Researchers at the University of Melbourne have discovered a genetic marker that can accurately predict which patients will experience more severe disease in a new strain of influenza (H7N9) currently found in China.
Published in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, senior author, Associate Professor Katherine Kedzierska from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology said that being able to predict which patients will be more susceptible to the emerging influenza strain, will allow clinicians to better manage an early intervention strategy.
“By using genetic markers to blood and lung samples, we have discovered that there are certain indicators that signal increased susceptibility to this influenza. Higher than normal levels of cytokines, driven by a genetic variant of a protein called IFITM3, tells us that the severe disease is likely,” she said.
“We call this a Cytokine Storm and people with the defective genetic variant of the protein IFITM3 are more likely to succumb to severe influenza infection.
Professor Peter Doherty, AC, Laureate Professor and a lead author of the study from the University of Melbourne said predicting how influenza works in individuals has implications for the management of disease and the resources on our health system.
“We are exploring how genetic sequencing and early identification can allow us to intervene in treating patients before they become too unwell. As new cases of influenza emerge in the Northern Hemisphere, we try to keep a season ahead and prepare to protect the most vulnerable in our community,” he said.
The Latest on: New strains of flu
[google_news title=”” keyword=”new strains of flu” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: New strains of flu
- FDA says new test results show milk supply is safeon May 1, 2024 at 12:08 pm
Additional testing of milk and other dairy products sold in grocery stores shows pasteurization kills a highly pathogenic strain of bird flu that has infected some dairy cows.
- The 2024 Avian Flu: Origins, Impact, And The Global Responseon May 1, 2024 at 11:46 am
Avian influenza, commonly known as Avian Flu or bird flu, is a type of influenza virus that primarily affects birds, but as recent reports have shown, can also infect humans and other animals ...
- Four reasons to be concerned (but not freak out) about the bird fluon May 1, 2024 at 11:11 am
Government officials say they are closely monitoring the bird flu virus in food, livestock and people but experts say more needs to be done.
- Fewer flu shots: Duke researchers working toward a vaccine that could last for yearson May 1, 2024 at 11:01 am
Current annual flu shots offer protection for roughly six months due to mutations in the virus and varying strains that circulate each flu season. Scientists predict a universal flu vaccine could ...
- New flu trend detection model for better vaccineson May 1, 2024 at 9:48 am
A Chinese University researcher said a new computing model could help the authorities make better choices in selecting the strain of flu they vaccinate people against. Health officials have to choose ...
- The bird flu is uncontrolled, and it keeps showing up in the scariest placeson April 30, 2024 at 4:33 pm
Since 2022, bird flu has claimed the lives of over 100 million farmed birds in North America. Not only has it been documented in other domesticated animals — such as cows, dogs and cats — but it’s ...
- Do Our Flu Antivirals Work on H5N1?on April 30, 2024 at 8:56 am
Interim CDC guidance suggests initiating antiviral treatment with a neuraminidase inhibitor as early as possible for symptomatic outpatients, and using oseltamivir to treat severe, progressive, or ...
- Bird flu reported in Florida dolphinon April 30, 2024 at 8:50 am
H5N1 avian "bird" flu is infecting mammals such as dairy cows, and now researchers report it's turned up in a bottlenose dolphin in Florida.
- Spikes of flu virus in wastewater raise questions about spread of bird fluon April 30, 2024 at 5:38 am
Spikes of influenza A virus seen in wastewater samples from 59 sewer systems across 18 different states this spring may point to the spread of the H5N1 avian influenza virus that is currently ...
- USDA issues federal order to fight spread of deadly strain of bird fluon April 29, 2024 at 6:29 pm
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a federal order to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The highly contagious disease has been detected in ...
via Bing News