Thursday, January 1, 2009

Scientists find key component of Spanish flu

A protein that contributed to the high level of toxicity found in the Spanish flu virus, which caused the 1918 flu pandemic, has been identified by a team of researchers led by Prof. Yoshihiro Kawaoka from Tokyo University's Institute of Medical Science.

The findings, published Tuesday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could be useful in the development of measures against new strains of flu viruses.

In 1918, Spanish flu appeared as a new strain of influenza. The virus multiplied and caused lower respiratory system infections in victims, which led to pneumonia and other illnesses.

About 50 million people died in the pandemic.

The strain of the virus is similar to the A-virus subtype H1N1 strain of seasonal influenza virus that multiplies in the upper respiratory parts of the body, including the nose and throat. The researchers were puzzled by the difference.

The research team focused on eight types of protein present in both strains of flu virus. They substituted single genes from the Spanish flu virus and created various combinations by integrating it with the H1N1 virus.

They examined the effects of the viruses on laboratory ferrets.

(Jan. 1, 2009)

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