According to a study published in the journal Respiratory Research, virology experts from Hong Kong believe they have explained why the avian influenza virus often kills young, healthy individuals quickly: they trigger “storms” in the human immune system.
The paradox is that the healthier and younger a person is, the stronger the immune response, which can lead to severe imbalances with serious health consequences.
Scientist Michael Chan and his colleagues investigated the concentration levels of cytokines and chemokines in lung cells after being attacked by the H5N1 virus. The results showed that the density of these proteins was ten times higher compared to when affected by the common influenza virus (H1N1).
The researchers stated that this “overdose” in the defense system is what leads to fatalities. When the H5N1 virus attacks the human body, it causes cytokines and chemokines—messengers of the immune system—to become excessively active in coordinating this system’s activities. However, activating too many of these proteins results in an immune system imbalance.
TRẦN ĐỨC THÀNH (According to Science Daily)
