Researchers have developed a vapor delivery system for a sialic acid-coated nanoparticle that is intended to prevent the influenza A virus from binding to sialic acid on patients’ cell surfaces. In a study involving immunocompromised mice, the treatment reduced mortality from 100% down to 25% over the 14-day study period.

References:

Martialay ML. Nano-decoy lures human influenza A virus to its doom. Phys.org website. http://phys.org/news/2016-10-nano-decoy-lures-human-influenza-virus.html. Published online October 25, 2016.

Kwon S-J, Na DH, Kwak JH, et al. Nanostructured glycan architecture is important in the inhibition of influenza A virus infection. Nature Nanotechnology. Published online October 24, 2016. DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2016.181.