Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers identified a previously unknown strain of Paenibacillus thiaminolyticus bacteria as the primary cause of post-infectious hydrocephalus in Ugandan infants. The bacteria is linked to cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which causes neurological damage and can lead to severe cognitive and physical disabilities.
Scientists discovered a key transcription factor regulating T cell survival and immunological memory. Overexpressing this factor in CAR-T cells improved therapy efficiency for cancer treatments. Improved therapies could benefit patients with B cell lymphoma and other diseases.
Researchers found viral sequences associated with choanozoans and picozoans, which were not linked to bacterial DNA, suggesting these protists eat viruses. The removal of viruses from the water could potentially reduce the number of viruses available to infect other organisms.
Scientists found that ocean viruses infect algae without killing them immediately, instead allowing cells to multiply and bloom before dying. This discovery changes how scientists view viral infections of algae and their impact on ecosystem processes like algal bloom formation and carbon cycling.
Researchers found that middle-aged individuals have different H3N2 flu virus antibody specificities, which can leave them more susceptible to infection. Early childhood infections can elicit strong, long-lasting memory immune responses, but these may not be effective against newer strains of the virus.
Researchers found that certain human norovirus strains are more resistant to the body's natural defenses than others. This study highlights the importance of considering strain differences when studying norovirus biology and designing therapies.
The article reviews recent insights into feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection pathogenesis using molecular techniques. It explains the various outcomes of FeLV infection, including progressive, regressive, focal, and abortive infections, highlighting the importance of understanding the cat's immune response and the virus.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated hepatitis C-infected kidneys in transplant patients using glecaprevir and pibrentasvir. The study shows that early antiviral intervention can cure the virus without serious side effects, paving the way for a significant increase in organ availability.
Researchers found that olfactory sensory neurons can activate antiviral genes to fight off the virus, but at a higher level than other cell types. This unique response may be a brain-protective mechanism, allowing these cells to avoid being destroyed by the infection.
A new study has shown that Zika virus can create a robust inflammatory environment in the placenta, leading to pathological changes and impact on fetal development. The findings provide valuable insights into mother-to-baby transmission of Zika virus and may lead to the development of detection methods and treatments.
Researchers found that prior exposure to powdery mildew makes plants more susceptible to subsequent disease. In experiments and in the wild, early infection facilitated later infection, with some pathogen strains promoting infections from later-arriving strains. The findings highlight the importance of understanding interactions among ...
Novel agents targeting viral production and immune response show promising results in early clinical trials. Four studies presented at DILC 2020 evaluated the strategy of disrupting viral protein synthesis using RNA interference and antisense oligonucleotides, with two combining NRTIs with novel therapies achieving significant HBsAg re...
A study published in Science found that prior Zika virus infection significantly increases the risk of both symptomatic and more severe forms of dengue disease. This interaction, known as antibody-dependent enhancement, could make it harder to design a safe and effective vaccine.
A new study found that transmission risk of the PPRV virus increases with specific husbandry practices, including introducing sheep or goats to herds and attending seasonal grazing camps. In contrast, herd size was not related to transmission risk, but rather social cliques formed within individual compounds.
Researchers at the University of Queensland discovered that neurons can fuse together, disrupting electrical circuits and leading to behavioral impairments in nematode worms. The study provides a novel cause for malfunction of brain's electrical circuits and a possible underlying cause of neurological diseases.
Researchers have discovered a region of viral protein LANA that is crucial for KSHV persistence in human cells, which could potentially be used to develop therapy for KSHV tumors. The study found that this LANA region interacts with p53 and other unacetylated proteins, allowing the virus to persist in tumor cells.
A QUT study has developed a new model to track the probability of banana plant infection by aphids carrying the BBTV virus. The findings suggest that mathematical and statistical models can help predict areas of risk of infection and aid in disease management strategies.
A study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that warmer temperatures increase the likelihood of capturing infected mosquitoes in Los Angeles neighborhoods. Sustained warm temperatures over weeks allow mosquitoes to acquire and spread the infection.
The new database covers 219 pathogens that infect plants in Brazil, including many agriculturally important species. It presents information on diseases caused by the viruses and their occurrence in native, cultivated, and ornamental plants.
Researchers found that influenza A virus (IAV) infection leads to changes in eosinophil surface markers, antigen presentation, and survival. Eosinophils play an active role in resolving viral infections by recognizing IAV antigens and inducing epigenetic changes in CD8+ T-cells.
