Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
Researchers identified a mechanism to kill the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, which causes severe respiratory infections with high mortality rates. The study found that a genetic modification allowed the echinocandin drug to kill the fungus, paving the way for more targeted attacks.
Researchers have identified two pathways to repeat infection: re-infection and persistence of BV-bacteria. Tailored treatments are being trialed to improve cure rates for women with persistent bacterial vaginosis.
A study from the University of Gothenburg found that one in four patients with invasive pneumococcal disease had a marker for blood cancer or precursor conditions. Seven patients were diagnosed with blood cancer, and twelve with a condition that can progress to blood cancer.
Liangfang Zhang's invention uses human cell membranes to cloak nanoparticles, making them deliver drugs and remove toxins more effectively. The approach has shown promise against bacterial toxins, including MRSA, and may potentially treat diseases without conventional drugs.
A polyphenol-rich extract from Cistus salviifolius has shown fungicidal activity against several dermatophytes, including Trichophyton rubrum and Microsporum canis. The extract reduced fungal load and tissue invasion in a reconstructed human epidermis model, preserving the epidermal barrier and decreasing inflammation.
A blood test that compares two molecules in the blood can accurately distinguish between bacterial and viral infections in newborn babies with fever. The test showed a high sensitivity and specificity, and could potentially improve treatment and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.
A parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, reorganizes the host cell surface to create specialized patches for entry. The parasite's invasion machinery is triggered by a specific sugar-coated protein interaction, allowing it to exploit host-cell vulnerabilities.
Researchers have identified a way to strengthen bladder cells' ability to eliminate hidden bacteria, reducing recurrent UTIs. OM-89 increases lysosomal acidification and enzyme activity, allowing antibiotics to reach and kill bacteria more effectively.
The University of Kansas has received $5.8 million in NIH funding to further its Chemical Biology of Infectious Disease center, which aims to develop targeted treatments for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The center's collaborative approach will focus on protecting the beneficial microbiome while defeating resistance mechanisms.
A study of 3,860 nurses and midwives from 18 Latin American and Caribbean countries found recurring patterns of emotional overload, professional challenges, and exposure to multiple forms of violence during the pandemic. The researchers identified three interconnected themes: direct violence, stigma, fear, and disruption of social belo...
Researchers found strong initial protection from TB preventive treatment (TPT) in 24 countries, but long-term protection varied depending on TB disease burden. In high-burden settings, protection waned after just one year, while in low- and medium-burden settings, it lasted at least 8 and 13 years, respectively.
Candidemia, a bloodstream infection caused by Candida species, remains a major clinical challenge. The review highlights the need for rapid diagnosis, susceptibility-guided treatment, and new therapeutic approaches. Combination therapy and emerging antifungal candidates may offer new options for selected difficult infections.
Analysis of 20 years and 194 countries reveals epidemic disasters disproportionately affect health workforce equality in low- and middle-income countries. Global losses in human resources for health are estimated due to infectious disease epidemics, with significant impacts on healthcare systems.
Researchers investigating Group B Streptococcus colonization in the birth canal may lead to improved preventative measures for neonatal meningitis. The study aims to understand how GBS attaches to and stays in the vaginal tract, potentially reducing cases of meningitis in newborns.
A large-scale study found that children with congenital TORCH infections were three times more likely to be diagnosed with autism and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with an intellectual disability. The study also showed an impact on academic performance, suggesting long-term effects on brain development.
Scientists at Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation developed a new BCG vaccine strategy that significantly reduces tuberculosis relapse rates. The study found that combining BCG vaccination with immunotherapy lowered relapse rates by 58% compared to the vaccine alone.
Researchers at Tulane University have developed a diagnostic platform that can identify the precise species of bacteria causing NTM lung disease infections within four hours. The platform, called CANDI, uses mucus from the lungs and other respiratory fluids to test for up to 15 clinically relevant species and subspecies of NTM bacteria.
Complimentary press passes are now available for the Association for Molecular Pathology 2026 Annual Meeting & Expo in Seattle, featuring over 200 exhibiting companies, 60 educational sessions, and 500 poster presentations. Reporters can register to attend in person or access press materials online.
Researchers found that exosomes from people with shingles pain caused nerve cells to remain inflamed and transmit pain signals even after the virus clears the body. This discovery opens the door to new approaches for predicting, preventing, and treating post-herpetic neuralgia.
A study found that a common lupus-associated genetic variant strengthens antiviral immune responses while increasing the risk of autoimmunity. This genetic variant affects the IRF7 transcription factor, which plays a central role in the antiviral immune response.
A Korea University study found that an mRNA-based influenza vaccine elicits a more diverse and broader serum antibody repertoire than traditional vaccines. This leads to greater binding and neutralizing breadth against diverse influenza strains, suggesting potential for broader, longer-lasting protection.
Researchers have developed IgA monoclonal antibodies that provide immediate immunity to dengue infection and reduce the risk of severe disease in individuals with preexisting immunity. This technology overcomes the challenge of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement, enabling effective prevention and treatment of dengue virus infection.
A new survey found that 82% of U.S. adults know the best defense against mosquito-borne diseases is preventing mosquito bites and controlling mosquitoes. However, knowledge about the proper use of insect repellent remains low, with many unsure about the correct application order with sunscreen.
Researchers developed a new analysis method, LM-QASAS, combining antibody language models with B-cell receptor repertoires to identify candidate sequences responding to an immune stimulus. The method successfully tracked the rise, peak, and decline of immune responses in new individuals, even for emerging infectious diseases.
Researchers discovered a unique system C. diff uses to sense and respond to host-mediated nutrient deprivation and a microbiota-produced antibiotic compound. Bacitracin, produced by the gut commensal bacterium Bacillus licheniformis, inhibits symptoms and eliminates the pathogen in a mouse model.
The vaccine, NXT-2, provides protection against pathogenic fungi while maintaining the balance of beneficial microbes in the gut. The study confirms that the vaccine's immune response does not significantly alter the resident fungi or bacteria populations in the gut.
A high-dose flu vaccine has been shown to reduce hospitalizations for older people with lung disease, including COPD and asthma. The vaccine reduced hospital admissions for flu or pneumonia by 8.8% compared to the standard-dose vaccine.
A new study from the University of Surrey found that the 2022 Mpox outbreak was caused by a weakened form of the virus, which may have helped it spread faster. The virus acquired mutations before spreading globally, resulting in less severe symptoms in patients who unknowingly spread it across borders.
Researchers at the University of Osaka have identified a previously unknown mechanism that allows the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae to export the antibiotic fosfomycin. The discovery provides new clues to drug resistance and could lead to the development of more effective treatments for bacterial infections.
A new study by CHOP researchers reveals that C. difficile colonization in infants can lead to a remodeling of the developing epithelium and a reshaping of the mucosal immune system, potentially increasing the risk of some viral infections in adulthood. Early life exposure to C. difficile may have profound effects on healthy development...
Denmark's unique approach to prenatal care, including universal syphilis screening, has led to zero congenital syphilis cases since 2016. The study found nearly 100% screening coverage and a stable trend in syphilis infections, but no increase in congenital syphilis cases, indicating a well-functioning healthcare system.
A new study reveals striking biological similarities between five major illnesses, including long Covid and PTSD, suggesting common underlying mechanisms. Chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis may be driven by shared regulatory networks in immune and metabolic systems.
Researchers at Lund University have identified a mechanism by which heme, released from damaged red blood cells, activates an inflammatory response. The kallikrein-kinin system pathway was found to be involved, leading to increased permeability and fluid leakage in surrounding tissues.
Researchers have discovered a novel approach to treating influenza by targeting the host's machinery, rather than the virus itself. By binding to a key protein called nucleolin, two new drugs have been shown to trap and inhibit the replication of both pandemic and seasonal flu strains.
Enterovirus infections in children can lead to severe diseases, and current vaccines only cover certain serotypes. The review highlights the need for further research to expand preventive and therapeutic options. Rapid viral evolution complicates disease diagnosis and treatment.
A study by Goethe University and Universitätsmedizin Frankfurt has found that seminal fluid can facilitate infection of skin cells with the monkeypox virus. The researchers discovered that protein fragments in seminal fluid form fibers that promote attachment of the virus to human cells, increasing the risk of transmission through sexu...
Researchers discovered a long-lived monocyte-derived population in the lung that provides essential support for durable T cell immunity. The study suggests that enhancing interactions between innate immune cells and memory T cells could be one such strategy.
A new AI method called neural posterior estimation (NPE) uses genetic sequences to analyze the evolution of infectious diseases. This allows for real-time management of epidemics and epizootics, with the ability to add new data at any time.
A mathematical model developed by researchers from Hasanuddin University suggests that combining vaccination, treatment, quarantine, and educational campaigns could curb Mpox transmission. The model showed that a full-control strategy produced the greatest reduction in infections, with a 97.85% decrease in the total number of infected ...
