Articles tagged with Acute Infections
Two new studies explore ways to clear hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) from patients' bodies. Researchers found that HBV superinfection can lead to clearance of HCV in chronic HCV patients, while interferon-based therapies show promise for treating chronic HBV.
Researchers from MIT indicate that underlying gastrointestinal infections increase severity of acute diarrhea and delay recovery. The analysis provides a model for evaluating new preventive strategies or therapeutic treatments.
A recent study published in PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that parasitic worm infections can increase the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. The study showed that rhesus macaques with acute schistosomiasis were more susceptible to an HIV-like virus, with higher peak viral loads and memory cell concentrations.
Researchers found that newly HIV-infected men in the US dramatically shifted their behavior to choosing only unprotected sex with other infected individuals. This change reflects a systematic shift among men, mostly gay, to protect their partners from HIV infection.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute found that CD8 T cells generated to fight chronic infections operate under a different maintenance scheme than those in acute infections. These cells have a rapid turnover and are dependent on the virus for their continuation, which could be manipulated to design new therapeutic options.
A recent study found that antibiotics are prescribed for approximately 82% of acute and chronic sinus infections, despite viruses being the most frequent cause. This overprescription has significant concerns, including drug resistance and virulent bacteria, as well as increased healthcare costs.
Researchers at the University of Washington discovered that Gallium inhibits the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and prevents biofilm formation, offering a potential therapeutic solution for cystic fibrosis patients. Inhalation of Gallium also protected mice from P. aeruginosa lung infections.
Researchers at NC State University are developing mathematical and statistical models to aid in designing new treatment strategies for acutely infected HIV patients. The goal is to predict the best course of treatment based on individual patient variables, which could lead to improved quality of care and personalized treatment.
A study published by Infectious Diseases Society of America found that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are causing an increase in muscle infections, particularly among children. The researchers discovered a specific strain of Staphylococcus aureus associated with more severe disease, and emphasized the need for physicians to consider ini...
A large-scale study in the UK found that both respiratory and urinary tract infections increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis. The risk is particularly high in the first two weeks after infection. Researchers suggest a causal relation between infections and venous thromboembolism.
A clinical decision system (CDSS) helped decrease inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing rates by 10% in communities with the intervention. The CDSS tool guided diagnosis and management of acute respiratory infections, reducing the use of macrolides and antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections.
A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that the body's T cell response to parvovirus B19 persists long after symptoms have cleared, contradicting previous assumptions about the virus. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development and treatment of this viral infection.
Researchers evaluated the relationship between routine childhood vaccines and hospitalization for infectious diseases not targeted by vaccination. The study found no adverse associations between multiple vaccinations and increased risk of nontargeted infectious disease hospitalizations.
A new study estimates that S. aureus infections cause an average of 292,045 hospital stays per year, resulting in 3 times longer stays, triple the total charges, and five times higher risk of in-hospital death compared to non-infected patients. The study also found that antibiotic-resistant strains are becoming increasingly common.
A recent study found that a 'watch and wait' approach to treating kids' ear infections could significantly reduce the overuse of antibiotics. The study surveyed over 2,000 parents in Massachusetts communities, revealing mixed attitudes towards this treatment method.
The report lists 58 substances as 'known human carcinogens' due to evidence from human studies, including HBV, HCV, and HPV. Eleven new substances have been added to the list of 'reasonably anticipated human carcinogens', including naphthalene, MeIQx, and lead.
A randomized controlled trial found that amoxicillin was more effective than placebo in treating middle ear infections in children, but showed no significant difference in adverse events or recurrence rates. The study suggests that antibiotics may be a useful treatment option for this common childhood illness.
The RetS gene product in P. aeruginosa activates virulence factors for acute infection while repressing those required for long-term, chronic infection. This system may orchestrate the transition from acute colonization to chronic infection in this human pathogen.
Research by Emory University scientists found that chronic viral infections fail to develop long-term immune memory cells due to poor cytokine response. The study suggests that rest from antigen exposure is crucial for developing these memory cells.
Research found a direct correlation between viral levels in blood and semen, with acutely infected individuals being hyper-infectious before symptoms occur. Transmission rates during heterosexual sex are likely to be much higher than previously thought during this period.
A 1998 Finnish outbreak was traced to contaminated iceberg lettuce grown on open fields with roe deer, which carry the Y. pseudotuberculosis pathogen. Researchers investigated and proposed prevention methods, including fenced fields and disinfection strategies.
Chronic HIV infection causes non-specific premature maturation of T-cells, resulting in replicative senescence and exhaustion of the immune system. This leads to an increased likelihood of opportunistic infections, making HIV so deadly.
A study by Dr. Danielle Mohren found that employees in demanding jobs suffer from colds 20% more often than those in less demanding positions. Fatigue and burnout also increase the risk of infections, particularly gastroenteritis. The research highlights a clear link between working conditions and health.
