Researchers at UCalgary's Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases have unlocked new insights into the regulation of immunity against chronic infectious diseases. The study found that immune responses thought to be non-protective are actually essential in regulating excessive inflammation, which can facilitate infection.
A new, evidence-based guideline has been created to treat patients with NTM lung disease. The guidelines, developed by experts from leading international societies, provide thirty-one recommendations for the treatment of patients suffering from NTM pathogens.
The National Institutes of Health has established a new clinical trials network to enroll thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials testing various COVID-19 vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. The COVPN will leverage existing infrastructure and engage communities to secure participants for late-stage clinical trials.
A new COVID-19 strain with the D614G mutation has become the globally dominant form, according to a recent study published in Cell. The variant is more infectious in cell cultures under laboratory conditions, leading to higher viral loads in patients with Covid-19.
Researchers have found that CD47, a natural brake on the immune system, can be turned off to help fight infections. By blocking CD47-mediated signaling, scientists may develop a new immunotherapy to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.
A study by Marshall University researcher M. Jeremiah Matson found that higher humidity and warmer temperatures reduce the stability of SARS-CoV-2 in human nasal mucus and sputum. Viral RNA was consistently detectable, while infectious virus was detectable for shorter periods.
A recent study published in Global Change Biology found that infectious disease-induced mass mortality events occur in 14% of marine mammal species, with viruses causing 72% of these events. Habitat breadth was also a key factor, with pinnipeds being overrepresented among affected species.
A recent study from Guangzhou found that people with COVID-19 can be highly infectious before symptoms appear, with a high risk of transmission among household contacts. The analysis suggests that targeted interventions such as active case finding, isolation, and quarantine could significantly reduce the spread of the virus.
Researchers from Fred Hutch and UW Medicine argue that treating COVID-19 early is crucial to preventing hospitalizations and deaths. They emphasize the importance of widely available home testing with nasal self-swabbing and rapid studies using viral-shedding metrics and symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are studying the 1918 flu pandemic to identify similarities and differences with COVID-19. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the spread of infectious diseases, social circumstances, and socioeconomic conditions.
Early studies indicate COVID-19 genetic material can be detected in stool samples, but it's unclear if infectious virus is present. Further research is needed to determine the risk of transmission through feces.
A study in Shenzhen, China found that contact tracing and isolation reduced the length of time people were infectious by 2 days, confirming new cases in an average of 3.2 days compared to 5.5 days without contact tracing.
Researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School are exploring a new therapy using patient's own immune cells to target infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The therapy involves engineering virus-targeting receptors onto T lymphocytes, allowing them to recognize and kill infected cells.
The study highlights how urbanization is creating new areas where infectious diseases can spread, particularly in suburban and peri-urban settlements. These areas are often densely populated, poorly planned, and lack health infrastructure, making them vulnerable to disease outbreaks.
Researchers from the National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Italy have reported an early detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in ocular fluids from a patient with COVID-19. The study found prolonged viral RNA detection, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in monitoring the pandemic.
Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report development of a potential universal vaccine for Ebola viruses. The new vaccine uses glycoproteins from two Ebola virus species and has shown promise in neutralizing all four pathogenic species, generating cross-reactive responses against multiple viruses.
Between 2008-2018, deaths from infectious diseases decreased steadily, with a significant shift towards HIV/AIDS among 15-24 year olds. Traditional vaccine-preventable diseases have largely disappeared, but seasonal and unpredictable diseases remain a concern.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational COVID-19 vaccine in the Seattle area. The trial is evaluating different doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine for safety and immune response in healthy adult volunteers.
The study found that land type significantly influences the interaction of vigilance and scent marking behavior in banded mongooses. In environments with high predator presence, such as national parks, mongoose exhibited reduced scent marking behaviors, while in areas with low predator risk, like tourism lodges, these behaviors increased.
Researchers found a toxic fungus previously thought to not be infectious in the sinus tissues of a man with refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia. The team successfully treated the infection using available antifungal drugs.
A new approach using harmless viruses to deliver antibody genes has led to sustained production of HIV antibodies for over a year in a NIH clinical trial. The technology shows promise for preventing and treating various infectious diseases with further development.
