Scientists developed a novel strategy to predict how circulating influenza viruses will evolve, which may help create better seasonal flu vaccines. The approach involves simulating mutations in lab and mapping patterns using antigenic cartography, revealing clusters of unique mutations that match natural evolution.
Researchers identified Zika virus protein NS5 as a promising target for vaccines, inhibiting human interferon responses by blocking STAT2 protein. The study found altered or removed NS5 could trigger the human immune system to attack the virus, making it a potential vaccine candidate.
A large clinical trial is set to begin in November 2016 to determine the safety and effectiveness of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen. The study, called HVTN 702, will enroll 5,400 adults at risk for HIV infection and assess the regimen's ability to prevent HIV infection among South African adults.
Researchers discovered a new vulnerable site on HIV called the fusion peptide, which has a simpler structure than other sites studied. A broadly neutralizing antibody targeting this site could help prevent HIV infection by binding to key cell-surface molecules.
Researchers have developed mouse models of Zika infection in pregnancy, revealing that the virus causes significant damage to the placenta and leads to fetal demise or stunted growth. High levels of viral genetic material were found in placentas, highlighting the importance of understanding how Zika affects pregnant women.
A new investigational malaria vaccine has been shown to protect healthy US adults for more than one year. The PfSPZ vaccine demonstrates sterile protection in individuals with no prior infection, paving the way for potential use against future malaria outbreaks.
Researchers found that topoisomerase 1 inhibitors suppress inflammation in mice, potentially treating sepsis and other immune disorders. These drugs have shown promise in rescuing mice from a lethal inflammatory response caused by bacterial infections, suggesting a new approach to controlling acute infections.
Researchers have found that single antibody infusions can protect monkeys against infection with an HIV-like virus for up to 23 weeks. The study used broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting a wide range of HIV strains and showed varying levels of protection depending on the antibody's potency and half-life.
A new study funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases proposes that co-housing laboratory mice with mice from pet stores could produce
The new study found that higher levels of antibody against neuraminidase protein were better predictors of protection against flu infection and its side effects. Participants with high levels of HA antibodies experienced lower incidence of mild-to-moderate influenza, but not necessarily less severe symptoms.
An immunization regimen using two Ebola vaccine candidates was found to be safe and well-tolerated, inducing an immune response in healthy adult volunteers. The study's results suggest that the vaccines could provide durable protection against Ebola, which is essential for areas with intermittent outbreaks.
Researchers found that islet transplantation prevents severe hypoglycemic events in people who experienced episodes despite expert care. After one year, 88% of participants were free of severe hypoglycemic events and had restored hypoglycemic awareness.
Researchers exposed monkeys to SIV, the monkey equivalent of HIV, and found that the virus triggers early host responses that suppress antiviral immunity. This early inflammation promotes viral replication, highlighting the need for effective prevention tools.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting two multinational clinical trials to test an investigational anti-HIV antibody called VRC01. The studies aim to determine the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of the antibody in preventing HIV infection.
A new NIH study has identified the protein calpain 14 as a possible cause of tissue damage in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. The researchers found that calpain 14 regulates another protein, desmoglein 1, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of esophageal tissue.
The NIH has awarded six grants to study the molecular mechanisms behind combination vaccine adjuvants, which improve vaccine effectiveness and could lead to new treatments for diseases like HIV and tuberculosis. Researchers will explore how individual adjuvants work in combination and how synergies between them can be optimized.
A team of NIH doctors detailed a severe case of Ebola virus disease involving the central nervous system. Despite multi-organ failure, the patient survived with intensive supportive care, highlighting near complete recovery is possible with such care alone.
Researchers have determined the near-atomic level map of Zika virus, showing a notable difference in one key surface protein compared to other flaviviruses like dengue. This structure may provide clues for understanding how Zika enters human cells and suggest ways to combat the virus with drugs or vaccines.
Researchers identified biological markers in blood samples from latently infected individuals that can predict the risk of developing active TB. These biomarkers may enable targeted therapies to prevent illness in high-risk individuals.
A recent NIH study found that antibodies derived from unconventional B cells in HIV-infected individuals with uncontrolled virus levels are less effective at neutralizing HIV. The study suggests that the abnormal distribution of B cell types contributes to the lack of effective immune response.
A clinical trial showed that the experimental vaccine TV003 protected all 21 volunteers from infection, while placebo recipients developed infection. The study's results inform a phase 3 efficacy trial and offer new hope for dengue prevention.
Researchers discovered a microbial biomarker that distinguishes premature infants at risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) from those who don't. Infants with NEC had higher Gammaproteobacteria and lower anaerobic bacteria in their guts compared to controls.
Researchers found that treatment with omalizumab significantly decreases the number of colds in inner-city children with allergic asthma. Omalizumab targets and reduces levels of immunoglobulin E, a key player in protecting against viruses like those causing cold symptoms.
A single monoclonal antibody isolated from an Ebola survivor protected non-human primates even after lethal infection, offering hope for a potential treatment. The findings suggest a novel site of vulnerability on the Ebola virus and may lead to effective therapy.
A Phase 2 trial found that maraviroc-containing regimens are as safe and well-tolerated as TDF and emtricitabine when used as PrEP to prevent HIV infection in high-risk men. Five participants became infected with HIV during the study, but their low drug levels suggested inconsistent use of PrEP.
