Recombinomics Inc. Urges Release of H5N1 Human Sequences From the World Health Organization's (WHO) Private Database
May 19 2006 - 12:36PM
PR Newswire (US)
PITTSBURGH, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Recombinomics calls for the
release of the human H5N1 bird flu sequences from Indonesian
victims held at the World Health Organization (WHO) private
database. A review of the recent outbreak of human H5N1 cases in
Kubuh Sembilang, Indonesia was the most fatal H5N1 familial cluster
reported to date. Seven family members were infected with H5N1, and
six infections were fatal. The cluster had a typical bimodal
distribution, signaling human-to-human transmission from the index
case who developed symptoms on April 27, 2006 to family members who
developed symptoms in early May. Although there is no reported
evidence of spread beyond these family members, the fatal infection
of six family members raises concerns that the H5N1 genome has
changed. At this time, sequences from only one H5N1 patient in
Indonesia have been made public. This isolate has been selected for
development of a new pandemic vaccine in the United States.
Although the sequence was deposited in the WHO private database on
August 1, 2005, it was not made public until March 25, 2006. The
sequence was related to Indonesian poultry sequences, but it had a
novel cleavage site. The sequence shows evidence of extensive
recombination, with polymorphisms from H5N1 isolates in Vietnam,
Thailand, wild birds in China, and the Qinghai strain of H5N1.
Although the novel cleavage site is not found in bird isolates in
Indonesia, it is found in the WHO private database, where it is the
dominant motif in Indonesian human isolates. The widespread
detection of this novel cleavage site, RESRRKKR, in human isolates,
and its absence in avian isolates, suggests the origin of the H5N1
infections in humans in Indonesia may not be avian. Release of
these human sequences would provide clues on their origin,
including the potential that H5N1 may have been transmitted via
swine rather than birds. "Recombinomics has patent pending sequence
analysis methods to trace origins of isolates as well as predict
sequence changes. The sequences in Indonesia may trace back to
swine," said Recombinomics president, Henry Niman, Ph.D. He
continued, "H5N1 swine isolates in China have cleavage sites that
are unique, but distinct from the Indonesian sequence. The release
of the human Indonesian sequences, as well as the other influenza
sequences in the private database would enhance tracing of origins
as well as selection of future vaccine targets, which can be
predicted from the H5N1 sequences in all eight gene segments."
Selection of new vaccine targets is vital. H5N1 recombines
frequently, leading to rapid evolution. Vaccines against future
sequences are more effective than vaccines against sequences that
have already emerged. Release of the sequestered sequences will
improve selection of vaccine targets, and is essential for the
control of the emerging genome. About Recombinomics, Inc. -- The
Company was founded by Dr. Henry Niman, a former Scripps Institute
Assistant Member, based on his pioneering work in the area of viral
evolution. Dr. Niman's research identified recombination as the
underlying mechanism driving rapid genetic change, allowing him to
file a series of patents based on a deep understanding of this
paradigm shifting process. Recombinomics is in the process of
commercializing its patent-pending approach to significantly
improve the standard vaccine development process. Recombinomics,
through its analysis and commentary section of its website
(http://www.recombinomics.com/ ), has been consistently ahead of
both the scientific community and government agencies in
anticipating the genetic evolution and geographic expansion of
H5N1. Contact Information: Dr. Henry Niman President Recombinomics,
Inc. 648 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238 Tel.
866.973.2662 DATASOURCE: Recombinomics, Inc. CONTACT: Dr. Henry
Niman, President of Recombinomics, Inc., 1-866-973-2662, or Web
site: http://www.recombinomics.com/
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