Tamiflu resistance reported in Australia
The first case of resistance to the antiviral Tamiflu (oseltamivir) from an influenza infection has been reported in Australia.

A 38-year West Australian man, who had previously received a kidney transplant, developed complications from the virus despite treatment with the antiviral, doctors treating him reported this week in the Medical Journal of Australia.

“After a 10-day course of oral oseltamivir for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza infection, a renal transplant recipient developed rapid-onset severe primary viral pneumonia due to oseltamivir-resistant virus,” the doctors wrote.

“Respiratory failure progressed despite high-dose oral oseltamivir, nebulised zanamivir (Relenza) and cessation of immunosuppressive medications, but his condition improved with intravenous zanamivir. He subsequently died of non-respiratory complications.

“This is the first case of oseltamivir-resistant pandemic (H1N1) 2009 in Australia and the first report of resistance in a solid organ transplant recipient.”

Tags | cessation, influenza, influenza infection, kidney transplant, medical journal of australia, medications, organ transplant, pandemic, pneumonia, relenza, resistant virus, respiratory complications, respiratory failure, tamiflu, tamiflu oseltamivir, viral pneumonia