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H7N9 mutation could reduce vaccine effectiveness - study
H7N9 viruses are currently circulating in poultry populations in China and have so far caused more than 1,600 human cases.
Scientists shed new light on H7N9 viruses in China 

Pirbright scientists have identified a mutation in the H7N9 avian influenza virus that could allow it to escape immune system defences, reducing the effectiveness of vaccines.

H7N9 viruses are currently circulating in poultry populations in China and have so far caused more than 1,600 human cases - over 600 of which have been fatal.

Research published in the Journal of Virology shows that small genetic differences in the virus surface proteins can stop antibodies that protect against a low pathogenic form of the virus from binding to a more virulent form.

This protein, called haemagglutinin, enables the first stage of infection, where the virus attaches to cells and initiates entry into them. Antibodies that bind to the haemagglutinin prevent this process, thereby protecting against infection.

Professor Munir Iqbal, head of the avian influenza group at Pirbright, said: “We discovered that a single amino acid substitution on the H7N9 haemagglutinin, changes its structure enough to reduce antibody binding levels between the two pathotypes.

“This suggests that a single vaccine might not be able to protect against both low and high pathogenicity H7N9 viruses if they carry different amino acid residues at the identified site, stressing the importance of continually monitoring outbreak strains for genetic changes in this region.”

The research team also found that antibodies produced against the high pathogenicity virus showed strong cross-reactivity to both the high and low pathogenicity viruses, compared to those produced against the low pathogenicity virus.

Scientists said this suggests vaccines developed from high pathogenicity strains may be better vaccine candidates for protecting poultry and humans in China. Further research is needed to understand the effect of genetic variations at the site researchers identified in the haemagglutinin.

 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.