A study found that lactic acid bacteria can protect against different subtypes of influenza A virus, resulting in reduced weight loss and lower amounts of virus replication in the lungs. The researchers used a heat-killed strain of Lactobacillus casei DK128 to pretreat mice before infecting them with the virus.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a method to shield piglets from the devastating porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. The technique relies on eliminating the CD163 protein in pregnant sows, which acts as the virus's receptor.
Scientists from the German Center for Infection Research found that the Zika virus has a high seroprevalence rate in Salvador, northeastern Brazil, suggesting that further outbreaks are unlikely. The study linked this finding to increased population immunity and socioeconomic factors such as poverty.
Researchers discover nearly perfect genetic transmission of the virus from a father to his son, suggesting that HSV-1 may not change much when transmitted between closely related individuals. However, transmission between unrelated hosts may provide an opportunity for greater genetic diversity and potential changes in virulence.
A study published in JAMA found a strong association between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome in Puerto Rico. The study identified acute Zika virus infection as a significant risk factor for GBS, highlighting the need for further investigation into the pathophysiology of Zika virus infection.
After a 10-year absence, Usutu virus has reemerged in both blackbirds and humans, particularly in Austria and Hungary. Genetic analysis reveals that the viruses circulating in these regions are closely related to those found in Italy, demonstrating inter-country transmission of viral strains.
Researchers have discovered that the virus used in the early smallpox vaccine was closely related to horsepox, contradicting centuries-long assumptions that cowpox was used. The finding has significant implications for our understanding of vaccine development and its applications in modern medicine.
Researchers warn that Zika virus is rapidly mutating in Brazilian patients, potentially leading to the emergence of new serotypes. This could hinder the production of effective vaccines and diagnostic tests, posing significant public health risks.
Scientists develop an antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic that protects monkeys from infection and neutralizes the virus. The treatment has been shown to be effective in preventing Zika virus replication in rhesus macaques.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified a Zika virus mutation that contains a sugar in its protein envelope, which may help the virus enter the brain. This discovery could explain why the virus became more lethal during outbreaks in the Caribbean and South America.
Researchers from Kumamoto University developed a compound that suppresses viral budding, confining the virus within host cells and leading to cell death through apoptosis. This approach aims to eradicate latent HIV reservoirs, which are key to complete recovery from AIDS.
Researchers identified a single genetic change, S139N, that enabled the Zika virus to cause microcephaly in mouse models of fetal infection. This mutation made the virus more lethal to human neuron precursor cells and substantially more severe in cases of microcephaly.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii aim to develop strategies to prevent Zika virus transmission to the fetus and treat patients infected with the virus. Dr. Mukesh Kumar will work on understanding how the virus is transmitted and developed effective therapeutics.
Researchers found that the Ebola virus exploits a protein called Tim-1 in T-cells to spread and cause disease. The study suggests that blocking this protein could lead to effective treatments for Ebola.
Researchers at University of Southampton discover natural killer cells can recognize global pathogens through a single receptor, paving the way for a new type of vaccine. The study identifies a non-variable part of the virus called the NS3 helicase protein as a key target for the immune system.
Researchers from Instituto de Medicina Molecular created a chimera virus that can test molecules to treat cancers caused by human herpes virus infection in mice models of disease. This finding preserves the functionality of LANA, a protein vital for Kaposi virus maintenance, allowing new cancer treatments to be developed.
A new study found that Zika virus preferentially replicates in the female reproductive tract after vaginal transmission, suggesting a higher risk of fetal Zika disease. The research used rhesus macaques to investigate the effects of mosquito and sexual transmission on Zika infection.
The Oropouche virus is a serious public health risk for Brazil, spreading to major cities after being confined to villages in the Amazon. The virus causes acute fever and may lead to meningitis and meningoencephalitis.
Researchers at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a laboratory model to study tick-borne flaviviruses, including Powassan virus. The new model involves culturing organs from Ixodes scapularis ticks with flaviviruses, which can infect salivary glands and midgut.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have discovered a virus that can reprogram ocean plankton to absorb certain nutrients, potentially affecting carbon storage in the ocean. The study found that infected phytoplankton cells become more competitive and grow faster before being killed by the virus.
