Articles tagged with Viral Infections
The USPSTF has reaffirmed its 2009 recommendation to screen for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women, identifying infants at risk of acquiring the infection from their mothers. Screening during pregnancy can prevent chronic HBV infection in children who become infected with HBV.
A Rutgers-led study confirms the crucial role of viruses in controlling diatom populations, which produce 20% of Earth's oxygen and store carbon dioxide. Low silicon levels accelerate viral infection, releasing nutrients for recycling by other algae.
Recent advances suggest that plant viruses are not just disease-causing entities, but can also play a significant role in the functioning of diverse ecosystems. Viruses have been found to be present in humans, with around 100,000 pieces of viral DNA elements making up 8% of our genome.
Researchers found that gut microbiota plays a crucial role in fighting off viral infections in the nervous system. A study using mice showed that bacteria-free animals were unable to eliminate viruses and developed paralysis, while those with normal gut bacteria were better protected.
A multicenter study found that antibiotic stewardship interventions can significantly reduce overuse of antibiotics for viral acute respiratory infections. By implementing a bundle of evidence-based strategies, institutions can cut antibiotic overuse by one-third, even among high-performing systems.
The study reveals that the equilibrium between nose microbes and host has an impact on pneumococcal acquisition density, particularly with viral co-infection. Different microbiota constellations are associated with varying levels of inflammation, viral replication, and pneumococcal carriage receptiveness.
Researchers found that gut microbes stimulate antiviral signals in non-immune lung cells to protect against the flu virus during early stages of infection. Enhanced baseline type I interferon signaling reduced flu virus replication and weight loss in mice.
Researchers have detected ranavirus infection in wild bullfrog tadpoles in Brazil's Atlantic Rainforest, linked to declining amphibian populations worldwide. The virus may have spread from frog farms, highlighting the dual threat of invasive species and pathogens.
A potential link between transient cerebral viral infections in early childhood and the development of auto-immune disease has been discovered. The study found that brain-resident memory T cells accumulate at the site of infection, allowing self-reactive cells to access the brain and cause auto-immune brain lesions.
Researchers found that RNA viruses from managed honeybees were transmitted to wild bumblebees through shared floral resources. The study suggests that managing apiaries may exacerbate the decline of vulnerable bumblebee species.
Researchers have discovered the structure of a ring-shaped doorkeeper in the TRPML2 ion channel, which controls its interaction with calcium ions. The pH value determines whether calcium ions can open or block the channel, regulating their transport across cellular membranes.
Researchers recommend moving away from animal models to in vitro and in silico studies using human-mimetic tools for studying deadly mosquito-borne flaviviruses. The emerging technologies will help predict human pathogenesis and drug efficacy, and improve clinical solutions.
A UC Davis study found that educating physicians and patients about safe antibiotic use can reduce overuse by one-third. The study compared two approaches, including educational materials and on-site physician champions, and found significant reductions in inappropriate antibiotic treatment.
A study of Canadian healthcare workers found that 95% attend work while sick, mostly due to mild symptoms or lack of paid sick leave policies. The findings highlight the need for education and policy changes to reduce transmission risk.
A genetic mutation in the IL18BP gene has been identified as a cause of fatal response to hepatitis A infection. Targeting this pathway may prevent liver failure and death from viral infection.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission from mothers to babies can be largely prevented with universal HCV screening in pregnancy. Almost half of women infected with HCV are unaware of their infection, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early detection.
Researchers have developed a human cerebral organoid system, or 'mini-brain,' to study sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and its subtypes. The model enables evaluation of potential therapeutics and provides insights into human prion disease progression.
Researchers have identified an experimental antiviral drug that cures mice infected with Bourbon virus, a deadly tick-borne illness. The drug, favipiravir, inhibits a key protein the virus needs to multiply and has been shown to be effective in treating infected mice in multiple experiments.
Broad-spectrum genomic testing can identify genetic markers that respond to targeted therapies for specific cancer-causing mutations. This technology has connected patients with life-saving clinical trials and medications.
Researchers found that early-season hurricanes result in a 70% increase in disease cases due to stagnant water and disrupted health infrastructure. Mosquito populations boom after heavy rainfall events, putting people at risk of infection.
A unique adjuvant has been identified that can prevent vaccine-enhanced respiratory disease in RSV. The study found that combining this adjuvant with RSV vaccination primes the body for protective immune responses and prevents inflammatory RSV disease after infection.
A study by the University of Exeter found that Varroa destructor mites indirectly increase infection rates among wild bumblebees by spreading deformed wing virus (DWV) through honeybee colonies. This highlights the need for beekeepers to treat their affected colonies.