Researchers found that a pre-epidemic Zika virus mutation enhanced virulence and fitness for transmission, increasing maternal-to-fetal transmission in nonhuman primates. The mutation did not affect mosquito-borne infection but increased the virus's ability to spread through human populations.
Researchers at Kyushu University developed a mathematical model to evaluate two hepatitis C virus strategies, finding that one strain prefers to multiply while another prefers to spread. The study provides new insights into viral behavior and could help develop effective therapeutic methods.
Australian researchers have developed a phage cocktail therapy to combat antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in diabetic foot ulcers. The treatment has shown promising results, effectively decreasing bacterial load and improving wound healing.
Researchers reveal a novel paradigm in EBV-associated gastric cancer where the viral genome alters the host epigenetic landscape, promoting proto-oncogene activation and tumorigenesis. The 'enhancer infestation' model identifies a new mechanism of cancer development that does not require genetic alterations.
Research reveals a complex interaction between bacteria and their viruses in the gut, where some bacteria can resist infection while others remain susceptible. The study suggests that beneficially altering the gut microbiome through bacterial viruses could offer a new treatment for disease.
A new experimental drug that inhibits AHR has been shown to effectively combat Zika virus replication and prevent microcephaly in mouse fetuses. The study found a significant reduction in viral load and histopathological changes, suggesting a promising antiviral therapy.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered that isoflavones in soybeans can help protect pigs from viral infections, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. The study found that pigs fed a diet with isoflavones had a lower rate of infection-related mortality compared to those without.
Dr. Christopher Basler's five-year grant aims to understand how Ebola and Marburg viruses evade immune responses, leading to new treatment approaches. The study will focus on filovirus-host interactions related to gene expression and translation.
Researchers found that mice with healthy gut microbiomes were less sick and less likely to spread infection. Introducing certain bacteria or chemical compounds improved immune responses and reduced virus levels.
Researchers found that arsenic trioxide can restore the body's natural antiviral factories to fight adenovirus infections. The medication has been approved for leukemia treatment and shows promise in inhibiting adenovirus replication without developing resistance.
A fast-spreading mutation in the H3N2 flu subtype has effectively blocked antibodies from binding to a key viral protein, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study suggests that flu vaccines focusing on one protein may not be enough to protect against evolving viruses.
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from healthy Japanese individuals and detected phage-derived antibacterial enzymes that control pathobionts. These enzymes were shown to regulate C. difficile infection in mice, providing a potential treatment for this disease.
A new study published in eLife found that early exposure to the flu virus can reduce the risk of future infections, particularly with the same subtype. The study also showed that the effectiveness of flu vaccines varies with age and birth year, suggesting that early exposure plays a role in shaping immune responses.
A study in ferrets and children aged 2-6 found that early influenza infections can alter the immune system's response to later strains. This priming effect may impact an individual's susceptibility to other strains.
Researchers used HTS to analyze viral genomes, tracing the evolutionary history of two emerging viruses, GPGV and GINV. They found that these viruses likely originated in Asia before spreading globally through trade and human activity.
Human monoclonal antibodies isolated from infected children neutralize enterovirus D68 and protect against infection and paralytic disease. The antibodies, which recognize diverse antigenic variants, show high potency and effectiveness in animal models.
Scientists from Japan investigate the mouse norovirus structure and find two alternative capsid structures (type A and type B) that switch depending on aqueous conditions. Type B particles show a delay in propagation and reduced adsorption to host cells, suggesting they may evade the immune system before changing to type A for infection.
A slow-growing rotavirus mutant has allowed researchers to observe the early steps of viral assembly, providing new insights into the formation of viroplasms. The study found that NSP2 phosphorylation plays a crucial role in triggering lipid droplet formation, a key step in viroplasm formation.
A study from the University of Cincinnati found that HCV-positive livers can be safely transplanted into patients without the infection, and the virus can be eradicated. This breakthrough increases the chances of vital organ transplants for patients in need, addressing the shortage of available organs during the opioid crisis.
A study published in Cell reveals that viruses can produce previously undetected proteins by stitching together host and viral sequences, altering the course of viral infection. These new proteins could be exploited for vaccine purposes and may hold key to understanding viral virulence.
