Swine Flu News
Positive Selection on Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Genes of H1N1 Influenza Viruses
Conclusions:
Most of these positively and/or differentially selected sites were situated in the B-cell and/or T-cell antigenic regions, suggesting that selection at these sites might be responsible for the antigenic variation of the viruses. Moreover, some sites were also associated with glycosylation and receptor-binding ability. Thus, selection at these positions might have helped the pandemic 2009 H1N1 viruses to adapt to the new hosts after they were introduced from pigs to humans. Positive selection on position 274 of NA protein, associated with drug resistance, might account for the prevalence of drug-resistant variants of seasonal human H1N1 influenza viruses, but there was no evidence that positive selection was responsible for the spread of the drug resistance of the pandemic H1N1…
Family doctors’ pay hit by pension threat, accountancy firm warns
GPs told to brace themselves for 19% loss over the next three yearsRelated items from OnMedicaMajority of GPs oppose reformsHealth Secretary ‘is no softy’ warns GPC chairBMA denies GP swine flu ‘strike’ claimsPractice managers slam extended opening hoursDoctors slam ‘disappointing’ pay award (Source: OnMedica Latest News)
Swine flu is spreading a new hands-off etiquette
John Stevenson hasn’t stopped patronizing the local gym, but after his workout, he is wiping down his machines with spray disinfectant and paper towels.
Waiting times peak as budgets are squeezed
The King’s Fund gives a snapshot of the state of the NHSRelated items from OnMedicaGPs say PCTs are slow to make decisions’Ditch’ private management consultants from the NHSGovernment failing on dementia care Government announces swine flu reviewBudget may lead to ‘slash and burn’ cuts for NHS (Source: OnMedica Latest News)
Obese mice have increased morbidity and mortality compared to non‐obese mice during infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus
Conclusions Together, these data support epidemiologic reports that obesity may be a risk factor for severe 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza infection, but the role of obesity in seasonal or highly virulent pandemic influenza infection remains unclear. (Source: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses)
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for 2009 Influenza A (H1N1)-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2011; 32: 188-194DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1275531ABSTRACTThe 2009 novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus was identified in April 2009 in Mexico, and the World Health Organization declared the first phase 6 global influenza pandemic of the century on June 11, 2009. The pandemic spread worldwide in just a few weeks. Most patients diagnosed with H1N1-2009 virus had a self-limited respiratory illness. However, among patients admitted to hospitals, 20 to 33% were hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) because of influenza-associated pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mortality in patients admitted to the ICU with respiratory failure varied between 17 and 28% and was associated with greater illness severity scores and the need for mechanical…
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WHO Landmark Global Agreement on Flu Virus Sharing Improves Global Preparedness for Influenza Pandemics
After a week of negotiations continued through Friday night and into Saturday morning, an open-ended working-group meeting of Member States successfully agreed upon a framework to ensure that in a pandemic, influenza virus samples will be shared with partners who need the information to take steps to protect public health.
Development of monoclonal antibodies to highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus and their application to diagnostics, prophylaxis, and therapy.
Authors: Masalova OV, Klimova RR, Chichev EV, Fediakina IT, Loginova SY, Borisevich SV, Bondarev VP, Deryabin PG, Lvov DK, Kushch AA
A panel of 17 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A/Duck/Novosibirsk/56/05 A/H5N1 (subclade 2.2) isolated in Russian Federation was developed. Immunoblot analysis showed that 12 MAbs were specific for the hemagglutinin (HA) and 5 MAbs for nucleoprotein (NP). All anti-HA MAbs were reactive in ELISA and immunofluorescence (IF) test and 10 of them were reactive in hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) and neutralization tests. Quantitative competitive ELISA revealed that anti-HA MAbs recognized at least 4 non-overlapping antigenic determinants and anti-NP MAbs recognized at least 3 non-overlapping antigenic dete…
Missing my swine flu jab nearly killed me… and my unborn baby
A mother’s heart-stopping account of how the late arrival of a routine doctor’s letter almost cost her everything. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Deal in Reach on Flu Virus-Sharing, Vaccine Access
A global deal is tantalizingly close under which countries would share flu virus samples in exchange for access to affordable vaccines derived from them, thus saving lives in a pandemic, senior diplomats said
