A live-attenuated Chlamydia bacteria-based vaccine has been shown to protect monkeys from developing severe eye disease and blinding trachoma. The vaccine demonstrated robust immune responses and prevented infection in up to 50% of vaccinated monkeys.
Researchers found that a DNA vaccine expressing a key H5N1 protein enhanced the immune response to an H5N1 avian influenza vaccine. The prime-boost regimen produced high levels of protective antibodies and broadly neutralizing antibodies against the HA stem, a region relatively constant across many strains of influenza viruses.
The VOICE study will discontinue evaluating oral tenofovir due to lack of effectiveness, while continuing to investigate tenofovir gel and PrEP. This decision was made after an interim review found no safety concerns with oral tenofovir.
Researchers discovered proteins and genetic material from the 1918 influenza virus in specimens from 37 soldiers, including four who died between May and August 1918. The findings suggest that the virus did not undergo a dramatic change during the pandemic, contributing to unusually high mortality.
Scientists are working on structure-based HIV vaccines and understanding the evolutionary processes of human B cells producing broadly neutralizing antibodies. New research tools and a better understanding of the human immune response offer optimism for developing an effective HIV vaccine.
Researchers developed a genetically modified Mycobacterium smegmatis vaccine that induces strong immune response in mice, protecting them from TB infection. The vaccine effectively lowers TB bacteria levels by 1,000 times compared to the current BCG vaccine.
A new study found that plerixafor, a drug already approved for bone marrow transplants, corrects panleukopenia in patients with WHIM syndrome. This targeted therapy may provide a more effective treatment for this rare immune deficiency.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers found that a prime-boost mix of injected or spray flu vaccine provides the broadest immune response in young children. The study also found that nasal spray vaccine stimulates a wide array of immune T cells, which may be important for protection against diverse flu strains.
Researchers have discovered how TB drug pyrazinamide effectively shortens the required duration of TB therapy. The drug acts on latent TB bacteria that exist in an acidic environment, converting to its active form to bind and block vital protein RpsA, ultimately killing the bacteria.
A NIH-led team has discovered a method to guide the evolution of powerful HIV-neutralizing antibodies, which could lead to the development of an effective vaccine. The researchers used deep sequencing and bioinformatics techniques to decipher the genetic data of immune cells that produce these antibodies.
Researchers identified 32 effective compounds against malaria parasites, including 10 new compounds and 7 that are more active than artemisinin at lower concentrations. The study suggests targeting the same three parasite genes simultaneously to disarm the parasite and provides leads for multi-drug regimens.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded over $14 million in grants to three research teams focused on developing strategies to eradicate HIV reservoirs. The grants aim to develop proteins that directly attack these reservoirs, as well as study immune cells' resistance to the virus.
Researchers at NIH have demonstrated how to reactivate immune cells exhausted by chronic HIV using siRNA-based approach. This breakthrough may lead to improved human antibody responses against HIV and other pathogens.
NIH-funded researchers identified three types of odor molecules that disrupt mosquito carbon dioxide-sensing machinery. These findings could lead to the development of more effective repellents and lures to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers aim to efficiently identify more HIV-infected people through expanded voluntary testing programs. They also seek innovative approaches to curing HIV/AIDS by eradicating or suppressing the virus in infected individuals.
Researchers have discovered the genetic basis for a key parasite function in malaria, revealing that parasites create feeding ion channels in blood cells using two distinct genes. This finding opens up new research directions, including the development of antimalarial drugs targeting these channels.
Scientists analyzed over 650 influenza viruses from Hong Kong pigs, tracing the emergence of subtypes that can infect humans. The study highlights the potential for gene-swapping between viruses and recommends continued surveillance to understand how this process might lead to new variants with human flu epidemic risks.
A study of 161 marine mammal tissue samples reveals an association between severe illness and co-infection with two parasites, Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii. The infections caused more severe disease symptoms in animals infected with both parasites.
A team of NIH scientists has identified the most proteins produced by Brugia malayi, a parasitic worm that causes lymphatic filariasis. The findings may lead to the development of new vaccines and treatments for the disease, which can cause severely disabling swelling in the lower limbs.
Scientists have identified a class of naturally occurring bacteria that can strongly inhibit malaria-causing parasites in Anopheles mosquitoes. The study found that Enterobacter inhibits parasite growth by producing short-lived molecules known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), reducing malaria infection by 98-99%.
A major randomized clinical trial found that treating an HIV-infected individual can significantly reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV to an uninfected partner. The study, known as HPTN 052, demonstrated a 96% reduction in transmission when antiretroviral therapy was initiated early.
Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have developed a highly sensitive blood test for detecting human prion diseases, which are fatal brain disorders. The new method improves upon previous tests by being 10,000 times more sensitive and can rapidly detect abnormal prion proteins in blood plasma.
Scientists administered SIV vaccine to monkeys and found neutralizing antibodies and genetic factors correlated with protection. The vaccine reduced infection rate by 50% in some monkeys, providing evidence for immune response needed to prevent HIV infection.
Adaptive clinical trial designs may accelerate HIV vaccine development by rapidly screening out poor candidates and evaluating promising ones. These designs can provide key information on the immunological basis for HIV prevention, helping to advance vaccines through clinical trials more quickly.
A NIH study found that active surveillance for bacteria and barrier precautions did not reduce the transmission of two important antibiotic-resistant bacteria in hospital-based settings. The use of gloves and gowns was also not sufficient to prevent bacterial spread.