A USC study found that the Zika virus targets specific white blood cells in pregnant women, handicapping their immune system and increasing the chances an unborn baby will be harmed. The virus exploits this weakness to infect and replicate, particularly during the first and second trimesters.
Researchers have identified a potential method to screen for Zika virus exposure using proteomics in saliva. The study found that specific protein signatures can be detected in the saliva of infected individuals, allowing for earlier detection and treatment of the virus.
Researchers explore the origins of the smallpox vaccine, tracing its development from cowpox virus to modern vaccinia virus. The study sheds light on the intricate relationships between different types of viruses and lymphs involved in the vaccine's evolution.
A Penn State researcher has received a $1.9 million grant to develop a genetic lab tool using a mosquito virus to control malaria. The virus, called AgDNV, will be used to insert specific genes into mosquitoes, allowing scientists to study their phenotypes and develop malaria-control strategies.
Researchers studied viruses from different eras to understand how they evade the host's immune response. Viruses collected in the 1990s are more effective at suppressing immune systems than those from the 1950s, leading to severe symptoms and high mortality rates.
Researchers have developed a mouse model to study Zika virus transmission, finding that the virus can be transmitted sexually from males to females and vertically from pregnant women to their fetuses. The study suggests that the placenta may be a key barrier in preventing Zika virus infection of the fetus.
Research by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists reveals that Zika virus transmission is unlikely through casual contact like kissing or sharing utensils. The study found that the virus can survive in bodily fluids for extended periods but remains inactive in saliva, which may play a role in preventing infection.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Biomedical Science Institute have discovered a new virus in a migratory bird species. The virus, type 15 avian paramyxovirus, was found to be closest to viruses previously identified in South America and does not pose a threat to humans or birds.
A new antibody-based assay developed by researchers at UC Berkeley and Humabs BioMed has shown very high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing Zika virus infections from those caused by similar viruses. The test is simple, cost-effective, and can be used to detect both recent and past Zika virus infections.
Researchers have found that Ebola virus can persist in specific areas of the body, including the eye, brain, and testes, even after symptoms resolve. This knowledge holds promise for developing medical products to counter the disease in humans.
A study by UC Davis researchers found that mountain gorillas harbor a strain of lymphocryptovirus 1, similar to the Epstein-Barr virus in humans. The virus is widespread among infant gorillas, infecting 52% of those studied, with no symptoms reported in live gorillas.
Two experimental vaccines demonstrate protection against Zika-related congenital damage in mice, preventing placental damage and fetal demise. Researchers observed significant reduction of Zika virus RNA in maternal, placental, and fetal tissues among vaccinated mice.
Researchers revamped a 50-year-old flu virus model, revealing loopholes that allow viruses to swap genetic material and give rise to new strains. This discovery could lead to better pandemic predictions and disruption of the flu virus.
Researchers have developed virus-derived expression vectors as a potential gene therapy vehicle for treating various diseases. These vectors use viral sequences to silence specific genes or induce RNA interference, effectively downregulating viral replication and expressing therapeutic proteins.
Researchers are studying the clinical outcomes of children infected with Zika virus after birth to examine long-term brain development. Neurodevelopmental testing will be conducted to identify changes in children infected with Zika virus.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory used X-ray crystallography to solve the structure of Lassa virus glycoprotein, a key component in vaccine development. The study provides valuable insights into how the virus enters human cells, paving the way for the design of an effective vaccine.
Researchers discuss routes of Zika virus transmission and its effects on pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and microcephaly. Therapeutic approaches aimed at blocking Zika virus transmission from mother to fetus are also presented.
A new Zika virus vaccine has shown 100% protection in mice, utilizing the NS1 protein. The vaccine's effectiveness was demonstrated through a single-dose immunization strategy.
A new study found that vaginal bacteria can alter the sexual transmission of Zika and herpes simplex virus-2. The presence of Lactobacillus bacteria was associated with reduced replication of herpes simplex virus-2, while some microbiomes lacking Lactobacillus allowed for increased replication of Zika virus.