A novel coordinated care program helped black men who have sex with men adhere to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication regimen that prevents HIV infection. Nearly 80% of participants agreed to take PrEP, and 70% had protective levels in their plasma at the midpoint.
Two investigational vaccines against Ebola virus disease induced an immune response among 1,000 participants in the Phase 2 PREVAIL I trial. The cAd3-EBOZ and rVSV-ZEBOV vaccines were well-tolerated and elicited measurable and demonstrable antibodies, respectively.
A study of Ebola survivors found high rates of eye, musculoskeletal, and neurological complications. The study also explored the risk of sexual transmission of Ebola, with most survivors reporting regular sexual activity but few using condoms.
ZMapp, a monoclonal antibody cocktail, was well-tolerated and showed promise in treating Ebola virus disease. The trial's results indicate that patients who received ZMapp appeared to do better than those who received standard-of-care only, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Researchers found that young adult males and transgender participants experienced a measurable but clinically insignificant loss of bone mineral density while taking PrEP. However, after stopping the regimen, bone mineral density levels returned to normal in just six months.
A large clinical trial found that a vaginal ring releasing an experimental antiretroviral drug reduced the risk of HIV infection by 27% overall and 61% among women ages 25 and older. The study's results suggest age-related disparities in protection, with younger women showing less consistent use and lower protection.
Researchers have deciphered the genome of the blacklegged tick, revealing secrets to its success as a disease vector. The study identifies genes and protein families that shed light on why ticks excel at spreading pathogens, providing potential targets for new interventions.
Researchers identify ADGRE2 gene mutation responsible for vibratory urticaria, a rare inherited disorder causing hives and allergic symptoms upon vibration. The study reveals a key role of the mast cell response to physical stimuli in disease development, offering new insights into immune system functions.
A new study funded by NIH suggests that ongoing HIV replication in lymphoid tissues maintains stores of the virus, a prerequisite for achieving a cure. Current ART regimens cannot eliminate persistent viral reservoirs, but sequencing data shows continued evolution over time without accumulating drug-resistant mutations.
A new NIH-funded study suggests that changes in immune cell subtypes after oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy can help predict treatment success. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found a novel T-cell population that likely would not mount an allergic response expanded with treatment.
A large-scale clinical trial has been launched in Brazil to evaluate a candidate vaccine for dengue fever, which affects half the world's population and causes 500,000 hospitalizations annually. The vaccine, TV003, aims to prevent the mosquito-borne illness with a robust antibody and cellular immune response.
The NIH has awarded funding for 24 research projects developing non-traditional antibacterials, including therapeutic bacteria and phage therapy, to combat increasing antibiotic resistance. The grants aim to provide new treatment options for deadly infections.
A recent study found that dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine treatment has failed in certain provinces of Cambodia due to parasite resistance. The WHO has reinstated artesunate plus mefloquine as the first-line treatment in these areas. New surveillance and clinical trials are needed to track the spread of piperaquine resistance.
A single infusion of VRC01 can suppress HIV levels by over 10-fold in some individuals, even without antiretroviral therapy. The treatment remains safe and well-tolerated, but its effectiveness varies depending on the individual's viral load.
A prime-boost H7N9 influenza vaccine concept has shown promising results in a small clinical trial, demonstrating the potential for a single dose to provide protection. The vaccine, which combines a live but weakened virus with an inactivated booster, elicited a robust immune response in both young and older adults.
Researchers successfully tested gene therapy combined with low-dose chemotherapy in five patients aged 7-24 with worsening immune systems due to SCID-X1. The therapy showed substantial improvements in immunity and clinical status, particularly in the first two patients who received treatment.
Three large clinical trials provide compelling data on the benefits of starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) early in HIV infection, outweighing theoretical risks. The results also show that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) significantly reduces HIV transmission among high-risk populations.
A Phase 2 clinical trial is underway to test a chikungunya vaccine in 400 healthy adult volunteers. The trial aims to assess the safety and immune response of the vaccine, which has shown promising results in previous studies.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has launched a major initiative to advance novel approaches to treat and prevent HIV infections using broadly neutralizing antibodies. Researchers will work with GlaxoSmithKline to develop long-acting agents for preventing and treating HIV.
The NIH-funded study found that the RTS,S vaccine was most effective against malaria in children with the same protein variant, while a mismatch corresponded to lesser protection. The research used advanced genomic sequencing technology to investigate genetic variations in the CS protein, which may limit or restrict vaccine protection.
A new review outlines findings that hint at the types of immune responses a preventive HIV vaccine may need to induce, including production of antiviral antibodies and CD4+ T cell responses. Many RV144 vaccinees produced antibodies in the IgG family linked to protection against acquiring HIV.
A recent NIH study found that artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium falciparum parasites can infect diverse mosquito species in Africa, including Anopheles coluzzii. This discovery suggests a higher risk of drug-resistant malaria infections in Africa, posing challenges to efforts to prevent and eliminate the disease.
Researchers at NIH have developed a protein that awakens resting immune cells infected with HIV, facilitating their destruction. The protein, VRC07-αCD3, has shown promise in laboratory studies and animal trials, offering new hope for an HIV cure.
Favipiravir successfully treats Lassa virus infection in guinea pigs, with high-dose treatment offering complete protection. The antiviral drug outperforms ribavirin, which can cause severe disease after treatment ends.
Researchers identify that activation of normally protective immune responses causes nerve cell death by affecting mitochondria function. SARM1 protein is responsible, providing a potential target for therapy.