# 3460
UPDATED: See Bottom
With three confirmed cases of Tamiflu resistant novel H1N1 (out of about 1,000 samples tested worldwide), scientists around the world have been asked to take a closer look anytime a case suggests antiviral resistance.
Apparently, in Vietnam, they have a couple of them, although exactly why they are suspected isn’t stated in this article.
Tamiflu resistance is usually caused by a mutation, known as H274Y, where a single amino acid substitution (histidine (H) to tyrosine (Y)) occurs at the neuraminidase position 274.
In the space of about a year, the seasonal H1N1 virus went from being almost universally sensitive to the antiviral drug to about 100% resistant. There are fears that the same thing could happen with the pandemic strain of H1N1, thus removing an important drug from our limited arsenal of treatment options.
We also don’t know at this time whether these two suspected cases actually received Tamiflu – which is a crucial detail. (SEE UPDATE)
Obviously we will have to await better information on these two cases. For now, this news article offers scant detail – and so I’m not placing a lot of stock in this report until we can learn more.
But for what it’s worth, here is the article in Thanh Nien News. A hat tip to Magdelaine on the Flu Wiki for this link.
Last Updated: Thursday, July 9, 2009 10:18:28 Vietnam (GMT+07)
Two patients suspected of having antiviral resistant H1N1 strain
Officials from the Tan Binh District Preventive Health Agency in HCMC instruct a local resident (C) on preventive measures to guard against influenza A (H1N1)
The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology is studying the genes of H1N1 virus from two patients following suspicion about its resistance to the antiviral drug oseltamivir or Tamilflu.
The two patients were among the 19 people admitted to the institute so far, Director Nguyen Van Kinh said Wednesday. Three of these cases were locally transmitted, he added.
The Health Ministry reported Wednesday 11 new influenza A (H1N1) patients – seven in the south, one in the central and three in the northern region, raising the country’s tally to 259.
Of these, 186 patients have been discharged from hospitals after full recovery.
The ministry also said they are closely monitoring treatment-resistance among the virus.
Reported by Thanh Nien staff
UPDATED: 0744 Hrs EDT
Commonground of Pandemic Information News has an update from Vietnam Bridge, which states the reason why tamiflu resistance is suspected (not confirmed) in two patients.
Dr. Nguyen Van Kinh, director of the National Institute for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, said that only four of 19 A/H1N1 cases in the north were still being treated at the hospital.
However, two of them, who returned from Australia, showed some signs of Tamiflu resistance. They were treated by Tamiflu for seven days but test results were positive for H1N1 though clinical symptoms disappeared after three days of treatment.
