Emergence and apparent transmission of rimantadine-resistant influenza A virus in families
Article Abstract:
The drug rimantadine has been used experimentally to treat and prevent infections with influenza A virus. When the drug is given to subjects for six to eight weeks during the seasons when flus are prevalent, 70 to 90 percent fewer flu cases occur. A trial was conducted to see if rimantadine prevented individuals who had been exposed to the virus yet did not show symptoms from developing the disease. Such intervention could prevent outbreaks in households or communities. Of the 28 families in the study who had been exposed to the virus and treated with rimantadine, 10 of the families had one or more members that developed symptoms of the flu. The same number of families had members who developed the flu, without being treated with the drug. Five of the 28 families developed asymptomatic secondary influenza A infections regardless of whether they were given the drug. Thus, rimantadine is ineffective in preventing the development of the flu following exposure. Furthermore, viruses that are resistant to rimantadine have been isolated from individuals who have been treated with rimantadine. Patients who have been treated with rimantadine should be isolated to prevent the spread of these drug-resistant strains. The use of rimantadine needs further study but should be limited.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1989
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The efficacy of live attenuated, cold-adapted, trivalent, intranasal influenzavirus vaccine in children
Article Abstract:
A live but attenuated influenza virus vaccine appears to be effective in children. Researchers tested the vaccine against a placebo in 288 children who received on dose and 1,314 children who received two doses 60 days apart. All doses were administered intranasally. The vaccine contained the same viral strains as are in the regular inactivated influenza vaccine. The vaccine was 93% effective in preventing influenza and was active against viral strains that were most common during the 1996-97 flu season.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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Serum antibody responses after intradermal vaccination against influenza
Article Abstract:
Details about an open-label study are presented where 119 subjects were randomly assigned to receive an intradermal injection of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, containing 6 microgram of hemagglutinin for each antigen, and 119 to receive an intramuscular injection of the standard dose of 15 microgram of hemagglutinin for each antigen. Results of the study are presented in detail.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2004
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