Transfusions 'could target' bird flu pandemic
Could blood transfusions hold the key to tackling avian flu pandemic?
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Wednesday, 30, Aug 2006 12:42
Transfusions with blood products could be useful in treating victims of a bird flu pandemic, a new study suggests.
An analysis of Spanish flu cases in 1918-1920 found that people with Spanish influenza complicated by pneumonia had their risk of death reduced if they received blood transfusions from people who had recovered from the influenza.
Between 20 million and 100 million people were killed worldwide between 1918 and 1920 by Spanish flu. Both this type of flu and the avian H5N1 virus are subtypes of the influenza A virus.
US researchers analysed eight studies that evaluated the effects of therapy with serum or plasma. In six of the studies the mortality rate was lower in treated patients, and was statistically significant in three reports.
Only those who received the treatment early experienced the benefit of serum therapy.
Writing in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, Dr John Treanor of the University of Rochester said that although the study had a number of limitations, such as its small scale, it has important implications for the current situation in tackling the avian (H5N1) influenza virus.
"Although many logistical hurdles exist, controlled clinical studies done now will probably pay a considerable dividend when the pandemic begins," he wrote.
"We can, should, and must explore these issues about serotherapy now, in advance of the pandemic."
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that a bird flu pandemic is a serious threat; 241 cases of confirmed avian flu have been reported to the WHO, which have resulted in 141 deaths.