Deadly immune ‘storm’ caused by emergent flu infections

03-Mar-2014 - Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have mapped key elements of a severe immune overreaction—a “cytokine storm”—that can both sicken and kill patients who are infected with certain strains of flu virus. Their findings, published in the online edition of the Proceedings of the ...

H7N9 influenza: History of similar viruses gives cause for concern

10-Jul-2013 - The H7N9 avian flu strain that emerged in China earlier this year has subsided for now, but it would be a mistake to be reassured by this apparent lull in infections. The virus has several highly unusual traits that paint a disquieting picture of a pathogen that may yet lead to a pandemic, ...

Swine flu present in many ‘healthy’ farm-show pigs

17-Aug-2012 - Despite their healthy appearance, several pigs on show at a 2009 U.S. state fair competition were infected with swine flu, according to a new study by University of Florida infectious disease experts. Up to 20 percent of show pigs at the 2009 Minnesota state fair were infected, and an infected ...

Genetic regulators hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses identified: UBC study

30-Mar-2012 - Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a number of tiny but powerful "genetic regulators" that are hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses during human infection.The discovery, published in the Journal of Virology, could reveal new targets for broad-spectrum antivirals ...

ARTES Steps Further Into the Vaccine Business by Acquiring Anavax

29-Sep-2010 - ARTES Biotechnology announced the acquirement of the ANAVAX virus-like particle (VLP) technology from Select Vaccines Ltd. ANAVAX is a patent-protected VLP technology that can be applied to the prevention of several infectious diseases. With the combination of two excellent technology platforms, ...

A Clamp for Emerging Flu Viruses

Researchers in Freiburg and Berlin Unravel Secret of Innate Immune Response

03-May-2010 - When the human body becomes infected with new influenza viruses, the immune system rapidly activates an inborn protective mechanism to inhibit the intruding pathogen. A protein known as Mx plays an important role in this process, keeping the spread of viruses in check. Exactly how Mx accomplishes ...

Insect Cells Provide the Key to Alternative Swine Flu Vaccination

New production method can meet the demand of a global flu pandemic

06-Jan-2010 - Scientists in Vienna have developed a new technique for producing vaccines for H1N1, 'swine flu', based on insect cells. The research, published in the Biotechnology Journal, reveals how influenza vaccines can be produced faster than through the traditional method of egg-based production, ...

La Jolla Institute finds previous seasonal flu infections may provide some level of H1N1 immunity

18-Nov-2009 - Researchers at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology have found that previous influenza infections may provide at least some level of immunity to the H1N1 "swine" flu. "The question we asked was, "Is the swine flu more like the seasonal flu or like a totally new strain of influenza ...

Triple-combo drug shows promise against antiviral-resistant H1N1, UAB researcher says

29-Oct-2009 - An experimental drug cocktail that includes three prescriptions now widely available offers the best hope in developing a single agent to treat drug-resistant H1N1 swine flu, says a virology researcher in the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. In ...

Most would refuse emergency use H1N1 vaccine or additive

01-Oct-2009 - A majority of Americans would not take an H1N1 flu vaccine or drug additive authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration, according to a University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and University of Georgia study. The study, available in Biosecurity and ...