The ability of the flu viruses to mutate is a known difficulty in fighting influenza and thus evade various medications that were previously found to be effective.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have shown recently that another, more promising, approach is to focus on improving drugs that boost the body's natural flu killer system.
Influenza Vaccines Promotion Gears Up
One of the most aggressive public health policies today is the promotion of influenza vaccines
Advertisement
Emergence of new influenza strains, such as the recent avian influenza (H5N1) and swine influenza (H1N1 2009), can lead to the emergence of severe pandemics that pose a major threat to the entire world population. Recently, the concern regarding the emergence of such a pandemic arose when a new and deadly avian influenza strain (H7N9) was discovered in China, causing the death of six people in only one month.
The body's immune system can fight influenza infection. Natural killer (NK) cells, which are an essential component of this system, can recognize and eliminate influenza-virus-infected cells and inhibit the spread of the virus in the respiratory system.
![Evidence of Host Adaptation of Avian-origin Influenza A Virus: Study]( "Evidence of Host Adaptation of Avian-origin Influenza A Virus: Study")
In February 2013 a novel avian-origin reassortant influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged in China and is associated with severe lower respiratory tract diseases.
But, as Ph.D. student Yotam Bar-On and Ofer Mandelboim, the Dr. Edward Crown Professor of General and Tumor Immunology at the Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC) of the Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, have revealed in a paper published in Cell Reports, the influenza virus is able to escape from the NK cells activity, allowing it to spread in the respiratory system.
Source: Eurekalert
Evidence of Host Adaptation of Avian-origin Influenza A Virus: Study
In February 2013 a novel avian-origin reassortant influenza A (H7N9) virus emerged in China and is associated with severe lower respiratory tract diseases.
Advertisement
But, as Ph.D. student Yotam Bar-On and Ofer Mandelboim, the Dr. Edward Crown Professor of General and Tumor Immunology at the Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC) of the Hebrew University Faculty of Medicine, have revealed in a paper published in Cell Reports, the influenza virus is able to escape from the NK cells activity, allowing it to spread in the respiratory system.
Source: Eurekalert
Scientists Discover Potential Novel Treatment for Influenza
A new experimental drug has shown promise in treating influenza, preventing death from the virus, show preclinical studies.
Advertisement
 Molecular Assays That can Speed Up Diagnosis of Influenza DevelopedA new study reveals that a team of Dutch scientists has created a set of molecular assays that could be an effective alternative for conventional diagnostic methods. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Research News
New study findings delineate how aging affects the immune response following Spinal cord injury (SCI) and highlight the participation of the spinal cord meninges in repair.
A recent clinical trial suggests that the first medication therapy to reduce the progression of nearsightedness in children could be on the way.
Autoimmune disorders were found to be linked to Sjogren's, systemic lupus erythematosus, and systemic sclerosis.
Successful brain pacemaker implantation has helped a 51year old Parkinson's disease patient to revitalize her quality of life.
Recent recommendations on lifestyle behaviors to prevent progression of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases revealed.