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Cancer Research UK scientists have discovered a gene which prevents cells with faulty DNA passing on cancer-causing mistakes to new cells, according to a study published in Nature Cell Biology.

Scientists from Queen Mary, University of London have discovered how changes to a frog's immune system may be the key to beating a viral infection which is devastating frog populations across the UK.

Communities of common frogs (Rana temporaria) are being struck down by a foreign virus which is estimated to be killing tens of thousands of frogs in the UK each year. When it strikes garden ponds, the surrounding lawn becomes strewn with dead frogs, some with skin ulcers so severe they reduce limbs to stumps, others with internal bleeding. The virus, called Ranavirus, has invaded the home counties around London, and is now spreading north and west.

Writing in the journal PLoS One, Dr Amber Teacher describes how the frogs' immune system has responded to the virus. Working with her fellow scientists at Queen Mary, University of London and experts at the Institute of Zoology, she studied ponds where Ranavirus deaths are occurring year after year, and consistently found changes to a gene called the MHC, which codes for a major part of the frog's immune system.

Dr Teacher explains: "It seems, as Darwin would have predicted, that the plucky surviving frogs have passed on to their descendants an immune system which is better tuned to the new threat."

Teacher also found that the frogs' immune systems are simpler than many other animals, including humans, who have several MHC genes doing a similar job. She adds: "This discovery has helped identify the point in our evolutionary history when this multiplication of genes occurred. With luck, even the frog's simpler system will be sufficient to win their battle".

Labels: frogs, Immune System, virus

The most commonly used vaccine, often called the "flu shot," is a killed virus vaccine that can be given to individuals ranging from 6 months to senior citizens. This inactivated vaccine can be used by everyone except individuals who have had an allergic reaction to eggs.

Last year they chose strains for the shot which ended up not helping many people fight the virus. This meant a lot of people who got the shot also ended up getting the flu; not good.

Another vaccine is a live attenuated influenza virus vaccine that is administered by droplets given into the nose (FluMist). Attenuation means that the virus has been weakened so that it does not cause illness in normal healthy people.

FluMist is approved for individuals ranging from 2 years to 65. Administration does not require any injections, a clear advantage for those who particularly dislike needles. Studies comparing the efficacy of the two types of vaccine suggest that the live attenuated vaccine may provide a slight advantage in generating an effective immune response. However, as a live virus, this vaccine has some theoretical risk for patients with defective immunity and it is the general recommendation that patients with primary immunodeficiency do not use this form of influenza vaccine. Which means that my son would not be able to get this form of the vaccine, as he has an IgA deficiency.

What can people do if they don't want to deal with the vaccine? Well, first of all you should still strongly consider getting the vaccine because it can be extremely helpful. But if you would rather not than there are still other options.

There are now anti-viral drugs which can lower the severity of influenza in exposed individuals if given early enough following exposure. Tamiflu should be considered by anyone who has had a close exposure to someone with influenza. Some experts recommend taking this drug for a few weeks during the peak of the local influenza season.

Last but not least, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots for all women who will be pregnant during influenza season. In North America, peak flu season is usually November to March.

And therefore when Brae gets his shot I'll be scheduling myself for one. =o)

Labels: influenza, virus