Researchers from the University of St. Andrews, the University of Edinburgh, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital have published data demonstrating that a nasal spray designed to prevent the influenza virus from binding with receptors in the respiratory tract provided complete protection against flu in mice.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that all mice given a single 1-μg dose of a biologic 7 days prior to exposure to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus survived the challenge.
The biologics studied bind to sialic acid, which the authors say, is “the critical component of the influenza virus cell surface receptor.”
One of the study authors, Helen Connaris of the University of St Andrews, said, “We anticipate our novel preventative approach being used as a frontline defense against new pandemic strains before an effective vaccine is developed, but the approach could also be used routinely against seasonal strains to protect health and care workers.”
Read the article abstract.
Read the University of St. Andrews press release.
