Statins lower "bad" cholesterol levels in the blood by blocking the liver's production of cholesterol. Statins may further protect the heart by regulating the immune system and reducing inflammation. Recent studies suggest that these effects also help patients with serious infectious diseases such as pneumonia and bacterial infection of the blood.
Because influenza is associated with inflammation and an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of statins might also help people with influenza, suggests David Fedson, MD, a retired former director of medical affairs for a major vaccine maker. If an influenza pandemic did occur, statins would have the added benefit of being immediately available, unlike influenza vaccines, which have to be manufactured after the virus strain is identified.
"It is important to recognize that the statins/influenza idea is only that--an idea," Dr. Fedson said. "It needs to be confirmed by rigorous scientific studies." Statins wouldn't replace vaccines, he added, because "unlike vaccines, they probably wouldn't prevent [influenza virus] infection itself." However, if research demonstrates that statins are beneficial, "their value would most likely be in preventing serious complications and death. In order to do this, they would probably have to be continued throughout the duration of the illness."
Besides being readily available, statins would be relatively inexpensive, particularly the generic varieties. "As generics, they are already being produced in several
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Contact: Steve Baragona
sbaragona@idsociety.org
703-299-0412
Infectious Diseases Society of America
13-Jun-2006