Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers developed an intranasal influenza vaccine using recombinant hemagglutinin and found it enhanced immune responses in mice. The vaccine showed superior immunoenhancing properties and conferred protection against both same and different virus strains.
Scientists at Scripps Research have discovered how some antibodies can broadly neutralize ebolaviruses by targeting a key site on the virus called the glycan cap. This breakthrough may lead to the development of an antibody-based treatment that can save lives against a range of ebolavirus species.
A UC Riverside virologist has received a $1.9 million award to investigate how the Zika virus beats human defenses, with the goal of developing a vaccine and antiviral drug. The research aims to understand how the virus triggers the degradation of STAT2, a key host factor in activating interferons.
A new study describes broadly neutralizing antibodies that can prevent and potentially treat tick-borne encephalitis. These antibodies, known as VH3-48, have shown promise in preventing the disease and even treating it, as well as other tick-borne viruses.
A new diagnostic test, called the D4-assay, has been developed to detect Ebola virus infection earlier than the current industry standard PCR test. The test is highly sensitive and can detect the virus a full day earlier than PCR, making it a promising tool in addressing ongoing outbreaks.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a critical immune cell type called cDC1 that helps control cancer and infections. The study highlights the importance of DC-SCRIPT, a new regulatory protein, in producing effective dendritic cells.
Researchers developed a safe and cheap technology to disinfect packed eggs with an electron beam. The technology kills bacteria without affecting the quality of meat or eggshell composition. Healthy chickens emerge from disinfected eggs, leading to improved immunity against diseases like Newcastle disease.
A new study by researchers at WashU Medicine found that children hospitalized with RSV are likely to get sicker if they have high levels of defective viral genomes. These defective genomes can trigger a strong antiviral immune response, but timing matters in determining the course of illness.
A study of 2119 adults with confirmed viral acute respiratory infections found that noninfluenza viruses (NIRV) caused illness rates and death similar to influenza. Patients with NIRV infections were generally younger but had underlying conditions, such as compromised immune systems.
A recent study reveals that long-term infection and chronic inflammation lead to a decline in immune function, particularly in older adults. The research found that Dnmt3a-loss of function HSCs exhibit increased self-renewal and reduced differentiation into immune cells, ultimately outcompeting normal HSCs.
A new study published in Nature Communications shows that combining monoclonal antibodies and remdesivir is effective in treating advanced Marburg virus disease. The combination therapy demonstrated an 80% protection rate against the lethal virus, offering promise for treatment of advanced infections.
Scientists have identified unique infection patterns used by four Candida species, which cause 90% of candidiasis cases. The study reveals that human vaginal epithelial cells respond similarly to different species, with their response modulated according to the severity of the infection.
Researchers identified a new hepatitis B virus in donkeys and zebras that causes prolonged infections, potentially leading to better understanding of chronic hepatitis B and development of new therapies.
Researchers found that a combination of an immune receptor blocker and an antiviral agent improves survival in mice infected with lethal influenza. The treatment reduces lung pathology in swine-influenza-infected piglets, providing insights into optimal timing of treatment to prevent acute lung injury.
Researchers at Princeton University have discovered how five cellular proteins contribute to the formation of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) from relaxed circular DNA (rcDNA), a crucial step in HBV's life cycle. This finding provides potential strategies for developing new treatments for chronic HBV infection.
A large-scale chikungunya outbreak in Thailand from 2018-2019 was likely caused by the introduction of a CHIKV strain from South Asia. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlighted the importance of global health surveillance and preparedness against vector-borne diseases.
Researchers from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a human cerebral organoid model to screen drugs for potential treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, a fatal neurodegenerative brain disease. The model has shown promise in reducing disease indicators by 10-fold without causing tissue death.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered that sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) levels in lymph nodes increase as the immune response mounts, leading to inflammation and damage. This finding could lead to better drugs used to fight inflammation, such as medications already approved for inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis.
A new study from China Agricultural University investigates the role of Hsc70-2 protein in virus-host interaction, identifying key amino acids responsible for systemic infection. The research supports a scenario where viral coat protein adaptations ensure better survival and spread among different plant hosts.
Among Ecuador's Shuar people, market integration is linked to higher levels of disgust sensitivity and lower infection rates. Disgust helps regulate exposure to pathogens and varies across households and communities.
