The Translational Genomics Research Institute and Northern Arizona University have been awarded a patent for a test that can detect\u2014and assist in the treatment of\u2014the H1N1 pandemic flu strain.<\/p>\n
TGen and NAU initially developed this precise, genomics-based test during the global swine flu outbreak in 2009.<\/p>\n
The test, developed at TGen’s Pathogen Genomics Division in Flagstaff, not only detects influenza\u2014as some tests do now\u2014but also quickly informs doctors about what strain of flu it is and whether it is resistant to oseltamivir, the primary anti-viral drug on the market to treat H1N1. Oseltamivir is sold by Roche under the brand name Tamiflu.<\/p>\n
As with other influenza strains, H1N1 flu can over time be expected to show signs of resistance to oseltamivir, and new treatments will be needed to respond to future pandemics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem with influenza is that it can become resistant to the antiviral drugs that are out there,\u201d said Paul Keim<\/strong>, director of TGen North, and NAU Regents professor of biology and one of the test\u2019s inventors. \u201cBecause it is a virus, it easily mutates and becomes resistant.\u201d<\/p>\n David Engelthaler, director of Programs and Operations for TGen North and another of the test\u2019s inventors, said this flu detection and susceptibility test uses a molecular technique that rapidly makes exact copies of specific components of H1N1’s genetic material.<\/p>\n \u201cMany people, including physicians, don\u2019t realize that the pandemic swine flu strain from 2009 is still the most important flu strain out there. This assay is very effective with detecting and characterizing this dominant strain in the U.S. and around the world,\u201d said Engelthaler, the former Epidemiologist for Arizona, and former Arizona biodefense coordinator.<\/p>\n The third inventor of the test is Elizabeth Driebe, TGen North lab manager.<\/p>\n Previously, only the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention and a few select labs could look for resistance, using time-intensive technology.<\/p>\n \u201cThis new test puts the power in the hands of the clinician to determine if their drugs will work or not. This is really important moving forward as we discover new strains that are resistant to antivirals,\u201d Engelthaler said.<\/p>\n The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified dozens of instances in which H1N1 was resistant to Tamiflu.<\/p>\n At most doctors’ offices, there is no readily available test for H1N1. Such tests generally are conducted by state and federal health agencies, and usually for those patients who require hospitalization and appear at high risk because they have a suppressed immune system or they have a chronic disease.<\/p>\n \u201cOur test measures minute amounts of virus and minute changes to the virus. Not only does it detect when resistance is occurring, but it also detects it at the earliest onset possible,\u201d Engelthaler said.<\/p>\n This new patent \u2014 No. US 8,808,993 B2, issued Aug. 19 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office \u2014 could be licensed for development of test kits or for development of a testing service.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, TGen-NAU celebrated its first joint patent for a genomics-based test that can identify most of the world\u2019s fungal infections that threaten human health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"