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[The influenza viruses: past, present and future]
1Johan Béla National Institute for Public Health, Budapest, Hungary.
Abstract:
Influeza disease is an underestimated public health problem. Epidemics spread rapidly from country to country and may affect as many as 500 million people all over the world in a year. The disease, particularly influenza A may kill the patients and the new influenza viruses which appeared in 1957 (Asian influenza) and 1968 (Hong Kong) are estimated to have caused at least 3 000 000 deaths in the world. There are several aspects in virus replication and maturation that have attracted considerable interest in recent years: the ubiquitous enzyme responsible for the activation of hemagglutinin at multibasic cleavage sites has been found to be furin, a member for a family of subtilisin-like eukaryotic proteases; the M2 protein forms adamantanamin-sensitive ion channels and regulates the pH in transport vesicles; the interferon induced Mx1 protein interferes also with replication of Thogoto virus, a hitherto unclassified tickborne virus now thought to belong to the orthomyxovirus family. Inactivated influenza vaccines were first licensed in 1941. Extensive efficacy trials showed that vaccines were immunogenic and gave 70% protection. During the 1960s and 1970s, several improvements in vaccine production methods helped making current vaccines much less reactogenic: zonal centrifugation, high growth reassortants, "split"-vaccines, subunit vaccines. Killed complete virons of influenza virus absorbed to aluminium phosphate have been used for vaccination in Hungary since 1969. The protectiv effect of vaccine recorded in different studies varied, but was usually between 25% and 76% ...
Insights
Influenza, a significant public health concern, causes widespread epidemics. Research details virus replication mechanisms and the evolution of inactivated influenza vaccines, which offer variable protection against the disease.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Public Health
Context:
- Influenza epidemics pose a substantial global health threat, affecting millions annually.
- Understanding influenza virus replication and maturation is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.
- Historical context of influenza outbreaks, including Asian (1957) and Hong Kong (1968) flu, highlights the disease's mortality.
Purpose:
- To review key aspects of influenza virus replication and maturation, including the roles of furin, M2 protein, and Mx1 protein.
- To provide an overview of the historical development and efficacy of inactivated influenza vaccines.
- To discuss advancements in vaccine production methods aimed at reducing reactogenicity and improving immunogenicity.
Summary:
- The abstract discusses the molecular mechanisms of influenza virus replication, focusing on enzymes like furin and proteins such as M2 and Mx1.
- It traces the history of inactivated influenza vaccines from their 1941 licensing to improvements in the 1960s and 1970s, including "split" and subunit vaccines.
- Vaccine efficacy has varied, with studies reporting protection rates between 25% and 76%.
Impact:
- Advances in understanding virus biology inform the design of next-generation influenza vaccines and antiviral therapies.
- The historical progression of vaccine technology demonstrates a continuous effort to enhance vaccine safety and effectiveness.
- Continued research is vital to address the evolving threat of influenza and reduce its global public health impact.