SAN
ANTONIO, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas
Biomed) are studying potential vaccines, antivirals and antibodies
against highly pathogenic avian influenza, including H5N1 strains
that closely mirror the one recently detected in cows, chickens and
one person in Texas.
Texas Biomed has a team of virologists and
immunologists with experience studying highly pathogenic avian
influenza.
This is only the second human case of H5N1 bird flu to be
reported in the United States,
which officials said was contracted through
contact with dairy cows. The influenza subtype primarily infects
wild birds and poultry, but has also spilled over into a variety of
mammals. This is the first time the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus
has been detected in cattle.
"Thankfully, the risk of the current H5N1 case becoming
widespread among people remains low," said Larry Schlesinger, M.D., Texas Biomed
President and CEO. "But viruses adapt and evolve – especially
influenza viruses – which is why it is so critical to be studying
them and developing vaccines and treatments well before they are
needed."
Texas Biomed has a team of virologists and immunologists with
deep experience studying influenza viruses and very recently
expanded its research scope to include highly pathogenic avian
influenza. Researchers in Professor Luis Martinez-Sobrido, Ph.D.'s laboratory
received approval to work on highly pathogenic avian influenza in
November 2023 from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). After lab preparations and review, work
began at the end of March to begin evaluating if existing vaccines,
antivirals and antibodies are effective against avian influenza
A(H5N1) viruses, including the strain now making headlines.
Since first being detected in 1996, there have
been fewer than 900 cases of human bird flu infections reported
around the world. Infection can cause a range of symptoms from mild
to severe, with a fatality rate of about 50%.
This version of avian influenza A(H5N1) has been spreading
around the globe in the past few years via transmission from
migratory birds, the natural reservoir, to terrestrial and domestic
birds. It has also been detected in a range
of mammals including mink, foxes, bears, seals,
cats, dogs, goats and now cows.
"We still don't know a lot about this virus, for example, what
are the genetic determinants that enable this virus to transmit
from avian hosts to other mammals?" said Ahmed Elsayed, Ph.D., a Staff Scientist in
Martinez-Sobrido's lab. Dr. Elsayed has been studying avian
influenza for 16 years and joined Texas Biomed in 2023. "We need to
study this virus as a 'One-Health' approach to be able to face
it."
The researchers are applying advanced tools and techniques that
they use to study viruses like seasonal influenza and SARS-CoV-2.
Work takes place in a higher biosafety level laboratory, following
protocols approved by federal biomedical research regulators.
"The genetic sequencing analysis from the CDC
indicates that the H5N1 strain found in the patient does not have
any mutations associated with resistance to current antiviral
drugs," said Martinez-Sobrido. "However, it is important to
continue developing an array of countermeasures in case existing
ones lose effectiveness."
Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute
dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious
diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and
innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and
vaccines for the world's deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment
laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center.
The institute collaborates with industry and researchers globally
and helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola
treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy.
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SOURCE Texas Biomedical Research Institute