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- Scientists have discovered immune cells that can fight against all types of influenza viruses.
- Depending on the patient's immune system, a single shot may cover a person for 10 years or potentially life.
- This breakthrough could save thousands of people around the world.
With the recent emergence of a new technology in a study published in Nature, a new method looks promising to become a solution for a timely influenza vaccine. Led by Professor Katherine Kedzierska at the University of Melbourne, the researchers discovered a set of immune cells capable of fighting all forms of the flu virus.
These "killer cells" can target Influenza A, B and C strains.
What is the breakthrough with this vaccine?
Researchers have identified parts of the virus that have not changed in the last century. It is an innovative and exciting approach to creating a unique and complete vaccine. The team began by badyzing parts of the flu virus that were common in every influenza strain. The goal was to determine which section would be the best target for a universal vaccine.
Professor Kedzierska said:
"It was really like finding a needle in a haystack.We started with 67,000 viral sequences and reduced it to three sequences that killer T cells can recognize."
Kedzierska says that, although this is a major step forward, the universal vaccine would only be effective for half of the world's population, because of the diversity of DNA, as in those who have killer T cells and those who have a different gene. together.
"Now we are working with similar advanced technology: we are looking for similar killer T cells for the rest of the world's population so we can protect everyone."
When we are infected with an influenza virus, our cells dissect it and spread a protein called HLA to the parts of our affected cells. By using our common immune defense system against a universal aspect of the influenza virus, we should be able to be totally immune to all future mutations of the flu.
How are flu vaccines currently working?
Flu virus
Influenza vaccines create antibodies developed in the body about two weeks after vaccination. Once the antibodies are effective, we are protected by the viruses in the vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccines protect against the most common and sought-after common flu that year for the coming season.
The killer immune cells of our body will maintain a memorized immunity against an infection to which we have already been exposed.
The problem is that there are new strains of influenza every year. That's why we continue to get sick and some people die from the virus. The virus is constantly changing to thwart our immune system, which means that new vaccines need to be created every year.
How many people died of influenza last year?
The CDC reports that during the 2017-2018 influenza season, a predominant mix of influenza A and influenza B viruses circulated around March 2018. The season had an unusually high rate of hospitalization and higher proportions of pneumonia and influenza. deaths related to influenza. .
- An estimated 79,400 deaths from influenza last year.
- 959,000 hospitalizations
- 22.7 million go to a health care provider.
- Higher since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, when 60 million people were sick.
Influenza can be a nuisance or a fatal event. It is good to know that we are making progress on this virus and that it is very likely that one day we will throw it into the trash of old deadly diseases.
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