A new saliva-based assay rapidly and accurately assesses flavivirus immunity by measuring multiple antibody classes in saliva. The test can distinguish between individuals with polytypic dengue virus immunity and those who have previously experienced both dengue virus and Zika virus infections.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that the 2022 Mpox outbreak was caused by a weakened form of the virus, which may have helped it spread faster. The virus acquired mutations before spreading globally, resulting in less severe symptoms in patients who unknowingly spread it across borders.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a vaccine that uses T cells to fight Zika virus, but one vaccine, with both antibody and T cell protection, showed long-term protection against the virus. This discovery offers a new hope in the fight against Zika and its close viral relatives.
Researchers at Penn State and the USDA have identified 10 genomic variants associated with increased virulence in Marek's disease virus, a deadly illness affecting chickens. The study could inform the design of more effective vaccines that can prevent future breakthroughs.
Healthcare-associated transmission of Andes virus is uncommon but can occur when infection is not recognized early or protective measures are delayed, research suggests. Implementing transmission-based precautions at earliest stages of infection can prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
Researchers found that Ebola virus can persist in cerebral organoids for up to 120 days, infecting various cell types, including neurons and astrocytes. The virus can trigger local inflammation and lead to disease relapses in survivors, highlighting the need for improved treatments.
Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered that 'cross-reactive' T cells can recognize multiple species of paramyxovirus, including measles and Nipah viruses. This broad protection is essential in combating emerging diseases with unknown viral strains.
A recent study by WSU researchers reveals nearly 30% of rodents in the Palouse region showed evidence of past infection with Sin Nombre virus, a deadly respiratory disease. The study also produced the first full genome sequences of SNV strains from the Northwest, highlighting high genetic diversity and viral reassortment.
The Global Virus Network calls for greater financial, logistical and research support for the local response to the Bundibugjo Ebola virus outbreak in Africa. The spread of this virus underscores the global threat posed by viral outbreaks, with no readily available diagnostics or treatments.
The study provides new insight into how the tick-borne virus replicates and matures, with detailed three-dimensional images revealing the virus's interior. The researchers also observed how a small genetic difference between variants affects maturation speeds, paving the way for future treatments against TBE.
Researchers identify Nipah virus's critical survival strategy by hijacking human protein NSUN2, facilitating viral replication. A dual-targeting antiviral strategy has been developed, combining an approved drug with an experimental inhibitor to effectively reduce virus levels and improve survival in animal models.
A study published in Neurology Open Access found that having infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus is associated with an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis. After adjusting for other factors, researchers found that people with a history of mono were three times more likely to develop MS.
Researchers have identified a critical host protein hijacked by the Nipah virus, enabling a promising new treatment strategy. The study discovered that the virus exploits human enzyme NSUN2, leading to enhanced viral replication and a vicious cycle of infection.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 virus genetic evolution was constrained within limited channels despite rapid changes. The research found that the virus altered by combining pre-existing mutations, rather than expanding its genetic routes.
A new study found that 10-20% of patients who stopped taking daily HIV medication were able to control the virus on their own, thanks to the interaction between antibodies and T cells. The researchers plan to investigate how to strengthen these immune mechanisms to develop a treatment for everyone.
A study in ferrets demonstrates that immunity to two proteins on the surface of the influenza virus can reduce transmission and viral evolution. Targeting both hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins can effectively curb the spread of the virus, with transmission rates dropping by half in animals with immunity to both.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have identified a new virus in a common gut bacterium that appears more frequently in patients with colorectal cancer. The study demonstrates a statistical association between the virus and colorectal cancer, but its role is still unclear.
A recent Nipah virus outbreak in India highlights the importance of surveillance and global collaboration in detecting emerging infectious threats. The Global Virus Network emphasizes that while sporadic cases are not unprecedented, sustained public-good investment is necessary to develop vaccines and treatments.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals the Epstein-Barr virus can damage the brain and contribute to multiple sclerosis through molecular mimicry. The researchers found that cross-reactive T cells are significantly more common in people with MS, and targeting these cells may lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed a modified herpes simplex virus that stimulates the immune system to attack glioblastoma cells, increasing T-cell and natural killer cell responses. The virus, engineered to recognize markers found on glioblastoma cells, also increases overall survival in preclinical models.
New research suggests a common childhood virus can trigger DNA damage leading to bladder cancer. Laboratory studies using human tissue samples found that the virus's antiviral defences cause collateral damage in cells' own DNA.
The Global Virus Network has issued a statement on the newly confirmed outbreak of Marburg virus disease in southern Ethiopia, highlighting the urgent public health, research, and surveillance imperatives. The WHO reports six laboratory-confirmed cases, including three deaths, and three probable deaths under investigation, with 206 con...
Researchers at the University of Queensland have captured high-resolution images of the yellow fever virus, shedding light on its structural differences between the vaccine strain and disease-causing variants. The study reveals that these differences impact how the immune system recognizes the virus.
A rare Seoul virus infection was reported in a German woman after visiting a private pet rat breeding facility. Laboratory tests revealed the presence of the virus in several rats from the facility, highlighting the need for better screening and hygiene practices.
Climate change is allowing disease-carrying insects to spread into new areas, resulting in a growing number of West Nile virus infection cases in Europe. The virus can attack the nervous system and brain, causing symptoms like fever, headache, and malaise, with severe consequences for vulnerable individuals.
Researchers from Kumamoto University identified a genetic 'silencer' element that keeps the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in a dormant state, evading immune detection. This discovery offers hope for new therapeutic approaches to treat HTLV-1 and potentially even HIV.
Researchers developed a new analysis method for CoVerage that predicts SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern (VOCs) with a lead time of almost three months. The tool analyzes genomic data to identify antigenic changes in the virus, enabling early detection and characterization of VOCs.
Researchers found that the H5N1 virus enters the mammary glands through the teat, not via respiratory infection. Lactating cows' self-nursing or mutual-nursing behaviors may facilitate this transmission. Vaccination with two different vaccines showed complete protection against H5N1 infection in cattle.
Researchers from University of Zurich and Basel decode historical specimen to understand how 1918-1920 influenza pandemic evolved in Europe. The Swiss genome reveals three key adaptations that made the virus more resistant to human immunity and more infectious.
The African Swine Fever virus has been in Europe since 2007, not recently introduced. Travel patterns within Europe are largely responsible for its current spread. The study found that the virus shares a common ancestor with those in Africa, but with no evidence of recent exchange.
A study reveals claudin-11 facilitates depolymerization of F-actin, promoting maturation of influenza virus-containing clathrin-coated vehicles. Claudin-11 silencing leads to increased survival rate in infected mice.
Researchers found Oropouche virus is massively under-diagnosed in Latin America, with over 1 in 10 people experiencing a prior infection. Climatic conditions, including rain and temperature, significantly influence the virus's spread, posing risks to unborn babies.
A single mutation in the spike protein of western equine encephalitis virus is enough to prevent it from attaching to human and horse cells. However, a change in the viral spike protein enables WEEV strains to attach to a different receptor, found on mammalian brain cells, which is shared by its cousin eastern equine encephalitis virus.
A new study reveals that the presence of Nora virus in laboratory strains of Drosophila fruit flies can increase their sensitivity to bacterial infection and limit their lifespan. Flies with persistent viral infections have higher stem cell growth rates, making them more susceptible to secondary pathogenic infections.
Researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology and UC San Diego discover Zika virus blocks dendritic cells' ability to alert T cells, while dengue virus stimulates pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to a stronger but uncontrolled immune response. Understanding these differences is key to developing life-saving vaccines.
Researchers at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg have developed a new avenue to combat the Cucumber mosaic virus by directing the plant's natural defences. The RNA-based active agents have shown high efficacy in laboratory experiments, protecting 80-100% of treated plants from infection.
Scientists have identified a new target to prevent cold sores by understanding how the herpes virus triggers its own immune response. The discovery has important implications for genital herpes caused by the same virus, with potential treatments in development.
A new integrated 3D imaging approach has revealed exquisite detail of the virus assembly process used by herpes simplex virus during replication. The research identified previously unknown functions of HSV-1 structural proteins and provided insights into the unmutated gene's usual role in viral assembly.
