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Biomedical subjects

Guus Rimmelzwaan

Publications and source records attributed to Guus Rimmelzwaan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Avian H5N1 influenza in cats.

During the 2003 to 2004 outbreak of avian influenza A (H5N1) virus in Asia, there were anecdotal reports of fatal infection in domestic cats, although this species is considered resistant to influenza. We experimentally inoculated cats with H5N1 virus intratracheally and by feeding them virus-infected chickens. The cats excreted virus, developed severe diffuse alveolar damage, and transmitted virus to sentinel cats. These results show that domestic cats are at risk of disease or death from H5N1 virus, can be infected by horizontal transmission, and may play a role in the epidemiology of this virus.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Emerging viral infections in a rapidly changing world.

Emerging viral infections in both humans and animals have been reported with increased frequency in recent years. Recent advances have been made in our knowledge of some of these, including severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus, influenza A virus, human metapneumovirus, West Nile virus and Ebola virus. Research efforts to mitigate their effects have concentrated on improved surveillance and diagnostic capabilities, as well as on the development of vaccines and antiviral agents. More attention needs to be given to the identification of the underlying causes for the emergence of infectious diseases, which are often related to anthropogenic social and environmental changes. Addressing these factors might help to decrease the rate of emergence of infectious diseases and allow the transition to a more sustainable society.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

DNA vaccination of ferrets with chimeric influenza A virus hemagglutinin (H3) genes.

Recently a technology was established based on homologous recombination that allowed the rapid generation of chimeric HA genes of influenza viruses, containing the antigenic determinants obtained from various influenza virus A (H3N2) viruses. In the present report plasmids were generated using a H3 HA vector handle and the hypervariable regions of two genetically distinct influenza A H3N2 viruses, A/Stockholm/7/97 and A/Netherlands/18/94. In a ferret model it was shown that immunisation with plasmid DNA encoding chimeric HA indeed elicited antibody responses specific for the virus from which the hypervariable region with the antigenic determinants were obtained. After DNA-immunisation of the ferrets, protective immunity against infection with influenza virus A/Netherlands/18/94 was evaluated.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Effect of a complete nutritional supplement on antibody response to influenza vaccine in elderly people.

BACKGROUND: The impact of influenza infection on morbidity and mortality in the elderly population can be severe. Influenza vaccination is not very effective in this age group, which is potentially related to impaired nutritional status. We investigated the effect of a 7-month nutritional supplementation on antibody response to influenza vaccine in elderly people. METHODS: Nineteen subjects aged 65 years and older with a body mass index of 25 kg/m(2) or less were studied. Subjects received a complete liquid nutrition supplement containing energy, vitamins, and minerals, including enhanced levels of antioxidants or noncaloric placebo drink for 7 months. Antibody titers to influenza strains A/Sydney/5/97 (SY), A/Beijing/262/95 (BE), and B/Yamanashi/166/98 (YA) before and 28 days after vaccination were measured. Age, gender, weight, height, serum albumin, serum prealbumin, hemoglobin, and serum vitamin E at baseline were registered. RESULTS: Mean fold increase upon vaccination for SY was significantly larger in the supplement group (2.76 +/- 0.66) compared to the placebo group (1.91 +/- 0.66). These differences were not observed for YA (1.73 +/- 0.31 vs 1.19 +/- 0.18) and BE (4.40 +/- 2.63 vs 5.76 +/- 3.34). For all three strains, there was no significant difference between groups in protective antibody levels (HI titer > or =40) after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that provision of a complete liquid nutrition supplement including enhanced levels of antioxidants may have a beneficial effect on antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly population. Further confirmation of these findings and their clinical consequences should be the subject of a larger study.

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