Research from Kumamoto University reveals HTLV-1's mechanism of causing inflammation and cancer through viral gene HBZ's impact on immune cell reactivity to cytokines. The study found that IL-6 has suppressive effects on HBZ-induced pathogenicity, while its deficiency further promotes Treg differentiation.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine propose a novel mechanism that directs the immune response toward a cellular type, involving Major Histocompatibility Complex proteins. This mechanism may offer a valuable opportunity to design vaccines for more effective and durable cell-based immunity against viral diseases and cancers.
A new mathematical model estimates regional disease burden and vaccination impact, identifying priority areas for future vaccinations. The analysis suggests that more than 300,000 JE cases were prevented globally due to vaccination between 2000 and 2015.
Researchers at Westmead Institute for Medical Research identified a unique subset of human cells involved in the immune response against hepatitis B. The discovery could lead to new treatments and improved vaccines for HBV infection.
Researchers found that RSV manipulates two gene receptors in cells to gain entry and infect. The discovery sheds light on how the common respiratory syncytial virus breaks into cells, a key step in infection. Current treatment options are limited, but blocking the interaction of the virus with the receptor may prevent infection.
Viral particles move along microtubules to form a nuclear vesicle, releasing HIV-1 into the nucleus. This phenomenon is similar to cell endocytosis and reveals new insights into HIV-1 nuclear entry.
Researchers have developed a novel nanoscale topography that imparts durable antiviral and antibacterial properties to an aluminum alloy, reducing the spread of infections in hospitals. The surface was found to be effective against bacteria and viruses, with most being inactivated within 2-3 hours.
Researchers have found that Zika virus infection soon after birth can lead to persistent socioemotional, cognitive and motor deficits, as well as abnormalities in brain structure and function. This study provides clues about potential long-term effects of Zika infection on developing brains.
Researchers analyzed RNA structure data to estimate virus subtypes' age and track spread in Eurasia. The study found that most viruses originated within the last three centuries, with significant expansion in the past 50-100 years.
Prellis Bio successfully generated 300 human IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV2, leveraging its Externalized Human Immune System technology. This achievement demonstrates the potential of the technology for rapid antibody production, reducing time to one month compared to traditional methods.
A University of Tartu study found a low prevalence of the coronavirus in Estonia, with just 12 cases identified among 6,024 adult residents. The researchers concluded that the infection is not widely spread in society and that the prevalence remains stable over time.
Researchers have identified a novel plant-animal class of cell division disruptors, including the 17K protein from cereal-infecting viruses. The discovery reveals that these proteins can inhibit host cell growth by disrupting cell division, making them potential targets for controlling viral diseases in humans and crop plants.
The Department of Defense has awarded $10M to Sanford Burnham Prebys to develop broad-spectrum antivirals that can combat multiple respiratory viruses. The research aims to provide safe and effective therapies for U.S. military forces and the nation, reducing secondary infections and spread.
Researchers uncover the lives of three 16th-century African slaves found in a mass burial site in Mexico City, tracing their African origins and physical hardships. They also identify novel pathogens carried by the individuals, shedding light on the early introduction of diseases like hepatitis B virus and yaws to Latin America.
Researchers have developed synthetic antibodies using bacterial superglue that can neutralize potentially lethal viruses like bunyaviruses. The antibodies were combined to form complexes that efficiently protected mice from the viruses.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that the re-emergence of bluetongue virus in France was caused by human activities, based on the virus' unusual genetic makeup. The research found a lack of mutations between outbreaks, indicating the virus may have been stored and then transmitted through artificial insemination.
Infection with Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) alters honey bee social behavior, reducing aggression and changing chemical signals. This manipulation facilitates viral transmission between colonies, raising concerns about the impact of high colony densities on pathogen evolution.
Researchers found that IAPV-infected honey bees are more likely to be accepted by foreign colonies, engaging in increased trophallaxis with guards. The infected bees also exhibit distinct chemical profiles, suggesting a changed behavior meant to appease the guards.
Research found that children with mild RSV infections had higher viral loads than those requiring hospitalization, but less expression of inflammatory genes. This suggests a key role for innate immunity in determining RSV severity.
Researchers at University of Melbourne and Imperial College London tested baloxavir, the first new treatment for influenza with a novel action mechanism, against oseltamivir. Baloxavir significantly reduced transmission of the flu virus in ferrets under conditions mimicking household settings.