Experts from UT Southwestern Medical Center suggest integrating travel history into routine medical assessments to identify emerging infectious diseases and prevent further transmission. This simple yet targeted approach can help put infectious symptoms in context for physicians and caregiver teams.
A University of Washington and Johns Hopkins University study examines travel bans to control infectious diseases like COVID-19. The research suggests that while a travel ban may delay the arrival of an illness, it does not eliminate long-term risk. The authors emphasize the need for more research to inform policy decisions.
Recent advances in TB diagnostics, treatments and prevention offer hope for reducing and ultimately eliminating the burden of tuberculosis. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has made significant progress in improving TB diagnostics, therapeutic regimens and prevention approaches.
US Army scientists develop an experimental antibody cocktail that protects animals from Sudan virus, a closely related to Ebola. The treatment boosts the body's immune system to fight infection and provides protection in rhesus macaques.
Experts cite urgent need for influenza vaccinations to prevent outbreaks in detained migrants and asylum seekers. The logistics of vaccine administration are relatively straightforward, with a low risk of adverse effects.
Fever in cats is often caused by infectious agents transmitted through fleas, ticks, and sandflies. Consistent use of products that rapidly kill vectors or prevent bites is crucial to preventing these diseases.
The consortium will conduct Phase 1-4 vaccine and treatment trials, including human challenge trials. The leadership group will prioritize candidate vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to test in clinical trials.
A new species of insect virus, Binjari virus, has been identified that can be engineered to house genes from disease-causing flaviviruses. This non-infectious virus represents a flexible tool for testing diagnostics and vaccines for various infectious diseases, including yellow fever, dengue, and West Nile encephalitis.
Researchers describe how ancestral origins impact the likelihood of developing immune-related diseases, including Crohn's disease and cardiovascular diseases. The human immune system is evolving depending on a person's location or lifestyle, leading to new diseases emerging as our lifespans increase.
A study published in eLife reveals that an infectious cancer has spread to two different species of mussels on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, likely due to accidental transport on ships. The cancer is believed to have originated from a single mussel with a primary cancer and has since infected multiple species across the globe.
OHSU researchers have been awarded $2.1 million to develop new adjuvants that can enhance immune responses against infectious diseases. The goal is to create a range of adjuvants that can be used with different vaccines to protect against various pathogens.
A new study found that early involvement of an infectious disease specialist in patients with severe sepsis leads to a 40% lower risk of death. The study, which included 248 ER patients, also found that antibiotic prescriptions were stopped more quickly when an ID consult happened early.
Experts say optimal implementation of existing tools and development of new interventions are crucial to ending the HIV pandemic. Current highly effective treatments like antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent transmission if implemented correctly.
US immigrant detention centers have faced criticism over deplorable conditions, including overcrowding and lack of access to healthcare. Seven children have died in the last 10 months amidst outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and mumps.
Scientists have linked abnormal tau in the brain to at least 25 neurodegenerative diseases, but current diagnosis requires analyzing brain tissue after death. The new test uses cerebrospinal fluid to detect abnormal tau, offering hope for diagnosing less common neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
The Morris Animal Foundation is awarding over $1 million for research projects focusing on deadly diseases in dogs and cats, including canine cancer and feline infectious peritonitis. The grants will support scientists at nine universities in developing new treatments and tests to improve animal health.
Experts discuss the importance of vaccination in preventing serious complications from diseases like measles, influenza, and cystic fibrosis. The panel emphasizes that vaccines are effective in keeping disease rates low when majority of people are vaccinated.
The Blood and Immune Deficiency-Cellular Therapy Program (BID-CTP) integrates expertise from multiple medical specialties to treat rare blood and immune system diseases. Patients with hundreds of different primary immune deficiency diseases can now receive unified care through a single, multi-specialty team.
New research from Washington University School of Medicine shows that infectious disease specialists can significantly improve outcomes for hospitalized patients with fungal bloodstream infections. With a 20% lower risk of death and increased use of life-saving treatments, specialist consultation is crucial in reducing mortality rates.
The UN Climate Action Summit emphasizes the need to address climate change's global health emergency. IDSA urges leaders to invest in monitoring and preparedness for infectious disease threats, including vector-borne and waterborne diseases.
The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $200 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop and test new influenza vaccines. The research aims to protect against emerging flu strains and improve seasonal vaccines.
Experts from NIAID urge biomedical research community to refocus on STI research, emphasizing the need for innovative diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The authors highlight the critical need to address antimicrobial resistance and cooperation among researchers, healthcare providers, and community clinics.
Research suggests that infection with measles in unvaccinated children increases their risk of other severe infectious diseases in the 2-3 years following infection. Measles can cause immune-amnesia, erasing immunity to other diseases and exposing children to re-infection. Vaccination is crucial for preventing measles-related infections.
New antibiotics are prescribed in only about a quarter of CRE infections due to high costs, despite being classified as the best choice by pharmacists. The slow adoption is attributed to concerns about accelerating antibiotic resistance and limited data on their effectiveness.
Researchers found that memory T cells in bone marrow enriched with fat tissue protected mice from bacterial infections and tumors when fed restricted diets. The study suggests how the immune system may have evolved to survive limited food availability.
Researchers found that stress on immune cells and altered metabolism lead to different outcomes in individuals infected with the same virus, with potential targets for new treatments identified. Preventing conditions causing increased stress may also prevent disease from viral infections.
A legal framework is needed to address human-induced land use change and its impact on disease risk. Patricia Farnese proposes adaptive models and guidelines for land-use planning that consider the intersection of human activities and natural landscapes.
A new article connects future population growth, agricultural development and infectious disease, highlighting the need for balance in agriculture to prevent disease outbreaks. Solutions proposed include improving hygiene, genetic variability, education, and predictive models.
A new hypothesis, the Coevolution Effect, proposes that habitat loss facilitates the emergence of infectious diseases in humans by increasing diversity of disease-causing microbes. This research could provide a new perspective on the association between habitat fragmentation and disease spillover.
A new study reveals that chronic diseases such as stroke, ischemic heart disease, and lung cancer are now the leading causes of premature death in China. The study's findings show a significant shift from communicable to chronic conditions over nearly three decades, largely due to economic growth and increasing education levels.
Researchers have developed a human cerebral organoid system, or 'mini-brain,' to study sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its subtypes. The model enables evaluation of potential therapeutics and provides insights into human prion disease progression.
The University of Pittsburgh will lead a global, cloud-based data system to improve knowledge of infectious diseases, with a focus on sharing research data and software. The system aims to accelerate infectious disease research and discoveries, leveraging the 'open science' movement.
Scientists have created a genetically engineered bacterium that can specifically kill multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria without harming beneficial bacteria. The novel tool, based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system, has shown a minimal rate of emergence of new resistance and has potential applications in treating infectious diseases.
Measles and diphtheria have re-emerged in Venezuela with a disproportionate impact on indigenous populations, with over 7,500 measles cases reported and 100 deaths attributed to the disease. Diphtheria cases also surged, with 96% of reported cases originating from Venezuela, exposing 3 million vulnerable children to the disease.
Vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, dengue fever, and Lyme borreliosis are expanding rapidly across Europe due to climate change and international travel. The geographical range of these diseases is expected to increase, with hotter temperatures favouring the spread of mosquitoes and ticks.
Researchers at the NIH have made progress toward developing an EBV vaccine by identifying key antibodies that block infection. The new vaccine candidates elicited potent anti-EBV antibody responses in animals, offering potential protection against EBV-associated cancers and infectious mononucleosis.
Experts discuss ongoing research on improving seasonal influenza vaccines and developing a universal vaccine for long-term protection against multiple seasonal and pandemic influenza viruses. Recent scientific advances have provided unprecedented momentum toward this goal.
The UMD Institute for Genome Sciences has been awarded $17.5 million to continue its genome-based investigation of polymicrobial infectious disease outcomes. The grant will support research into host-pathogen-microbiome interactions, focusing on multiple bacteria, fungal pathogens, and parasitic tropical diseases.
The article highlights the growing public health crisis of opioid and infectious disease (ID) epidemics, citing increased rates of HIV, viral hepatitis, and skin infections linked to rising opioid use. Experts recommend strengthened responses by infectious diseases and substance use specialists, including investments in evidence-based ...