Risk models developed by University of Malaga researchers use artificial intelligence to forecast West Nile virus outbreaks based on environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and river presence. The study predicts areas at high risk of outbreak in European regions.
Researchers at the NIH used bacteriophages to treat mice infected with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 258, showing promising results in reducing bacterial loads. However, phage resistance was also observed in some cases, highlighting the need for further investigation.
A study found that older adults understand the risks of overusing antibiotics, but many still use them incorrectly. Over 91% of respondents are cautious about using antibiotics, yet nearly 56% believe doctors overprescribe them, while 34% think antibiotics can help with viral illnesses like colds and flu.
A new analysis of thousands of Michigan bees reveals that the most diverse bee communities have the lowest levels of three common viral pathogens. This study suggests that promoting diverse bee communities may be a win-win strategy to reduce viral infections in managed honeybee colonies while maintaining native bee biodiversity.
A three-model approach was used to trace the spread of PEDV and analyze control strategies. The models showed varying levels of accuracy in predicting outbreaks, with PoPS being the most accurate overall.
Researchers at Osaka City University demonstrated the mechanism behind FMT, showing how FMT can restore human intestinal flora by replacing damaged microflora with a healthy one. The study reveals the crucial role of bacteriophages and their host bacteria in the pathogenesis of rCDI and its recovery.
Researchers have identified a novel phage called ES17 that can specifically locate and destroy bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. The phage's ability to bind to mucins and heparan sulfate enables it to target bacteria in high-mucin environments, potentially preventing infections.
A study found that plant species richness reduces viral infections in both wild and cultivated meadow environments. In contrast, the number of virus species increases near agricultural fields due to confusing disease regulation mechanisms.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a second site on the filovirus glycoprotein that small drug molecules can bind to prevent infection. This finding holds promise for developing effective treatments for Ebola and Marburg viruses, which cause hemorrhagic fever with mortality rates ranging from 25% to 90%.
Researchers have developed a combination therapy that can potentially heal hepatitis B by shutting down the viral genome in infected liver cells. The treatment targets the HBx protein, which protects the genetic material from being silenced, allowing for sustained shutdown of the virus.
A standard water treatment technique, iron coagulation, efficiently removes and inactivates enveloped viruses by forming precipitates that trap the viral envelopes. This method is more effective than chlorine disinfection, with a reduction of 100,000 times active virus in 2.6 minutes.
A new study published in Nature Microbiology reveals how Zika virus causes brain calcification, a common birth defect associated with prenatal infection. The research team identified the proteins BMP2 and NS3 as central players in the development of calcifications, suggesting novel strategies to prevent this birth defect.
Researchers at University of Missouri developed genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to Zika virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology. These 'suicide mosquitos' cannot transmit the disease and can interrupt the disease cycle, making them a potential solution for controlling the spread of Zika virus.
Researchers have discovered an antibody, 2B7, that physically blocks the Non-Structural Protein 1 (NS1) protein, preventing the dengue virus from attaching to cells and slowing its spread. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for other flaviviruses like Zika and West Nile.
A study published in PNAS found that RESTV infects pigs and causes severe respiratory disease, shedding the virus from their upper respiratory tract. The researchers also identified RESTV sequences in pigs in China, highlighting the potential for widespread transmission.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to researchers who discovered the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The discovery was made possible by the perseverance and determination of thousands of scientists worldwide. Their work has paved the way for future research into HCV and potential cures.
A $10 million project led by University of California - Riverside is investigating tiny underground microorganisms for a cure to fatal citrus disease. The research team will test whether soil amendments can suppress parasitic microorganisms and give trees more strength to combat diseases like HLB.
Scientists developed a novel smartphone-based technique to diagnose viral infections using a deep learning algorithm that identifies viruses in metal nanoparticle-labeled samples with 98.97% sensitivity. The system correctly identified clinically relevant concentrations of Zika, hepatitis B and C in patient samples.
Two Monash University scientists found that the enzyme DOT1L plays a critical role in controlling T cell differentiation and function. Genetically eliminating DOT1L led to type 1 T cells dominating, which could lead to new treatments for asthma and allergies.
The USPSTF recommends screening for hepatitis B virus infection in adolescents and adults at increased risk due to its effectiveness in reducing mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral therapy improves intermediate outcomes associated with better health outcomes, strengthening the 2014 recommendation.
