Researchers funded by NIH have found that Anopheles gambiae is evolving into two distinct species, M and S, with differing traits and behaviors. These emerging species may alter disease transmission patterns, requiring new prevention strategies.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded four new contracts for large-scale clinical trials to evaluate treatment alternatives for diseases caused by resistant bacteria. These trials will focus on acute otitis media, community-acquired pneumonia, and Gram-negative bacterial infections.
Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health have determined the complete genetic blueprints for 13 different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The new genetic data will help develop improved ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
Two NIH-funded studies influenced the WHO's revision of its guidelines for treating HIV-infected women and infants. The studies found that a single dose of nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child transmission can hamper the drug's effectiveness if used later as part of a treatment regimen. As a result, the new guidelines advise against u...
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded contracts to develop three biodefense vaccines to protect against dengue, anthrax, and other emerging infectious diseases. The vaccines aim to improve vaccine delivery and immune response for large-scale protection.
Researchers discovered a reservoir of rapidly replicating Salmonella inside epithelial cells, which are then pushed out into the gut cavity, triggering an inflammatory response. This understanding may lead to a treatment that prevents the spread of infection and sheds light on the mechanisms behind acute intestinal inflammation.
A Phase 3 clinical trial conducted by GlaxoSmithKline and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases found that a genital herpes vaccine was ineffective in preventing the disease in women. The study, which involved 8,323 women aged 18-30 years, showed that the vaccine had an estimated 20% effectiveness rate.
A new study found that HIV-infected individuals who start antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after acquiring the virus have stronger immune responses to other pathogens compared to those who start ART later. Early treatment restores resting memory B cells and reduces immature B cells, leading to improved immune system function.
Scientists estimate that at least 183 million Americans have immunity to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus due to exposure or vaccination. They predict the virus will persist in a form causing relatively few deaths, but caution against complacency and urge influenza vaccination for all ages.
Researchers have developed a method to extract and present viral surface fragments, known as epitopes, into computer-designed protein scaffolds that lock them in recognizable shapes. This approach has implications for vaccine design and the development of antibodies against HIV/AIDS.
A chemical compound, NITD609, has shown promising results in clearing malaria parasites from mice after a single oral dose. The compound targets a parasite protein not attacked by existing malaria drugs and has desirable features for a new malaria therapy.
A new molecular test has been shown to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) and detect drug-resistant bacteria with high sensitivity and specificity. The Xpert MTB/RIF TB test successfully identified 98% of confirmed TB cases and patients with rifampin-resistant bacteria in under two hours.
Scientists have found a promising treatment method that neutralizes the key toxin associated with S. aureus skin infections, reducing damage and promoting faster recovery in laboratory mice. The study suggests antitoxin treatment could be an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics.
The NIH has renewed a research program to develop medical countermeasures for radiation exposure after a radiological or nuclear attack. The program will support research at seven institutions nationwide and provide an estimated $105 million in funding.
The National Institutes of Health has launched a nationwide research initiative to define changes in the human immune system using human studies. The effort aims to improve vaccine safety, effectiveness, and overall therapeutic outcomes for various infections and diseases.
A new tetravalent vaccine developed by NIAID is being tested in a Phase I human clinical trial to prevent dengue fever. The vaccine, which protects against all four dengue viruses, aims to provide efficient and cost-effective prevention against the mosquito-borne disease.
Researchers have identified a unique metabolic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, which could be targeted with anti-malarial drugs. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the parasite uses a double-branched pathway to generate acetyl-CoA, a crucial molecule for its survival.
A clinical trial in Cambodia found that starting anti-HIV therapy two weeks after beginning TB treatment boosts survival rates for HIV-infected adults with weak immune systems. This approach, compared to waiting eight weeks, shows a significant difference in mortality rates among participants.
Dr. Fauci presents new insights on the early pathogenic events following sexual exposure to HIV, informing strategies for prevention and vaccination. He focuses on the role of α4β7 in enhancing HIV binding to CD4+ T cells, a potential target for vaccine development.
The CAPRISA 004 microbicide study has shown that an antiretroviral drug can be formulated into a vaginal gel protecting women against HIV infection. This finding is crucial for empowering at-risk populations with a safe and effective prevention tool, marking a significant milestone in HIV prevention.
The NIH proposes a three-part plan to combat the HIV/AIDS pandemic by significantly expanding antiretroviral therapy access, curing a substantial proportion of infected individuals, and increasing HIV prevention measures. This comprehensive approach aims to control the spread of the disease and ultimately achieve its eradication.
Scientists at NIH identify novel Staphylococcus aureus toxin LukGH, which destroys human immune cells and increases MRSA severity. The toxin is secreted into the environment, forming pores in neutrophils that lead to their destruction.
Researchers developed a prime-boost vaccine strategy that generated antibodies capable of neutralizing multiple flu strains, including those from different years and subtypes. The vaccine showed significant promise in animal models, with up to 80% survival rate after exposure to high levels of flu virus.
The NIH has renewed its food allergy research program, the Consortium of Food Allergy Research (CoFAR), with a $29.9 million grant for five more years. The program will expand to include research on genetic causes underlying food allergy and studies of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.
A new treatment strategy using rituximab has shown comparable benefits to the current standard of care in reducing disease activity and inducing remission for patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis. Early results also suggest improved outcomes for patients with relapsing disease, making this a major treatment advance.