Scientists have successfully mutated specific genes of Chlamydia bacteria using a new approach called Targeting Induced Local Lesions in Genomes (TILLING). This breakthrough could lead to better understanding of the infections and develop new strategies to prevent and control them.
A clinical trial found that adding omalizumab to standard therapy reduced asthma symptoms in children and young people with moderate to severe disease. The study showed a 25% reduction in days with symptoms and a 30% reduction in asthma attacks, as well as a significant decrease in hospitalizations.
Scientists at NIAID discovered how E. coli O157:H7 infects humans by altering the host's immune responses, allowing it to evade elimination and prolong survival. This mechanism could be relevant to other pathogens involved in foodborne diseases, such as Shigella and Salmonella.
A new NIH study aims to determine the risks and benefits of early antiretroviral treatment in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals with high CD4 counts. The study will compare immediate treatment to deferred treatment until CD4 counts fall below 350 cells/mm³.
Researchers presented studies on preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in infants and the strain characteristics of transmitted strains, with implications for future vaccine strategies. A study found that post-exposure prophylaxis with a two- or three-antiretroviral-drug regimen is more effective than zidovudine alone, while a...
The iPrEx study found daily oral Truvada effective in preventing HIV infection in gay and bisexual men and transgender women. Researchers also discovered small but significant decreases in bone mineral density among those taking Truvada compared to a placebo.
A 6-month daily dose of the antiretroviral drug nevirapine significantly reduced HIV transmission through breast milk to infants of HIV-infected mothers. The extended regimen achieved a 54% reduction in HIV transmission risk compared to six-week treatment, while preserving health benefits of extended breastfeeding.
Researchers investigated the risks of starting antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients with TB, finding that early ART may not reduce AIDS risk for those with fewer than 250 CD4+ T cells. Microbicide studies showed promise with rectally applied tenofovir gel reducing HIV infection risk in men and women.
A new study by NIH-funded researchers has developed genetically modified fungi that can kill malaria-causing parasites in mosquitoes, significantly reducing parasite development. The transgenic fungi block the development of malaria parasites in mosquitoes, preventing transmission to humans.
Researchers have discovered a genetic feature of early-transmitting HIV that enables it to bind tightly to CD4+ T cells through integrin alpha-4 beta-7. This binding enhances the ability of HIV to complete sexual transmission and establish infection in an individual.
Researchers combined two proteins and a stress response protein to create a new TB vaccine strategy that provided stronger, more long-lasting protection than the current BCG vaccine. The study found that this multistage vaccine controlled reactivation of latent infection and reduced Mtb levels in the lungs more effectively.
Researchers at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh found that antibiotics are more effective than a placebo in relieving symptoms of middle-ear infections in young children. The study, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, involved 291 children between 6 and 23 months old with acute middle ear infections.
Researchers at NIH found that even tiny amounts of superoxide production in people with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) are linked to better survival rates. The study allows for early assessment of patient risk, enabling personalized treatment options.
A single dose of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine was found to be safe and induced a strong immune response in individuals with asthma. Participants over 60 with severe asthma required a higher dose for adequate protection.
The NIH-sponsored expert panel issued comprehensive guidelines to diagnose and manage food allergy, providing standardized recommendations for clinicians. The guidelines aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy, which affects millions of Americans.
Researchers at NIAID envision a universal flu vaccine that elicits an unnatural immune response, protecting against multiple flu strains. By targeting a shared region of the flu protein HA, scientists hope to develop a broadly protective vaccine that could replace seasonal vaccines.
Researchers from NIH have discovered a specific protein, PSM-beta, that biofilms use for growth, detachment and dissemination. Interfering with this protein could provide a way to stop the spread of biofilm-associated infection.
A new test method has been developed to detect and measure infectious agents called prions that cause devastating brain-damaging conditions. The real time quaking induced conversion assay (RT-QuIC) can detect miniscule amounts of infectious prions, potentially leading to early treatment and prevention.
A daily dose of Truvada reduced HIV infection risk by 43.8% among men who have sex with men, with up to 72.8% effectiveness among adherent participants. The study provides strong evidence for PrEP as an HIV prevention strategy.
The article discusses ongoing research to improve influenza vaccines, including the development of novel production technologies and approaches such as recombinant virus proteins and universal flu vaccines. These efforts aim to provide better protection against multiple strains of influenza and novel flu viruses in the future.
Researchers found that anthrax bacteria use CMG2 receptors to impair the scavenging action of neutrophils and macrophages, allowing the bacteria to multiply and overwhelm the body's defenses. Studying genetically modified mice revealed that mice without CMG2 receptors on immune cells were completely resistant to infection.
The 1510 influenza pandemic originated in Asia and spread quickly to Africa and Europe via trade routes. New scientific and public health advances have improved our ability to plan and prepare for seasonal and pandemic influenza.
Researchers will discuss guidelines for food allergy diagnosis and management, as well as primary immunodeficiency diseases such as Job's syndrome and DOCK8 deficiency. The meeting also addresses atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disorder associated with dry, itchy skin.
Researchers discovered that activated T cells play a key role in IRIS, producing excessive interferon gamma and triggering an exaggerated immune response. A new animal model also confirmed the involvement of macrophages in sparking IRIS. These findings may lead to targeted prevention or therapy for HIV patients developing IRIS.
A new analysis of old data suggests that bacterial infections associated with the 1918 influenza pandemic may be important in modern pandemics. The study confirms the importance of Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccines in preventing pneumonia and death, which could lead to reduced mortality rates in future outbreaks