Government Announces Swine Flu Resistance to Anti-Viral Therapy

By Rachel Stockton

Government officials are reporting that two, immune system compromised patients developed mutations of the swine flu  virus after several days of taking the anti-viral medication Tamiflu.

The fact that the virus mutated is no big surprise; all along, researchers and clinicians have been concerned that the longer the swine flu remained in circulation, the more likely it was that more severe mutations would develop.

However, what makes these two instances unique is that the patients were receiving drug therapy for less than two weeks.

The journal Infectious Diseases is reporting on research conducted by Dr. Jeffery Taubenberger (and colleagues) of two patients who had weakened immune systems related to past blood stem cell transplants.

After contracting the flu, the patients were given Roche AG’s Tamiflu; one took the drug for 9 days, and the other took it for 14.  At that point, they both developed drug resistant strains of the virus. 

After 24 days on Tamiflu, one patient was then put on an experimental drug called peramavir; his condition continued to deteriorate.  Finally, the patient was given GlaxoSmithKline’s Relenza – he finally recovered.

What is worrisome to officials and researchers is the fact that these strains are developing quickly after beginning therapy.  The goal, these experts emphasize, is to try to come up with other anti-viral drugs that can serve as viable alternatives.  At this point, clinicians are being advised that anti-virals should not be used unless the situation is severe enough to warrant some kind of anti-viral therapy.

Although the flu season is coming to a close, some medical researchers are concerned that it will come back later this year with a more powerful punch. 

According to the CDC, the outbreak began in April of 2009; up until February of 2010, the agency is reporting that between 42 million and 86 million people came down with the illness.