The success in treating AIDS with multiple combinations of three antiviral drugs is a model for the successful management of viral resistance. Can we expect that a deep arsenal of anti-influenza virus drugs will be developed? So far we have three antiviral drugs against influenza viruses. Most H3N2 strains are resistant to rimantidine, which targets …
In many viral infections, clinical symptoms such as fever, tissue damage, pain, and nausea are a consequence of the immune response. Damage caused by the immune system is known as immunopathology. For some viruses that do not directly kill cells (non-cytolytic viruses) the immune response is the main cause of disease. Immunopathology may be caused …
Yesterday the New York Times ran an article on the resistance to Tamiflu of current influenza H1N1 strains circulating in the US. I wrote a post about this issue on 22 December 2008, so I’m happy to see the Times following my lead. But there is an issue with the Times article that I’d like …
The influenza season is upon us in the U.S. Why is this viral infection prevalent during winter months? Most acute viral infections have a clear seasonal variation in incidence. In general, respiratory virus infections are more prevalent in winter months, while infections with enteric viruses predominate in the summer. In temperate climates, influenza mainly occurs …
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has added a new RSS feed called ‘CDC Flu’. This feed will keep track of any new or updated documents posted anywhere on the CDC Flu Website. This website has a great deal of useful information about influenza, including weekly activity reports, recommendation on immunization and antivirals, and notification …
The CDC has issued a health advisory which indicates that a high number of currently circulating H1N1 influenza viruses are resistant to the antiviral drug oseltamivir. Fifty H1N1 isolates obtained in the U.S. since October 2008 were examined for drug sensitivity; 98% of these isolates are resistant to oseltamivir. Influenza H3N2 isolates, however, are still susceptible …
Oseltamivir resistance in current H1N1 influenza virus strains Read More »
