NYMC Student Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

4-1-2019

Document Type

Master's Thesis - Restricted (NYMC/Touro only) Access

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Microbiology and Immunology

First Advisor

Dr. Doris Bucher

Second Advisor

Dr. Mary Petzke

Third Advisor

Dr. Rudra Seedarnee

Abstract

Influenza viruses are highly infectious respiratory pathogens which cause influenza disease, led by influenza viruses type A (IAV) and to a lesser extent influenza B virus, influenza C virus and influenza D virus (which only infects cows). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IAV causes 25-30 million cases of influenza per year in the USA. Morbidity and mortality can be decreased by vaccination with seasonal influenza vaccines which include the influenza inactivated vaccine that contains either three (2 IAV and 1 IBV) or four (2 IAV and 2 IBV) components that match the circulating seasonal influenza viruses. Another FDAapproved influenza virus vaccine is the recombinant HA vaccine, FluBlok. Antivirals are another method to control influenza virus; there are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs recommended by the CDC to treat flu this season include oseltamivir phosphate, zanamivir, peramivir, and baloxavir marboxil. Along with vaccination and antivirals, rapid and accurate diagnosis of influenza viruses is essential to control the spread of influenza infection. Although there are many diagnostic tests available to detect either seasonal or zoonotic IAV, there is no diagnostic test immune-based that can detect all influenza types and strains including both the seasonal and zoonotic. Therefore, a better diagnostic test is needed.

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