by Kathleen M. Holtz, PhD, D. Karl Anderson, PhD, and Manon M.J. Cox
Volume 2, Issue 5 (September/October 2003)
Influenza is a highly contagious, acute viral respiratory disease that occurs seasonally in most parts of the world. The infection resides primarily in the respiratory tract (nose, throat and bronchi), but causes both local and systemic symptoms including fever, chills, cough, headache, myalgia, sore throat, and malaise. Influenza-related pneumonia is the main complication of infection. Annual epidemics cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Each year, influenza infections result in an average of 110,000 hospitalizations, approximately 20,000 of which result in death. These deaths are heavily concentrated (>90%) among persons who are at highest risk for influenza-related complications — elderly adults (over 65), children under age five, patients with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular disease, and women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Thus, the prevention of influenza virus infection is a major public health priority…
Citation:
Holtz KM, Anderson DK, Cox MMJ. Production of a Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Using the Baculovirus Expression Vector System. BioProcess J, 2003; 2(5): 65-73.