Laninamivir octanoate for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza in household contacts: a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial

AbstractLaninamivir octanoate, a long-acting neuraminidase inhibitor, is an effective treatment for influenza. However, its effectiveness for the prevention of influenza has not yet been demonstrated. We conducted a double-blind, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether laninamivir octanoate was superior to a placebo for post-exposure prophylaxis of influenza in household contacts. Eligible participants, who were household members who did not have influenza and were in contact with an influenza-infected index patient, were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three groups: 20mg of laninamivir octanoate once daily for 2 days (LO-2), 20mg of laninamivir octanoate once daily for 3 days (LO-3), or a placebo. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants who developed clinical influenza during a 10-day period. A total of 1711 participants were enrolled, and 1451 participants were included in the primary analysis. The proportion of participants with clinical influenza was 3.9 % (19/487) in the LO-2 group, 3.7 % (18/486) in the LO-3 group, and 16.9 % (81/478) in the placebo group (P<0.001 for each of the laninamivir octanoate group). The relative risk reductions, compared with the placebo group, were 77.0 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 62.7–85.8] and 78.1 % (95 % CI 64.1–86.7 %) for the LO-2 and LO-3 groups, respectively. The incidences of adverse events in the laninamivir octanoate groups were similar to that in the placebo group. The inhalation of 20mg of laninamivir octanoate once daily for 2 or 3 days was well tolerated and effectively prevented the development of influenza in household contacts

Protection from avian influenza H5N1 virus infection with antibody-impregnated filters

There is worldwide concern over the possibility of a new influenza pandemic originating from the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza viruses. We herein demonstrate that functional air filters impregnated with ostrich antibodies against the hemagglutinin of the H5N1 virus protect chickens from death by H5N1 transmission. These results suggest that the use of ostrich antibody-impregnated filters might be a powerful way to prevent the transmission of H5N1