Monthly Archives: February 2010

NS from H5N1 + H7N1 = Trouble

Posted on February 28, 2010 by

In my last blog, I discussed a laboratory reassortment between H5N1 and H3N2 that resulted in deadly hybrids. In case anyone was wondering if this was a fluke, it wasn’t. Another group of scientists performed a ressortment experiment between a … Continue reading →

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The World Killer – The Reasortment Risk is Real

Posted on February 22, 2010 by

One of my worst nightmares is a virus that is both highly lethal and highly contagious. The most likely candidate for such a virus is influenza, imo. Because it can spread efficiently while its host is still mobile, there is … Continue reading →

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Immunoglobulin as a treatment for pandemic H1N1 influenza

Posted on February 16, 2010 by

In the paper I discussed yesterday, (Gordon et al. 2010), there is a brief discussion of the effects of treating pregnant women with severe H1N1 with intravenous pooled immunoglobulin: Although IgG2 deficiency appears to be associated with H1N1 infection severity, … Continue reading →

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IgG2 deficiency and pandemic H1N1 – cause or consequence?

Posted on February 15, 2010 by

The immune system protects us from viruses and bacteria. People without a properly working immune system are more likely to die of both. Some people are born with defective immune systems (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) while others acquire a malfunctioning immune … Continue reading →

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Over 3,100 dead Americans

Posted on February 12, 2010 by

Over 3,100 people have died in the US from pandemic H1N1. This is likely a gross underestimate as it only includes people with laboratory-confirmed H1N1. The willingness of States to report their deaths varies greatly. For example, Ohio does not … Continue reading →

Posted in Outbreak | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s going on in Mexico?

Posted on February 9, 2010 by

When Mexico reported large numbers of deaths due to H1N1 last April, the world was alarmed. Within Mexico, it was a national crisis. So many people were seriously ill and dying that hospitals were on the verge of collapse. Health … Continue reading →

Posted in Outbreak | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments