Articles tagged with Antivirals
A study published in Cell Reports found that Amphotericin B, a common antifungal medication, can render a protein important for antiviral defense ineffective in both cells and mice. This makes patients receiving the therapy more vulnerable to influenza and other viral infections.
Researchers have discovered a mechanism that targets a protein called ERGIC-53, which is essential for the replication of arenaviruses and interacts with other pathogenic viruses. The findings suggest that targeting ERGIC-53 could result in an immunizing form of antiviral therapy.
Research found that academics with industry ties were more likely to assess higher risks and promote drugs, while those without ties were less likely to do so. The study highlights the need for transparency in reporting competing interests among experts quoted in media articles.
College of Veterinary Medicine researcher Yunjeong Kim is working on a novel approach to combat feline coronavirus and calicivirus infections, which cause life-threatening illnesses in cats. She has identified a promising compound that targets the virus protease, essential for successful replication.
Researchers track drug resistance against flu viruses using extensive database analysis, finding most mutations are on the wane. Honeybees' genetic control behind sex determination studied, revealing 116-145 csd alleles worldwide and a novel function arising every 400,000 years.
Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have created a highly detailed structural model of the rhinovirus C, which is responsible for up to half of all childhood colds. The new model shows that the virus has distinct surface features that make it difficult for drugs to effectively target it.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new antiviral response in mammals, utilizing the RNA interference pathway to combat viral infections. This discovery sheds light on a previously overlooked aspect of innate immunity and highlights the simplicity and universality of this system.
A new approach uses carbohydrates to detect flu viruses and determine specific strains, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatment. This technology could provide a much-needed home test for diagnosing influenza quickly before antiviral drugs are lost.
A combination of two licensed antiviral drugs reduces MERS-CoV replication and improves clinical outcomes in rhesus macaques. The treatment group showed no breathing difficulties, minimal pneumonia, lower virus amounts, and less severe tissue damage.
Researchers at KU Leuven have identified a series of chemical compounds that are highly potent inhibitors of dengue virus replication. The compounds will be further developed by Janssen into a first-in-class drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of dengue infections.
Scientists at Salk Institute find that enveloped viruses use phosphatidylserine to activate TAM receptors, disabling the interferon response and allowing infection. This discovery may lead to novel antiviral therapies that target this mechanism.
Research suggests that inherited Human Herpesvirus 6 may be a root cause of CFS, causing cognitive dysfunction and fatigue. Antiviral drug therapy improves severe neurological symptoms in affected patients.
Recent study found that 35% of H7N9 viruses are resistant to oseltamivir and zanamivir due to a faulty enzyme-based test. Gene-based surveillance techniques can detect these resistant strains, which could spread if not treated properly.
Researchers at Brookhaven Lab identified two promising candidates for antiviral drugs against human adenovirus. The compounds target the viral enzyme proteinase, essential for virus maturation and replication. These inhibitors may provide effective treatment against all strains of adenovirus.
Researchers have identified a group of compounds that work against human rhinovirus, Coxsackie virus, poliovirus, and enterovirus-71, blocking the ability of these viruses to multiply. These broad-spectrum antiviral drugs hold promise for treating infections like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Drusano's work in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling has been instrumental in simulating and validating dosing regimens to maximize the safety and efficacy of antibiotics. He is recognized for his groundbreaking research on anti-infective pharmacology and antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers tested 10 popular Android antiviral products and found they could be easily circumvented by simple transformations, such as changing virus binary code or file names. The products' shortcomings are due to overly simple content-based signatures and lack of static analysis.
Researchers have developed a new agent that targets the NS5B replicase protein, disabling HCV replication and evading resistance. The aptamers inhibited diverse genotypes of HCV without causing toxicity or immune response.
Researchers found that treatment with Tamiflu did not reduce viral load in three patients who became severely ill, leading to concerns about resistance. Genetic testing confirmed the presence of a mutation characteristic of neuraminidase inhibitor resistance.
A recent review article highlights the complex mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA sensing in animals, insects, and plants. Novel components of these antiviral recognition systems contribute to their effectiveness in protecting hosts against viral infection.
Researchers found that a new antiviral treatment could halve chronic HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 15 years. In cities like Edinburgh, where chronic prevalence is lower, the treatment is projected to reduce HCV rates by 25%. Doubling treatment rates and increasing budget may be needed to scale up the therapy.
Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine discovered a promising new treatment for influenza, Eritoran, which protects mice from death after infection. The findings are crucial in light of the spreading H7N9 flu strain in China, with 17 deaths reported.
Researchers at Bonn University Hospital have deciphered the mechanism of CMA, a long-forgotten antiviral candidate. The study reveals that the compound stimulates the immune system in mice but not humans due to differences in receptor structure. This discovery inspires the search for an effective antiviral drug.
A combination of two licensed antiviral drugs, ribavirin and interferon-alpha 2b, has been shown to inhibit the replication of novel coronavirus in laboratory-grown cells. The study suggests that this drug combination could be used to treat patients infected with the new coronavirus.
A new study found that approximately half of Tamiflu prescriptions were unused in England during the 2009-10 influenza pandemic. The unused medication represents around 600,000 courses and a significant financial cost to the UK taxpayer.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute discover that type 1 interferon proteins initiate persistent infections and limit antiviral immune responses in mice. Blocking interferon receptors earlier restores antiviral immunity and virus clearance.
A Kansas State University-led team is researching an antiviral drug for market use to prevent and treat norovirus infection. The team has identified protease inhibitors with potential for preventing and treating norovirus, a contagious stomach illness infecting 1 in 15 Americans annually.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have identified a new chemical class of compounds that can block genetically diverse viruses from replicating. These indoline alkaloid-type compounds effectively inhibited a number of viruses, including Ebola, by limiting RNA production in cell culture.
A study published in Cell Press reveals that a compound derived from fats found in fish oils prevents death in influenza-virus-infected mice. The compound, protectin D1, inhibits virus replication and improves survival when given 2 days after infection, offering a promising strategy for treating severe influenza.
A study reveals how daclatasvir, a hepatitis C drug, targets the NS5A protein and causes rapid viral decline. The research also provides an accurate estimate of the HCV half-life, revealing that the daily viral production is four times larger than previously thought.
Researchers at UCLA have identified a natural protein called cholesterol-25-hydroxylase (CH25H) that can block the entry of HIV and other deadly viruses into cells. The protein, which is activated by interferon, produces an oxysterol that can permeate cell walls and inhibit viral growth.
Researchers led by Dr. Robert W. Finberg are working on a $12 million project to improve flu vaccine effectiveness by predicting the influenza virus's evolution in response to anti-viral drugs and human immune systems. The approach could potentially boost protection rates, reducing severe illness cases.
The US Preventive Services Task Force has updated its recommendations for hepatitis C screening in asymptomatic adults. The new guidelines suggest that targeted screening may be beneficial, as up to two-thirds of infected patients are missed by routine screening methods. However, there is currently no direct evidence that screening imp...
Researchers discovered a ribosomal protein, rpL40, that regulates viral protein synthesis and could represent a target for antiviral treatments. This finding reveals the ribosome's active role in regulating protein translation and offers new insights into combating fatal viral infections such as rabies.
Researchers have developed a method to study hepatitis C medication side effects in Petri dishes and test tubes, potentially paving the way for safer treatments. The technique could help identify medications that eliminate all adverse effects and aid in personalized medicine.
A pilot study of six patients with chronic fatigue syndrome detected specific antibodies linked to latent Epstein-Barr virus reactivation, which responded to antiviral treatment. The researchers plan to develop a clinical laboratory test to detect these antibodies in blood samples, offering a potential breakthrough in diagnosis.
Treating chronic hepatitis C with antiviral drugs could reduce liver cancer risk by half, according to a meta-analysis of published research. In some cases, treatment can even prevent the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer worldwide.
A new cell screening method has identified two novel compounds with anti-influenza activity, obatoclax and gemcitabine. These compounds show promise as next-generation antiviral drugs that can target host functions rather than viral proteins. Further research is needed to confirm their efficacy in treating influenza infections.
A collaboration between US research centers highlights three disease characteristics that determine whether an outbreak becomes a serious epidemic: pre-symptom transmission, reproductive number, and disease stage length. Simulation models demonstrate that current response plans may underestimate consequences significantly.
Scientists have created a simple procedure to remove nearly all acrolein impurities from pharmaceuticals, potentially increasing patient safety. The new method uses engineered particles and shows promise in removing 98% of impurities without affecting the active ingredient.
Researchers have identified MDA5 as a key molecule essential for producing interferon to rally virus-fighting cells during certain viral infections. The timing and balance of interferon production are critical in determining the outcome of a viral infection, with prolonged production increasing the risk of autoimmune damage.
A study has determined that human herpesvirus-6B (HHV-6B) is linked to mesial temporal lobe epilepsy in infants and children. HHV-6B can cause limbic encephalitis, a condition that frequently progresses to epilepsy.
This special issue of Gastroenterology focuses on the latest progress made in viral hepatitis research and care, including new diagnostic tools, therapies, and prevention strategies. Classic review articles and expert commentaries address critical unresolved issues and fundamental questions for the future.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified a cancer drug, idarubicin, that enhances the human body's innate antiviral system. The new strategy screens large numbers of existing drugs to find compounds that activate genes boosting natural immunity.
Researchers at the University of Southampton are using 3D imaging to create personalized maps of how inhaled drugs work within the lungs. This unique visualization will help optimize drug administration and inform future treatments for diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered that the influenza A virus's NS1 protein hijacks key regulators of antiviral gene function by mimicking a core component of gene regulating machinery. This finding suggests a possible target for new antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Two research teams report new findings on the structure of enterovirus 71, a virus causing hand, foot and mouth disease and potentially fatal brain swelling. Researchers propose designs for antiviral drugs to treat the infection by targeting a unique 'pocket factor' exposed in EV71.
Researchers developed a new combination drug therapy that successfully suppressed hepatitis C genotype 1 infection in a significant proportion of patients. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, focused on treating patients who had not responded to previous treatment with PEG-interferon alfa and ribavirin.
A study found that genital herpes can reactivate in 'breakthrough episodes' even when taking high dose antiviral therapy, highlighting the need for new treatments to prevent onward transmission. Current antiviral therapies only reduce shedding by 50%, but don't eliminate breakthrough episodes.
An observational study found that statin use was associated with a decreased risk of dying among hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Researchers also noted the potential benefits of randomized controlled trials to further examine the effectiveness of statins for influenza treatment.
Researchers discovered that antiviral agents can decrease the accumulation of AD proteins β-amyloid and P-tau in HSV1-infected cells. The study suggests that these agents might be effective in slowing Alzheimer's progression, targeting a cause rather than symptoms.
A Penn study found that hepatitis C patients are more likely to forget their medication over time, highlighting the need for interventions to improve adherence. The researchers suggest strategies such as pill box refills and reminders to help patients stay on track with treatment.
Researchers have discovered a compound that destroys several viruses, including the deadly Spanish flu, by activating a human antiviral protein called REDD1. This finding offers new hope for treating flu strains resistant to anti-influenza drugs and could potentially lead to the development of a new drug.
Researchers have discovered that squalamine, a compound isolated from sharks, demonstrates broad-spectrum antiviral activity against human pathogens, including dengue, yellow fever, and hepatitis B, C, and D. The study's findings suggest that squalamine could be explored as a novel human antiviral agent.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that approximately two-thirds of patients with hepatitis C can be cured in six months, rather than the standard 48-week treatment. The study showed that response-guided therapy is a successful strategy for individualizing treatment based on patient responses.
Researchers at UCI have found a new method for predicting how influenza proteins evolve, allowing for potential pharmaceutical exploitation. This approach could aid the development of new drugs targeting so-called 'flu protein pockets'.
Researchers at UCI have found a new approach to creating customized therapies for virulent flu strains that resist current antiviral drugs. They used computer simulations to predict how pocket structures on influenza proteins promoting viral replication can be identified, allowing for possible pharmaceutical exploitation.
A study identified a novel sensor that is necessary to activate the immune response to viral infection. The research highlights the complex and overlapping mechanisms used by immune cells to detect viruses, providing insights into the development of more effective antiviral therapeutics.
The introduction of direct antiviral agents (DAA) has improved virus clearance rates, particularly in patients with genotype 1, but resource scarcity raises concerns about who to treat first. A proposed plan suggests triaging therapy to the neediest patients first.
A team of researchers from Rockefeller University has carried out a comprehensive evaluation of the antiviral activity of interferon-induced factors, revealing unique subsets of genes that inhibit various viruses. The study found that specific combinations of genes can be more potent than individual ones in suppressing viral replication.