Articles tagged with Antivirals
A new antiviral compound based on a protein found in bananas has been shown to safely protect against multiple strains of the influenza virus in mice, with over 80% survival rate. The compound also shows promise against Ebola, HIV and other deadly viruses, including a synergistic effect with Tamiflu.
Researchers found that type I interferon disrupts the urea cycle in liver cells, leading to altered serum metabolite concentrations and reduced liver pathology. This regulation affects antiviral immunity and reduces liver damage.
Researchers developed a lab-on-a-chip device to observe thousands of individual cells infected with virus, providing new information on infection dynamics. The device allows for the simultaneous observation of multiple cells, enabling researchers to test antiviral compounds and understand their effects.
Researchers discovered four new strains of human adenovirus in Singapore, with two strains linked to severe respiratory diseases. The study highlights an increase in adenovirus types 4 and 7 among pediatric patients, emphasizing the need for antiviral therapies and vaccine development.
A new antiviral drug blocks RNA polymerase, inducing mutations in the genetic material of the influenza virus and rendering it nonfunctional. The study found the drug to be highly efficacious against various strains of the flu, including seasonal and pandemic viruses.
Researchers at UofSC's Arnold School of Public Health discovered a novel treatment approach for Gulf War Illness by repurposing existing antiviral drugs. The study, published in the journal Viruses, shows that adjusting GI tract viruses can help alleviate symptoms such as chronic fatigue and widespread pain.
Researchers at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have created a single system that can diagnose and treat viral infections using Cas13, a CRISPR RNA-cutting enzyme. The system, called CARVER, reduces viral RNA levels by up to 40-fold in human cells.
The study identified a novel protein interface in the polymerase complex that is pivotal for regulating polymerase activity, providing a new objective for target-based antiviral drug discovery. The findings reveal a vulnerability in the viral genome that could be exploited as a target for small-molecule antiviral drugs.
Scientists have successfully reduced bovine leukemia virus levels in cows by combining an immune checkpoint inhibitor with an enzyme inhibitor, showing promise for controlling other diseases in cattle. The treatment also demonstrated antiviral effects in BLV-infected animals with high viral loads.
Researchers at the Institut Pasteur successfully reprogrammed immune cells from individuals who naturally control HIV infection, granting them enhanced antiviral potency. This breakthrough could lead to novel treatments and potential cure options for those living with HIV, as previously described in a study published in Nature Metabolism.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that cures mice infected with Bourbon virus, a deadly tick-borne illness. The drug, favipiravir, inhibits a key protein the virus needs to multiply and has been shown to be effective in treating infected mice in multiple experiments.
Researchers identified a previously unknown pocket on the surface of picornaviruses, which can be stabilized by a newly-discovered compound. This stabilization prevents shape change and interaction with host cells, making it a promising strategy for developing antiviral medications.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors developed high levels of neutralizing antibodies months after recovery, which could inform the design of antiviral therapies and vaccines. The study's findings have implications for understanding immune protection after vaccination and developing effective treatments.
A large study found Australian doctors are overprescribing flu antivirals to patients at low risk of complications, putting them at risk of unnecessary side effects. The indiscriminate use of antivirals can lead to increased risk of antimicrobial resistance, researchers say.
A new study finds that brand-name prescription drugs in the US are 3.2-4.1 times higher than in the UK, Japan, and Canada. Adopting external reference pricing could reduce Medicare spending by up to 70% and improve affordability for beneficiaries.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy has designed new small molecules that can stop the replication of equine encephalitis viruses in the brain. These compounds have shown a high survival rate in mice, even when delayed treatment is administered.
Researchers at Kanazawa University discovered that a host mRNA, selenoprotein P (SeP), specifically regulates the RIG-I pathway-dependent innate immune responses. SeP mRNA inhibits the activation of RIG-I by binding to its regulatory domain and negatively regulating innate immunity.
Researchers at Penn Medicine have successfully cured nine patients of Hepatitis C after receiving heart transplants from deceased donors who were infected with the disease. The study suggests that using HCV-infected organs may be a viable option for patients awaiting a heart transplant.
A large study found that direct-acting antiviral treatment is associated with reduced risk of mortality and hepatocellular cancer, but not decompensation of cirrhosis. Patients treated with direct-acting antivirals were 52% less likely to die prematurely than those who were untreated.
Research reveals how gut bacteria influence drug response and effectiveness through metabolization processes. The study provides a new framework to disentangle host and microbiome interactions, enabling the development of tailored medications.
Researchers found that stroke incidence jumped by 61 percent within 14 days of shingles onset, with the increased risk remaining elevated for six months. The study suggests that getting the shingles vaccine may be the most effective way to prevent shingles-associated stroke risk.
A comprehensive package of interventions could avert 15.1 million new hepatitis C infections and 1.5 million cirrhosis and liver cancer deaths globally by 2030. Implementing comprehensive blood safety and infection control measures was estimated to reduce the number of new infections in 2030 by 58%.
A 15-year study found a significant increase in US liver transplants for alcohol-associated liver disease, but with lower five-year survival rates compared to other liver conditions. The study suggests changing attitudes towards sobriety length may be driving this trend.
The IDSA guidelines emphasize testing and treatment for pregnant women and those at high risk of complications, such as the extremely obese. These individuals should be provided with antiviral treatment as soon as possible if they are sick enough to be hospitalized or have severe symptoms.
Scientists at NTU Singapore have engineered an antiviral peptide that exploits the Zika virus' viral membrane, reducing disease symptoms and deaths in infected mice. The peptide can cross the blood-brain barrier to tackle viral infection in mouse brains, a critical feature since Zika targets the brain and central nervous system.
Researchers have identified two compounds with better antiviral properties than oseltamivir, effective against both drug-resistant and sensitive strains of influenza A. These compounds target the AM2 protein with the S31N mutation, a key site of resistance in most influenza A viruses.
Researchers found that nasal cells have a stronger antiviral response, while lung cells have a stronger defense against oxidative stress. This trade-off can make individuals more susceptible to rhinovirus infection when exposed to another stressor like cigarette smoke.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that two types of human antibodies synergize to inhibit different steps of Ebola virus infection. Antibody cocktails combining complementary antiviral effects are proposed as a potential treatment strategy.
A retrospective study of 179 patients with chronic hepatitis C found that original and generic direct acting antivirals achieved sustained virologic response in over 90% of patients. The original medicines group showed slight superiority, but the generic medicines group still demonstrated high efficacy.
Researchers have discovered the secret to the RSAD2 gene's success: an enzyme that generates a compound called ddhCTP, which sabotages viral replication by disrupting CTP conversion. This finding could form the basis for potent new antiviral drugs with a favorable safety profile.
Researchers discovered a naturally occurring enzyme called viperin that produces the molecule ddhCTP, which prevents viruses from copying their genetic material. The compound shows promising antiviral effects against flaviviruses, including Zika and West Nile viruses, but not picornaviruses.
A recent study found that half of ICU patients with severe influenza received false negative rapid influenza antigen test (RIAT) results, delaying antiviral therapy. The researchers suggest that testing lower respiratory tract samples is crucial for diagnosis and treatment in such cases.
A new study suggests that all chronic hepatitis C-infected patients' access to direct-acting antiviral medications must be improved to achieve the public health goal of eliminating hepatitis C infection. Denials were more common among patients with commercial insurance, with 52.4% of prescriptions denied.
A team of scientists identified 7 compounds that show new effects against HIV-1, Zika virus, and Rift Valley Fever, expanding the available therapeutics for viral disease treatment. The researchers believe these broad-spectrum antiviral drugs could save resources and time needed for development of novel drugs.
Researchers developed a genetic screening tool that identified two key genes, SLC35A1 and CIC, that enable the influenza virus to infect human lung cells. The study found that modifying these genes can make cells resistant to the flu, which could lead to new antiviral drug targets.
Researchers discovered that a common topical antibiotic triggered an antiviral resistance in mice infected with herpes and other viruses. The study found increased expression of genes stimulated by interferons, suggesting a new mechanism for antiviral response.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a chemical compound that effectively inhibits the replication of the Ebola virus and several other viruses. The study found benzoquinoline to be a potent antiviral agent with activity against multiple viruses, including Marburg virus and Zika virus.
Researchers present a modified small-molecule drug that targets the RNA polymerase subunit of the influenza virus, reducing its ability to replicate and spread. The compound could potentially eliminate the virus or slow down its reproduction, offering a new treatment option for patients with flu.
LSU researchers developed a computer-assisted drug repositioning process to identify existing drugs for rare diseases. They matched protein structures and functions with existing drug interactions to help patients receive effective treatment.
