|
--------
Original Message --------
Subject: IVPHC: H5N1 - Antibodies Research Focus
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:13:08 -0800
From: "Stephen M. Apatow" <s.m.apatow@pathobiologics.org>
To: ivphc.wg@pathobiologics.org
24 February 2009
IDIN:
Pathobiologics
International
Subject: Biodefense
Threat Analysis & Communication Center
Dear Colleagues:
Researchers have discovered human antibodies that neutralize not only
H5N1 bird flu but other strains of influenza as well and say they hope
to develop them into lifesaving treatments. The antibodies -- immune
system proteins that attach to invaders such as viruses -- also might
be used to protect
front-line workers and others at high risk in case a pandemic of flu
broke
out, the researchers said. -- Antibodies protect against bird flu and more:
Reuters, 22 February 2009.
As noted below, populations across the globe have most probably
developed a natural immune response to the H5N1 bird flu pathogens that
have been
circulating for 5-6 years. The political factors that have
restricted
access to molecular diagnostics technologies, so these epidemiological
variables
could be understood, now enter into current discussions associated with
subclinical infection of Ebola Reston (Manila to
slaughter 6000 pigs to stop Ebola spread, 23 February 2009).
Once again, we are reminded of the importance of clinic level access to
hand held molecular diagnostics technologies, pcr/microarray and
bioinformatics analysis to assist with surveillance, containment and
control of emerging infectious disease challenges.
The Pandemic Model
H5N1 has spread across the globe as a containable animal health
pandemic, with human exposure proportional to direct environmental
contact of populations (including 3.5 billion + in impoverished
populations with no public health infrastructure). Since we did not
view large numbers of human deaths following exposure, the extreme
distortion of statistical information associated with human infection
and geographical impact appears to be a direct result of restricted
access to molecular diagnostic technologies.
On the the most striking variables associated with pandemic risk,
is denial of global spread of human transmissible H5N1 strains with
mild
clinical manifestation. The global public health discussion "PRO/AH> Avian influenza, human (140): atypical
infections" (ProMED: 20060905.2522: 05-SEP-2006) presents variables
excluded in the current H5N1 pandemic discussion:
- Atypical
H5N1 infections (encephalitis, diarrheal, gastrointestinal
illness) were excluded from the potential clinical spectrum of
challenge.
- While
much has been made of the fulminant cases of presumed viral pneumonia
in 1918, Dr. Brundage's research indicates that the majority of
pneumonia cases, even in 1918, were either secondary bacterial
pneumonias following an influenza infection or mixed viral and
bacterial pneumonias. In the pre-antibiotic era, these cases of
bacterial pneumonia carried a very high mortality rate; however, with
appropriate antibiotic therapy, many such patients may be saved.
Again, I
emphasize that the key variable associated with mortality during the
1918 pandemic, was access to antibiotics crucial to the containment of
challenges associated with co-infection compromising the overall immune
response. Co-infection must become a prioritized focus point,
since multiple antibiotic sensitive variables could mean an immediate
capacity to boost the natural immune response and ability to handle a
viral challenge.
It is vital that immediate efforts are set forward in every United
Nations member country to conduct population surveillance for the
existence of
antibodies to H5N1 strains and genomic variants considered high
consequence.
This information is vital, since population exposure to mild
atypical
strains, would encompass an increased immune capacity to handle
exposure
of potential pandemic strains (that without such information could
cause
a panic). This is especially important in the light of
false
guidance that widespread population exposure has not occurred in
conjunction
with the H5N1 global animal health pandemic during the last 5-6 years.
Supporting
HRI Advocacy work
Humanitarian Resource Institute and Pathobiologics International
provides peer reviewed access to educational materials for policy
development, public health and emergency response for leaders in 192
member states of the United Nations. As with ProMED, physicians,
veterinarians and public health professionals across the globe, have
the capacity to open discussion regarding high consequence emerging
infectious disease challenges of international public
health significance.
There are several ways, you can support this continued work:
- 1.
Help us promote HRI Continuing Education courses in Foreign Animal
Disease, Zoonotic Disease and International Health Regulations.
We are open to
expansion of available courses, collaboration with medical/veterinary
associations
and the academic community.
- 2. A
gift, that directly supports advocacy initiatives.
Thank you
for your support....
Related:
- The Future of Biodetection Systems - Final Workshop
Analysis: The Future of Biodetection Systems Workshop was held
last year to bring together industry, academia, national labs, and
federal agency personnel in an interactive process, to develop a
roadmap for research and development investment in
biodetection. Sponsored by Los Alamos National Laboratory,
September 26 & 27 2006. -- Overview: BTACC Pathobiologics International.
Keynote: DNA-based Detection Technologies (Powerpoint):
Stephen M.Apatow, Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate
Studies Center , Veterinary for
Medicine Medicine and Law.
- International Law, Communicable Diseases and the
Geopolitical Objective of Minimal Interference with World Trade and
Travel: Stephen M. Apatow, Humanitarian Resource Institute Legal
Resource Center, 5
May 2003.
Stephen M. Apatow
Founder, Director of Research & Development
Humanitarian Resource Institute
Humanitarian University Consortium Graduate Studies
Center for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine & Law
Phone: 203-668-0282
Email: s.m.apatow@humanitarian.net
Internet: www.humanitarian.net
Pathobiologics International
Internet: www.pathobiologics.org
|
