Articles tagged with Infectious Diseases
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a gene family involved in determining the potential for acquiring lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects more than one million Americans. The study found that genetic susceptibility to lupus results from an imbalance between genes that increase and suppress th...
Macroalgae, particularly Halimeda opuntia, triggers a virulent white plague type II disease in corals. The alga is also found to be a reservoir for the causative agent Aurantimonas coralicida.
A new UCSD study found that general pediatricians and specialists frequently miss diagnosing Kawasaki disease in children under six months and over eight years old, leading to preventable coronary artery damage. The study aims to raise awareness and provide recommendations to improve diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Researchers found that exposure to bovine material alone cannot explain the young age of vCJD cases in the UK; an additional age-dependent susceptibility factor is required. The study suggests that permeability of the intestinal barrier changes with age, but further research is needed.
Researchers found that shortness of breath and impaired gag reflex without diarrhea are key predictors of death in foodborne botulism. Accurate diagnosis and rapid treatment are crucial, with antitoxin and intensive care necessary for survival.
The project aims to advance scientific research against bioterrorism agents and emerging infectious diseases through a unified proteomics data management system. The system will store proteomics information from six Proteomics Research Centers, providing free public access and enabling direct queries.
The EU's new eastern border raises concerns about the growth of communicable diseases in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Public health systems have struggled to respond to these challenges, and a global response is needed to strengthen health systems and prevent disease spread.
The Wistar Institute has selected two journalists, Ambrose and Gibbs, for the 2004 Science Journalism Award for their outstanding coverage of epigenetics. The award honors excellent science journalism that communicates progress in biomedicine to the public.
A recent USGS review of scientific literature reveals increased reports of disease outbreaks in turtles, corals, mollusks, mammals, and urchins since 1970. However, no significant trends were detected for seagrasses, decapods, or sharks/rays, with even a decrease in disease reports among fish.
The study highlights the need for greater support and educational intervention during infectious disease outbreaks. Front-line health care workers are at real danger of becoming infected, as seen in SARS cases where 20% of infected individuals were healthcare workers.
A recent survey found that most Americans remain confident in the safety of their beef supply following a confirmed case of mad cow disease in Washington State. The study suggests that consumer confidence has been boosted by government actions and trust in food regulators, but some have expressed concerns about the risk of transmission.
Researchers developed a framework to account for mutations in models assessing emerging infectious disease emergence, highlighting the potential for long transmission chains and disease adaptation. The model suggests that even low reproductive numbers can lead to dramatic outbreaks as new strains evolve.
Researchers estimated that only one further case of vCJD in Ireland is likely, based on exposure to BSE-infected beef. The study used data from the UK to calculate the future risk to the Irish population.
A recent investigation found that a Texas salvage store was the source of a foodborne botulism outbreak. Food safety experts advise customers to inspect packaging for signs of decay and spoilage, as well as to maintain standards of health when shopping at any facility.
A six-year study of MRSA in California jails found that two dominant S. aureus clonal groups, ST30:Z and ST8:S, drove the expansion in resistance, gaining multi-drug resistance over time. The study highlights the need to track the spread of individual strains using techniques like PFGE and MLST.
A Dartmouth study has found that RNA molecules can catalyze the transformation of normal prion proteins into disease-causing counterparts, potentially leading to early detection and treatment of prion diseases. The discovery opens new avenues for exploration in diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have found that prions, infectious proteins linked to diseases like mad cow and scrapie, can stick to certain soil types. This suggests that the environment may play a role in the spread of these diseases.
New predictions suggest vCJD epidemic will decline with a comparable worst-case scenario of 540 UK cases between now and 2080. The researchers estimated the incubation time of vCJD to be 12.6 years, similar to Kuru, and calculated that only 40 future cases are expected within the next five years.
A study found that conventional explanations of consent forms were insufficient to ensure understanding among research participants in Haiti. In contrast, in-depth explanations with visual material resulted in high pass rates on an oral test, highlighting the need for new techniques to improve informed consent processes.
The U-M Bioterrorism Preparedness Initiative has received a $1 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop web-based training for over 9,000 public health workers in Michigan. The initiative aims to improve the state's public health system's ability to prevent and respond to infectious disease outbreaks.
As bodies age, B cells lose potency due to accumulation of antigen-experienced cells. These cells, which were initially effective against previous infections, become less responsive and bind weakly to new pathogens.
A rare form of meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae was contracted in a Jamaican restaurant outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce. The lettuce, imported from the US, was the likely source of the infection, which affected 12 individuals and hospitalized nine.
A Yale gastroenterologist has received a $1 million grant to study infectious diseases in developing countries. The grant will support collaborative research on improved oral rehydration solutions for diarrheal diseases, which are common causes of death among children worldwide.
Researchers have identified the RMRP gene responsible for cartilage-hair hypoplasia, a rare syndrome causing dwarfism. The discovery may lead to better understanding and treatment of the disease, which affects worldwide but is prevalent in Finnish and Amish populations.
A nationwide study found that etanercept significantly slows or stops rheumatoid arthritis progression in nearly three-quarters of patients, with fewer side effects than methotrexate. The new use of etanercept as an early treatment offers a promising alternative for patients with advanced RA.
Researchers have identified a genetic cause for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), the most common form of glomerulonephritis worldwide. The gene, located on chromosome 6, is linked to the disease in about 60% of families studied.
Research finds that rheumatoid arthritis patients experience longer hospital stays and higher total charges due to complications, with a notable impact on quality of life. The disease also results in increased healthcare utilization for general symptoms beyond musculoskeletal complaints.
A study suggests that dietary fat is unlikely to cause breast cancer, but rather depletes the body of an essential nutrient that protects against the disease. The research concludes that age and oestrogen also play a role in breast cancer development.
The University of North Carolina School of Medicine has received a $5 million federal grant to investigate ANCA vasculitis, a disease causing small blood vessel inflammation. Researchers will explore the cause of the disease and develop better treatments.
The COPERNICUS trial demonstrates a significant survival benefit of carvedilol in patients with advanced heart failure, reducing mortality rates by 35%. The study involved over 2,200 patients and showed that carvedilol decreased mortality rates compared to placebo.
A study by Penn State researcher Dr. Mark D. Hayward found that people with childhood illness are more likely to develop cancer, lung disease, and arthritis in adulthood, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Investing in children's health could lead to significant benefits for adult healthcare.
Researchers have found a genetic link between IKK-gamma gene and the rare human disease incontinentia pigmenti, which affects skin and its derivatives. The discovery provides a nearly perfect mouse model of the disease, enabling thorough study and development of diagnostic and screening tests.
The Immune Tolerance Network will fund a multicenter clinical trial of the Edmonton Protocol, aiming to assess its effectiveness and long-term risks in treating type 1 diabetes. The trial will involve up to 32 new transplants at eight clinical centers across North America and Europe.
A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that smoking is responsible for more than half of periodontal disease cases among adults in the US. Quitting smoking can gradually erase the harmful effects on periodontal health.
A recent Mayo Clinic study found that patients with CMV disease used significantly more resources and had higher charges than those without infection. Preventive treatment of CMV in high-risk patients can significantly reduce these costs.
Researchers at Emory University have uncovered a significant connection between mast cells and the development of multiple sclerosis. Mast cells, previously only studied in respiratory tract diseases like hay fever and asthma, are now linked to nerve damage in MS.
Researchers establish direct link between prions causing mad cow disease and new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, challenging the species barrier theory. The study used transgenic mice to demonstrate that the strain of prion responsible for mad cow disease also causes new-variant CJD.
Abgenix is initiating a Phase III clinical trial comparing its antibody, ABX-CBL, to standard therapy for patients with steroid-resistant graft-versus-host disease (srGVHD). The trial aims to assess the survival rate of patients receiving higher doses of ABX-CBL.
