Passive Broad-Spectrum Influenza Immunoprophylaxis

Influenza is a perennial problem affecting millions of people annually with the everpresent threat of devastating pandemics. Active prophylaxis by vaccination against influenza virus is currently the main countermeasure supplemented with antivirals. However, disadvantages of this strategy include th...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Influenza Research and Treatment 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.2-10
Main Authors: Berry, Cassandra M., Penhale, William J., Sangster, Mark Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Avian flu
Causes of
Development and progression
Drug resistance
Fatalities
Immunization
Immunoglobulins
Immunology
Infections
Influenza
Influenza vaccines
Investigations
Mortality
Pandemics
Physiological aspects
Prevention
Review
Swine flu
Vaccines
Viruses
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Influenza is a perennial problem affecting millions of people annually with the everpresent threat of devastating pandemics. Active prophylaxis by vaccination against influenza virus is currently the main countermeasure supplemented with antivirals. However, disadvantages of this strategy include the impact of antigenic drift, necessitating constant updating of vaccine strain composition, and emerging antiviral drug resistance. The development of other options for influenza prophylaxis, particularly with broad acting agents able to provide protection in the period between the onset of a pandemic and the development of a strain specific vaccine, is of great interest. Exploitation of broad-spectrum mediators could provide barricade protection in the early critical phase of influenza virus outbreaks. Passive immunity has the potential to provide immediate antiviral effects, inhibiting virus replication, reducing virus shedding, and thereby protecting vulnerable populations in the event of an impending influenza pandemic. Here, we review passive broad-spectrum influenza prophylaxis options with a focus on harnessing natural host defenses, including interferons and antibodies.
ISSN:2090-1380
2090-1399
DOI:10.1155/2014/267594