Scientists Pursue New Therapies as Deadly H7N9 Flu Spreads in China
An experimental drug has shown promise in treating influenza, preventing lung injury and death from the virus in preclinical studies, according to University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers publishing in the journal Nature on May 1. The scientists found that a drug called Eritoran can protect mice from death after they have been infected with a lethal dose of influenza virus. The potential value of this drug as single therapy or in combination with antivirals is further supported by previous research that found that it is safe for use in humans. The findings are of particular interest to scientists now that the latest deadly strain of flu, H7N9, is spreading in China – 82 people in China had been infected with the new strain of flu virus as of April 26, and 17 had died.
Previous scientific studies have revealed that acute lung injury caused by the influenza virus is the result of an immune reaction mediated by a protein called Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Senior author Stefanie Vogel, Ph.D., Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Medicine at the University of Maryland, and colleagues previously demonstrated that mice that lack the ability to signal through TLR4 are highly refractory to influenza-induced lethality. In their new study, they extend these findings by showing that Eritoran — a synthetic inhibitor of TLR4, originally developed by Eisai Inc. for treatment of sepsis — improved clinical symptoms and prevented death when administered up to six days after infection with the influenza virus. Existing antiviral medications must be administered within two days of infection to be optimally effective.
Annual influenza epidemics are estimated to result in 3 million to 5 million cases of severe illness and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths yearly worldwide. The virus is continually evolving and new variants give rise to seasonal outbreaks. Increasing resistance to existing antiviral therapies and the short time-frame in which these agents are effective highlight the critical need for new treatments, such as Eritoran. This study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health.
The Latest Bing News on:
Treatment for Influenza
- Health care roundtable: Workplace violence, avian flu and syphilis in babieson April 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm
From workplace violence to syphilis in babies, our panel of medical experts discusses April's health care headlines.
- The latest on bird flu: How it's spread, what it means for milk and eggs and moreon April 27, 2024 at 8:22 am
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking states to prepare for more bird flu cases by gearing up to test at-risk people for the virus, but insists that the risk to the general ...
- Covid-19 Pandemic Led To Growing Acceptance Of Doctors Withholding Treatmenton April 27, 2024 at 4:15 am
According to a new study there is a steadily growing acceptance of the view that it could be ethically acceptable for doctors to refuse care.
- Amid bird flu spread, experts reveal if it's safe to drink milk: 'Indirect concern'on April 26, 2024 at 5:16 pm
Traces of bird flu have been detected in pasteurized milk, leaving many people wondering if it’s safe to drink. Doctors offered their insights about the potential risk.
- Bird flu in cattle: A step closer to humans or a random event?on April 26, 2024 at 12:03 pm
Scientists have kept a wary eye on H5N1 bird flu as the virus has swept around the world in recent years, infecting numerous mammalian species along the way. Now the virus has been found in US cattle.
- American cows now have bird flu, too – but it’s time for planning, not panicon April 26, 2024 at 8:44 am
This is not a repeat of the Covid pandemic. Yet global governments should follow the US and prepare a response, writes global public health expert Prof Devi Sridhar ...
- Evidence of Bird Flu Found in Pasteurized Milk. Here's What That Meanson April 25, 2024 at 8:31 am
Experts say that commercial milk remains safe to consume. But what are health officials doing to protect the milk supply, and what about raw milk?
- Cidara Therapeutics shares surge 30% after reacquiring flu treatmenton April 24, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Shares of Cidara Therapeutics rose sharply after the company announced a reshuffling of its portfolio of drug candidates.
- Remnants of bird flu virus found in pasteurized milk, FDA sayson April 23, 2024 at 6:22 pm
U.S. health officials say samples of pasteurized milk have tested positive for remnants of the bird flu virus that has infected dairy cows.
- RIPK3 inhibitor prevents lung damage in severe influenza infectionon April 23, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Remarkably, UH15-38 significantly improved survival outcomes even when given 5 days after infection. This contrasts with the current approved antiviral for influenza infection, oseltamivir, which ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Treatment for Influenza
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Treatment for Influenza” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Influenza
- Tornadoes flatten homes in Nebraska as storms threaten parts of the Midweston April 27, 2024 at 10:10 am
Elkhorn, a town less than 10 miles from Omaha, sustained some of the most severe damage with many homes flattened. Two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Other areas like Waterloo and Bennington similarly faced severe and expansive destruction.
- Finding bird flu in dairy cows means ‘turbulent times ahead’ for livestock industryon April 26, 2024 at 11:36 pm
News that the U.S. government detected the bird flu virus in milk samples from sick cows in a number of states caught the attention of traders in dairy and livestock markets this week, and may eventually present a dilemma for consumers.
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Influenza
[google_news title=”” keyword=”influenza” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