A quality improvement study found that a publicly available MRSA prevention program toolkit materials were associated with a 65% decrease in hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia laboratory-identified events. The study included 106 ICUs and 87 non-ICUs from 94 hospitals and involved a 2.3 event reduction per 10,000 patient-days
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that people who swim in rivers and lakes are more than twice as likely to develop skin problems. Higher levels of bacteria linked to faecal pollution are also associated with an increased risk of stomach bugs. The study, which analyzed data from 2,368 volunteers, found that swimmers ...
A 2-year multicenter cohort study found that most hospitalized survivors maintained or regained cognitive function after Omicron infection, while older and reinfected patients may face progressive decline. The study identified age, infection history, and disease severity as risk factors for progressive decline.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology have developed a vaccine that uses T cells to fight Zika virus, but one vaccine, with both antibody and T cell protection, showed long-term protection against the virus. This discovery offers a new hope in the fight against Zika and its close viral relatives.
Researchers discovered Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans bacteria in geese feces in China carrying carbapenem and tigecycline resistance genes. The bacteria showed high resistance to meropenem and reduced susceptibility to tigecycline. Genome sequencing revealed two distinct resistance-associated regions, one carrying bla PST-2 and the oth...
Tuberculosis bacteria can evolve to withstand airborne transmission and generate antibiotic resistance, according to a new study. Researchers identified a DNA repair gene called Mfd that helps certain drug-resistant strains survive transmission.
Researchers at the University of Osaka found that pertussis-associated DNA in wastewater increased before reported cases, indicating a new early warning system for pertussis outbreaks. Wastewater surveillance has the advantage of capturing broader community-level trends, including mild or asymptomatic infections.
A new study found a 16.8-percent increase in HIV cases among Hispanic populations in antisanctuary counties compared to baseline counties. The researchers attributed this increase to the 2018 announcement of changes to the public charge rule, which penalized immigrants for using public benefit programs.
A research team created an ultrathin artificial lung that reproduces the movement of alveoli, air sacs inside the lung, and demonstrates the response to influenza virus. The lung operated stably through 240,000 breaths and showed promise for studying lung disease and drug responses.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Engineering have developed a process to manufacture flu vaccines in baker's yeast, producing virus-like particles that protect mice against multiple influenza strains. The approach aims to provide long-lasting protection, possibly even a lifetime, against multiple strains and subtypes.
A new flu vaccine, made using baker's yeast, has shown strong immune responses in mice, protecting against three different strains of flu, including those that mutate slowly. The vaccine targets the M2 protein, which is less likely to mutate and could provide broader protection against future flu strains.
Scientists have identified multiple targets for antibodies that could treat Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, a deadly virus spread by ticks. The research found that antibodies targeting the nucleocapsid protein offer protection against the virus, regardless of strain, and could lead to the development of new treatments.
A Virginia Tech study reveals that multiple CD4 T-cell populations work together to control Cryptococcus neoformans, a deadly fungus that causes meningitis in immunocompromised individuals. The finding could lead to new preventive treatments that target a coordinated network of immune cells.
A new study led by ISGlobal reveals that Atlantic climate variability can predict leishmaniasis outbreaks in North Africa by analyzing rainfall patterns and their impact on vegetation and rodent populations. This enables the development of a seasonal forecasting system with up to one year's lead time.
A randomized clinical trial found that daily zinc supplementation at 20 mg reduced all-cause infections in children with sickle cell anemia over 6 months compared to placebo. No adverse events were observed in the study, suggesting zinc supplementation may be a useful preventive measure for these children.
A new viewpoint article in BioScience suggests using multiple working hypotheses and strong inference to break the logjam in the COVID-19 origins debate. The approach, inspired by a 1890 paper, aims to distinguish among competing explanations and improve analytical processes guided by an objective consortium of scientists.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests that decision support guidelines can safely reduce unnecessary endotracheal aspirate culture testing for children with respiratory complications. The study, funded by the NIH and AHRQ, found a 16% decline in EAC culture testing among patients without signs of respiratory tract infection.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed hybrid compounds that simultaneously reduce cancer cell viability and inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. The compounds showed strong activity against aggressive cancer cells and certain bacteria and fungi, outperforming currently used drugs.
A new study found TB preventive treatment to be effective in six countries with high TB and HIV rates, demonstrating program data showing scale-up impact. The study supports the critical role of TB preventive treatment in HIV care programs, highlighting the importance of sustained funding for global health programs.
UCF researcher Mollie Jewett aims to 'starve' Borrelia burgdorferi of nutrients to prevent Lyme disease spread. Her team is focused on targeting the bacteria's ability to consume riboflavin, a key nutrient for its survival.
A new study explains why drought can both reduce and increase waterborne diseases. The authors identified three mechanisms that determine whether a parasite will thrive or die out during drought: host-parasite concentration, desiccation traps, and changes in water quality.