severe illness after adjustment for age and for other co-morbidities.
- A nosocomial outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1) ... A nosocomial outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1), with eight confirmed cases, occurred in a paediatric oncology ward in Italy, in October/November 2009. The fact that one case was infected despite being isolated and without contact to a symptomatic patient, hints towards potential transmission through a health care worker (HCW) and underlines the importance of vaccination of HCW who are involved in the care of critically ill patients.
- When should we intervene to control the 2009 influenza A(... We simulated the early phase of the 2009 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic and assessed the effectiveness of public health interventions in Japan. We show that the detection rate of border quarantine was low and the timing of the intervention was the most important factor involved in the control of the pandemic, with the maximum reduction in daily cases obtained after interventions started on day 6 or 11. Early interventions were not always effective.
- Outbreak of 2009 pandemic influenza A(H1N1), Los Lagos, C... By 27 June, a total of 14.559 clinical cases were identified in Los Lagos, affecting mostly 5-19 year-olds. The effective reproduction number during the initial phase (20 days) was 1.8 (1.6-2.0). Of the 190 confirmed cases with severe acute respiratory infection, 71 (37,4%) presented a risk condition or underlying illness.
Swine Flu Research
- H1N1 vaccine. Four SHAs have swine flu jab deals in place. Health Serv J. 2010 Jan 7; 120(6188): 9Ford S
- Comparative study of the nucleotide bias between the nove... J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2010 Jan; 20(1): 63-70Ahn I, Son HSNovel influenza A (H1N1) is a newly emerged flu virus which was first detected in April, 2009. Unlike the avian influenza (H5N1), this virus has been known to be able to spread from human to human directly. Although it is uncertain that how severe this novel H1N1 virus will be in terms of human illness, illness may be more widespread because most people will not have immunity to it. In this study, we compared the codon usage bias between the novel H1N1 influenza A viruses and other viruses such as H1N1 and H5N1 subtypes to investigate the genomic patterns of novel influenza A (H1N1). Totally 1,675 nucleotide sequences of the hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of influenza A virus including H1N1 and H5N1 subtypes occurred from 2004 to 2009 were used. As a result, we found that the novel H1N1 influenza A viruses showed the most close correlations with the swine-origin H1N1 subtypes than other H1N1 viruses in the result from not only the analysis of nucleotide compositions, but also the phylogenetic analysis. Although the genetic sequences of novel H1N1 subtypes were not exactly same as the other H1N1 subtypes, the HA and NA genes of novel H1N1s showed very similar codon usage patterns with other H1N1 subtypes, especially with the swine-origin H1N1 influenza A viruses. Our findings strongly suggested that those novel H1N1 viruses seemed to be originated from the swine-host H1N1 viruses in terms of the codon usage patterns.
- Predicting Spread of New Pandemic Swine-Origin Influenza ... Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi. 2010 Jan; 65(1): 48-52Takeuchi S, Kuroda YObjectives: On April 24th, 2009, a new swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) was first reported in Mexico. Japan confirmed cases of the flu on May 9th, and the pandemic in Japan has become full-scale. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan announced that the first peak of this pandemic was predicted to occur in October, 2009. Therefore, it is most important to predict the progress of this pandemic to be able to use medical resources effectively in Japan. Methods: We used a modified susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered (SEIR) model to calculate the number of infected people and hospital bed shortage during this pandemic. In this model, available medical resources were investigated on the basis of four vaccination scenarios. Results: Our model showed that it would take a further six months for the pandemic to peak than was predicted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Without vaccination, at the peak of the pandemic 23,689 out of 400,000 people would be infected and the hospital bed shortage would reach 7,349 in total. Conclusions: We suggest that mathematical models are strong tools to predict the spread of infectious diseases. According to our model, it is possible to prevent hospital bed shortage by vaccination.
- ISG15 conjugation system targets the viral NS1 protein in... Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Feb 2; 107(5): 2253-8Zhao C, Hsiang TY, Kuo RL, Krug RMISG15 is an IFN-alpha/beta-induced, ubiquitin-like protein that is conjugated to a wide array of cellular proteins through the sequential action of three conjugation enzymes that are also induced by IFN-alpha/beta. Recent studies showed that ISG15 and/or its conjugates play an important role in protecting cells from infection by several viruses, including influenza A virus. However, the mechanism by which ISG15 modification exerts antiviral activity has not been established. Here we extend the repertoire of ISG15 targets to a viral protein by demonstrating that the NS1 protein of influenza A virus (NS1A protein), an essential, multifunctional protein, is ISG15 modified in virus-infected cells. We demonstrate that the major ISG15 acceptor site in the NS1A protein in infected cells is a critical lysine residue (K41) in the N-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD). ISG15 modification of K41 disrupts the association of the NS1A RBD domain with importin-alpha, the protein that mediates nuclear import of the NS1A protein, whereas the RBD retains its double-stranded RNA-binding activity. Most significantly, we show that ISG15 modification of K41 inhibits influenza A virus replication and thus contributes to the antiviral action of IFN-beta. We also show that the NS1A protein directly and specifically binds to Herc5, the major E3 ligase for ISG15 conjugation in human cells. These results establish a "loss of function" mechanism for the antiviral activity of the IFN-induced ISG15 conjugation system, namely, that it inhibits viral replication by conjugating ISG15 to a specific viral protein, thereby inhibiting its function.
- Structural insights into phosphoinositide 3-kinase activa... Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Feb 2; 107(5): 1954-9Hale BG, Kerry PS, Jackson D, Precious BL, Gray A, Killip MJ, Randall RE, Russell RJSeasonal epidemics and periodic worldwide pandemics caused by influenza A viruses are of continuous concern. The viral nonstructural (NS1) protein is a multifunctional virulence factor that antagonizes several host innate immune defenses during infection. NS1 also directly stimulates class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling, an essential cell survival pathway commonly mutated in human cancers. Here, we present a 2.3-A resolution crystal structure of the NS1 effector domain in complex with the inter-SH2 (coiled-coil) domain of p85beta, a regulatory subunit of PI3K. Our data emphasize the remarkable isoform specificity of this interaction, and provide insights into the mechanism by which NS1 activates the PI3K (p85beta:p110) holoenzyme. A model of the NS1:PI3K heterotrimeric complex reveals that NS1 uses the coiled-coil as a structural tether to sterically prevent normal inhibitory contacts between the N-terminal SH2 domain of p85beta and the p110 catalytic subunit. Furthermore, in this model, NS1 makes extensive contacts with the C2/kinase domains of p110, and a small acidic alpha-helix of NS1 sits adjacent to the highly basic activation loop of the enzyme. During infection, a recombinant influenza A virus expressing NS1 with charge-disruption mutations in this acidic alpha-helix is unable to stimulate the production of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate or the phosphorylation of Akt. Despite this, the charge-disruption mutations in NS1 do not affect its ability to interact with the p85beta inter-SH2 domain in vitro. Overall, these data suggest that both direct binding of NS1 to p85beta (resulting in repositioning of the N-terminal SH2 domain) and possible NS1:p110 contacts contribute to PI3K activation.
- Could a swine flu surge see a slump in targets? Health Serv J. 2009 Nov 19; 119(6183): 12-3Moore A
- Structural and antigenic variance between novel influenza... J Infect Dev Ctries. 2009; 4(1): 1-6Saxena SK, Mishra N, Saxena R, Swamy MA, Sahgal P, Saxena S, Tiwari S, Mathur A, Nair MPBACKGROUND: The emergence of influenza A/H1N1/2009 is alarming. The severity of previous epidemics suggests that the susceptibility of the human population to H1N1 is directly proportional to the degree of changes in hemagglutinin/HA and neuraminidase/NA; therefore, H1N1/2009 and H1N1/2008 were analyzed for their sequence as well as structural divergence. METHODOLOGY: The structural and sequence divergence of H1N1/2009 and H1N1/2008 strains were analyzed by aligning HA and NA amino acid sequences by using ClustalW and ESyPred3D software. To determine the variations in sites of viral attachment to host cells, a comparison between amino acid sequences of HA and NA glycosylation sites was performed with NetNGlyc software. The antigenic divergence was executed by CTL epitope prediction method. RESULTS: The amino acid homology levels of H1N1/2009 were 20.32% and 18.73% compared to H1N1/2008 for HA and NA genes, respectively. In spite of the high variation in HA and NA amino acid composition, there was no significant difference in their structures. Antigenic analysis proposes that great antigenic differences exist between both the viral strains, but no addition of a new site of glycosylation was observed. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that the circulating novel influenza virus A/H1N1/2009 attaches to the same glycosylation receptor sites as its predecessor influenza A/H1N1/2008 virus, but is antigenically different and may have the potential for initiating a significant pandemic. Our study may facilitate the development of better therapeutics and preventive strategies, as well as impart clues for novel H1N1 diagnostic and vaccine development.
