Basic virology

Tamiflu-resistant pandemic influenza H1N1 virus selected by prophylaxis

6 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

The emergence of oseltamivir (Tamiflu)-resistant 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a Canadian family illustrates the basic concept that viral loads depend on the dose of antiviral drug. Neuraminidase inhibitors like Tamiflu and Relenza are used to treat severe illness caused by the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus. The antiviral drugs may also be used …

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Influenza virus is infectious for days on banknotes

21 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

Influenza virus may be transmitted among humans in three ways: by direct contact with infected individuals; by contact with contaminated objects (called fomites, such as toys, doorknobs); and by inhalation of virus-laden aerosols. The contribution of each mode to overall transmission of influenza is not known. But something that most of us touch on a …

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Zinc inhibits rhinovirus replication

22 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

The title of this post should not come as a surprise to readers of virology blog – it was shown in 1974 that zinc could interfere with replication of rhinoviruses (see “Zinc and the common cold“). I am referring to the result of my first experiment to study the mechanism of zinc inhibition – something …

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XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome

51 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

A retrovirus that has been implicated in prostate cancer has now been found in the blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. What is this virus and where did it come from? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disease characterized by fatigue and chronic inflammation that can last years and may affect ~1% of the …

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Zinc and the common cold

20 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

Shortly after I developed sore throat, cough, and congestion last week, a package of ‘Cold – Eeze’ materialized on my kitchen counter. The writing on the package of zinc-laden lozenges promised to ‘shorten your cold’, and noted that they were ‘clinically proven to reduce the duration of the common cold’. Do zinc lozenges have any …

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Natural antibody protects against viral infection

12 Comments / Basic virology, Information / By Vincent Racaniello

Antibodies produced by infection with a virus, or after immunization with viral vaccines, are effective at preventing viral disease. However humans and higher primates contain “natural antibodies” which are present in serum before viral infection. Natural antibodies can activate the classical complement pathway leading to lysis of enveloped virus particles long before the adaptive immune …

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