StemCell Therapy

ImmunologistAli Ellebedywas working on a studyanalyzing the immune response to flu infection in humans. During his research, he spotted a new type ofpowerful antibody in a blood sample from a patientinfected with human influenza virus.

Ellebedy then sent samples of the antibody to Florian Krammer a microbiologistwho proved the effectiveness of theantibodies by testing them againstextensive samples of virus proteins dating back to the 1970s. These proteins, called neuraminidase, enable the virus to spread through the human body.

The study, whichwas jointly conducted byScripps Research, Washington University's School of Medicine in St. Louis and theIcahn School of Medicinein New York, was published in the Octoberissue of Science.

Future vaccine could survive antiviral resistance

Krammer told DW that the beauty of this new antibody, called 10G1, is that it binds to the parts of the virus that never change. This means that even if new strains of influenza viruses are detected, a potential vaccine containing new antibodies would still be effective.

Moreover, the antibody has a powerful potential to attack both A and B subtypes of influenza viruses, making it an even better candidate for a universal vaccine that would combat human, swine, and bird strains, as well as other rarerstrains of lethal flu viruses.

Read more:Is medicine for the flu coming?

There arethree types of influenza viruses that affect humans. These are A, B, and C. Type A causes epidemics of seasonal flu. Among these are swine H1N1, bird H5N1, and human influenza flu H3N2. Type A viruses circulate between humans and other species, whereas type B and C are only known to exist in humans, causing mild infectionsand usuallywithout symptoms.

DW analyzed data about virus activity throughout the US and Europe, sourced by the World Health Organisation's Global Surveillance and Response System(GISRS). The results, presented in the heatmap below, show that there has been a steady rise in influenza virus activity forboth A and B virus subtypes,especially in the US, the UK, Portugal, Germany and Croatia.

Moreover, the results point to a high activity in the first and last weeks of the year.

Not only to prevent, but also to cure

Even though commonly mistaken for a cold due tosimilar symptoms like coughing, a runny nose, sneezing, and experiencing a high fever seasonal flu can be very dangerous. Untreated influenza can have fatal outcomes, as it can lead to severe respiratory infections. This is particularly the case forsensitive groups like infants, pregnant women, the elderlyand people with chronic diseases.

One of the biggest problems with current vaccines is that they usually last one seasonbefore the virus mutates. However, researchers working on this study also tried to create resistant viruses in the labto test whether the new antibody would still work. The results proved that the antibodies still bound to the virus and neutralized it.

The antibodies proved to be effective even against strains of the virus resistant to Tamiflu, a powerful cure used to treat severe cases of influenza viruses like swine and bird flu.

"Infected mice [in the study]reacted very well to these antibodies even three days after they wereinfected, and the window for Tamiflu was closed. This means that the discovered antibodies would have a potential for the development of both vaccine and a cure,"Krammer told DW.

Read more:Do I have the flu or the common cold?

Rise in global deaths from flu

There is a steady rise in global annual deaths from influenza viruses.Now, there are an estimated 290,000 to600,000 mortality cases per year, but it is still hard to determine real numbers.

"There is pretty good data for North America and Europe, so it really depends on how good the surveillance systems are.Unfortunately there are a lot of countries that don't have good surveillance systems for influenza."

Furtherdata analysis by DW shows that the year 2018 saw particularly high influenza virus activity comparedto the past several years.

The most common flu infections were caused by the virus A, which was not subtyped. Krammer told DW that unsubtyped A viruses mean that it is hard to identify if the virus belongs to theH1N1swine flu, or H3N2, which is human influenza virus.

A newreportfrom the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention also suggests thatinfluenza season in the United States started earlier this year, and that widespread virus type A activity has been recorded in Puerto Rico, and seven other states including Texas, Alabama, and Nevada.

On the other hand, Krammerexplained that flu seasons vary in the northern and southern hemispheres. In the north, flu seasons are common in winter, but in countries like China and Singapore, influenza is spread throughout the yearbecause there is no real winter. That makes iteven more difficult to determine the real burden ofinfluenza.

"It's still not quite clear to what extent influenza seasons are influenced by the changing weather and to what extent they are influenced bythe changing behavior of humans during these weather changes,"said Krammer.

Read more:Top 10 most dangerous viruses in the world

High risk of pandemic

Krammer pointed out that the chances for a global pandemic are increasing. It's hard to predict when the next big pandemic willhappen, he said, but heis certain it will happen again.

He also explained that the most deadly influenza virus type, which dominated flu seasons overthe past few years, is the human influenza virus H3N2. But it's impossible to say which virus will cause the next big outbreakand cause the most deaths.

"We have approximately three to fourpandemics per century. We had the one in 1918, 1957, 1968and one in 2009, so it's not very predictable," he said.

"The chances for a pandemic are, however, increasing because there is a lot more global interaction. Pandemic viruses come from avian species, like wild birds, chickens, ducks, where all these influenza viruses circulate. If we look at the number of chickens we raise for food, they are increasing, because the global population is increasingand we need to feed people."

Globally between 290,000 and 600,000 people die from influenza per year

Read more:Next flu pandemic 'a matter of when, not if,' says WHO

Prevention best way to avoid lethal flu infections

Even though newly discoveredantibodies have enormouspotential for the development of a truly universal vaccine and cure for influenza, it will take years of costly clinical trialsbefore it hits the market, Krammer said.

The first step is to examine if it's possible for all humans to develop the 10G1antibodies.

Until auniversal vaccine is developed, one of the best ways to stay safe is to take precautionary measures, Krammer suggested.

"First, get vaccinated. The vaccines we have now are not perfect, but they really work. The second step is to keep ourselves healthy. If we are healthy, infections have less impact. The new generation of a vaccine we have now is against four viruses which circulate in humans which are H1N1, H3N2 and two types of influenza B viruses."

Read more:Flu season wreaks havoc on German workforce

The immune system needs many different types of fuel. Fruit and vegetables provide them. Your diet should be healthy and colorful: Oranges, red peppers, green leafy vegetables and red cabbage provide a potpourri of vitamins, and are especially rich in natural vitamin C.

In order to ensure your immune system is top-top, make sure you have all the necessary immunizations. Adults often forget to refresh vaccinations they had when they were young. Check if you need booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis, pneumococcus, meningitis, measles, mumps, rubella, the flu and others. Be sure to talk to your doctor!

Scientific studies suggest that regular muscle training (jogging, nordic or pole walking, taking a stroll), three times a week for 20 minutes can boost your defenses. But be careful: overdoing it can also drain your immune system.

Sufficient sleep doesn't just allow your body to recuperate. During the slow-wave sleep phase, neurotransmitters are released and the immune system springs into action.

Studies show that good spirits and a zest for life promote a strong immune system. Laughing and playing don't just provide for a better quality of life, they also boost the body's defenses.

Negative stress activates the release of adrenalin and cortisol. These hormones can paralyze the immune system. Sensible stress and time management allows the body to rest and replenish new energy. Selective relaxation exercises like meditation, autogenic training and yoga can significantly boost the immune system.

Taking walks in the fresh air gives you a change of temperature and exercise - both stimulate the body's defense systems. Mucous membranes also benefit from improved circulation and the increased humidity makes it easier to fight off attacks.

Studies have shown that burning up short chain sugars like fructose and glucose uses up many vitamins that are no longer available to the body.

Alternating hot and cold showers help regulate body heat and improve blood flow. An invigorating massage with a massage sponge or brush stimulates the immune system even more.

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New discovery could spell end to seasonal flu - DW (English)

This entry was posted on November 27, 2019 at 6:43 pm and is filed under Immune System. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |