Articles tagged with Viral Infections
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.
Caspase-6 plays a critical role in regulating the ZBP1-NLRP3 inflammasome, facilitating PANoptosis during viral infection. Modulation of caspase-6 could be beneficial for treating viral diseases like influenza and other inflammatory diseases including cancer.
Researchers found baloxavir treatment reduced infectious viral shedding and transmission of the flu virus among infected ferrets. The study suggests antivirals could reduce community-based viral spread and support the idea that decreasing viral shedding could also reduce influenza transmission in humans.
A recent study suggests that the proportion of human-infecting viruses does not substantially vary across different taxonomic orders. The researchers found that species-rich orders tend to harbor more human-infecting viruses, but this number scales proportionately with the total number of viruses.
Researchers identified a novel sublineage of EV-A71-C4 isolates with two recombinants, showing greater virulence than the B5 subgenotype. The study suggests that C4 strains may be more deadly than B5 strains in northern Vietnam.
The NHS could save up to £89 million annually by implementing widely available diagnostic tests, reducing unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. The study found that 80-90% accurate point-of-care tests can help distinguish between bacterial and viral infections.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered the mechanism behind one of two signalling arms involved in the cGAS-STING pathway. The findings reveal that a closely related TBK1 homologue, IKK-epsilon, plays a crucial role in cytokine production, leading to new understanding of autoimmune diseases and cancer treatment.
Researchers at Virginia Tech discovered genes for cellular metabolic cycles in the genomes of giant viruses, challenging traditional views on viral life. These genes suggest that giant viruses can alter their hosts' metabolism, shifting nutrient balances and influencing aquatic biogeochemistry.
Researchers have developed a chemically modified phage capsid that perfectly fits influenza viruses, preventing them from infecting lung cells. The new approach shows promise for treating seasonal and avian flus.
Researchers suggest that infectious agents may play a role in Alzheimer's disease, challenging the current amyloid hypothesis. Recent studies have linked certain viruses and bacteria to AD pathology, sparking fresh interest in this unorthodox approach.
A study found that fall precipitation is linked to increased curly top disease in New Mexico crops, allowing farmers to predict and manage the disease. The research also shows that good weed control methods can reduce beet leafhopper numbers, leading to improved crop yields.
A Brazilian study found that consuming contaminated water with saxitoxin worsens Zika neurotoxicity, tripling cell mortality and causing microcephaly-like malformations. This research highlights the public health problem of low water quality in the Northeast region, exacerbating the effects of arbovirus diseases.
The disease-causing virus BYDV manipulates its host plant and aphid vector to create warmer regions for feeding, increasing the vector's heat tolerance. This allows certain aphids to thrive in warmer conditions, posing implications for crop health as the global climate warms.
A European research network is funding a study to investigate how biological diversity influences chains of infection for mosquito-borne diseases. The project aims to develop reliable risk assessments and identify the impact of biodiversity, landscape diversity, and socio-economic conditions on disease transmission.
Researchers at Princeton University identified key factors essential for chronic hepatitis B infection. The study found that five human proteins are necessary for the repair process of HBV DNA, and targeting these factors could potentially prevent the infection.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health discovered a cell defense mechanism that uses tiny, protein-coated packages called exosomes to bind to and neutralize bacterial toxins. This 'soaking up' of toxins helps keep cells safe from infection.
Perturbation of gut microbiota by influenza virus promotes secondary bacterial superinfection in mice. Treatment with acetate corrects this sensitivity.
A new study finds that obesity promotes the virulence of the influenza virus by impairing interferon defense responses and allowing for viral diversity. This correlation may explain why yearly influenza vaccines are needed, as obese individuals shed more virus and have delayed antiviral responses.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a mathematical theory that takes into account evolutionary changes in pathogens or information. This theory was tested against thousands of computer-simulated epidemics and found to be more accurate than traditional models.
A new technology developed at Northwestern University offers precise measurements of proteins down to their atoms, enabling better understanding of disease and the design of vaccines. This approach, called individual ion mass spectrometry, can determine the exact mass of a huge range of intact proteins.
Research found fever, cold-like symptoms, and miscarriage threats during pregnancy are associated with congenital CMV infection in newborns. Blood tests may not be effective in predicting the likelihood of congenital CMV infection, highlighting the need for clinical factors to identify at-risk pregnancies.
A team of complexity scientists have developed a 'meme' model for multiple diseases, revealing that interacting contagious diseases follow the same complex spreading patterns as social trends. The study found that even one more contagion can dramatically shift dynamics and trigger macroscopic jumps in epidemic size.
A study estimates that Pakistan needs a significant investment of $3.9 billion to achieve the World Health Organization's target for eliminating Hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. This would involve screening or re-screening 36 million people annually and treating 660,000 each year, with regular follow-ups to identify new infections.
A Zika virus strain in northeastern Brazil was particularly damaging to the developing brain, causing microcephaly in over 80% of cases. Researchers found that this strain led to neurodegeneration and smaller brains, but other factors such as environmental viruses may have also played a role.
Researchers discovered that potato plants are most susceptible to infection during the first three weeks of the growing season, leading to reduced tuber yield and quality. This age-related resistance mechanism suggests that management programs should focus on early stages of potato development to protect crops.
Researchers discover how Ebola virus interacts with human lipids and how disrupting this interaction can inhibit infection in cell culture. Two FDA-approved drugs show promise in blocking virus replication and spread.
Researchers found that the influenza NS1 protein can bind to the cell's RIG-I protein, quelling the alarm that activates the cellular innate immunity defense against infection. This newly described mechanism increases viral survival and highlights the need for better vaccines and antivirals.
Researchers at Colorado State University have discovered how a viral protein regulates genome replication in viruses like West Nile and Zika. The study found that the protein acts as a brake during unwinding, and mutations can affect replication efficiency.
A teenage girl's symptoms improved with treatment, but further testing revealed no evidence of infection, highlighting the potential health risks of vaping. The case report suggests that e-cigarettes may be a plausible cause of subacute epiglottitis, a life-threatening condition.
A phase I clinical trial has confirmed the safety and effectiveness of a monoclonal antibody in neutralizing henipaviruses, which have pandemic potential. The antibody, m102.4, was found to be well-tolerated in healthy volunteers, with no serious adverse events reported.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a novel therapeutic approach to cure chronic hepatitis B infection. By knocking down the expression of the virus' proteins, they enabled successful vaccination with TherVacB, a novel therapeutic vaccine. The therapy aims to cure existing chronic diseases by activating immune cells.
Researchers have identified a potential vaccine to prevent respiratory infections in humans by understanding how the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) hides from the immune system. A mutated form of HMPV was created, which triggers a stronger innate immune response, effectively preventing infection and promoting an adaptive immune response.
US Army scientists develop an experimental antibody cocktail that protects animals from Sudan virus, a closely related to Ebola. The treatment boosts the body's immune system to fight infection and provides protection in rhesus macaques.
A team of international scientists has created a global map of dengue transmission intensity and predicted that releasing infected mosquitoes with Wolbachia could reduce cases by up to 90%. The study also suggests that the Sanofi Pasteur dengue vaccine could reduce cases by up to 30%.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals that Zika virus infection causes damage to astrocytes, leading to oxidative stress, DNA breakage, and permanent mutations. This damage can contribute to brain malformations like microcephaly and potentially other neurological disorders.
Scientists detected Marburg virus in Egyptian rousette fruit bats in Sierra Leone, highlighting the risk of human exposure. The presence of Marburg virus means people living nearby could be at risk for becoming infected without reported cases of illness.
Researchers found that West Nile virus (WNV) inhibits autophagy to induce protein aggregation, leading to cell death and brain inflammation. A drug inducing autophagy can prevent cell death and reduce inflammation.
A skin cream used to treat warts and skin cancer has been found to prevent infection from viral diseases like Zika and dengue when applied after a mosquito bite. The cream works by activating the skin's immune response, preventing the virus from spreading throughout the body.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science devise a new image analysis method that reveals how giant viruses infect amoebae and how the host reacts. The study uses time-lapse microscopy to track changes in cellular behavior, providing new insights into the life cycle of giant viruses and their impact on eukaryotes.
Brazilian scientists led by Rodrigo Ramos Catharino found that Zika virus inhibits tumor cell proliferation in prostate cancer cells, even when inactivated. The study, supported by FAPESP, used a human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line and identified markers of metabolic changes caused by the virus.
A new study reveals genetically engineered mosquitoes that are refractory to all four types of dengue virus, providing a promising approach for controlling the spread of this mosquito-borne disease. The mosquitoes express an anti-DENV gene that prevents them from being infected or transmitting the virus.
UC San Diego researchers identified αvβ5 integrin as the key contributor to Zika virus' ability to infect brain cells. Blocking this integrin with antibodies or small molecule inhibitors effectively prevents Zika virus from infecting both normal brain stem cells and cancer stem cells.