A team led by Kathryn Hastie and Erica Ollmann Saphire at The Scripps Research Institute has solved the structure of Lassa virus's surface glycoprotein, a key step in developing a vaccine. The breakthrough provides a blueprint to design a Lassa virus vaccine, which could help combat the deadly arenavirus family.
Researchers analyzed 174 Zika virus genomes from patient and mosquito samples to reconstruct the virus's spread across South and Central America. The study suggests that Zika was circulating in Brazil around February 2014, months before local cases were detected.
A study by a multi-national research team, including scientists from the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, explains how Zika virus entered the US and how it might re-enter the country. They used near real-time genomic sequencing to create a family tree showing the virus's spread through space and time.
Researchers aim to use Zika virus to target glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain tumour. The virus can cross the blood-brain barrier, sparing healthy tissue and opening a potential new way to attack the disease.
Researchers successfully synthesized Zika virus from a viral sequence detected in infected tissue, allowing them to induce microcephaly in pregnant mice and study its transmission by mosquitoes. This breakthrough helps advance research into the mysterious emergence of Zika virus, which causes devastating foetal brain infections.
Researchers discovered a key molecule VCP linked to Human Cytomegalovirus replication, which can be blocked by chemicals to stop the virus from multiplying. This approach could lead to more powerful therapies and reduce the risk of resistance.
A new detection test for Zika virus distinguishes between African and Asian strains, improving tracking efforts. The low-cost LAMP test is faster than current gold-standard methods, with minimal processing requirements.
The study found that Zika virus can persist in cerebrospinal fluid, lymph nodes, and colorectal tissue of infected rhesus monkeys for up to 42 days and 72 days respectively. The virus persistence may contribute to neurological issues associated with Zika infection in humans.
Research detects fragments of Zika virus RNA in Asian tiger mosquito eggs collected in Brazil, highlighting potential role in Zika transmission. The findings emphasize the need for further research into additional vector species.
Researchers found that a large number of CMV's genes help it evade the immune system by destroying proteins produced during infection. This discovery could lead to novel treatments or a cure for this virus.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine studied Zika virus-infected cells using light and electron microscopy, revealing dramatic changes in cell architecture. These findings support the development of new therapeutics targeting both Zika and related viruses like Dengue.
A study found that previous exposure to dengue, West Nile virus, or Zika can enhance the effects of Zika infection through antibody-dependent enhancement. The researchers used human antibodies from infected individuals in mice and observed reduced survival rates with low doses of these antibodies.
Researchers at NUS identified weak spots on the surface of the dengue virus that can be targeted with therapies and vaccines, providing a promising avenue for treating the disease.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers has mapped a key protein of the Zika virus, enabling the analysis of existing drugs and compounds that can disrupt its spread. The study's findings offer hope for finding effective treatments against the disease, which causes birth defects and neurological disorders in infants and adults.
Researchers have developed effective Zika virus nucleic acid amplification technology assays to screen donated blood supplies. The methods demonstrated excellent sensitivities and were substantially more sensitive than most other laboratory-developed and diagnostic Zika virus assays.
Researchers found that inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4 activation can silence Ebola virus-infected macrophages, a potential treatment option. The study also suggests this approach could work for other hemorrhagic fever viruses.
A molecule naturally produced by the immune system protects mice and monkeys against Zika virus infection, reducing fetal brain damage and microcephaly. Administering 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnant mice also protected them from Zika-induced developmental defects.
Researchers found that monkeys suppressed HIV-like virus SHIV after receiving dual-antibody treatment, which enabled their immune systems to control the virus long after the antibodies were gone. The study suggests a potential approach to treating HIV and other infections.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has found no evidence of increased transmissibility or sustainable human-to-human transmission of the highly pathogenic A(H7N9) virus. New genetic mutations have been detected, but their impact on poultry and human risk remains unclear.
A Georgia State University researcher has received a five-year grant to develop a new drug targeting the Ebola virus. The goal is to find compounds that block the growth of Ebola virus by inhibiting its viral machinery.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown virus affecting parasitoid wasp species, reducing female offspring and extending lifespan. The discovery has implications for understanding viral transmission in insects.