Antiviral resistance and the control of pandemic influenza.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The response to the next influenza pandemic will likely include extensive use of antiviral drugs (mainly oseltamivir), combined with other transmission-reducing measures. Animal and in vitro studies suggest that some strains of influenza may become resistant to oseltamivir while maintaining infectiousness (fitness). Use of antiviral agents on the scale anticipated for the control of pandemic influenza will create an unprecedented selective pressure for the emergence and spread of these strains. Nonetheless, antiviral resistance has received little attention when evaluating these plans.

Methods and findings

We designed and analyzed a deterministic compartmental model of the transmission of oseltamivir-sensitive and -resistant influenza infections during a pandemic.

SUBMITTER: Lipsitch M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1779817 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature