Researchers have found that CD47, a natural brake on the immune system, can be turned off to help fight infections. By blocking CD47-mediated signaling, scientists may develop a new immunotherapy to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.
The study found that remdesivir reduced the median time to recovery by 4 days compared to placebo, with a survival benefit and improved clinical status. The findings support remdesivir as the standard treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy.
The NIH is sponsoring a Phase 2b trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. The trial will enroll approximately 2,000 adults across the US with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The authors propose a strategic approach to research and development that would generate essential data for multiple vaccine candidates in parallel. They emphasize the need for unprecedented cooperation from governments, academic institutions, industry, and philanthropic partners to develop COVID-19 vaccines.
The NIH is enrolling hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in a trial testing the safety and efficacy of remdesivir plus anti-inflammatory drug baricitinib. Patients who received remdesivir had a statistically significant shorter time to recovery compared to those on placebo.
A NIH-funded study aims to measure the rate of novel coronavirus infection in US children and their family members, as well as the percentage of infected children who develop COVID-19. The study also explores whether asthma or other allergic conditions affect SARS-CoV-2 infection rates.
The NIAID Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research prioritizes improving fundamental knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, developing rapid diagnostic assays, testing potential treatments, and creating safe and effective vaccines. The plan aims to accelerate research to diagnose, prevent, and treat COVID-19.
The study found SARS-CoV-2 stable in aerosols for up to three hours and on copper for up to four hours, while also detectable for 24 hours on cardboard and two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. This stability suggests people may acquire the virus through air and after touching contaminated objects.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for an investigational COVID-19 vaccine in the Seattle area. The trial is evaluating different doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine for safety and immune response in healthy adult volunteers.
A multinational study of over 640 pregnant women with HIV found that regimens containing dolutegravir were more effective in suppressing HIV than a commonly used regimen containing efavirenz. Nearly 98% of women who received either of the DTG-containing regimens were virally suppressed at delivery, while only 91% of those receiving EFV...
A recent NIH-funded study found that pregnant African adolescent girls and young women have significantly lower concentrations of the PrEP drug tenofovir compared to non-pregnant individuals. The study suggests that daily PrEP adherence is crucial for this population, despite potential physiological changes during pregnancy.
A new approach using harmless viruses to deliver antibody genes has led to sustained production of HIV antibodies for over a year in a NIH clinical trial. The technology shows promise for preventing and treating various infectious diseases with further development.
The COVID-19 outbreak underscores the need for robust research to understand emerging pathogens and develop effective treatments. Researchers are working on various vaccine candidates and therapeutics, including an NIAID-sponsored trial of remdesivir.
The NIH has begun a randomized, controlled clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of remdesivir in hospitalized adults with COVID-19. The study aims to assess whether remdesivir can improve clinical outcomes for patients with severe respiratory illness.
A new study from NIH scientists found that remdesivir successfully prevented MERS-CoV disease in rhesus macaques and improved their condition when given after infection. The results support additional clinical trials of remdesivir for MERS-CoV and COVID-19.
Recent advances in TB diagnostics, treatments and prevention offer hope for reducing and ultimately eliminating the burden of tuberculosis. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has made significant progress in improving TB diagnostics, therapeutic regimens and prevention approaches.
The DELIVER trial examines the safety of PrEP and a dapivirine vaginal ring in pregnant women, providing critical data for HIV prevention choices. The study will enroll 750 healthy, HIV-negative women aged 18-40 years and assess the acceptability and feasibility of these tools.
A Phase 2b/3 study in South Africa found that an investigational prime-boost vaccine regimen did not prevent HIV, but participants were safe. Researchers are continuing to explore other approaches to a safe and effective HIV vaccine.
A Phase 1 clinical trial tests the safety and effectiveness of mAb CIS43LS in preventing malaria infection. Volunteers will receive a single dose of the antibody and then be exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes to assess protection.
The emergence of a new coronavirus from animals to humans poses a significant threat, prompting the need for swift action. Researchers are developing diagnostic tests, exploring broad-spectrum anti-viral drugs, and adapting approaches used with earlier outbreaks to jumpstart candidate vaccine development.
Scientists reactivated resting immune cells infected with HIV or SIV, allowing viruses to be neutralized by anti-HIV drugs and the immune system. The study uses a compound called AZD5582, which activates latent cells without causing toxicity.
A clinical trial is testing an experimental stem cell treatment against the best available biologic therapies for severe forms of relapsing multiple sclerosis. The trial aims to determine whether autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is an effective and durable treatment option for people with severe relapsing MS w...
Researchers found that intravenous BCG vaccination significantly increased protection against TB in rhesus macaques. The study showed that IV BCG elicited strong, sustained T cell responses in the lungs, leading to a high degree of protection against infection and disease.
A new study found that a Zika vaccine developed by NIH improved fetal outcomes in pregnant monkeys and rhesus macaques infected with congenital Zika virus. The vaccine reduced virus levels and prevented fetal infection, suggesting sterilizing immunity may not be required for protection.
The consortium will conduct Phase 1-4 vaccine and treatment trials, including human challenge trials. The leadership group will prioritize candidate vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics to test in clinical trials.
