Archive by category | swine flu

Broad-acting antibody brings researchers one step closer to a universal flu shot

Broad-acting antibody brings researchers one step closer to a universal flu shot

A universal flu vaccine is high on the wishlists of most immunologists, virologists — and even funding agencies. This week US National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins told USAToday that he’s “guardedly optimistic” that such a long-term shot will be developed within the next five years. That timeline could be aided by a report out today in Science that a single antibody is capable of inactivating all subtypes of influenza A.  Read more

Immunity to swine flu raises hopes for long-lasting universal shot

Immunity to swine flu raises hopes for long-lasting universal shot

People infected with the swine flu virus developed antibodies that could hold the secret to developing a universal flu vaccine, according to a study published this week in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. In last month’s issue of Nature Medicine, I wrote about a number of different strategies in the works to develop a long-acting vaccine aimed at providing broad-acting protection against all sorts of influenza viral strains. Most of these approaches involve developing antibodies or T cell responses to conserved proteins in the virus that don’t change a great deal from one strain to the next. Keeping in line  … Read more

New vaccines set for upcoming flu season

New vaccines set for upcoming flu season

Summer’s still in full swing, but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already thinking about flu season. The regulatory agency just announced that it has approved the flu vaccine for 2010-2011, and it includes protection against the 2009 pandemic H1N1 ‘swine flu’ strain as well as regular seasonal influenza.  Read more

Antibody against avian flu shuts down swine flu, too

Antibody against avian flu shuts down swine flu, too

With many flu strains developing resistance to traditional small molecule treatments like Tamiflu and Rimantadine, antibodies could represent a new strategy in the war on influenza. The use of antibodies in treatment has thus far been limited by their cost, since culturing cells is a much more involved process than synthesizing compounds. But their ability to act on multiple strains lends hope for a universal treatment.  Read more

Getting ahead of the next pandemic

Getting ahead of the next pandemic

There was a sense of relief yesterday at a New York Academy of Sciences conference on H1N1. Nearly a year before, many of the same people had gathered to discuss the emerging swine flu pandemic; this year, they’re catching their breath. The speakers, however, didn’t mince their words when it came to the need to bolster pandemic preparedness.  Read more

It ain’t over till it’s over

It ain't over till it's over

Swine flu seems to be ebbing in much of the Northern Hemisphere, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But health officials maintain that the pandemic is far from over, and they are continuing to urge people to get vaccinated.  Read more