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May 8, 2014

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Protein link offers bird flu breakthrough

Source: Xinhua | May 8, 2014, Thursday | Print Edition

A HUMAN blood protein has been found to be associated with the H7N9 bird flu fatality rate, according to a study by Chinese medical scientists.

The study, published by “Nature Communications” yesterday, showed that blood plasma levels of angiotensin II are higher in H7N9 patients and could be used to predict their physical deterioration.

Angiotensin II is a human protein contained in plasma, the vascular wall, heart and kidney to regulate blood pressure. It is linked to acute lung injury.

H7N9 patients with higher levels of angiotensin II carry more viral load, said Li Lanjuan, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a specialist in H7N9 prevention.

“It is particularly obvious in the second week of human infection. The angiotensin II level of patients in a critical condition keeps going up, while that of mild cases tends to drop,” Li said.

Li added the new finding could help in clinical practice. Doctors could adopt more effective and reliable treatment measures for patients with different conditions.

The study of plasma from 47 H7N9 patients was led by researchers of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

H7N9 was first reported in China in March 2013, with more than 200 cases since confirmed.

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