Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
A team of scientists developed a technique to rapidly detect genetic changes in malaria parasites using portable MinION sequencers. They demonstrated the first end-to-end, real-time pathogen monitoring from clinical blood samples in rural, resource-limited malaria hotspots.
A groundbreaking study analyzed the behavior of atoms in COVID-19 proteins to understand its evolution and spread. The research found critical distinctions in mechanical stability among various virus strains, highlighting how these differences contribute to the virus's aggressiveness.
A Canadian study found that infants exposed to biologic agents during pregnancy have normal immune development and can safely receive the rotavirus vaccine. The study, involving 191 infants across six sites in Canada, aimed to change vaccination guidelines to protect more babies from severe illness.
A new study by the University of Plymouth reveals that chlorine disinfectants used in hospitals are no more effective at killing off hospital superbugs than water. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to tackle Clostridioides difficile, which causes diarrhoea, colitis and other bowel complications globally.
The November issue of CHEST journal features cutting-edge research on asthma, COPD, diffuse lung disease, and thoracic oncology. A new guideline provides updated recommendations for patients with stable COPD, while home spirometry is shown to be less consistent than clinic spirometry in monitoring lung function in patients with asthma.
The US life expectancy gap between men and women has widened to 5.8 years, with COVID-19 and 'deaths of despair' being major contributors. Life expectancy in the US dropped to 76.1 years in 2021, driven by increases in deaths from drug overdoses, suicide, and accidents.
A new resorbable scaffold has been shown to be more effective than traditional angioplasty in treating severe artery blockages in the lower leg. In a large clinical trial, patients who received the scaffold had a 74% chance of avoiding adverse events, compared to 44% for those who underwent angioplasty.
Researchers found that antibodies targeting the N-terminal domain have a lower ability to protect against delta variants compared to those targeting the receptor-binding domain. The study provides new insights into vaccine development, highlighting the importance of understanding antibody responses.
Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered a group of T cells known as mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells. These cells can recognize the same markers whether they come from humans or mice, opening up new possibilities for treating infectious diseases and improving cancer immunotherapies. The study also ...
Bio-TCV, a typhoid conjugate vaccine developed by IVI and Bio Farma, has been licensed in Indonesia following marketing approval from BPOM. The vaccine is expected to provide protection against typhoid fever as early as 9 months of age.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new antifungal molecule that targets fungal cells without harming human kidney cells or other tissues. The molecule, dubbed AM-2-19, has shown significant efficacy against various fungal infections in vitro and in vivo studies.
Researchers at UTSA have discovered a novel strategy to inhibit the spread and infection of Vibrio cholerae, the bacteria responsible for cholera. They identified a peptide-binding domain that can disrupt the virulence of V. cholerae, preventing intestinal colonization and biofilm formation.
Research at the University of Gothenburg found that even low-active IBD patients have a higher risk of serious infections due to microscopic intestinal inflammation. Achieving a fully healed intestinal mucosa may reduce this risk, contributing to lower morbidity and mortality in IBD patients.
A study led by the University of Sydney found that many antibiotics for childhood infections have less than 50% effectiveness, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths globally. The World Health Organization has declared antimicrobial resistance a top public health threat, emphasizing the urgent need for updated guidelines.
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe found that individuals with severe COVID-19 infections experienced the highest prevalence of chronic physical symptoms and had the most persistent symptoms for up to two years after diagnosis. In contrast, those who were never bedridden during their infection presented with a sim...
The Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children's Hospital has been awarded a $9 million NIH contract to develop a small molecule adjuvant to enhance the effectiveness of flu vaccines. The collaboration with Inimmune aims to increase the body's immune response to vaccines and protect vulnerable populations.
Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria can form special cells that survive for long periods in a dormant state, making antibiotic treatment challenging. The discovery could lead to new treatment concepts by targeting proteins involved in the transition to this slumber state.
Researchers found that individuals with previous environmental, social, and nutritional stressors were more likely to die from the flu. This contradicts the widespread belief that healthy young adults were disproportionately affected. The study analyzed skeletal remains of 369 victims and identified lesions as indicators of frailty.
A Dartmouth-led study found that tweets featuring K-pop group BTS generated 111 times more virality than similar tweets without the artist's name. This highlights the power of entertainment in driving public health messages and bridging cultural divides.
Researchers developed a promising strategy to reduce adverse reactions to nanoparticles by using complement inhibitors. The study showed that regulators being studied effectively inhibited complement activation by nanoparticles in human serum in vitro and animal models.
A new study reveals that immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants depends on previous exposure and vaccination history. The research found significant differences in immune responses to various variants, highlighting the need for personalized vaccine approaches.
Current WHO TB prevention guidelines do not adequately address the needs of imprisoned populations, who are disproportionately affected by the disease. Researchers call for programs to prioritize prison inmates' access to preventive treatment.
Researchers identified PUCH, a novel enzyme that produces small molecules called piRNAs to detect and prevent parasitic DNA from replicating in our genomes. This discovery sheds light on how our immune system works and may have implications for understanding innate immunity.
Researchers analyzed over 2 million cells from 400 postmortem brain samples to identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets for Alzheimer's treatments. They found impairments in mitochondrial function, synaptic signaling, and protein complexes, as well as disrupted lipid metabolism.
An observational study of nearly 70,000 COVID-19 patients found that Paxlovid lowered risk of death by 84% and Legevrio by 77%, reducing combined risk of hospitalization and death by over 40%. The treatments were effective across all patient subgroups and against newer Omicron subvariants.
A Boston University-led study identified genetic signatures of TB-susceptible and TB-resistant macrophages, leading to a new approach to tweak the immune system to fight the disease. The research could lead to therapies targeting host immunity to tuberculosis.
Five lung stem cell variants dominate CF lungs, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and mucin secretion. CFTR modulators fail to suppress these inflammatory variants, suggesting they as key targets for new drugs.
A joint consensus report by AMP, ASM, IDSA, and PASCV outlines the clinical and analytical benefits of multiplex PCR panels for detecting pathogens from various body sites. The report also discusses future directions and challenges associated with these panels.
Research finds that immune cells in older adults are similar to those in newborns and children, but less effective at recognizing infected cells. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that tailored vaccines and therapies could be developed for different age groups based on the unique characteristics of killer T cells.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic have developed a potential vaccine candidate against Dabie Bandavirus using nanoparticles, which can deliver antigens at a lower dose with fewer side effects. The vaccine has shown promise in pre-clinical studies and could provide protection to adults over 50, who are most vulnerable to the virus.
Researchers found that mothers' bodies retain a long-term supply of immune suppressive T cells that recognize the next fetus by the same couple, instructing the rest of the immune system to stand down. This 'memory' effect persists in women even after childbirth.
A study of 68,000 patients with COVID-19 found that using Paxlovid or Lagevrio significantly reduced mortality and hospitalization rates in those at high risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, regardless of age, race, or virus strain. These medications can be used to treat non-hospitalized patients at high risk of severe disease.
A new CRISPR-based diagnostic tool, MPXV-CRISPR, has been developed in Australia to detect the monkeypox virus with high precision and speed. The tool can detect the virus in clinical samples in just 45 minutes, making it faster than current methods.
Researchers at George Washington University found that Facebook's core design features undermine its policies aimed at removing Covid-19 vaccine misinformation. The platform's architecture, designed to build communities around shared interests, can inadvertently facilitate the spread of misinformation.
Research estimates that natural flood disasters correlate with increased cases and fatalities from neglected tropical diseases, malaria, respiratory infections, and tuberculosis.
A Pittsburgh-based surveillance system detected a drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection linked to artificial tears months before the national public health alert. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of whole genome sequencing-based surveillance in detecting outbreaks and preventing nationwide cases.
A new study from Boston Medical Center found that injectable extended-release buprenorphine is limited by cost and treatment retention, while oral buprenorphine may be a more cost-effective option. The opioid overdose crisis requires a broad range of effective treatments, including injectable formulations.
Researchers have developed a technology that can rapidly determine the number of viable bacteria in food products, reducing inspection time from 2 days to 1 hour. This method uses tetrazolium salt and electrochemical properties, offering a faster and more efficient way to ensure food safety before shipment.
A new study found that infants less than one year old experienced the highest absolute and relative mortality during the Dutch Hunger Winter Famine. Diseases of the digestive system showed a tenfold mortality increase, with most deaths from enteritis, diarrhea, and intestinal ulcers.
A new method enables efficient isolation of raccoon-borne Escherichia albertii from fecal samples, providing insights into its epidemiology and facilitating improved control of food poisoning. The developed culture medium selectively promotes the growth of E. albertii at a rate of up to 48%.
