|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Media Contact: Anne A. Oplinger |
Rapid Development of Drug-Resistant 2009 H1N1 Influenza Reported in Two Cases
Reevaluation of Treatment Strategies for Prolonged Infection Urged
Two people with compromised immune systems who became ill with 2009 H1N1 influenza developed drug-resistant strains of virus after less than two weeks on therapy, report doctors from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. Doctors who treat prolonged influenza infection should be aware that even a short course of antiviral treatment may lead to drug-resistant virus, say the authors, and clinicians should consider this possibility as they develop initial treatment strategies for their patients who have impaired immune function.
Both patients in the new report developed resistance to the key influenza drug oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and one also demonstrated clinical resistance to another antiviral agent, now in experimental testing, intravenous peramivir, note senior authors Matthew J. Memoli, M.D., and Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D. This is the first reported case of clinically significant peramivir-resistant 2009 H1N1 illness, say the scientists. The report is scheduled to appear in print on May 1 in Clinical Infectious Diseases and is now online.
The rest of the release is available at:
Rapid Development of Drug-Resistant 2009 H1N1 Influenza Reported in Two Cases
Tagged: flu, h1n1, influenza, pandemic flu, swine flu, US News
No Trackbacks
You can leave a trackback using this URL: http://influenzamonitor.com/2010/03/niaid-press-release-rapid-development-of-drug-resistant-2009-h1n1-influenza-reported-in-two-cases/trackback/
One Comment
What a great resource!