 |
|
The pandemic potential of H9N2 avian influenza viruses
August 13, 2008Since their introduction into land-based birds in 1988, H9N2 avian influenza A viruses have caused multiple human infections and become endemic in domestic poultry in Eurasia. This particular influenza subtype has been evolving and acquiring characteristics that raise concerns that it may become more transmissible among humans. Mechanisms that allow infection and subsequent human-to-human transmission of avian influenza viruses are not well understood.
In a new study published August 13 in the journal PLoS ONE, Daniel Perez (of the University of Maryland) and colleagues used ferrets to characterize the mechanism of replication and transmission of recent avian H9N2 viruses. The researchers show that some currently circulating avian H9N2 viruses can transmit to naďve ferrets placed in direct contact with infected ferrets. However, aerosol transmission was not observed, a key factor in potentially pandemic strains.
More importantly, Perez and colleagues show that a single amino acid residue (Leu226) at the receptor-binding site (RBS) of the hemagglutinin (HA) surface protein plays a major role in the ability of these viruses to transmit. They also found that an avian-human H9N2 reassortant virus increases virulence, pathology and replication in ferrets. These results suggest that the establishment and prevalence of H9N2 viruses in poultry could pose a significant threat for humans.
Public Library of Science
Public Library of Science
Avian Influenza Current Events and Avian Influenza News RSSStopping germs from ganging up on humans
Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics, according to new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.
Protein 'tubules' free avian flu virus from immune recognition
A protein found in the virulent avian influenza virus strain called H5N1 forms tiny tubules in which it "hides" the pieces of double-stranded RNA formed during viral infection, which otherwise would prompt an antiviral immune response from infected cells, said Baylor College of Medicine researchers in an online report in the journal Nature.
Avian flu threat: New approach needed
As the first globally co-ordinated plan for the planet's gravest health threats is hatched by government ministers from around the world this weekend, a new report sets out a 10-point plan for this new, globalised approach to infectious diseases such as avian flu.
'Deadly dozen' reports diseases worsened by climate change
Health experts from the Wildlife Conservation Society today released a report that lists 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, with potential impacts to both human and wildlife health and global economies.
Scientists working to protect NI from Bird Flu
Queen's scientists are involved in two international projects aimed to protect Northern Ireland's agri-food industry from Bird Flu and African Swine Fever, a disease which kills pigs.
Discovery opens door for drugs to fight bird flu, other influenza epidemics
Researchers at Rutgers University and The University of Texas at Austin have reported a discovery that could help scientists develop drugs to fight the much-feared bird flu and other virulent strains of influenza.
Booster vaccination may help with possible future avian influenza pandemic
New evidence suggests that a booster vaccination against H5N1 avian influenza given years after initial vaccination with a different strain may prove useful in controlling a potential future pandemic. The study is published in the August 1 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases, now available online.
Newly described 'dragon' protein could be key to bird flu cure
Scientists and researchers have taken a big step closer to a cure for the most common strain of avian influenza, or "bird flu," the potential pandemic that has claimed more than 200 lives and infected nearly 400 people in 14 countries since it was identified in 2003.
Battling bird flu by the numbers
A pair of Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers have developed a mathematical tool that could help health experts and crisis managers determine in real time whether an emerging infectious disease such as avian influenza H5N1 is poised to spread globally.
New Clorox disinfectant is EPA registered to kill both known types of MRSA
While MRSA has been an issue in healthcare settings for years, CA-MRSA outbreaks in the community have been on the rise, with the greatest risk in community settings such as fitness clubs, in sports teams, at schools and daycare centers.
More Avian Influenza Current Events and Avian Influenza News Articles
 | Avian Influenza Avian Influenza provides the first comprehensive guide covering the full spectrum of this complex and increasingly high-profile disease, its history and its treatment and control. All aspects of avian influenza are dealt with in depth, systematically covering biology, virology, diagnostics, ecology, epidemiology, clinical medicine, and the control. The book fuses coverage of the latest... |
 | Avian Influenza Virus (Methods in Molecular Biology) With the growing global fear of a major pandemic, avian influenza virus research has increased greatly in importance during this young century. In Avian Influenza Virus, an expert team of researchers and diagnosticians examine the fundamental yet essential virological methods for AI virus research and diagnostics as well as some of the newest molecular procedures currently used for basic and... |
 | Avian Influenza (Monographs in Virology) Because of its high impact on both animal and human health, avian influenza has become a matter of increasing public concern and growing scientific interest within the last decade. This volume gives an overview of the most important results of these research efforts and provides information about the ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza with particular emphasis on recent H5N1 outbreaks in... |
 | The Monster at Our Door: The Global Threat of Avian Flu by Mike Davis A “brilliant” and “fascinating” investigation of the looming avian flu pandemic—and how we arrived at the brink of a global health catastrophe—The New York TimesThe virus known as H5N1 is now endemic among poultry and wild bird populations in East Asia. A flu strain of astonishing lethality, it has a talent for transforming itself to foil the human immune system—and kills two out of... |
| Discrimination between highly pathogenic and low pathogenic H5 avian influenza a viruses.(Letter to the editor) : An article from: Emerging Infectious Diseases by Sunchai Payungporn, Salin Chutinimitkul, Arunee Chaisingh, Sudarat Damrongwantanapokin, Bandit Nuansrichay, Wasana Pinyochon, Alongkorn Amonsin, Ruben O. Donis, Apiradee Theamboonlers, Yong Poovorawan This digital document is an article from Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1304 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle:... | |
 | Making Preparation Count: Lessons from the Avian Influenza Outbreak in Turkey (Euro Publication) by World Health Organization. Regional Office for Europe This booklet describes the outbreak of human cases of avian influenza in Turkey and the national and international response. Drawing on interviews with some of the key health workers and major agencies involved - the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the... |
 | The Bird Flu Handbook: What Is Avian Influenza, And What Do We Need To Know To Be Prepared For A Pandemic? by Manoj Kunda Written in a convenient, concise, and easy to read format, The Bird Flu Handbook is an excellent resource guide that provides extremely valuable and up to date information concerning one of the most serious issues in the global news today!Avian Influenza, or Bird Flu, and the impending threat of a worldwide pandemic that could cost millions of lives and cripple the global economy. The Bird Flu... |
 | Influenza: Human And Avian in Practice (In Practice Series) by Roy Jennings, Robert C Read In the modern era where rapid and relatively easy global travel is commonplace, the spread of infectious diseases, particularly influenza, represents a very real and almost annual threat to communities worldwide. Current extensive and global interest in influenza lies in the increasingly common reports of the transmission of a number of avian influenza virus strains to humans. Due to the high... |
| Evolution of H5N1 avian influenza viruses in Asia.(highly pathogenic ): An article from: Emerging Infectious Diseases This digital document is an article from Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by Thomson Gale on October 1, 2005. The length of the article is 5606 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation... | |
| Vaccination: A Tool for the Control of Avian Influenza (Developments in Biologicals) |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |