A new computer diagnostic program has been developed to help physicians diagnose rare infectious diseases. The database contains information on 223 infectious and parasitic diseases common to animals and humans.
Researchers create antibody Fab D18, which blocks prion propagation and clears infectious prions from cell cultures. This breakthrough provides a potential therapeutic target for a human drug to cure established infection.
A Yale University study found that tracking unexplained illness and death can aid in identifying emerging infectious diseases. The research compared two surveillance methods, finding prospective surveillance to be 32% more sensitive than retrospective evaluation.
The Office of Naval Research has funded a study to develop new plasmid DNA vaccines for marine mammals, aiming to prevent epidemic disease. The studies may soon allow for better protection against infection using vaccination of individual animals within a population.
A new therapy effectively treats a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in monkeys by targeting T cells that cause the disease. The approach could soon be tested against MS and other autoimmune diseases in humans, offering potential for improved treatment options.
Researchers found a way to prevent infectious malaria particles from bursting out of their protective sacs by blocking the activity of a protein-snipping enzyme called protease. This discovery suggests that protease inhibitors could be used to treat malaria infection and keep the infectious particles imprisoned until they deteriorate.
The NIH-NSF Ecology of Infectious Diseases initiative aims to understand ecological relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious disease emergence. The research projects will study the effects of habitat destruction, biological invasion, and pollution on disease risks in humans and animals.
Researchers have determined the structure of a key protein from paramyxoviruses, which causes respiratory diseases in children and animals. The study reveals clues for effective new drugs and highlights the benefits of structural biology in guiding drug design against communicable diseases.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded a seven-year, $43.8 million contract to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) for malaria vaccine production and support services. This contract supports the acceleration of new malaria vaccine development, including clinical trials.
The NIAID Challenge Grants program will award $19 million to eight companies to develop new drugs and vaccines against deadly infectious diseases. Researchers will work on developing a pediatric indication for tafenoquine to prevent malaria in adults, as well as studying azithromycin for treating malaria.
An international team is accelerating the investigation of immune-related genes to improve organ transplant matches and develop vaccines for specific diseases. The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) gene complex holds clues to many medical questions.
The study provides a comprehensive understanding of Vibrio cholerae's genetic makeup, shedding light on its role in disease and survival. The DNA sequence reveals two circular chromosomes, each essential for the organism's viability, and may hold clues to developing new vaccine candidates and diagnostic tools.
Scientists at UCSF have shown that deformed prion proteins can trigger normal proteins to change shape and become infectious. The researchers used a new system to introduce prions into yeast, eliminating the possibility of non-prion molecules contributing to infection.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has awarded $15 million in grants to 45 scientists worldwide to develop new approaches for treating various infectious and parasitic diseases. The selected researchers will focus on specific diseases or study underlying biological processes to control or cure these conditions.
Scientists have identified mating behavior in Candida albicans, a fungus long thought to reproduce only by splitting itself. This discovery promises to accelerate research into the fungus and enable researchers to better understand its biology and identify new drug targets.
The Blueprint for TB Vaccine Development identifies the TB crisis as a global health priority and encourages an international collaborative effort to develop a vaccine. The report details three different vaccine concepts currently being developed: live, attenuated vaccines; subunit vaccines; and naked DNA vaccines.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched four public-private partnerships to accelerate the development of promising HIV/AIDS vaccines. The partnerships aim to tap into the skills of both private industry and academic research centers, with a focus on developing vaccines for use around the world.
A new TB drug candidate, PA-824, has been shown to be effective against MDR strains of the bacteria. The compound, developed by PathoGenesis Corporation with assistance from NIAID's Laboratory of Host Defenses, works by preventing MTB from forming an important fatty acid component of its cell walls.
Research confirms association between African-American ethnicity, long-term alcohol dependence, and increased risk for infectious diseases. African-American alcoholics show greatest decline in natural-killer cell activity, indicating compromised immune system.
Researchers at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories have identified a new class of compounds that slow the development of prion diseases in mice. The compounds, which include drugs used in cancer therapy, block the conversion of normal prion protein to an altered form, delaying disease progression. If successful in humans, this treatmen...
The Tuberculosis Research Unit at CWRU will work with seven basic science sites and three clinical sites to evaluate new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostic tests. The unit aims to alleviate the burden of TB, which affects 1.7 billion people worldwide.
A recent study found that breastfeeding protects against infectious diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhea, resulting in a significant reduction in infant mortality. The protection diminishes with advancing age, but is greater for infants of women with low educational status. Exclusive breastfeeding may also reduce mother-to-child tra...
A new report highlights the significant threat of emerging infectious diseases in wildlife to both human health and global biodiversity. The study reveals that many diseases have spread from domestic animals to wildlife populations through various means, including globalization, animal trade, and environmental changes.
Researchers at NIAID have produced the first high-resolution genetic map of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite. The map provides a framework to accelerate genome sequencing efforts, enabling scientists to locate genes important for drug resistance and disease severity.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded $1.9 million to three Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Centers, led by experts in various aspects of the disease. These centers will conduct research on causes, characteristics, and treatment of CFS.
Scientists at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories discovered a section of the prion protein that can prevent misfolding and progression to disease. This finding opens possibilities for therapy in animals and may one day help prevent degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
The World Health Organization reports that six infectious diseases - AIDS, malaria, TB, measles, diarrhoeal diseases, and acute respiratory infections - are responsible for over 11 million deaths in 1998. The WHO is calling on governments to take action against these diseases before it's too late.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is awarding $14 million in grants to support research on infectious and parasitic diseases worldwide. The five-year program will help scientists identify the mechanisms of these diseases and develop new approaches for treatment.
Scientists at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have identified a key component of the immune system's over-aggressive response that leads to septic shock. The discovery confirms suspicions raised by recent studies and may lead to new treatment approaches for severe bacterial infections.
Weizmann Institute scientists develop a heat-shock protein-based vaccine that triggers high-performance antibodies against bacterial infections, providing nearly complete protection against lethal doses. The new approach may lead to improved vaccines for various diseases and potentially cancer therapy.
A culturally relevant behavioral intervention significantly reduced new cases of chlamydial infection and gonorrhea among African-American and Mexican-American women. The study found a 34% lower infection rate at six months, 49% by the end of year one, and 38% overall.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found latent HIV in the semen of seven infected men taking HAART, which may be transmissible. The study suggests that even if detectable virus is not present in blood, individuals should practice safe sex to prevent transmission.
UCSF researchers developed a highly sensitive, rapid technique for detecting infectious prions causing prion diseases like 'mad cow' disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob's disease. The assay reveals unique shapes of the protein strains, providing new insights into their biology.
The Pan American Health Organization reports that the health of people in the Americas is improving thanks to progress in fighting infectious diseases, increasing access to clean drinking water, and declining infant mortality rates. However, governments must prioritize health care equity as they reform their systems.
A study of college-age women found a high incidence of HPV infection, with prevalence ranging from 20-46% in different countries. Regular Pap smears are crucial for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine is establishing a unique clinical trials unit to develop and test new therapies and vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases. The unit will focus on addressing major problems worldwide, including syphilis and gonorrhea, and will be the first of its kind in the US.
The report highlights the resurgence of infectious and parasitic diseases, including exotic ones like Ebola and dengue hemorrhagic fever. The authors call for strengthened infection control precautions, rapid diagnostic tests, and improved public education to combat these diseases.
A low-cost antiseptic solution significantly reduced postpartum infectious problems in both mothers and babies, resulting in a three-fold reduction in infant deaths related to sepsis. The solution, 0.25 percent chlorhexidine in sterile water, was applied at each vaginal examination before delivery and to babies after birth.
A new company, Xanthon Inc., will develop and market a genetic detection diagnostic kit using advanced electrochemistry. The kit aims to improve the efficiency, speed, and accuracy of cancer and infectious disease diagnoses.
Researchers weigh evidence for and against prion theory behind rare fatal diseases. A 24 researcher interview draws on interviews with all sides of the issue.