Human Interferon Kills Resistant H7N9 Influenza

During the April 2013 avian influenza A (H7N9) outbreak, more than 130 human infections with H7N9 were reported. Most patients had severe respiratory illness and 44 people have died. Studies suggest that the H7N9 virus has developed resistance to oseltamivir. A human interferon already in use for treatment of genital warts, alpha-n3, has been found to be active against the virus, even the oseltamivir-resistant isolate. Participants discuss these findings and implications.

Host:
Michael Schmidt, Medical Univ. of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Guest:
William M. Mitchell, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN