A new study found that prior dengue virus infection in children may be protective against symptomatic Zika virus infection. The research, published in PLOS Medicine, involved over 3,000 children aged 2-14 years and showed that those with a history of dengue infection had a lower risk of being symptomatic when infected with Zika.
A new study suggests that gut microbes from healthy human infant donors can protect against the development of cow's milk allergy in mice. The research found that transplanting these microbes into mice exposed to milk prevented allergic reactions, while those with microbes from infants allergic to milk did not experience protection.
A new clinical trial is enrolling patients to test the safety and efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by enema for recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). The trial aims to provide critical data on the long-term safety of FMT in preventing CDAD recurrence.
The U=U concept has been scientifically established, showing that people with undetectable viral loads cannot transmit HIV through sex. Large clinical trials and cohort studies validate the concept, which can help control the HIV pandemic and reduce stigma.
Researchers have developed an ultrasensitive test that detects tau protein clusters, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The test has been shown to detect the protein in small amounts of brain tissue, making it a major advance for early diagnosis.
The NIH will fund HIV care and prevention research in counties with high rates of new HIV cases nationwide. The new initiative leverages partnerships with local health authorities and community-based groups to test sustainable interventions.
Researchers emphasize the importance of treating and preventing HIV among men, citing gaps in care due to gender norms and stigma. Innovative approaches are being explored, including workplace testing and care, ART home delivery, and expanded diagnosis and treatment for men.
A randomized, controlled trial is enrolling patients with confirmed Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo to compare mortality among those receiving three investigational drugs with a control group. The trial aims to establish the safety and efficacy of these treatments in a comprehensive response to combat Ebola.
Researchers found that protocadherin-1 (PCDH1) is essential for hantavirus infection of lung cells. Disrupting this recognition event could lead to a therapeutic against hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). The study, supported by NIH funding, used monoclonal antibodies to block virus entry and showed promising results in hamster models.
Scientists have discovered evidence of infectious prions in the eyes of deceased Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patients, which could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of this fatal neurodegenerative disease. The finding raises concerns about the safety of routine eye exams and corneal transplants.
Researchers found that hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated acute liver failure results from an uncommon encounter between a highly mutated HBV variant and an unusual immune response in the patient's liver. By analyzing liver samples, they discovered new mechanisms about the disease, providing insights into its development.
A Phase 2 clinical trial found that zoliflodacin cured most cases of uncomplicated gonorrhea, with cure rates ranging from 98% to 100%, depending on the dose. The antibiotic also showed promise in treating rectal and throat infections, although performance varied between doses.
A genomic analysis of Lassa virus genomes from patients in Nigeria found that the surge in cases in 2018 was not driven by a single dominant virus strain. The study suggests that human-to-human transmission may be rare, with evidence pointing to multiple independent zoonotic transmissions through contact with rodent feces or urine.
Researchers have developed a novel vaccine that protects against both Lassa fever and rabies, with promising results in preclinical testing. The vaccine, called LASSARAB, uses a weakened rabies virus vector to elicit an immune response against both viruses.
A NIH study found that probiotic Bacillus eliminates Staphylococcus bacteria, preventing its growth in the gut and nose of healthy individuals. The researchers identified fengycins, a specific class of lipopeptides, as the substance responsible for inhibiting S. aureus sensing system.
Researchers found that autologous fecal microbiota transplantation (auto-FMT) restored beneficial gut bacteria to near baseline levels within days, mitigating the effects of intense antibiotic treatment. This approach may prove a simple way to quickly restore a healthy microbiome following intensive antimicrobial therapy.
Researchers found that a combination of multiple antibodies targeting distinct regions of HIV can suppress the virus and prevent resistance. In a pilot clinical trial, participants who received infusions of broadly neutralizing antibodies maintained viral suppression for over 15 weeks after stopping antiretroviral therapy.
The NIAID Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Research prioritizes expanding fundamental knowledge of TB by using modern tools to better understand the disease. The plan also focuses on developing rapidly accurate inexpensive point-of-care tests for different forms of TB, as well as identifying host and microbial biomarkers.
A clinical trial is testing infusions of two potent, HIV-specific antibodies to evaluate their safety and effectiveness in suppressing HIV. The study aims to provide a potential alternative to daily antiretroviral therapy.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is testing the safety and immune-stimulating ability of an experimental nasal influenza vaccine in healthy children and teens. The investigational vaccine, developed by FluGen, Inc., has been designed to replicate only once in the body and prompt a robust immune response.
The partnership aims to develop and conduct collaborative clinical research studies on young children with various immune system disorders. The collaboration provides joint training opportunities for physician-scientists and offers comprehensive pediatric clinical support.
A new antimalarial drug called DM1157 is being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial for its safety and efficacy. The trial aims to enroll up to 104 healthy volunteers and assess the drug's impact on the human body.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is underway to evaluate the immune-boosting properties of imiquimod cream in combination with an H5N1 influenza vaccine. The study aims to enhance the immune response conferred by the pre-pandemic vaccine, potentially reducing the number of doses required to achieve sufficient immunity.
A new intervention has been found to reduce mortality rates by 50% among people with HIV who inject drugs. The program combines psychosocial counseling, guidance on the healthcare system, and support from systems navigators to increase treatment participation and HIV suppression.
HIV/AIDS research has led to significant advances in heart disease, hepatitis, and cancer. Scientists have better understood the vital role of CD4+ T cells in thwarting other infectious diseases and certain cancers.
