There are some interesting statistics on influenza in the current issue of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The first is this map showing the number of confirmed cases (N = 1,882) of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection worldwide as of May 6, 2009: With the exception of a few countries, the vast majority …
The second RNA segment of the influenza virus genome encodes two proteins, PB1 and PB1-F2. The latter protein is believed to be an important determinant of virulence of influenza virus. Can we learn anything about the virulence of the new influenza virus H1N1 strains from a study of this protein? During influenza virus infection, PB1-F2 …
Influenza A/Mexico/2009 (H1N1): Absence of crucial virulence marker Read More »
Let’s resume our discussion of the influenza virus genome. Last time we established that there are eight negative-stranded RNAs within the influenza virion, each coding for one or two proteins. Now we’ll consider how proteins are made from these RNAs. Figure 1 shows influenza RNA segment 2, which encodes two proteins: PB1 and PB1-F2. The …
Within the influenza A virion are eight segments of viral RNA. These molecules carry the all the information needed to make new influenza virus particles. These eight RNAs are shown schematically as olive green lines at the top of the illustration. RNAs are chains of four different nucleotides, A, C, G, U. In the case …
Here is an update on the global swine flu situation as of 29 April 2009. There are now 257 laboratory confirmed cases, with 7 deaths, in 11 countries. In the US there are 109 cases in 11 states. There are many more suspected cases; together the statistics indicate widespread dissemination of the new H1N1 influenza …
The isolates of influenza virus obtained in the current global outbreak have proven to be resistant to the adamantane antivirals, but susceptible to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Consequently the two neuraminidase inhibitors will likely be used extensively to control the outbreak until a vaccine is available. Extended use of the antiviral drugs will undoubtedly …
Oseltamivir resistance decreases influenza aerosol transmission Read More »
