Did anyone read that the British Scientists reports are back? See Yahoo news or BBCnews.com or Sky.com.
One of the two viruses taken from two fatal cases of bird flu in Turkey showed similar mutations to previous flu viruses in Hong Kong and Vietnam in recent years. The analysis suggested the potentially deadly H5N1 strain is mutating towards a form adapted to humans.
“The gene sequences of the viruses indicated that they were sensitive to the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and amantadine, the scientists said.”
One tiny bit of good news, I hope.
from the times online…15 minutes ago the virus that killed one of the victims held a key protein haemaglutinin wich controls the way it binds to cells allowing it to attach itself to human cells making it slightly more dangerous to humans. That’s what the report says, any scientific analysis?
Here’s Niman’s take: http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01120602/H5N1_Turkey_S227N_Recombinant.html
RE Niman: Commentary . Turkish H5N1 Isolate Has Recominant HA S227N
Recombinomics Commentary January 12, 2006
Virus from one of the patients shows mutations at the receptor-binding site. One of the mutations has been seen previously in viruses isolated from a small outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003 (two cases, one of which was fatal) and from the 2005 outbreak in Viet Nam. Research has indicated that the Hong Kong 2003 viruses bind preferentially to human cell receptors more so than to avian cell receptors. Researchers at the Mill Hill laboratory anticipate that the Turkish virus will also have this characteristic.
The above comments from the WHO update strongly indicate that the polymorphism found in the isolate from the fatal case in Turkey is S227N (also called S223N using H3 numbering). The polymorphism lead to an increased affinity for human receptors and a deceased affinity for avian receptors. Since the same change in receptor binding affinity is expected from the Turkey isolate, the change would be S227N.
This is what bothers me about this story- see the headline? It says the h5N1 HAS the HA S227N. In the story under the headline it says the WHO update strongly INDICATE that it’s S227N. The last sentence says the same change IS EXPECTED…the change WOULD BE. Isn’t this basic tense changing-it either IS or it is NOT.To me anyway, and let me first freely admit, I am not a virologist, immunologist or a genetics scientist. IMHO.
closed for volume issues. Note date of last post.