A new framework aims to build climate resilience in Europe's health systems by developing policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools. The framework combines a holistic approach to address the interconnectedness of animals, humans, and the environment.
Researchers aim to identify genetic risk factors and mechanisms underlying virus-induced asthma, using artificial intelligence-based techniques and patient-derived models. The study may lead to personalized prevention campaigns and mechanism-targeted drugs.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered that trained immune cells can remove cellular debris and reduce inflammation in the lungs. This 'memory' or training allows these cells to respond better to subsequent infections, potentially leading to a cell therapy to prevent acute lung injury.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have identified a possible treatment for Lassa fever, a highly infectious and often fatal disease. A new monoclonal antibody cocktail, Arevirumab-3, was shown to successfully treat cynomolgus monkeys infected with the virus in advanced stages.
A new study found that voluntary collective isolation was unlikely to prevent rapid spread of COVID-19 among the Tsimané, a small-scale Indigenous society in remote Amazonia. The simulation predicted nearly identical rates of infection in real-world data, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and medical resources
SARS-CoV-2's nucleocapsid protein (N) uses human body temperature to replicate, binding to RNA motifs at specific spatial folds. The study reveals new functions and potential targets for antiviral drugs.
The August issue of CHEST journal features a new clinical practice guideline for managing patients with neuromuscular weakness and a multisociety evidence review on the effect of race and ethnicity on pulmonary function testing interpretation. This is complemented by other research and reviews covering various aspects of chest medicine.
A recent study published in Cell Host and Microbe reveals how flaviviruses hijack human cells to promote replication. The discovery of KAT5γ's critical role in viral replication paves the way for designing inhibitory molecules to stop viral replication.
A growing number of studies highlights the power of dogs in detecting COVID-19 and its variants, even when obscured by other viruses. Trained scent dogs are as effective and often more effective than antigen tests and RT-PCR tests, detecting the virus faster and without environmental impact.
Researchers examine translational studies on peripheral surrogates of tumor burden, including circulating tumor DNA, miRNA, and HPV-specific antibodies, to inform chemotherapy and immunotherapy strategies. These biomarkers show promise as prognostic and predictive markers of response to treatment.
Researchers identified a new approach to treat poxviruses by targeting a cellular protein, making the virus more susceptible to natural defences. Existing immunosuppressive drugs can restrict replication and spread of poxviruses.
A new study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center found that people are more likely to recommend an RSV vaccine if they understand the rigorous process of the FDA's vaccine approval process. The study showed that 57% of those exposed to a flowchart were very or somewhat likely to recommend the vaccine, compared to 40% in a control group.
A new reference database, Greengenes2, allows researchers to combine 16S and shotgun sequencing data, improving the reproducibility of microbiome studies. This enables the reuse of millions of samples in older studies, strengthening physicians' ability to draw clinical conclusions.
Researchers found that CD4+ T cells initiate fat wasting, while CD8+ T cells induce muscle wasting, which surprisingly helps the mice fight infection and survive. The study sheds light on the complex relationship between immune cells and wasting responses.
Research reveals that cancer screening awareness is low among people experiencing homelessness, making it difficult for them to receive timely treatment. The study's findings highlight the need for targeted prevention programs tailored to this underserved group's unique needs.
A breakthrough mRNA vaccine has been developed to target and stimulate protective immune cell responses against malaria. The vaccine combines an RNA-based approach with a liver-specific adjuvant, generating resident memory cells that halt malaria infection in the liver, providing a broader and more protective immune response.
A recent study found that women with Lyme disease experience longer diagnostic delays, more severe symptoms, and increased misdiagnoses compared to men. The study also revealed no significant differences in antibiotic treatment response or side effects.
Scientists have teamed up to improve drug delivery by designing more effective lipid nanoparticles. Their latest study documents how high-throughput workflows can produce and characterize LNPs at record speed, with neatly ordered structures leading to better silencing of faulty genes in human neurons.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that mimic the glycocalyx pattern to treat inflammatory bowel disease. The treatment reduced symptoms and inflammation in mice with IBD, with specific versions showing significant improvement.
The Omicron subvariant BA.5 efficiently infects lung cells due to a mutation in the spike protein, enabling efficient entry and fusion with lung cells. This finding suggests that future SARS-CoV-2 variants may regain the ability to cause severe illness in risk patients and people with insufficient immunity.