A protein called RGS13 has been found to suppress allergic responses in mice, including severe anaphylaxis. Researchers believe RGS13 may be a target for developing new drugs to treat certain allergic diseases.
Scientists at NIAID identified a key factor contributing to the severity of community-associated methicillin-resistant staph infections. Novel proteins in drug-resistant strains of S. aureus attract and destroy protective white blood cells, ensuring the bacterium survives and causes severe disease.
Researchers found mast cells with mutated cell surface receptor in patients with idiopathic anaphylaxis, suggesting a genetic trigger. The mutation may predispose people to idiopathic anaphylaxis and respond to inhibitors targeting the mutated cell surface receptor.
The new analyses revealed that the vaccine showed no measurable efficacy, and among individuals with background immunity to the adenovirus vector, there were more HIV infections in the vaccinees as compared to those in the placebo group. The STEP data will continue to be analyzed to better understand these results.
NIAID has awarded eight contracts to strengthen and expand its VTEUs, which will carry out more clinical trials in larger populations and safely test vaccines in specific vulnerable populations. The units will have inpatient beds for isolating volunteers, making it easier to conduct trials quickly.
A new TB drug, SQ109, has been given special status by the US and European regulators for its potential to combat drug-resistant strains of M. tuberculosis. The orphan designation will accelerate clinical testing of the drug, which may lead to simpler and more effective treatment regimens for the disease.
A team of scientists will use a systems biology approach to build a detailed picture of immune system function, focusing on innate and adaptive immunity. The research aims to develop new treatments, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious diseases.
Researchers identified genetic variations that significantly contribute to HIV/AIDS progression rates, including CCR5 and CCL3L1 genes. These findings may lead to the development of additional markers for predicting HIV disease course.
A rapid molecular typing strategy can identify adenovirus types in two days, aiding in the selection of antiviral treatment and controlling outbreaks. The strategy's speed will help public health officials better understand adenovirus epidemiology.
The complete genetic sequence of Giardia lamblia has been completed, revealing opportunities for new drug and vaccine targets. The parasite's genome shows unusual proteins that could be exploited to treat or prevent infections.
Researchers from NIH identify sources of bias in previous studies, suggesting strategies to reduce severe influenza outcomes among the elderly. The authors emphasize the need for better flu vaccines and new approaches, including antiviral drugs and targeted vaccination for high-risk individuals.
A team of researchers funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has solved the complete genome of Brugia malayi, a parasite that causes elephantiasis. This breakthrough reveals dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines, offering new opportunities for understanding, treating and preventing the disease.
Researchers have identified the specific gene implicated in Job's syndrome, a rare immunodeficiency disorder characterized by harmful bacterial and fungal infections. The discovery could benefit treatment for other immunodeficiency diseases and provide new leads for therapies.
Dr. Anthony S. Fauci has been recognized for his role in developing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and Project Bioshield, two major U.S. public health programs. He has made significant contributions to understanding AIDS pathogenesis and has advised several administrations on global HIV/AIDS issues.
A team of scientists at NIAID has developed a strategy to generate vaccines and therapeutic antibodies that can target predicted H5N1 mutants before they emerge. By identifying key mutations in the HA protein, they created vaccines and isolated new antibodies that could neutralize both bird- and human-adapted forms of the virus.
Two new five-year contracts will study oral, off-patent antibiotics for treating skin and soft tissue CA-MRSA infections. If successful, these antibiotics could be used to delay resistance development to vancomycin.
A clinical trial by NIAID suggests that early antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected infants can significantly improve survival rates. The study found that children treated before three months of age had a better prognosis than those whose treatment was delayed, leading to a potential change in standard care worldwide.
Researchers identified three gene variants linked to HIV control and progression, providing new targets for therapies and vaccines. The study's findings could lead to improved treatments and more effective immune responses against the virus.
Scientists discovered preserved samples of the 1918 influenza virus in frozen autopsy tissues from an Alaskan woman buried for over 75 years. The recovery enabled researchers to study the virus's genetic material, providing valuable insights into its structure and potential vulnerabilities.
Researchers have found that treating mice with tularemia-specific antibodies can protect them against the bacteria, enhancing immune responses and acting as a surrogate vaccine. This approach could be particularly useful in cases of bioterrorism, providing rapid and specific protection to individuals with weakened immune systems.
Scientists have developed a new method to deliver therapeutic molecules across the blood-brain barrier using a short protein from the rabies virus. This approach protects mice from infection caused by the Japanese encephalitis virus, suggesting potential for treating various brain infections and diseases.
Researchers at NIAID discovered a survival mechanism in gram-positive bacteria that protects it from antimicrobial peptides, which are defense molecules sent by the body to kill bacteria. The discovery may help chart a path to designing new drugs to bolster our antimicrobial treatment options.
The NIAID Research Agenda for Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) and Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Tuberculosis (TB) identifies six critical areas for investigation, including new diagnostics, therapy, and vaccines. The agenda aims to close gaps in understanding MDR/XDR TB and improve clinical management, particularly for people with HIV/AIDS.
Researchers used human antibodies derived from immune cells of H5N1 survivors to treat and protect mice from the virus. The study found that these antibodies could neutralize the virus and prevent death in mice, offering a promising therapeutic approach for pandemic influenza.
Scientists at NIAID are exploring vaccines that reduce HIV levels, delay disease progression and prevent transmission. Early research suggests T-cell vaccines may have benefits, but questions remain about their effectiveness and potential side effects.
