Health
Researchers study 1918 flu virus
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 16, 2006
The influenza virus that caused so many deaths in 1918 and 1919 was lethal because it elicited a severe immune system response, according to a paper published in the Oct. 5 Nature.
Researchers used functional gene expression analysis on mice that were infected with a reconstructed version of this virus. They found that pro-inflammatory and cell death pathways were highly activated. This response was more severe than in animals infected with bugs that did not have a history of being quite so lethal.
"The host's immune system may be overreacting and killing off too many cells, and that may be a key contributor to what makes this virus more pathogenic," said John C. Kash, PhD, lead author and research assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Washington.
This study is the latest one to attempt to elucidate why the 1918 flu was so deadly in order to determine strategies for fighting other strains that may be just as devastating.
For instance, last month, researchers at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School in Newark sent out a call for people born before 1915 who were around people who died in the pandemic. The goal is to profile their antibodies and determine if they can be used to provide protection if the 1918 strain recurs.
Those interested in participating should contact Eric Altschuler, MD, PhD, by phone: 973-972-5439.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/10/16/hlbf1016.htm.