Researchers have found two human antibodies, VRC01 and VRC02, that can neutralize over 90% of known HIV strains. These antibodies could be used to design improved HIV vaccines or developed as a therapy for HIV infection. The discovery was made using a novel molecular device that targets specific cells making antibodies against HIV.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has funded 10 international centers for excellence in malaria research, with a focus on cutting-edge research in endemic areas. The program aims to generate critical knowledge, tools, and evidence-based strategies to support intervention and control programs in regions most affe...
In a study of rhesus macaques, the experimental Marburg vaccine showed 100% protection when administered 24 hours after lethal exposure, and 66.7% survival rate when treated 48 hours post-infection. The vaccine works by activating the immune system to fight off the target virus.
A 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine has been found to protect mice from the 1918 Spanish flu virus. The study's results suggest that people vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 or exposed to the virus may have cross-protective antibodies against the 1918 strain, providing potential protection.
A recent clinical trial has found that azithromycin pills are as effective as penicillin injections in curing early-stage syphilis. The study, led by Edward W. Hook III, involved 517 HIV-negative volunteers and showed a cure rate of 77.6% for azithromycin recipients.
A new treatment stimulates the host immune system to destroy invading microbes, protecting against tularemia and other disease-causing bacteria. The therapy has broad usage and potential for future use as a treatment alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a distinct gene expression pattern in kidney transplant recipients who didn't reject their transplanted kidneys despite stopping immunosuppressive therapy. The finding may help identify other transplant recipients who can safely reduce or end their use of anti-rejection drugs.
A newly developed experimental Ebola vaccine has shown protection in monkeys against a newer Ebola virus species identified in 2007. The vaccine induces a robust T-cell response that can cross-react with other Ebola virus species.
An experimental immune-boosting drug that increases type I interferon production hastens tuberculosis (TB) in mice. The treatment also draws more macrophages to the lungs, where TB bacteria thrive, leading to severe lung tissue damage and worsened disease outcomes.
Two people with compromised immune systems developed drug-resistant strains of the 2009 H1N1 virus after less than two weeks on therapy. Both patients showed clinical resistance to oseltamivir and peramivir, emphasizing the need for alternative treatment strategies.
Researchers found that pandemic influenza viruses from 1918 and 2009 share a structural detail that makes them susceptible to neutralization by the same antibodies. Vaccination with either virus can generate cross-reactive antibodies capable of neutralizing the other virus.
Scientists found that a protein barrier in mosquito midgut prevents disease-causing agents like the Plasmodium malaria parasite from infecting mosquitoes. Disrupting this barrier could trigger immune defenses to protect insects from infection, potentially informing new strategies for blocking malaria transmission.
A clinical trial in rural Canadian communities found that immunizing children against seasonal influenza significantly protects unvaccinated individuals via herd immunity. The study, conducted among Hutterite youth aged 36 months to 15 years, showed a 61% effective rate of indirect protection.
A new mathematical approach, csSAM, allows for accurate and quick characterization of immune cells in human blood, enabling the distinction between health and disease states. This breakthrough method identifies changes in gene expression patterns, overcoming previous obstacles such as cell separation and variation in cell proportions.
Scientists have identified a region of chromosome 5 associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a rare allergic disease. The study suggests that the thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) gene may play a role in EoE, and future research may lead to a genetic test and treatments.
Scientists have discovered a new form of prion disease that causes brain artery damage, distinct from the typical sponge-like brain deterioration. The study may hold clues for treating Alzheimer's disease, as researchers found that removing a specific anchor from prion protein could prevent plaque accumulation and block fluid drainage.
Scientists have developed an experimental VLP vaccine that protects macaques and mice against chikungunya virus, a debilitating disease with no current treatment. The vaccine, using non-infectious virus-like particles, elicits immune responses and provides complete protection from infection.
A new study identifies thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) as a molecule that directs immune cells to develop an allergic response. The signaling molecule is involved in the development of allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergy.
Autopsies show that the 2009 H1N1 virus causes damage to both upper and lower respiratory tracts, with evidence of secondary bacterial infection present in over half of victims. The study also highlights the impact on younger people and the importance of identifying and treating severe infections.
Scientists discover that antibodies must precisely target the gp120 site of initial attachment on the viral spike to neutralize HIV. The new findings suggest a potential strategy for generating effective HIV-neutralizing antibodies, which could bring researchers closer to creating an HIV vaccine.
A new study found that healthy adults have a level of protective immune memory against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This immunity can blunt the severity of infection and provide some protection. The findings may explain why younger children are more severely affected by the pandemic.
The Radiation Effects Research Foundation will study the impact of atomic bomb radiation on the aging immune system, analyzing biological samples from elderly Japanese survivors. Understanding how the immune system ages may help care for the growing population of older adults worldwide.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded approximately $208 million to two programs that support research on the human immune response to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. This funding aims to identify new vaccines and drug targets, with a focus on developing prevention tools and therapeutics.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has renewed a five-year, $56 million contract to study asthma in children living in lower-income, inner-city environments. The Inner-City Asthma Consortium (ICAC) will evaluate promising new therapies to reduce asthma severity and prevent disease.
A clinical trial has shown that healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response after receiving just one dose of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The vaccine has been well-tolerated and elicits protective immune responses in a significant majority of participants.