The H5N1 avian influenza virus can replicate in the human gut as well as in the lungs, according to Chinese researchers writing in the Journal of Infectious Diseases. The researchers found viral antigen in samples of gut tissue from a patient known to have died from H5N1, and they also experimentally infected samples of human gut tissue with the virus in the laboratory. Unexpectedly, gut epithelium, like lung epithelium, turns out to contain specific areas where the sialic acid alpha-2,3 receptors to which avian flu viruses preferentially bind are expressed. The finding illuminates the gastrointestinal illness reported in some H5N1 victims, and also suggests that H5N1 may spread from person to person not only via the exhaled droplets that are the primary mode of transmission, but also via feces.
Mar 8 J Infect Dis abstract
2 comments:
H5N1 may be transmitted via human waste
17:07' 08/06/2007 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – With the assistance of experts from the US’ Offox University, doctors at Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital discovered H5N1 virus in not only the throat and gastric juices but also in the stool of the type A/H5N1 patient from the northern province of Vinh Phuc.
This information was released by Dr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Head of the General Planning Department of the Bach Mai hospital, on June 7.
Dr. Tuan warned that H5N1 could completely spread through human waste, which is very dangerous if this disease attacks rural areas where many families don’t have standard toilets.
According to Dr. Tuan, as doctors can determine the quantity of H5N1 virus in an individual, they can follow the disease in each phase of development to apply suitable treatment methods. In addition, thanks to continuous blood filtering methods, the patient from Vinh Phuc has quickly regained his health.
Dr. Tuan said that these were new methods and useful for type A/H5N1 patients in general. They have been proven through the recovery of the patient from Vinh Phuc, the first Vietnamese type A/H5N1 patient since November 2005.
Those discoveries will be shared with experts of the Japan International Health Centre early next week at a video conference, Dr. Tuan said.
[7:07:39 PM] tom watkins: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2007/06/704134/
H5N1 may be transmitted via human waste
17:07' 08/06/2007 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – With the assistance of experts from the US’ Offox University, doctors at Hanoi-based Bach Mai Hospital discovered H5N1 virus in not only the throat and gastric juices but also in the stool of the type A/H5N1 patient from the northern province of Vinh Phuc.
This information was released by Dr. Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Head of the General Planning Department of the Bach Mai hospital, on June 7.
Dr. Tuan warned that H5N1 could completely spread through human waste, which is very dangerous if this disease attacks rural areas where many families don’t have standard toilets.
According to Dr. Tuan, as doctors can determine the quantity of H5N1 virus in an individual, they can follow the disease in each phase of development to apply suitable treatment methods. In addition, thanks to continuous blood filtering methods, the patient from Vinh Phuc has quickly regained his health.
Dr. Tuan said that these were new methods and useful for type A/H5N1 patients in general. They have been proven through the recovery of the patient from Vinh Phuc, the first Vietnamese type A/H5N1 patient since November 2005.
Those discoveries will be shared with experts of the Japan International Health Centre early next week at a video conference, Dr. Tuan said.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/tech/2007/06/704134/
Post a Comment