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Editor, Senior Moderator
LUCKNOW: "It's nasty...'' is how Prof Amita Jain, of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University describes the H1N1 virus. And why does she refer to the virus like this? "It alters its form rapidly. In fact it is changing all the time (technically known as antigenic drift),'' she reasons.
To note, eight genes come together to form a virus. The pattern in which the genes are placed decides the type and nature of the virus. The genetic overlay is also responsible for the characteristics a virus bears. For instance, genetic pattern termed `A' may give it a preference for animals, the `B' model may make it inclined towards pigs while the `C' type may mean danger for humans.
But, essentially preference among viruses does not change. This inherent trait may help in spelling whether the virus is a threat for humans or not. And if it is a threat to humans then how big the threat is. In short, things are straight. What makes H1N1 virus different is that its preferences vary. First it was pigs and now it is both.
On how much time the swine flu virus takes to mutate, Prof Jain said, "the virus maintains a single form for about a year.'' She added, "this means that the vaccines would cover one against swine flu for a period of one year. Thus, there is a need to study the virus constantly and alert everyone.''
The microbiologist community is aware of the need to study the swine flu virus and studies are underway across the globe. In Lucknow, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, which is the nodal centre for swine flu testing in UP, also has plans to initiate research on the issue.
When asked to comment, head, Prof TN Dhole said, "yes... there is need to study the virus and find out if the conditions in UP were triggering off the transformation in the virus. Presently, there is no study as such but we are working on a plan.''
Read more: Docs advise constant watch on virus - Lucknow - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...n-virus/articleshow/6327655.cms#ixzz0wvnNsDU9
To note, eight genes come together to form a virus. The pattern in which the genes are placed decides the type and nature of the virus. The genetic overlay is also responsible for the characteristics a virus bears. For instance, genetic pattern termed `A' may give it a preference for animals, the `B' model may make it inclined towards pigs while the `C' type may mean danger for humans.
But, essentially preference among viruses does not change. This inherent trait may help in spelling whether the virus is a threat for humans or not. And if it is a threat to humans then how big the threat is. In short, things are straight. What makes H1N1 virus different is that its preferences vary. First it was pigs and now it is both.
On how much time the swine flu virus takes to mutate, Prof Jain said, "the virus maintains a single form for about a year.'' She added, "this means that the vaccines would cover one against swine flu for a period of one year. Thus, there is a need to study the virus constantly and alert everyone.''
The microbiologist community is aware of the need to study the swine flu virus and studies are underway across the globe. In Lucknow, Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, which is the nodal centre for swine flu testing in UP, also has plans to initiate research on the issue.
When asked to comment, head, Prof TN Dhole said, "yes... there is need to study the virus and find out if the conditions in UP were triggering off the transformation in the virus. Presently, there is no study as such but we are working on a plan.''
Read more: Docs advise constant watch on virus - Lucknow - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...n-virus/articleshow/6327655.cms#ixzz0wvnNsDU9