- Proliferation Capacity and Cytotoxic Activity Are Mediate... J Virol. 2010 Feb 3; Cellerai C, Perreau M, Rozot V, Enders FB, Pantaleo G, Harari ACytotoxicity and proliferation capacity are key functions of antiviral CD8 T-cells. In the present study, we have investigated a series of markers to define the above functions in virus-specific CD8 T-cells. We provide evidence that there is a lack of co-expression of perforin and CD127 in human CD8 T-cells. CD127 expression on virus-specific CD8 T-cells correlated positively with proliferation capacity and negatively with perforin expression and cytotoxicity. Influenza-, cytomegalovirus-, and EBV/HIV-1-specific CD8 T-cells were predominantly composed of CD127(+)/perforin(-), CD127(-)/perforin(+) and CD127(-)/perforin(-) CD8 T-cells, respectively. CD127(-)/perforin(-) and CD127(-)/perforin(+) significantly expressed more PD-1 and CD57, respectively. Consistently, intracellular cytokine (IFNgamma+TNFalpha+IL2) responses combined to perforin detection confirmed that virus-specific CD8 T-cells were mostly composed of either perforin(+)/IL-2(-) or perforin(-)/IL-2(+) cells. In addition, perforin expression and IL-2 secretion were negatively correlated in virus-specific CD8 T-cells (P<0.01). As previously shown for perforin, changes in antigen exposure modulated also CD127 expression. Based on the above results, proliferating (CD127(+)/IL-2-secreting) and cytotoxic (perforin(+)) CD8 T-cells were contained within phenotypically distinct T-cell populations at different stages of activation/differentiation and showed different levels of exhaustion and senescence. Furthermore, the composition of proliferating and cytotoxic CD8 T-cells for a given antiviral CD8 T-cell population appeared to be influenced by antigen exposure. These results advance our understanding of the relationship between cytotoxicity, proliferation capacity, levels of senescence/exhaustion and Ag exposure of antiviral memory CD8 T-cells.
- Dynamics of Infection and Pathology in Influenza. J Virol. 2010 Feb 3; Saenz RA, Quinlivan M, Elton D, Macrae S, Blunden AS, Mumford JA, Daly JM, Digard P, Cullinane A, Grenfell BT, McCauley JW, Wood JL, Gog JRA key question in pandemic influenza is the relative role of innate immunity and target cell depletion in limiting primary infection and modulating pathology. Here, we model these interactions using detailed data from equine influenza virus infection, combining viral and immune (type I interferon) kinetics with estimates of cell depletion. The resulting dynamics indicate a powerful role for innate immunity in controlling the rapid peak in virus shedding. As a corollary, cells are much less depleted than suggested by a model of human influenza based only on virus shedding data. We then explore how differences in the influence of viral proteins on interferon kinetics can account for the observed spectrum of virus shedding, immune response and influenza pathology. In particular, induction of high levels of interferon ('cytokine storms'), coupled with evasion of its effects, could lead to severe pathology, as hypothesized for some fatal cases of influenza.
- Killing of avian and swine influenza by Natural Killer ce... J Virol. 2010 Feb 3; Achdout H, Segman T, Hirsh S, Glasner A, Bar-On Y, Gur C, Porgador A, Mendelson M, Mandelboim M, Mandelboim OToday, a global attention is focused on two influenza virus strains, the current pandemic strain, swine-origin influenza virus (H1N1-2009) and the highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1. As for now, the infection caused by the H1N1-2009 is moderate with mortality rates of less than 1%. In contrast, infection with the H5N1 virus resulted in high mortality rates and around 60% of the infected patients succumb to the infection. Thus, one of the world greatest concerns is that the H5N1 virus will evolve to allow an efficient human infection and human-to-human transmission. Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the innate immune components playing an important role in fighting against influenza viruses. One of the major NK activating receptors involved in NK cell cytotoxicity is NKp46. We previously demonstrated that NKp46 recognizes the hemagglutinin proteins of B and A influenza virus strains. Whereas NKp46 could also interact with H1N1-2009 virus or with the avian influenza virus is still unknown. Here we analyzed the immunological properties of both the avian and the H1N1-2009 influenza viruses. We show that NKp46 recognizes the hemagglutinins of H1N1-2009 and H5 and that this recognition leads to virus killing both in vitro and in vivo. However, importantly, while the swine H1-NKp46 interactions lead to the direct killing of the infected cells, the H5-NKp46 interactions were unable to elicit direct killing, probably because the NKp46 binding sites for these two viruses are different.
