Add BrightSurf on Google Email

“Overlooked” scrub typhus may affect 1 in 10 in rural India, and be a leading cause of hospitalisations for fever

A study of over 32,000 people in rural India found scrub typhus infection affects up to 10% annually, leading to hospitalisations due to severe fever symptoms. The researchers highlight the need for improved diagnostic capabilities and community awareness to reduce unnecessary hospitalisations and fatal cases.

SourceLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMar 12, 2025

Research identifies key antibodies for development of broadly protective norovirus vaccine

Researchers have identified powerful antibodies capable of neutralizing a wide range of norovirus strains, paving the way for designing a broadly effective norovirus vaccine. The discovery brings us closer to a vaccine that could provide lasting protection and prevent devastating effects of norovirus outbreaks.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 5, 2025

Don't let this stress you out

Researchers at Kyoto University investigated the effects of two-hit stress on mouse behavior, revealing significant changes in the cerebellum. The study found increased microglia turnover, neuronal loss, and decreased brain connectivity, correlating with anxiety-like behaviors and mental disorders.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 3, 2025

International disease classification codes ambiguities create challenges in comparing respiratory infection diagnosis

Researchers identified regional differences in how ICD codes were applied, with some codes being used interchangeably for different conditions. The study highlights the need to address variation in physician coding practices to ensure accurate comparisons and avoid false conclusions.

SourceAmerican Academy of Family Physicians·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJan 27, 2025

Study tracks physical and cognitive impairments associated with long COVID

Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 people with post-COVID-19 syndrome, finding persistent physical and cognitive impairments that worsened with exercise intolerance. The study's findings support the inclusion of cognitive and exercise testing in clinical evaluation for patients with suspected post-COVID-19 syndrome.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJan 23, 2025

Females have a 31% higher associated risk of developing long COVID, UT Health San Antonio-led RECOVER study shows

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that females aged 40-55 years have the highest risk of developing long COVID, with a 31% higher associated risk compared to males. The research, part of the NIH RECOVER initiative, suggests that patients and healthcare teams should consider sex differences when treating long COVID.

Human papillomavirus infection kinetics revealed in new longitudinal study

A new longitudinal study has provided unprecedented insights into human papillomavirus (HPV) infection dynamics. The study found that non-persistent infections exhibit a plateau in viral load before rapidly declining, while chronic infections show a strong correlation between immune cells and virus production. This research could infor...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2025

Chinese Medical Journal review provides insights into respiratory syncytial virus

Researchers provide comprehensive review of RSV's virology, clinical impact, and prevention strategies, emphasizing the need for effective vaccines to mitigate this critical health need. The review highlights RSV's severe impact on infants, children, and older adults, as well as its potential effects on multiple organs and systems.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeSystematic review·DateDec 20, 2024

New review highlights variant-specific differences in long COVID, underscoring vaccine role and future directions for research and care

A recent review examines how SARS-CoV-2 variants impact long COVID symptoms, revealing key differences in clinical manifestations and vaccination effectiveness. The study suggests that vaccinations significantly reduce both acute and long-term symptoms, making a critical contribution to managing the condition.

Outcomes worse for patients who develop pressure sores after acute spinal cord injury

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that hospital-acquired pressure ulcers are associated with poorer neurological outcomes and reduced motor function in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. The findings suggest that preventing pressure ulcers can help protect these patients and lead to improved medical care.

SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateDec 6, 2024

Zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter lung infection: study

A new study found that zinc deficiency promotes lung infection by Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria, which is a leading cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia. Blocking IL-13 prevented infection-associated death in an animal model, suggesting anti-IL-13 antibodies may protect against bacterial pneumonia in patients with zinc deficiency.

SourceVanderbilt University Medical Center·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2024

Hospitals that are understaffed for infection prevention and control have higher rates of infection, study says

A new study published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that nearly 4 in 5 hospitals are not staffed at sufficient levels to keep patients safe from preventable infections. The study highlights the need for customized infection prevention staffing recommendations, which can be provided by an online calculator tool.

SourceAssociation for Professionals in Infection Control·JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 10, 2024

Nursing shortages can be deadly

A new study found that nursing shortages result in longer hospital stays and worse patient outcomes, including higher mortality rates. Understaffing by registered nurses and nurse assistants is associated with increased risks of adverse events, such as readmissions, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and pressure ulcers.

SourceOxford University Press USA·JournalBJS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 24, 2024

Faster detection of dangerous infections

Researchers developed an algorithm to analyze peptides in infected wounds, revealing unique biomarkers that enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses. This breakthrough method uses mass spectrometry and machine learning to diagnose infections in just a few minutes.

SourceLund University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2024

Recurrent wheezing in children linked to 'silent' viral infections

Research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals that nearly a quarter of children with recurrent wheezing have undetected lung infections that do not respond to commonly prescribed steroids. The study suggests that antiviral medications such as azithromycin may be a more effective treatment for these cases.

SourceUniversity of Virginia Health System·JournalJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology·DateAug 8, 2024

Research finds no difference in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome prevalence caused by COVID-19 and other acute illnesses

A new study led by UCLA found a 3% to 4% prevalence of ME/CFS-like illness among participants who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, similar to those who tested negative. The research suggests COVID-19 may not be the primary cause of ME/CFS.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeSurvey·DateJul 24, 2024

Mini lungs make major COVID-19 discoveries possible

Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect more types of lung cells than previously thought, including those without known viral receptors. The study also found that the lung can independently muster an inflammatory antiviral response without immune system help when exposed to the virus.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024

Researchers observe Mayaro and chikungunya viruses circulating at the same time in the Brazilian Amazon

Co-circulation of Mayaro and chikungunya viruses has been observed in Roraima, Brazil's northernmost state, according to a recent study. The finding highlights the need for more effective epidemiological surveillance in the region. Deforestation and human activities may facilitate transmission in urban areas.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases·DateJul 10, 2024

Lymphoma patients at high risk of infections after diagnosis

Patients with mantle cell lymphoma are more vulnerable to other diseases and infections due to intensive chemotherapy and a weakened immune system. A large-scale national study found that MCL patients had twice as many infections as reference subjects, with common causes including influenza and urinary tract infections.

SourceUppsala University·JournalHemaSphere·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2024

Immune response study explains why some people don't get COVID-19

Researchers used single-cell sequencing technology to study immune responses in healthy adult volunteers exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They discovered unique immune responses associated with resisting sustained viral infection and disease, including activation of specialized mucosal immune cells and a reduction in inflammatory white blood cells.

SourceWellcome Trust Sanger Institute·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 19, 2024

Scientists show the key role of spleen and extracellular vesicles in cryptic malaria infections

Researchers have identified the spleen as a critical organ in cryptic malaria infections, where over 95% of Plasmodium vivax biomass is stored. Extracellular vesicles facilitate the parasite's adherence to spleen cells, enabling its survival and evasion of immune responses.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Monitoring shows chikungunya epidemics can be predicted by means of surveillance

A study in São Paulo state found that chikungunya virus circulated silently for years before causing major epidemics. The researchers monitored residents for four years and discovered a significant rise in seroprevalence from 0.35% to 2.3%. This finding underscores the need for strengthened disease surveillance.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateJun 11, 2024

How infections influence our social empathy

Researchers found that acute inflammation from bacterial endotoxin administration led to a significant reduction in empathy for psychological pain in healthy women. The study highlights the impact of inflammation on both physical and interpersonal relationships.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2024

Study highlights importance of early interventions to combat HIV

Researchers compared HIV reservoirs between patients with early and late treatment initiation. Early treatment was associated with faster decay of virus reservoirs, indicating a more effective immune clearance mechanism. This study supports the potential for early interventions to combat HIV by enabling an eventual cure.

SourceeLife·JournaleLife·DateApr 30, 2024

Researchers led by NTU Singapore and the University of Toulouse discover how our body's immune response to bacterial infections could be ‘hurting’ us

Researchers from NTU Singapore and the University of Toulouse discovered a link between ionophores, cellular ion balance, and inflammation. The study found that cells trigger an immune response when potassium ions fall below a certain level, releasing pro-inflammatory molecules.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2024