proMED report bucks "human/avian/swine" theory behind Mexican flu
Scott McPherson
in Politics and government, influenza and infectious diseases
|
9 Comments
One reason why I am an information technology professional is that I could not "do biology." Sure, I could dissect frogs with the best of them, but I just was not emotionally equipped to be a biologist.
Same thing with astronomy: When I found out you had to actually do math to be an astronomer, I was so disappointed.
Nonetheless, over the past three years, I have tried to stay in the same room with biologists and geneticists who unravel the mysteries of cleavage points (and I tell you I have an entirely different definition of that!), genetic sequencing and etc.
That is one big reason why I appreciate the reports that come out of Harvard's proMED email updates. And one today casts a big shadow over the data we have been fed regarding the genetic background of Mexican Swine Flu.
Who here can remember who originally said this thing was an avian/human/swine hybrid? According to Dr. Raul Rabadan of Columbia University, that information is wrong wrong WRONG. I quote from his proMED report:
The preliminary analysis using all the sequences in public databases
(NCBI) suggests that all segments are of swine origin. NA and MP seem related to Asian/European swine and the rest to North American swine
(H1N2 and H3N2 swine viruses isolated since 1998). There is also interesting substratification between these groups, suggesting a multiple reassortment.
We are puzzled about sources of information that affirm that the virus is a reassortment of avian, human and swine viruses. It is true that the H3N2 swine virus from 1998 and 1999 is a triple reassortant, but all the related isolates are found since then in swine.
All-RIGHTY then! A scientific dust-up! FIGHT! FIGHT! It does beg the question of what this virus is, and how did apparently erroneous content get pushed out to the general public as gospel?
My recollection was that the source was attributed to be the CDC. Maybe the WHO. What this also tells me is that this virus is even more novel than novel. A novel virus with human genes, depending on which gene segment they are located, also tells us if there is any shred of hope that humanity might have an immunity to this virus. For example, some human genes on the hemagglutinin strand HA would give us some hope that some humans would be immune to the virus' cleavage point (God how I love to say "cleavage point" and not get slapped in the face for it!).
Anyway, I got sidetracked. Sorry. Back to the virus: NA represents neuraminidase, the "escape artist" that allows the virus' clones to escape the hijacked cell. MP refers to the surface protein that holds the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase spikes.
There had to be a genetic change that allowed for this virus to stop infecting pigs and start infecting humans big time. I don't think anyone has found it yet. But I sense that when they do, they will have unlocked quite a mystery whose dividends will be felt long after this virus has gone away.
Reader Comments (9)
what do you think of dr. rabadan's assertion?
Scott, I don't see a better place on your site to ask this question, so here goes: With national conscience at a heightened state of alert due to this flu flap, don't you find the Presidential Fly-over in New York is curiously timed? Moreover, don't for a second think that this fiasco in New York happened without the approval of this president. No one in Washington burps without the approval of the Messiah. The question in my mind is why did it happen now?
The source was attributed to the CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2009/t090423.htm
Scott, one other thing. Unless I am mistaken, Air Force One is suppose to be on the ground at all times unless there is a national emergency or the President is using the plane as transportation for official purposes. Are we to believe that the President of the United States' plane was taken for a joy ride and he did not know it? Just what in the hell is going on here? I feel like I am taking crazy pills. This is Air Force One we are talking about. The President is lying through his teeth. This whole thing stinks. How on earth are we supposed to believe what the government is telling us about this outbreak when the President doesn't even know who is flying his plane and when?
OH, and one last observation. I have heard some folks try to just blow this Air Force One flap off as, "Oh, this is just something they do from time to time." Oh really?
Since when does our government spend upwards of a few hundred thousand dollars just to buzz ground-zero of the worst-ever military attack on this country (on a Monday morning no less), just for a photo-op? In the middle of a national emergency when our country is facing the worst recession in over 70 years? Does this make sense to anyone? Ever heard of Adobe Photoshop Mr. President? But no, lets scare the hell out of the people in New York. That makes MUCH more sense than using Adobe Photoshop. Something is very wrong.
Hi Timothy,
Not to be rude, but could we focus more on the current influenza outbreak in the comments section? More appropriate forums for your question would be, for example, http://tinyurl.com/dbjhye> (NYT), http://tinyurl.com/dzpwt6 (WSJ), or http://tinyurl.com/dncsye
Thanks.
Thanks for the suggesting Mr. Helper.
For the record, Mr. Helper, I think you are right. We should just focus on the flu outbreak and nothing else. But, just out of curiosity, how do we know the two incidents are not connected?
All,
I would prefer we focus on the issues at hand, namely swine flu (no, I will NOT call it "H1N1" as Napolitano wants us to call it).
Let's just talk about the flu. Let's respecct differences of opinion and save political talk for later.
That having been said: that flyover was dumb dumb dumb.
Back to flu: I am inclined to listen intently to this genetic debate and we will see.