Researchers found that African-American patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have a lower sustained response to antiviral therapy compared to Caucasians. Additionally, anti-HCV testing in infants may not be reliable until they are two years old, and the deletion of ALT testing has removed an important screening tool for liver di...
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) will present over 1,000 presentations on liver-related diseases, including new findings on using alcohol to repair damaged livers and the impact of race on response to anti-viral therapy in chronic Hepatitis C patients. The meeting aims to advance the science and practice...
A study found that 15% of dental patients with periodontal disease have undiagnosed diabetes, while 56% have high cholesterol. The study highlights the importance of routine physical examinations and preventative care for patients with risk factors.
The US FDA approves ENBREL, a biologic response modifier, for moderately to severely active polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in patients with an inadequate response to other treatments. The treatment has shown a clinical response in 74% of study participants.
Scientists at Boston University's School of Dental Medicine have discovered a new gene involved in common inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease. The researchers identified the gene that controls production of Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF), a molecule implicated in various inflammatory conditions.
A new report outlining alternative funding sources for medical research will be released at a congressional briefing on May 25. The report suggests funding options and models that can be used in conjunction with the current appropriations process to secure sustained, long-term funding for medical research.
A study published by UB oral biologists found a significant link between passive exposure to tobacco smoke and an increased risk of developing gum detachment and bleeding gums in adults. The research analyzed data from over 13,000 participants and showed that exposure to environmental smoke can lead to more severe periodontal disease.
A Phase II/III clinical trial with ENBREL (etanercept) in chronic heart failure patients is underway, based on positive results from a Phase I study. The trial aims to evaluate cytokine inhibition as a new approach to studying chronic heart failure.
Dynavax's proprietary ISS-DNA alters immune response in allergic asthma, inhibiting symptoms and modifying inflammation. The company believes ISS-DNA therapy may provide a novel treatment for chronic allergic pulmonary inflammation.
A Cornell University study found that 40% of world deaths can be attributed to environmental factors. The study highlights the impact of organic and chemical pollutants, climate change, and emerging diseases on human health.
UCSF researchers developed a highly sensitive, rapid technique for detecting infectious prions causing prion diseases like 'mad cow' disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob's disease. The assay reveals unique shapes of the protein strains, providing new insights into their biology.
Harvard and UF researchers identified a component of the human immune system that appears to prevent type 1 diabetes in a group of people at high risk. The protein interleukin-4 (IL-4) is produced in large amounts in these individuals and may suppress the arm of the immune system involved in the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
A study of 1,399 Vietnam veterans found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 50-150% more likely to develop serious diseases. Veterans with PTSD who saw heavy combat were particularly at risk for circulatory and respiratory problems.
Researchers describe a powerful new immunotherapeutic approach that uses heat shock protein complexes to stimulate the immune system against cancer cells, with 80% of treated mice surviving longer than control mice. The treatment has potential for treating various cancers and may be applied in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
Researchers at UNC-CH School of Medicine found a genetic mutation, 5T allele, associated with milder forms of cystic fibrosis and other chronic lung and sinus infections. The study suggests that the 5T allele may be linked to infertility and urological abnormalities in infertile men.
Sarcoidosis is a mysterious disease affecting 30 people per 100,000 in the US, characterized by granulomas and inflammation. New research suggests shared environmental exposure may lead to the disease, which often affects young adults and has no cure.
Scientists have found that dysregulation of programmed cell death may underlie the earlier onset and rapid downhill course of inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that a specific gene, PS2, plays a crucial role in apoptosis and may contribute to neurodegeneration by triggering a stress response.
UT Southwestern Medical Center is part of a nationwide clinical study to test an oral insulin capsule on people at moderate risk for developing type I diabetes. The study aims to determine if the intervention can prevent or delay the disease.
Researchers weigh evidence for and against prion theory behind rare fatal diseases. A 24 researcher interview draws on interviews with all sides of the issue.