Researchers emphasize the need for continued study of Zika virus due to its serious complications and the importance of developing effective vaccines and treatments. Lessons learned from other arboviruses like West Nile and Chikungunya highlight the risks of fading interest in diseases that transition to endemicity.
Researchers successfully repaired a defective gene in blood-forming stem cells from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, suggesting a potential treatment approach. The study used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to correct a specific mutation in the CYBB gene, restoring normal functioning of white blood cells.
A new set of clinical guidelines aims to prevent the development of peanut allergy in infants by introducing peanut-containing foods early. The recommendations focus on high-risk infants, suggesting introduction between 4-6 months, and those with mild eczema, around 6 months.
Researchers found a genetic defect in CD70 protein, leading to poor immune control of EBV and increased risk of Hodgkin's lymphoma. The study provides insight into the normal role of CD70 and offers potential strategies for combatting autoimmune disease.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis accelerate immune response to tuberculosis in mice by activating dendritic cells, leading to near-sterilizing immunity levels. The study could lead to improved TB vaccines for humans, addressing the variable protection provided by current BCG vaccine.
A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that a shortened five-day antimicrobial treatment regimen for middle ear infections in young children is less effective than the standard 10-day regimen. The study also failed to show a significant reduction in antibiotic resistance threat.
The NIH has launched a Phase 3 clinical trial to test the efficacy and safety of a long-acting injectable drug, cabotegravir, for HIV prevention. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of injectable cabotegravir with daily oral Truvada in protecting against HIV infection.
Researchers at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have established a new mouse model to study Salmonella meningitis. The model mimics the progression of the disease from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain, providing a new tool for investigating this potentially life-threatening illness.
Researchers are conducting a clinical trial to assess whether a shorter course of antibiotics can effectively treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children. The study aims to reduce the need for longer antibiotic treatments and conserve the long-term effectiveness of available drugs.
The HVTN 702 study is the largest and most advanced HIV vaccine clinical trial in South Africa, testing a new experimental vaccine regimen. The study aims to enroll 5,400 men and women and provide greater protection against HIV infection than previous vaccines.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Onchocerca volvulus, the parasite responsible for river blindness, identifying proteins that could be targeted with existing drugs or developed into new treatments. The study also reveals promising areas for developing a preventive vaccine against the disease.
A new clinical trial aims to determine if a rapid molecular diagnostic test can identify gonorrhea infections successfully treated with a single dose of ciprofloxacin. The study will enroll up to 381 participants and may provide a reliable marker for treating gonorrhea with this older antibiotic.
Scientists from the National Institutes of Health identified an antibody, named N6, that potently neutralized 98 percent of HIV isolates tested. The researchers also tracked the evolution of N6 to understand how it developed its ability to neutralize nearly all HIV strains, which will inform vaccine design.
Researchers analyzed T cell protein expression in a human cohort, identifying unique markers associated with age and genetic predisposition to diseases. The study may lead to personalized medicine approaches and diagnostic tools for autoimmune diseases.
The first of five clinical trials for an investigational Zika vaccine began at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, testing the safety and ability of the ZPIV vaccine to generate an immune system response. The Phase 1 trial aims to enroll 75 people aged 18-49 with no prior flavivirus infection.
A human antibody that neutralizes Zika virus has been shown to reduce levels of the virus in placental and fetal tissues and decrease fetal disease in a mouse model of Zika infection. The findings suggest that this antibody could be developed to protect pregnant women and others from Zika-related complications.
Scientists have identified two genetic markers associated with piperaquine resistance in malaria parasites, allowing for early detection and alternative treatment options. The markers are linked to increased production of plasmepsin enzymes, which the parasite uses to digest human blood.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection can severely damage the testes of male mice, causing shrinkage and reduced sperm count. The study suggests that this may have important implications for human males infected with the virus, highlighting the need for further research on reproductive health.
A wearable patch delivering small amounts of peanut protein through the skin has shown safety and efficacy in treating peanut allergy in children aged 4-25 years. The low-dose and high-dose regimens offered similar benefits, with significant treatment effects seen in younger children.
The experimental vaginal ring had little effect on sexual intercourse, with most women reporting no interference. However, some women experienced diminished pleasure due to worry about their partner noticing the ring, and those facing intimate partner violence or social harms were more likely to have low adherence.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between high tryptase levels, multiple copies of the alpha tryptase gene, and a range of symptoms including dizziness, skin flushing, and gastrointestinal issues. The study provides new insights into the cause of this frustrating syndrome and potential strategies for diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers at NIH and Emory successfully induced sustained remission of SIV in infected monkeys for up to 23 months. The regimen, which combined 90 days of ART with infusions of a laboratory-derived antibody, restored key immune cells and eliminated viral reservoirs.
A randomized controlled trial found ZMapp to be safe and well-tolerated, with a 40% lower risk of death for those who received the treatment. However, the trial was conducted during a public health emergency and enrolled too few participants to determine definitively whether ZMapp is superior to standard care alone.
Researchers found that TB lesions can remain in lungs long after treatment with antibiotics has been completed. After six months of treatment, 50 patients still showed radiological abnormalities, indicating persistent TB bacteria.
Researchers successfully cultured norovirus in human intestinal cells, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against this debilitating virus. The study, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind norovirus infection.
Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch have successfully treated rhesus macaques infected with Sudan ebolavirus using an RNA-based therapeutic called siRNA, administered via a lipid nanoparticle platform. The treatment was effective in preventing replication of the virus and improving survival rates.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that people infected with Ebola virus were 20% more likely to survive if they were co-infected with malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites. The survival difference was evident even after controlling for Ebola viral load and age.
A clinical trial found that oral immunotherapy is safe and effective for peanut-allergic preschool children, with over 80% successfully introducing peanut into their diets. The treatment involved gradually increasing amounts of peanut protein daily and was comparable in effectiveness between low-dose and high-dose regimens.
Three different investigational Zika virus vaccine platforms protect against infection and induce immune responses in rhesus macaques. The results suggest that each approach holds promise for designing an effective Zika vaccine.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has launched a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and ability to generate an immune system response in participants. The investigational DNA vaccine aims to prevent Zika virus infection, which can cause serious birth defects.
A new study by NIH and its collaborators reveals that vaccination against one strain of Zika virus may be sufficient to provide protection against other genetically diverse strains. The research found that neutralizing antibodies produced in response to infection with one strain can also protect against infections caused by other strai...
Researchers found that individuals with high levels of broadly neutralizing antibodies have distinct immune system variations, including autoantibodies and altered T follicular helper cells. These findings support approaches to developing an HIV vaccine by modifying the immune system to mimic these conditions.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has begun a Phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an experimental yellow fever vaccine developed by Bavarian Nordic. The trial will assess whether the investigational vaccine can prevent yellow fever virus infection and induce a strong immune response.
Researchers at NIH identified six Zika virus antibodies that recognize a particular Zika protein, the envelope or E protein. Two of these antibodies also protect mice from Zika infection, offering potential for prophylactic treatment approaches for pregnant women at risk of Zika virus infection.
Researchers have identified three types of vaccine-induced antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of influenza virus, which could guide development of a universal flu vaccine. The discovery provides clear evidence that these antibodies can be induced by a vaccine, making them a potential basis for a universal flu vaccine.
Researchers found that combining antiretroviral therapy with an immune-enhancing treatment can destabilize viral reservoirs in macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus. The treatment, which targets PD-1, boosted anti-viral CD8+ cells and reduced SIV levels in infected monkeys.
A clinical trial found that HIV-infected mothers taking a three-drug antiretroviral regimen during breastfeeding can virtually eliminate HIV transmission to their infants. The study, which included over 2,400 pairs from sub-Saharan Africa and India, showed nearly all babies survived their first year of life.
Using a drug-infused vaginal ring most of the time significantly reduced HIV infection risk in women by at least 56 percent, according to an exploratory analysis of data from the ASPIRE study. High adherence was associated with a risk reduction of potentially 75 percent or more.
Researchers discovered that cells from HIV-infected people with suppressed virus harbor defective HIV DNA that can produce HIV-related proteins. This finding may explain persistent immune activation during suppressive treatment and pose a potential barrier to an HIV cure.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $30 million in annual funding to six international collaborations working on an HIV cure. The program aims to address the virus's ability to establish a reservoir in immune cells, making it challenging to develop a cure.
Researchers are working on vaccines that induce broadly neutralizing antibodies to block a wide range of HIV variants, but the body does not readily make an adequate immune response to HIV infection. Efforts to vaccinate individuals with HIV immunogens have not yet been successful due to this issue.
The PREVAIL IV trial is a six-month study enrolling 60-120 EVD survivors with evidence of Ebola virus RNA in their semen. Participants will receive either investigational drug GS-5734 or a placebo to see if it can eliminate the viral RNA from semen.
Research funded by NIAID found that Zika virus lingers in pregnant animals for at least 57 days, but provides immunity against future infections. Non-pregnant monkeys cleared the virus within 10 days of infection.
Two experimental Zika vaccines fully protected mice from infection, even after four weeks without inoculation. The DNA and inactivated virus vaccines induced virus-specific antibodies, correlating with protection against infection.
A recent NIH-supported study pinpoints the origin of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic in central Mexico, where it emerged from pigs before spreading to humans. The research highlights the importance of tracking swine populations and understanding how economic factors contribute to viral outbreaks.
Researchers found that combining anthrax toxin proteins with chemotherapy drugs can selectively target blood vessel cells feeding tumors, reducing tumor growth. The treatment regimen showed durable anti-tumor effects in mice, warranting further exploration for cancer therapy.
A global study has identified four genetically distinct populations of Plasmodium vivax, the parasite responsible for debilitating forms of malaria. The findings provide insights into the movement and adaptation of P. vivax over time, suggesting regional variations in mosquito transmission and human infection.
The National Institutes of Health has launched a multi-country study to investigate the health risks associated with Zika virus infection during pregnancy. The study aims to enroll up to 10,000 pregnant women across several locations affected by Zika outbreaks, followed throughout their pregnancies and into early childhood.
The NIH has developed a crowdsourcing platform, OMics Compendia Commons (OMiCC), to make public gene expression data more accessible. Researchers can create groups of data and annotate them with standardized parameters, allowing for the reuse of existing data to address new research questions.
A new NIH-funded study shows that introducing peanut-containing foods during infancy is a safe and effective strategy for preventing peanut allergy. The research, based on the LEAP clinical trial, found no negative effects on infant and child growth and nutrition, including breastfeeding duration and body mass index.