Since Agrastim® is a NON-SPECIFIC “immuno-modulator”, it stimulates the immune system’s disease destroying cells, resulting in increased resistance to invading viruses as well as bacteria.

There have been no published studies showing the effectiveness of Agrastim® against the H5N1 virus. We do know that Agrastim® has been shown to increase disease resistance and to measurably increase the antibody response (as titers) to vaccines.

Given the high risk related to any work with the virulent H5N1 virus, I doubt H5N1 trials will be forthcoming any time soon. It is way too risky. It is more likely that we will see a virus trial with a serious poultry disease, such as Newcastle Disease Virus or "Runting and Stunting Syndrome", that is less likely to mutate and transfer to humans.

Regardless, the immuno-modulation function of Agrastim® is likely to increase viral resistance. The macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer cells that make up the innate immune system, do not differentiate between bacterial and viral invasion. The results with bacterial infections are well documented.

Regards,

-z