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Sugar protein explains why swine flu is not able to spread effectively
03 Jul 2009
A new genetic explanation has been discovered which reveals why the swine flu virus has been spreading less effectively between person to person.
Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, US, discovered that the H1N1 virus has a type of sugar protein that inefficiently attaches itself to receptors in the respiratory tract.
Study lead author Professor Ram Sasisekharan explained that, while the virus can bind to human receptors, "it clearly appears to be restricted".
"We need to pay careful attention to the evolution of this virus," he said.
This helps to explain why it has not spread to the extent that was initially feared, with seasonal flu being able to spread far more rapidly by way of comparison.
Professor Sasisekharan warned however that fly viruses are known for their ability to mutate quickly, which could mean that it evolves to improve its binding affinity.
According to the World Health Organization, over 70,000 people around the world have been infected with the swine flu virus.
The H1N1 virus was first isolated from a pig in 1930.
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