The Central Africa region is experiencing rapid urbanization and economic growth, making it more vulnerable to explosive infectious disease outbreaks. The authors note that efforts to build up health care infrastructure are critically needed to mitigate or prevent a large outbreak of Ebola or other infectious diseases in the region.
A recent study found that rates of viral suppression among HIV-infected adults improved from 32% in 1997 to 86% in 2015, but disparities persist across demographic groups. Closing treatment gaps and addressing social and economic barriers to care will be essential to ending the US HIV epidemic.
The Phase 1 clinical trial will analyze the immune response and assess the safety of the experimental vaccine, which has shown promise in earlier tests in rhesus macaques. The trial is designed to enroll 28 healthy adults and will last up to one year.
New research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) shows that MERS-CoV can adapt to infect cells of a new species, similar to SARS-CoV. This finding suggests that other coronaviruses might be able to do the same, potentially leading to new human infections.
Researchers found that in people living with HIV, a type of antibody called immunoglobulin G3 (IgG3) stops B cells from doing their normal job of fighting pathogens. This phenomenon appears to be one way the body tries to reduce immune-system hyperactivity caused by HIV.
Experts review current Ebola vaccine candidates and clinical trials, highlighting key gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed by future research. More data is needed on the durability and rapidity of immune responses generated by various vaccine approaches.
A multi-year study of Nicaraguan households found that obesity extends the duration of influenza A virus shedding from infected adults by approximately 1.5 days, compared to non-obese adults. Chronic inflammation caused by obesity and increasing age are implicated as reasons for extended viral shedding.
Rural East African communities that hosted annual health fairs saw higher overall survival and viral suppression rates compared to standard care. Annual multi-disease health fairs delivered patient-centered, streamlined HIV care, resulting in fewer new HIV cases, better control of hypertension and diabetes, and lower TB rates.
The incidence of tickborne infections in the US has risen significantly over the past decade. Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, accounts for most reported cases, with over 30,000 annual cases in the US but an estimated 10 times that number.
According to Dr. Fauci, sustained ART-free remission involves suppressing latent virus without daily medication. Two approaches are being explored: intermittent non-ART interventions and stimulating the immune system to exert long-lasting control over HIV.
Scientists have discovered a set of powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies in the blood of Ebola survivors, providing substantial protection against disease caused by three Ebola virus species. The researchers hope that these antibodies will serve as promising candidates for further development as therapeutic molecules.
Researchers developed an imaging technique to assess immune system changes in monkeys infected with a simian form of HIV. The study revealed that CD4+ T-cell levels in tissues vary from blood levels, challenging the notion of the gut as a major target for SIV infection.
Researchers at NIAID developed a 3D model of the 1918 H1 pandemic influenza virus using cryo-electron microscopy. The study found that VLPs are mostly composed of hemagglutinin proteins, influencing vaccine efficacy.
Researchers identified phosphatidylethanoloamine as a potent anti-inflammatory lipid found in Francisella tularensis bacteria, which can impair host immune response. Synthetic versions of the lipid also showed therapeutic potential against dengue fever virus.
A new study found that Zika virus-infected monkeys experienced a 26% fetal death rate, which could indicate more severe outcomes in human pregnancies. The research used data from six National Primate Research Centers and tracked fetal development in infected macaques.
A clinical trial testing an experimental RSV vaccine is underway at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The study aims to examine the safety and immune response of the vaccine, with the goal of protecting vulnerable populations such as infants, young children, and older adults from severe illness.
A new experimental vaccine regimen has been developed using a vulnerable site on HIV to induce antibodies that can neutralize multiple strains of the virus. In tests with mice, guinea pigs, and monkeys, the vaccine elicited antibodies that neutralized up to 31% of viruses from a globally representative panel of 208 HIV strains.
Scientists at the NIH have unraveled the process by which the tularemia bacteria cause disease, finding that it tricks host cell mitochondria in two phases of infection. This understanding could lead to the development of effective treatment strategies for the life-threatening disease.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of mAb114, a single monoclonal antibody developed from an Ebola survivor. The trial aims to enroll 18-30 healthy volunteers and will not expose participants to Ebola virus.
Scientists have identified a molecule found on human cells and some animal cells that could be a useful target for drugs against chikungunya virus infection. Mxra8, a key to the entry of chikungunya virus into host cells, was identified using CRISPR-Cas9.
A new clinical trial is underway to test two human monoclonal antibodies designed to treat MERS-CoV infection. The study will enroll 48 healthy adults and administer escalating doses of the experimental antibodies.
Researchers discovered that microglia can defend against prion infections by trapping and destroying aggregated prion proteins. Eliminating microglia with a specific drug accelerated disease progression in infected mice. The findings suggest targeting microglia to slow the course of prion diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
NIH scientists found that Makona Ebola virus mutations did not impact disease progression or viral shedding in animal models, suggesting a consistent disease presentation. The study also compared EBOV-Makona to the original EBOV-Mayinga strain, finding that Makona is less virulent.
The HOPE in Action Multicenter Kidney Study evaluates the safety and efficacy of kidney transplants between people with HIV, following the passage of the HOPE Act of 2013. Researchers track outcomes of 160 kidney transplants, comparing recipients who received organs from HIV-positive donors to those from uninfected donors.
A Phase 2 clinical trial has started in the US to test an experimental universal influenza vaccine, M-001, for its safety and ability to produce broad protective immune responses. The trial aims to provide durable protection against multiple influenza strains, including those that might cause a pandemic.