A new study led by La Jolla Institute for Immunology scientists found that children who experience multiple dengue virus infections develop protective T cells, which help fight the virus. These T cells appear to be key to dengue virus immunity and may inform the development of a vaccine that prompts a similar response.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus uses a tunneling strategy to spread in placental cells, hijacking mitochondria to augment its propagation and survival. The study found that the formation of tiny tunnels is driven exclusively by a Zika protein called NS1, which triggers tunnel formation in uninfected cells.
The CSIC-UNESPA scientific expedition has confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) in all species analyzed on six islands north of the Antarctic Peninsula. The virus was detected in dead and live animals, including penguins, seals, and birds.
A recent study published in Communications Biology reveals that the Sudan virus binds to human cells through a specific protein called NPC1, which enables it to attach with nine times greater affinity than Ebola. This discovery may contribute to the high fatality rate of the Sudan virus.
The dengue virus uses its envelope protein to capture human plasmin, enhancing the permeability of the mosquito midgut. This interaction is crucial for viral infection, and understanding it could lead to innovative approaches to tackle vector-borne viruses.
Researchers developed a new approach to quickly identify mutations that enable viral immune escape. By analyzing the effects of individual mutations in reverse, they found three key mutations in the spike protein responsible for immune evasion.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have identified a new henipavirus, Camp Hill virus, in shrews in Alabama, USA. The discovery suggests these viruses may be more globally distributed than previously thought, with implications for human health and vaccine development.
The COMBINE project focuses on the critical virus-cell binding step, aiming to identify key factors and potential therapeutic targets involved early in viral infections. The team will use a combination of pioneering approaches to develop novel inhibitors and vaccine candidates.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Boston University have mapped the structure of the Nipah virus's polymerase complex, a key piece of its machinery. This discovery provides a detailed understanding of how the pathogen multiplies inside hosts and could inform the design of treatments.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that Semliki Forest virus penetrates the central nervous system by entering the cerebrospinal fluid and binding to VLDLR before penetrating deeper into the brain. This finding could be used to develop the virus as an agent for treating brain cancer.
The Zika virus hijacks the host protein ANKLE2 to assist its own reproduction, which is important for brain development. This interaction allows the virus to hide from the immune system and replicate more efficiently.
EBViously aims to prevent infectious mononucleosis and secondary diseases such as ME/CFS, while also protecting against certain types of cancer. The company's innovative vaccine candidate uses virus-like particles derived from EBV to trigger a targeted immune response.
Researchers found a bovine H5N1 virus isolated from an infected worker to be transmissible and lethal in mice and ferrets, with limited efficiency. The virus is susceptible to certain antiviral drugs, including favipiravir and baloxavir marboxil.
Researchers identified an antibody that assists some variants of the virus in infecting cells while blocking others, a dual-role effect. The study highlights the complexity of developing treatments as viruses evolve, but notes this phenomenon has not been observed in humans.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...
Researchers developed a universal influenza vaccine that targets the internal structural proteins of the virus, providing lifetime immunity against evolving viruses. Six out of 11 nonhuman primates inoculated with the vaccine survived exposure to the H5N1 virus, while unvaccinated primates succumbed to the disease.
A new study suggests that exposure to raw milk infected with the currently circulating H5N1 virus poses a significant risk to humans. However, the virus may not spread very far or quickly to others, as experiments on mice and ferrets show limited airborne transmission.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered an attenuated virus that can help eliminate cancer in mice and prevent future tumor development. The therapy works by raising 'red flags' on tumors to alert immune cells to attack them.
A plant virus treatment, composed of cowpea mosaic virus nanoparticles, has shown remarkable success in improving survival rates and suppressing the growth of metastatic tumors across various cancer models. The treatment was effective even after surgical removal of tumors, indicating its potential to prevent metastasis.
Researchers from Osaka University found that influenza-associated brain disorders may be caused by the virus entering the brain and producing proteins. Antivirals blocking protein production are unlikely to be effective, but those targeting transcription and translation may offer hope for treatment.
Researchers at University of Florida discovered a Florida bottlenose dolphin infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV), the first reported case in a mammal in North America. The team analyzed tissue samples and confirmed the presence of HPAI A(H5N1) virus subtype 2.3.4.4b.
A rapidly spreading virus is attacking cacao trees in Ghana, resulting in harvest losses of between 15-50%. Researchers have developed a new strategy to combat the spread of the disease using mathematical data to determine safe planting distances for vaccinated trees.