UK Flu News
- NHS flu line being switched off in sign outbreak is over The swine flu phone line and website will be turned off next week in a sign that the outbreak in Britain is largely over.
- Was swine flu ever a real threat? With one scientist alleging a WHO 'conspiracy', Mark Honigsbaum asks if H1N1 could have been handled differently.
Swine Influenza Daily
- SciClone And Sigma-Tau Announce Additional Positive Resul... SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCLN) and its partner Sigma-Tau S.p.A., announced additional topline results in a clinical study evaluating the potential of ZADAXIN® (thymalfasin) to enhance immune response to the MF59 adjuvanted H1N1 influenza monovalent vaccine, Focetria™ from Novartis...
- Chief Medical Officer Mobilises GPs To Support Pandemic (... Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jim Bishop, is calling on GPs to promote vaccination against the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza to their patients before the flu season begins in Australia ...
- Poll Finds That Nearly Half Of Americans Believe H1N1 Out... The latest poll from researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) shows that almost half of Americans believe the H1N1 flu outbreak is over (44%), and levels of concern about getting sick with the virus continue to decline. Few (18%) think it is "very likely" there will be another widespread outbreak of the H1N1 virus in the U.S...
- Swine Flu Pandemic Weekly Report, Wales Key points: - The clinical consultation rate for influenza - not necessarily swine flu - in Wales during the week ending 31 January fell to 3.5 cases of flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales. It was 4.8 per 100,000 in the previous week. Current levels of flu in Wales are below the usual level for this time of year...
- Tracking The Spread Of Disease, Malware And Power Outages An assistant professor with the Virginia Tech College of Engineering has won a $750,000 federal grant to formulate a mathematical framework that can track the spread of pandemics among populations and malware across wireless computer networks, as well as how a blackout occurring on one major power grid can cause a cascade of additional neighboring networks to fail. Funded by the U.S...
- Swine Flu Update, Thursday, 4th February, 2010, Ireland ILI rate: The Department of Health & Children and the HSE advised that the rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) for the week ending Sunday 31st January 2010 (week 4, 2010), was 7.5 per 100,000 population. This is a decrease from the 12.2 per 100,000 population reported during week 3, 2010. Age-specific ILI rates: During week 4, 2010, sentinel GPs reported an ILI rate of 3...
- Spread Of H1N1 Flu At Alabama Boys Camp Stopped By Target... Providing preventive Tamiflu and educating and emphasizing the need for repeated hand sanitizer use and disinfectant spray helped stop the spread of H1N1 influenza at a boys' summer camp in northern Alabama, according the co-director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. David Kimberlin, M.D...
- New York Times Examines WHO Process For Getting H1N1 Vacc... The New York Times examines the WHO's role as a "clearinghouse" for getting the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to lower income nations. Though H1N1 has died down in North America and many wealthier nations "are trying to get rid of their [vaccine] surpluses," the virus continues to circulate in regions of North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, according to the newspaper...
- How Antiviral Drugs Bind To And Block Flu Virus Antiviral drugs block influenza A viruses from reproducing and spreading by attaching to a site within a proton channel necessary for the virus to infect healthy cells, according to a research project led by Iowa State University's Mei Hong and published in the Feb. 4 issue of the journal Nature. Hong, Iowa State's John D. Corbett Professor of Chemistry and an associate scientist for the U.S...
- Targeted Prevention Measures Stopped Spread Of H1N1 Flu A... Providing preventive Tamiflu and educating and emphasizing the need for repeated hand sanitizer use and disinfectant spray helped stop the spread of H1N1 influenza at a boys' summer camp in northern Alabama, according the co-director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. David Kimberlin, M.D...
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