Researchers found that steroid nasal sprays combined with antibiotics significantly improved sinusitis symptoms and reduced recovery time. A study of 95 adults with recurrent or chronic sinusitis reported a 93% cure rate using fluticasone, compared to 74% for placebo.
Researchers found that Helicobacter pylori infection was more common in patients with hereditary angioneurotic oedema, a genetic disorder causing non-itchy swellings. Eradicating the infection improved abdominal symptoms and reduced episodes of acute pain.
A UK study found that one in five patients with acute symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are unlikely to be seen at a genitourinary medicine clinic within the recommended 48 hours. The study, which surveyed healthcare staff posing as patients, also revealed that those in certain regions faced even longer waits.
The Respiratory Tract Infection Alert, a first national tracking system, provides predictive information via the Internet and a toll-free number to predict RTI season peaks. The system tracks common respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia.
The Hepatitis C Cooperative Research Centers are expanding their investigation of acute and chronic infection caused by the hepatitis C virus, with a focus on understanding why African Americans respond poorly to current treatment. The initiative will also explore ways to prevent disease progression and develop new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers have discovered a potentially promising approach to attack the AIDS virus, opening new vaccine directions. The study found that infected individuals make immune responses that the virus cannot tolerate, and that these responses could be mimicked in an HIV vaccine.
A comparative study found Factive eradicated H. influenzae after one day, while Biaxin took seven days. The results showed Factive's superior efficacy in treating chronic bronchitis airway infections.
A clinical trial shows that a single dose of Zithromax is as effective as a 10-day course of Augmentin in treating acute otitis media in children. The study found high treatment success rates for both regimens.
Jay Levy, a professor at UCSF, debates that the innate immune system helps prevent HIV infection and progression to disease. He cites cases of HIV patients with few CD4 cells who remain healthy without opportunistic infections or cancer.
A new national study found that unusual infections and fat emboli contribute significantly to acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease patients. The syndrome is the leading cause of death among sickle cell patients, and earlier diagnosis and treatment may save many lives.
A study led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has identified key changes in surface proteins of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that enable it to evade the immune system. The research found that these changes occur early in the infection process and can determine whether a person will develop chronic or acute HCV disease.
A study found that despite comprehensive treatment, four patients became infected with HIV at least six months after initial exposure due to ongoing contact with infected partners. Counseling strategies targeting misconceptions about transmission are crucial to preventing future infections.
Researchers at TSRI demonstrate that the immune system can cure viral infections without destroying infected cells. Nondestructive antiviral mechanisms triggered by inflammatory cytokines contribute to viral clearance, preserving organ function.
Researchers discovered ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne infection, shows increased fluid in lungs on chest X-rays, helping doctors diagnose it earlier and potentially treat it more effectively. The illness can be mild but also rapidly fatal, and early detection is crucial.
Researchers found that HIV establishes a pool of latently infected immune system cells even with early treatment. These cells can persist for years, posing an obstacle to ultimate control and eradication of the virus. The study suggests that these reservoirs are established very early in infection.
New data show that latent pools of infected cells are established early in HIV infection, even with treatment. Dr. Fauci discusses potential strategies to diminish latent pools by stimulating latently infected cells with antibodies or cytokines.
A study challenges the widely accepted pediatric practice of prescribing a 10-day course of antibiotics for uncomplicated ear infections, suggesting that five days of short-acting oral antibiotics are equally effective. The researchers found no significant difference in treatment failure rates when comparing the two treatment courses.
A study published at JAMA found that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections resistant to many antibiotics are now present in non-chronically ill children outside of hospital environments. The researchers discovered a significant increase in community-acquired MRSA cases among children with no known risk factors.
A research physician at NIAID successfully treated a 74-year-old woman with the longest known malaria infection on record, using an extremely sensitive genetic test. The patient had been infected for decades and was mistakenly diagnosed with lymphoma earlier in her life.
Researchers at MGH have discovered a new immune response that may help control HIV levels in the body. In a study of chronically infected individuals and long-term nonprogressors, the team found that those with strong HIV-specific helper T-cell responses had lower viral loads, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
Researchers successfully infect chimpanzees with a defined HCV sequence, identifying essential elements for infection and paving the way for the development of better treatments. The availability of this infectious sequence will enable precise studies of HCV replication and inform the creation of effective vaccines or immunotherapies.
Researchers from Emory University and CDC report high rates of microbial resistance to antibiotics in intensive care unit (ICU) hospital settings. The study found that pathogens isolated from ICUs were most resistant to treatment, while those from outpatients were least resistant.
Researchers found that certain patterns of immune responses to HIV during primary infection are highly predictive of an individual's subsequent rate of disease progression. The study suggests that the immunologic factors at work during this early period, as much or more than virologic factors, determine the outcome of HIV disease.
A study conducted by the University of Washington found that HIV transmission can occur even among individuals with few sexual partners, and that oral sex is a common route of transmission among gay men. Despite warnings from health experts, unprotected oral sex may not be as safe as previously thought.