Infectious disorders drug targets
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Infect Disord Drug Targets · Feb 2013
ReviewEmergence of oseltamivir resistance: control and management of influenza before, during and after the pandemic.
Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs), such as oseltamivir and zanamivir, are the medicines of choice against influenza A or B. Oseltamivir resistance can be conferred by a single point missense mutation from histidine to tyrosine at position 275 (H275Y) of the neuraminidase gene. Oseltamivir resistance in seasonal influenza A/H1N1 strains rose markedly during the 2007-2008 season. ⋯ These OsR strains retain virulence, replicative fitness and transmissibility from person to person, with outbreaks reported. Treatment options in those at risk of severe or complicated disease are limited to zanamivir which is only licenced in those over the age of 5 years; of further concern, strains demonstrating low level resistance to both oseltamivir and zanamivir have been reported. Strategies to reduce emergence of resistant strains, such as higher dose oseltamivir regimens, need further examination.