Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/18Apr2008_news08.php
Friday April 18, 2008
Antibodies could offer option to treat bird flu
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Thai scientists have produced antibodies they hope could eventually offer protection against bird flu in humans. Still being tested on mice, the procedure could lead to treatments that complement antiviral drugs.
It could provide a substitute regimen enabling low- and middle-income countries to prepare for a possible flu pandemic.
Santi Maneewatch, of Siriraj Hospital's Department of Parasitology, said bird flu-infected mice showed signs of recovery within five to 14 days after being injected with the antibodies.
It was possible the treatment could offer protection against several different strains of the virus simultaneously.
''We are studying the right amount of antibodies needed to treat an individual who has been infected with avian flu,'' he said.
The antibodies had potential for use as an emergency antidote since the deadly H5N1 virus has shown signs of resistance to oseltamivir, the drug widely used to treat human flu cases.
It is hoped that the human trial could begin within the next six months.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has killed at least 240 of the 380 people known to have been infected globally since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation.
Some countries are stockpiling anti-viral medicines against bird flu outbreak in humans, but it remains unclear how effective they might be. With the limited availability of oseltamivir, many countries do not have enough in stock.
Avian flu resistance to oseltamivir has been confirmed in four bird flu patients in Vietnam, three of whom died in 2005.
The Vietnam cases show the possibility that oseltamivir might be less effective than thought, particularly as resistant strains of bird flu become more prevalent. However, there have been no signs of resistance to oseltamivir among Thai cases, says Dr Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a member of the avian flu study panel set up by the health ministry.
Friday April 18, 2008
Antibodies could offer option to treat bird flu
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Thai scientists have produced antibodies they hope could eventually offer protection against bird flu in humans. Still being tested on mice, the procedure could lead to treatments that complement antiviral drugs.
It could provide a substitute regimen enabling low- and middle-income countries to prepare for a possible flu pandemic.
Santi Maneewatch, of Siriraj Hospital's Department of Parasitology, said bird flu-infected mice showed signs of recovery within five to 14 days after being injected with the antibodies.
It was possible the treatment could offer protection against several different strains of the virus simultaneously.
''We are studying the right amount of antibodies needed to treat an individual who has been infected with avian flu,'' he said.
The antibodies had potential for use as an emergency antidote since the deadly H5N1 virus has shown signs of resistance to oseltamivir, the drug widely used to treat human flu cases.
It is hoped that the human trial could begin within the next six months.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has killed at least 240 of the 380 people known to have been infected globally since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation.
Some countries are stockpiling anti-viral medicines against bird flu outbreak in humans, but it remains unclear how effective they might be. With the limited availability of oseltamivir, many countries do not have enough in stock.
Avian flu resistance to oseltamivir has been confirmed in four bird flu patients in Vietnam, three of whom died in 2005.
The Vietnam cases show the possibility that oseltamivir might be less effective than thought, particularly as resistant strains of bird flu become more prevalent. However, there have been no signs of resistance to oseltamivir among Thai cases, says Dr Tawee Chotpitayasunondh, a member of the avian flu study panel set up by the health ministry.