Researchers found that children with HIV performed poorly on neuropsychological tests, particularly in planning and reasoning abilities, compared to their HIV-negative peers. The disparity worsened over time, highlighting the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms of these cognitive challenges.
The NIH is providing renewed funding for the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) to conduct clinical research and develop novel strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. The ARLG has established collaborations in 19 countries and conducted over 40 clinical studies involving over 20,000 volunteers.
Researchers highlight the need to address comorbidities such as heart disease, kidney disease, and certain cancers associated with HIV. Effective treatment strategies and clinical trials are crucial to reducing the burden of these conditions on individuals and the healthcare system.
A large NIH-supported study found increasing acceptance of the U=U message among gay, bisexual men, with 84% of participants with HIV correctly identifying it as accurate. However, most still overestimate the risk of HIV transmission from an undetectable partner.
The PALM clinical trial found that investigational drugs mAb114 and REGN-EB3 offered lower mortality rates compared to ZMapp, with mortality rates of 35% and 34%, respectively. Early diagnosis and treatment also improved survival chances.
A new National Institutes of Health study reveals that uncommitted neural stems cells generally survive La Crosse virus (LACV) infection, while neurons are more susceptible. Interferon therapy successfully protects neurons from LACV-induced death in a cerebral organoid model.
Eastern equine encephalitis virus is a deadly mosquito-borne illness that has existed for centuries, with a particularly deadly year in the US in 2019. Current research efforts focus on developing vaccines and treatments, but challenges include limited funding and difficulties in reaching target populations.
Scientists developed an investigational vaccine that protected cynomolgus macaques against Ebola, Sudan, Marburg, and Lassa viruses, all causing severe disease and death. The quadrivalent VesiculoVax vaccine showed promising results in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
A study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology found that 17% of children with food allergies are also allergic to sesame. The researchers developed a mathematical model to predict sesame allergy in children with food allergies, which could help clinicians identify this common allergy.
Researchers have isolated three broadly protective human antibodies targeting the influenza virus neuraminidase protein, providing strong protection against various strains in vitro and mice. These antibodies could inform the development of new antiviral treatments and HA-based vaccines with longer-lasting immunity.
Experts say optimal implementation of existing tools and development of new interventions are crucial to ending the HIV pandemic. Current highly effective treatments like antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent transmission if implemented correctly.
A clinical trial is recruiting volunteers aged 18-50 to be deliberately infected with influenza virus under controlled conditions. The study aims to assess the impact of pre-existing antibodies on flu symptoms, fever and muscle aches. Volunteers will undergo follow-up clinic visits for up to 90 days after challenge.
A new study found that a highly diluted version of the Ebola vaccine remains fully protective against disease in monkeys. The findings suggest that the vaccine could be made more available by reducing its dosage, potentially easing production burdens.
Scientists have linked abnormal tau in the brain to at least 25 neurodegenerative diseases, but current diagnosis requires analyzing brain tissue after death. The new test uses cerebrospinal fluid to detect abnormal tau, offering hope for diagnosing less common neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.
A new rapid assay for Lyme disease uses several biomarkers to detect infection and is more sensitive than current tests when diagnosing early after suspected infection. The research could lead to a practical test for healthcare providers.
Researchers found that tesamorelin reduced liver fat and prevented liver fibrosis in people living with HIV. The study showed a 37% relative reduction in liver fat fraction and a significant decrease in blood markers associated with inflammation and liver damage.
A new study by NIH scientists found that a 40% household bleach solution can inactivate chronic wasting disease prions within 5 minutes, providing a potential method for decontaminating hunting and meat processing equipment.
A clinical trial found that isoniazid preventive therapy during pregnancy increases the risk of poor health outcomes and death for fetuses and newborns. In contrast, deferring treatment until after delivery was safer, with no significant difference in risks.
Researchers found high rates of overall survival and kidney graft survival in recipients living with HIV who received kidney transplants from deceased donors with HIV. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that outcomes were comparable to those in a previous US study using kidneys from donors without HIV.
A new study reveals a parasitic disease that mimics visceral leishmaniasis symptoms in people, but doesn't respond to standard treatments. Researchers found the parasite was more closely related to Crithidia fasciculata, which usually infects mosquitoes.
The NIH has initiated a collaborative influenza vaccine research network to develop more durable and broadly protective vaccines. The CIVICs program will support the development of universal influenza vaccines with longer-lasting protection against a wider variety of influenza viruses.
The NIH has awarded contracts to establish three new centers for immunology research to accelerate progress in TB vaccine development. The program aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the immune responses required to prevent TB infection and disease.
The Blood and Immune Deficiency-Cellular Therapy Program (BID-CTP) integrates expertise from multiple medical specialties to treat rare blood and immune system diseases. Patients with hundreds of different primary immune deficiency diseases can now receive unified care through a single, multi-specialty team.
A study found that desensitization from peanut oral immunotherapy can be maintained by continuing a modest dose of peanut protein, offering more protection against allergic reactions. Participants who passed food challenges had lower initial levels of antibodies and indicators of allergic activity in their blood.
Experts from NIAID urge biomedical research community to refocus on STI research, emphasizing the need for innovative diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The authors highlight the critical need to address antimicrobial resistance and cooperation among researchers, healthcare providers, and community clinics.