Stalk antibodies provide flu protection in humans: study
An international team of researchers is now a step closer to developing a universal flu vaccine after proving that targeting a specific area of the flu virus does protect humans.
An international team of researchers is now a step closer to developing a universal flu vaccine after proving that targeting a specific area of the flu virus does protect humans, Xinhua reports.
For the study, the researchers from the University of Michigan, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and other institutions looked at naturally occurring influenza cases in a cohort investigators have followed in Nicaragua for years.
After one member in a household was determined to have the flu, the researchers took blood samples to test the rest of the household. They looked at who was infected with the virus antibodies and who got sick.
Traditionally, an antibody concentration of 1:40, measured in the hemagglutination inhibition assay, has been used as a 50-percent correlate of protection from clinical disease, which means that half of the people who have those levels will be protected from influenza.
In the study, the researchers found a similar protection, corroborating the idea that the field study design is sound to examine correlates of protection. They also found that a rise of four times in the amount of stalk antibody levels correlated with 42-percent reduction in influenza infection.
We were able to show that stalk antibodies do correlate with protection," said Aubree Gordon, a professor of epidemiology at UM's School of Public Health. "That is great news as it supports the idea that stalk antibodies may be able to provide protection against influenza and could enable scientists to design a broader, more effective influenza vaccine."
The flu virus is covered with two types of proteins: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The current flu vaccine targets the head of the hemagglutinin, a lollipop-like structure, which is the part that changes most often. If they target the stem of the hemagglutinin, instead of the head, it would allow them to prevent a wider range of flu viruses, as these do not change as often.
Our research is the first to demonstrate that scientists are right in attempting to develop antibodies that target this specific location as a novel universal influenza virus vaccine candidate," Gordon said.
The study also showed new tests can be used in flu research.
An additional finding of this study is that ELISA based readouts can be used as independent correlate of protection," said Florian Krammer, a professor of microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "ELISAs are binding assays and do not indicate functionality, but are much easier and quicker than functional assays."
While there are caveats and further studies needed, this is good news for the development of stalk-based universal influenza virus vaccines," Krammer said. "It seems we are on the right track."
The study has been published in the June issue of Nature Medicine.
Source: Kazinform News Agency
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Over 1,000 measles cases recorded in Astana since beginning of year
In three months of this year, the Kazakh capital recorded 1,063 measles cases, including 734 in children under 14, chief medical officer of Astana Sarkhat Beissenova said, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
According to Beissenova, 84% of those infected are unvaccinated, of whom 58% did not undergo vaccination and 36.5% have the immunization status unknown.
She went on to add that a total of 114,464 people or 94.6% of the eligible population have been vaccinated as part of additional mass immunization and catch-up immunization since November last year.
The anti-epidemic measures taken led to measles cases reducing by 1.4 times in March compared to January, when the peak of measles cases was recorded, and by 1.5 times among children aged 1-4, she said.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Photo Exhibition "Unexplored Kazakhstan" Opened in the Bulgarian City of Plovdiv
Images | Kazakh MFA
At the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Plovdiv, the official opening of the thematic photo exhibition "Unexplored Kazakhstan" dedicated to the nature and tourism potential of our country took place on the Central Square of the city. The event was attended by the leadership of the city and the region, representatives of the local intelligentsia, the Kazakh diaspora, the Bulgarian public and the media, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria Viktor Temirbayev stressed that Kazakhstan is a country with an extremely rich history and culture, located in the heart of Eurasia, at the crossroads of the world's oldest civilizations, at the intersection of transport arteries, economic and social, cultural and ideological ties between East and West, South and North, between Europe and Asia. The Kazakh diplomat noted that all this served as a powerful foundation in the formation of modern Kazakhstan as a strong, independent and dynamically developing state.
In his welcoming speech, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Plamen Panov highlighted the achievements in the development of Kazakhstan, noted the high level of bilateral relations. In addition, the Deputy Mayor spoke highly about the fascinating nature of Kazakhstan.
In turn, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan Plamen Panchev stressed that the vector of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the regions of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria will continue to develop for the benefit of our people.
The guests of the event were able to enjoy photographs of unique nature, landscapes of picturesque landscapes, flora and fauna of Kazakhstan.
This photo exhibition will be open to residents and visitors of the city until April 30, 2024.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, which is more than 8000 years old, leading its chronicle from prehistoric times to the present day, and is the most dynamically developing center of Southern Bulgaria.
The Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Plovdiv has been open since December 15, 2023.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Over 300 babies born in flood-stricken areas in Kazakhstan
325 babies were born in the regions of Kazakhstan that declared recently a local state of emergency due to flooding. 387 pregnant women are under the doctor’s care, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Most babies were born in Kostanay, Aktobe and West Kazakhstan regions since the beginning of the floods, Aigerim Urazaliyeva, the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry’s official spokesperson, said.
5,035 children from flood-hit regions are staying at temporary shelters of which 62 were taken to hospitals.
She noted over 1,000 people sought psychological assistance.
7,617 flood victims have chronic diseases. All of them are monitored by health workers, she added.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
2 schools shifted to online learning amid flooding in N Kazakhstan
Images | Depositphotos
347 pupils of two schools switched to online learning amid flooding in North Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Schools were temporarily shifted to online teaching in Zarechnyi and Pokrovka villages as the River Yessil overflowed.
All villagers of Zarechnyi were evacuated amid flood risks. Ice jams triggered flooding in Pokrovka village leaving tens of homes on Beregovaya Street underwater.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
First Kazakh Senate Speaker passes away
Images | senate.parlam.kz
An outstanding statesman, the first Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (1996-1999), Baigeldi Omirbek has passed away today in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Senate’s press service.
Baigeldi Omirbek was born in 1939 in Dzhambul region, KazSSR.
Baigeldi Omirbek served as the deputy of the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th convocations. He worked at the Senate for more than 16 years.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.