Experts argue that researchers should focus broadly on influenza viruses, improving knowledge of basic biological means, enhancing surveillance, and developing new antivirals and diagnostics. This approach can also help combat seasonal influenza, a major public health concern in the US.
The Indo-US Vaccine Action Program has been renewed for another five-year period, supporting research on vaccines and immunology. Many successful collaborations have addressed critical health problems, including the development of a new hepatitis C diagnostic test and candidate vaccine against rotavirus.
A new virus has been identified as the cause of death in three organ transplant recipients in Australia, who received organs from the same donor. The virus is related to known strains of lymphocytic choreomeningitis virus but has a distinct genetic sequence that could not be detected with existing diagnostic methods.
The NIAID is awarding $23 million per year for seven years to establish six Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance. These centers will bolster influenza research in key areas, including understanding how the virus causes disease and how the human immune system responds to infection with the virus.
Historical analyses of the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic reveal that cities with early public health measures had lower peak weekly death rates and overall mortality compared to those that waited. Implementing multiple social containment measures within a few days of first local cases recorded cut peak death rates by up to half.
The NIAID has selected 60 U.S. and international institutions as HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) to conduct next-generation research on vaccines, prevention, and treatment. The CTUs will work together with clinical research networks to tackle critical research questions and accelerate progress against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Researchers at NIAID have discovered a protein that appears to regulate bone mass loss, which is a key factor in osteoporosis. The study, conducted on patients with X-linked Hyper IgM Syndrome, found that the loss of this protein accelerates bone loss.
A review of 1918 pandemic flu studies reveals more unanswered questions than answers, particularly regarding the origins and impact on young adults. Further study is crucial for pandemic planning and preparedness efforts.
Two trials found HIV acquisition rates to be 53% and 51% lower in circumcised men compared to uncircumcised men in Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The Lancet published the findings on adult male circumcision as a prevention strategy for HIV.
Researchers have generated an atomic-level picture of a stable HIV surface protein component that appears vulnerable to attack from the b12 antibody. This finding could help develop an HIV vaccine capable of eliciting a robust antibody response.
The Phambili trial aims to determine the efficacy of a candidate HIV vaccine and its potential to protect against clade C subtype prevalent in South Africa. The study will enroll healthy HIV-negative men and women aged 18-35 years old.
Researchers have decoded the genetic makeup of T. vaginalis, a parasite causing trichomoniasis, revealing potential pathways for new treatments, diagnostics, and a vaccine strategy. The large genome comprises nearly 26,000 predicted genes, with many repetitive genes accounting for 65% of its structure.
A human trial of a DNA vaccine designed to prevent H5N1 avian influenza infection began in December 2006. The vaccine instructs human cells to make proteins that act as a vaccine against the virus, providing broad immune responses without infectious material.
Researchers found hundreds of shared epitopes among different virus strains, including conserved regions between avian and human viruses. The study provides key insights into how the immune system recognizes influenza viruses, shedding light on gaps in knowledge and potential vaccine targets.
Botulinum toxins bind to neurons, disrupting communication and leading to paralysis. The new study provides a structural glimpse of how these toxins recognize receptors on human neurons, offering a promising target for designing drugs to block their action.
A massive effort to sequence and compare complete or partial genomes of Plasmodium falciparum has revealed nearly 47,000 genetic variations. This data will help researchers understand the parasite's evolution and study malarial drug resistance. New antigens identified may be potential targets for new therapeutics or vaccines.
The GreeneChip device uses nearly 30,000 pieces of genetic material to identify pathogens in human fluid and tissue samples. This technology enables rapid and specific diagnosis of emerging infectious diseases, including a previously undiagnosed fatal case of malaria.
Researchers discovered a potential strategy for treating metastatic melanoma by combining an antibody with radiation, leveraging insights from studying a fungus that causes infection in people with AIDS. The treatment approach shows promise in inhibiting tumor growth and inducing regression in mice with small melanoma tumors.
A large HIV/AIDS treatment trial found that interrupting antiretroviral therapy more than doubles the risk of AIDS or death from any cause. The study used two levels of CD4+ T cells to guide therapy suspension and restarting, but participants receiving episodic therapy had a significantly increased risk of disease progression.
Scientists have developed an inexpensive gene chip test that can detect H5N1 infections with high accuracy, providing a significant advantage over existing tests. The MChip has the potential to revolutionize laboratory testing for influenza, enabling rapid and accurate identification of flu viruses, including avian influenza H5N1.
Researchers have exonerated Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) as the primary virulence factor for community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) disease. The study found that CA-MRSA strains are equally effective at destroying human white blood cells with or without PVL present.
A new Staphylococcus aureus vaccine has been developed by combining four proteins that generated the strongest immune response in mice, providing significant protection against various strains of the bacterium. The vaccine showed complete protection when tested against a human strain of S. aureus.
A team of NIAID scientists identified a human protein that helps varicella-zoster virus spread from cell to cell. Interfering with this interaction inhibits the virus' spread, and blocking it may lead to new therapies for shingles.
Scientists have developed a vaccine that protects mice against the 1918 influenza virus, which killed 50 million people worldwide. The vaccine works by stimulating antibodies capable of neutralizing the virus, providing a potential solution to future pandemic flu strains.
Scientists reanalyzed 151 New York State samples using MassTag PCR, identifying nine previously undiagnosed pathogens, including six viruses and three bacteria. The analysis found that rhinoviruses were a major cause of influenza-like illness in the state during 2004.