Journal of clinical virology : the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology
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Pandemic 2009 influenza A/H1N1 (H1N1v) is resistant to adamantanes, leaving neuraminidase inhibitors as the only therapeutic option. Other mutations are considered to be associated with virulence and clinical severity. However, out of the surveillance programs, few studies analyze the presence of resistance/virulent H1N1v variants in certain clinical circumstances. ⋯ NAI-resistance mutations were detected, at rather different paces, in non-severe immunosuppressed cases with persistent infection by influenza A/H1N1v.
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Human CoV-HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1) has been isolated from a 71-year-old man with pneumonia; however, the impact and role of emerging HCoV-HKU1 have not been defined in children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). ⋯ HCoV-HKU1 is an uncommon virus existing among Chinese children with ARTI. Children with underlying diseases are more vulnerable to viral infection. Only HCoV-HKU1 genotype B circulated locally.
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Impairment of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-specific cell-mediated immunity, including impairment due to immunosenescence, is associated with an increased risk of developing herpes zoster (HZ), whereas levels of anti-VZV antibodies do not correlate with HZ risk. This crucial role of VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity suggests that boosting these responses by vaccination will be an effective strategy for reducing the burden of HZ. Other strategies focus on preventing the major complication of HZ--post-herpetic neuralgia. These strategies include pre-emptive treatment with drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants and analgesics.