Researchers report on GS-5734, a broad spectrum antiviral drug that inhibits strains of SARS and MERS coronaviruses, as well as murine hepatitis virus. The drug targets airway epithelial cells, suggesting its potential in treating respiratory infections caused by coronaviruses.
Researchers found that bats have a dampened STING-interferon pathway, allowing them to maintain a balance with viruses without triggering an immune reaction. This defense strategy is thought to have evolved as part of bat biology, including their ability to fly and host a large viral reservoir.
Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research discovered a crucial enzyme called ERO1 that promotes cytoplasmic viral replication by bridging membrane barriers. This finding opens up a new target for broad-spectrum antivirals targeting positive-strand RNA viruses.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals the molecular binding partners of a chronic virus, providing new insights into the development of chronic viral infections and potential targets for treatment. The researchers mapped protein interactions using a novel approach, identifying essential proteins for viral survival and host defense.
A modeling study by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators finds that antiviral drugs can reduce the risk of complications from HCV-positive liver transplantation. The study suggests that HCV-negative patients with severe liver disease may benefit from receiving an HCV-positive liver followed by antiviral treatment.
Researchers at EPFL have developed gold nanoparticles that can attract and destroy a range of viruses, including HIV, dengue, and Ebola, by using pressure to deform them. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
Researchers designed nanoparticles that mimic a cell surface protein to bind and destroy viruses, including herpes simplex virus and human papillomavirus. The new nanoparticles have shown irreversibility binding and lethal deformations to various viruses in vitro experiments.
Researchers funded by Morris Animal Foundation have made a breakthrough in treating feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a fatal viral disease affecting cats. A clinical trial with 20 client-owned cats showed that most can be put into remission quickly, but achieving long-term remission is challenging.
Researchers developed a high-throughput system to study individual cells infected with a virus, revealing that the antiviral drug is most effective against growing viruses. The study's findings could lead to smarter design of new antiviral drugs by identifying specific factors responsible for different treatment outcomes.
Researchers used magnetic tweezers to monitor RNA polymerase enzymes during replication, revealing a new class of antivirals that pause and backtrack the virus' machinery. This understanding can help fine-tune drug design and accelerate approval.
Researchers test antiviral therapy to halt progressive hearing loss in children with confirmed CMV infection, finding that treatment may prevent further damage and improve outcomes for those infected.
A drug originally developed in the 1960s as an antiviral medication is showing promise in reducing aggression in traumatic brain injury patients. Amantadine, taken twice daily at 100mg, has been found to decrease aggression in multiple studies, improving quality of life for affected individuals.
A new study finds that sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy is safe and effective in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The treatment improved kidney function in stage 3 patients after cure, suggesting a potential therapeutic option for CKD patients with HCV.
Researchers discovered a potential broad-spectrum antiviral by inhibiting the EZH2/1 complex, which suppressed HSV infection and reactivation in mice. The treatment also showed promise against other viruses, including human cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and Zika virus.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina have identified how NS5A inhibitors block Hepatitis C virus replication, revealing a difference in the speed of decline depending on the strain of HCV. This understanding may lead to more effective therapies against a broader range of viruses.
A new compound has been discovered that can inhibit the spread of the Zika virus, a significant step towards developing a treatment for its neurological complications. The compound blocks viral propagation in human cells and mice, offering promise as a starting point for an even more potent drug.
A new study by University of Notre Dame researchers has led to the development of a test kit for detecting influenza using fluorescent light. The test kit emits red fluorescence when exposed to infected patient samples, indicating the presence of the virus.
Reducing interferon-induced transmembrane protein 3 (IFITM3) levels makes cells highly susceptible to Zika virus infection. Blocking the viral entry pathway may prevent devastating effects of Zika virus during pregnancy.
Antiviral drug tenofovir significantly reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission from mother to child when administered during pregnancy. Studies show a 77% reduction in transmission rates, from 90% to just 3%, saving countless lives and preventing liver disease.
Researchers have discovered a frog-derived peptide, urumin, that specifically targets the H1 strain of influenza viruses. Urumin was found to disrupt the integrity of flu viruses without harming mammalian cells, making it a promising lead for antiviral drug discovery.
Tom Hobman's lab has been awarded $500,000 to investigate how the Zika virus changes host cells during infection and develop antiviral therapies. The team aims to understand the virus's persistence in the body and potentially block it to prevent transmission.