A new study published in the Journal of Medical Entomology found that West Nile virus infection risk varies with neighborhood income in Baltimore. The research revealed that lower-income urban neighborhoods are more prone to mosquito-borne diseases due to environmental factors.
Research at the University of Chicago found that pre-existing flu immunity shapes antibody responses to influenza infections and vaccinations. The quality of these responses differs between individuals who are vaccinated or naturally infected, with vaccinated individuals generating more adaptable antibodies that target conserved regions.
A study found that Zika virus can remain in the mouse brain for extended periods, leading to lasting cognitive impairment and increased risk of psychological disorders. The infection caused long-term deficits in motor function and coordination, as well as anxiety and hyperactivity.
Researchers have developed an efficient method to study phage-microbe interactions, which can reveal bacterial receptors exploited by phages and cellular mechanisms used to respond to infection. The approach has implications for understanding microbiomes, developing new medicines and addressing antibiotic-resistant infections.
The University of Huddersfield's Antimicrobial Stewardship in Wound Management course has been honoured at the Antibiotic Guardian Awards. Over 8000 healthcare professionals have completed the course with high praise, exploring antimicrobial resistance and implementing infection control measures.
Two Luxembourg Institute of Health researchers have been recognized with the prestigious 2019 Galien Prize in Pharmacology for their groundbreaking research on atypical chemokine receptors. Their work has significant implications for understanding various physiological and pathological processes, including immune responses and cancer.
Researchers identified coral GSDME as a pyroptosis-inducing protein in reef-building corals, revealing its role in pathogen-induced coral death. Activation of coral GSDME triggers rapid cell swelling and cytoplasmic content release, leading to necrotic tissue damage.
Researchers have developed an AI-based algorithm called OxyGAN to accurately measure tissue oxygenation from single snapshots. This approach uses a conditional generative adversarial network to learn realistic output images and determine correct reconstructions for given input data, demonstrating robustness in measuring oxygen levels.
A DNA-based vaccine candidate has been found to be effective in protecting cynomolgus macaques from the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. The vaccine generated protective antibodies and prevented signs of disease in infected animals, offering a promising potential treatment for human patients.
Researchers found that multiple forms of a viral protein increase the virus's competitive advantage and replication rate. The study suggests that this may be why foot-and-mouth disease is so successful in infecting its hosts.
Researchers found that methacycline, a widely used tetracycline-based antibiotic, is effective at preventing brain infections and reducing neurological problems associated with Zika virus infections. The study also identified other potential candidates, including anti-inflammatory medicines and failed anti-Alzheimer's disease drugs.
Vaccination of endangered tiger population against canine distemper virus could reduce extinction probability from 15.8% to 5.7%
A genetic mutation in the 'coat' of a brain infection-causing virus may allow it to escape neutralizing antibodies, increasing the risk of developing a fatal brain disease. Researchers have identified this mutation in the mouse equivalent of JC polyomavirus and found that it prevents monoclonal antibodies from interacting with the virus.
Rotavirus-infected cells release signaling molecules adenosine diphosphate (ADP) that bind to P2Y1 receptors on neighboring uninfected cells, triggering intercellular calcium waves and disrupting normal function. This discovery provides a new potential strategy for treating viral diarrhea.
A new study of over seven million births from four countries found that cesarean-born babies are at increased risk of infection-related hospitalisation during early childhood. The study recorded a small but consistent increase in the absolute risk of infection-related hospitalisation rates in children up to five years of age compared w...
Researchers found that domesticated Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Asia, Africa, and the Americas are more susceptible to acquiring Zika virus than their African counterparts. Genetic differences on chromosome 2 are believed to be the cause of this increased susceptibility.
Researchers discovered a unique RNA polymerase in crAss-like phages that helps transcribe its genes. The enzyme was found to be inactive in standard tests but active when exposed to specific conditions, revealing new insights into the mechanism of viral infections.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a group of gut microbes and a specific molecule that modulate immune responses to viral infections. The study found that these microbes, particularly Bacteroides fragilis, trigger the release of interferon-beta, which confers antiviral protection.
A molecule called Ldlrad3 has been identified as a key player in the virus's ability to infect cells. By creating a decoy version of this protein, scientists have found that it can prevent the virus from causing deadly brain infections in mice.
A German study confirms rats can transmit hantavirus to humans, with a young patient infected after contact with her pet rat. The virus, commonly found in Asia, poses severe disease risks and highlights the need for caution when keeping rats.