- The spray even combats drug resistant forms of the influenza virus
- It works by coating the respiratory tract with proteins that prevent the flu virus bonding with the sugar molecules that line it
- This protects the respiratory tract from becoming infected in the first place
16:52 EST, 14 April 2014
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16:53 EST, 14 April 2014
A new nasal spray could protect against all types of the flu virus
A new anti-flu nasal spray could help protect against all strains of the virus – including bird flu and swine flu.
Researchers say the spray combats new drug resistant strains of the flu virus by stopping them in the early stages.
Scientists believe their discovery could be used as a ‘frontline defence’ against the virus before an effective vaccine is developed.
The spray works by coating the respiratory tract with proteins that prevent the flu virus from bonding with sugar molecules that line it.
The flu virus is difficult to fight because it can ‘evolve’ and learn to protect itself against anti-flu drugs quickly.
However, experts believe that this new spray could solve the problem as it doesn’t target the virus, but instead protects the respiratory tract from infection.
Professor Garry Taylor, of the University of St Andrews in Scotland, said: ‘We have developed an alternative host-targeted approach to prevent influenza by synthesising novel proteins, or biologics, that are designed to mask specific sugar molecules that line the respiratory tract.
‘The influenza virus, and indeed other respiratory pathogens, needs to bind to these sugars to gain entry to our cells to start the infection process.’
Researchers tested the vaccine on mice and discovered that a single dose completely protects them from the lethal H1N1 virus, made famous by the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
The mice not only survived the virus but also developed antibodies suggesting that they are ‘vaccinated’ against any future exposure to the virus.
Dr Robert Webster, an influenza expert from the Rose Marie Thomas Chair of Virology at St Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Tennessee, said: ‘The work is very exciting and potentially of great importance in this era of emerging viruses like H7N9 that have pandemic potential.’
World Health Organisation data reveals that influenza claims up to 500,000 lives each year, leaving experts racing to find a vaccine that can fight all new strains of the virus.
It is hoped that the research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could lead to a new way of sidestepping new drug resistant forms of the virus.
The spray can even protect people against swine flu (pictured) and bird flu
Dr Helen Connaris, a senior research fellow at St Andrews, said: ‘We anticipate our novel preventative approach being used as a front line defence against new pandemic strains before an effective vaccine is developed, but the approach could be used routinely against seasonal strains to protect health and care workers.’
Professor Taylor added: ‘The recent Cochran study revealing the limited effectiveness of Tamiflu which has been stockpiled by several governments at vast expense shows how new approaches are required.
‘We believe that our approach has the potential to be used as a preventative against any current and new virus that emerges, such as H5N1, H7N9 and the very recent H10N8.
The spray works by stopping the virus taking hold in the respiratory tract
‘Given that several other respiratory pathogens use the same entry route for infection, then our approach has a potentially broader application.’
He added: ‘Our approach targets the host, the human, rather than the virus. The virus, when you breathe it in binds to sugar molecules that cling to our respiratory tract.
‘What we’ve developed are some proteins that bind them very tightly so you would maybe take an inhaler or nasal spray that could protect you from the virus. It’s a sort of masking effect.’
He added: ‘Often drug resistance means that current treatment is ineffective, the virus becomes immune to the drug.
‘For example, say a new pandemic appeared. Then we have no immunity to that so what will happen is that researchers will try to produce a new vaccine.
‘But that can take months to develop, and also it’s difficult to make enough. And vaccines themselves are not always effective.
‘Anything that targets the virus is always in danger of the virus becoming resistant.
‘Our treatment could be taken in advance and give protection against the new virus.
‘It may be something that you take daily as a nasal spray during flu season, but it could also be taken as an inhaler.
‘It’s an innovative form of treatment and we hope to find funding for our next stage of research.’
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Comments (19)
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Michael,
Houston, United States,
36 minutes ago
You can get a can of “great stuff†from Home Depot store and it will do the same thing if sprayed up the nose.
Paul O Sullivan,
kemi, Finland,
7 hours ago
Works until the virus mutates .
James00,
Norwich,
8 hours ago
Complete and utter nonsense. But I would be willing to read the clinical trials and to research who was leading the trials. Let me guess pro product “scientistsâ€.
Halo,
longview, United States,
9 hours ago
If you read between the lines you will see the words, Feed the Pig!
Mags,
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom,
11 hours ago
No thanks.I’ll take my chances
wendyM,
glasgow, United Kingdom,
12 hours ago
COULD .
Dave,
Somewhere, United Kingdom,
13 hours ago
Hasn’t this concept been around for a while? I take vicks first defence which does the same thing and it actually works quite well.
Senor Solo,
Blackpool,
11 hours ago
the,
Sheila,
13 hours ago
SEA SALT WATER.
the,
Sheila,
13 hours ago
No thanks. I’ll just use a salt water rinse.
CALrabbit,
CA, US,
14 hours ago
Coating the respiratory tract… What could possibly go wrong?
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