Human influenza A and a neuraminidase enzyme have been identified in tissue samples taken from the brain, kidney, lungs and spleen of victims of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic. The enzyme was found to be similar in structure to that in current strains of the virus. Based on these findings, researchers at a meeting of virologists, held in London on November 16, commented that the new neuraminidase inhibitors (zanamivir and oseltamivir) would have been effective in treating the 1918 pandemic as well as for treating present strains of the virus.