Confronting potential influenza A (H5N1) pandemic with better vaccines.
Influenza A (H5N1) viruses are strong candidates for causing the next influenza pandemic if they acquire the ability for efficient human-to-human transmission. A major public health goal is to make efficacious vaccines against these viruses by using novel approaches, including cell-culture system, reverse genetics, and adjuvant development. Important consideration for the strategy includes preparation of vaccines from a currently circulating strain to induce broad-spectrum immunity toward newly emerged human H5 strains. This strategy would be a good solution early in a pandemic until an antigenically matched and approved vaccine is produced. The concept of therapeutic vaccines (e.g., antidisease vaccine) directed at diminishing the cytokine storm frequently seen in subtype H5N1-infected persons is underscored. Better understanding of host-virus interaction is essential to identify tools to produce effective vaccines against influenza (H5N1).
Haque
Azizul
A
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France. azizul.haque@dartmouth.edu
Hober
Didier
D
Kasper
Lloyd H
LH
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D053124:Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D011200:Poultry / Q000276:immunology*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D015164:Vaccines, Inactivated