A new metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) test has been shown to identify infections better than standard clinical methods. The test identified 32 infections in 31 patients, including cases missed by conventional testing, and confirmed diagnoses in 19 cases.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed a novel T-cell therapy that can eliminate hepatitis B viruses from the liver, paving the way for a potential cure. The therapy involves genetically modifying patient-specific T cells to recognize and attack infected liver cells, with promising results in a mouse model.
A new study predicts that more than 6 billion people will be at risk of contracting the dengue virus by 2080. The greatest shifts in dengue risk are projected to occur on the African continent, particularly in the Sahel and southern Africa.
Research comparing American, Pacific, and Southeast Asian Zika virus strains found that the American subtype has the highest ability to grow in vitro and in vivo. The strain also caused more testis damage in infected mice, highlighting potential concerns about its pathogenicity.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) suppresses the immune response by triggering SOCS regulators, dulling the normal immune response to viral infection. This allows HCV to survive, replicate and infect other cells, making it undiagnosed for months after initial infection.
Researchers found that people with higher levels of HA stem antibodies are less likely to become infected with influenza virus. The study suggests that the level of HA stem antibodies can be used as an indicator of protection against influenza virus infection.
A study published in Nature Medicine finds that targeting the stalk of the flu virus provides protection against infection. Researchers analyzed naturally occurring influenza cases and found that individuals with higher levels of stalk antibodies had a reduced risk of getting sick, correlating with a 42% reduction in influenza infection.
Researchers discovered that a subset of natural killer cells with high Ly49H receptor levels expanded and remained detectable after the peak immune response, indicating a simple form of immunological memory. This finding could have significant implications for human NKs and their role in CMV infection.
A team at Washington University School of Medicine has created a detailed picture of the chikungunya virus latched onto a protein found on cells in joints. This image promises to accelerate efforts to design drugs and vaccines to prevent or treat arthritis caused by chikungunya or related viruses.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden found that early access to needle-exchange programs can significantly reduce the risk of hepatitis C infection among people who inject drugs. The program helped prevent the spread of the disease by providing treatment and harm-reducing interventions.
Boosting type 1 interferon production has been shown to clear viral infections and increase immunity against cancer in an animal model. Glycolysis-derived lactate plays a critical role in limiting RLR signaling, which enables the activation of type 1 IFN production.
Researchers found that CD8+ T cells retain protective functions despite sustained inhibitory receptor expression during Epstein-Barr virus infection. Blocking the PD-1 pathway leads to specific defects in controlling the virus and increases tumor formation.
Research in mice found that breastfeeding can transfer immunity beyond the period of breastfeeding, driven by immune cells rather than antibodies. This protection was transferred from mothers exposed to worm infections before pregnancy and provided lifelong benefits to their infants.
Researchers found that remdesivir completely protected four African green monkeys from a lethal dose of Nipah virus. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, provides promising results for the treatment of Nipah virus infection.
Researchers used cryogenic electron microscopy to visualize the virus's protein shell and its condensed genome, which forms a liquid crystal state. The study sheds light on how viruses replicate and may contribute to tackling viral diseases.
A new study suggests that the Spanish influenza may have emerged in 1915-1916, rather than 1918, and that a vaccine could have been effective in treating it. The study found that the virus likely originated from aquatic geese and ducks, and that it underwent significant mutations before becoming pandemic.
A team of McGill University Health Centre scientists identified a new role for the lipid mediator Leukotriene B4 in regulating the immune response to influenza infection. They found that LTB4 can reduce inflammation and enhance host survival, promising clinical implications for flu treatment.
Researchers from Germany have found that a previous dengue infection can protect against Zika-associated damage. This discovery has important implications for pregnant women, particularly those living in regions with high Zika virus prevalence.
Researchers have discovered a human antibody that recognizes and disrupts a vulnerable region on the hemagglutinin protein of the influenza virus. This breakthrough could lead to the development of effective vaccines against multiple strains of the virus, potentially eliminating the need for annual seasonal flu vaccination.
An online intervention with real-time information on locally circulating viruses reduced mothers' intentions to visit the doctor for a respiratory tract infection. Participants in the intervention group had lower intentions than those in the control group, according to the study published in The Annals of Family Medicine.
Researchers have gained insight into how influenza A virus particles utilize the balance between HA and NA proteins to penetrate host mucus barriers. The proteins are organized asymmetrically, enabling persistent directional motion that allows the virus to effectively overcome its first line of defense.
Researchers used VirScan to detect antibodies against viruses in kidney transplant recipients and found results concordant with conventional viral screening. Antibody responses remained largely unchanged one year after transplantation, suggesting a safe and reproducible approach to monitor post-transplant viral infections.
Exposure to low humidity impairs airway tissue repair, mucociliary clearance, and innate antiviral defenses in mice infected with the influenza virus. This study suggests that controlling relative humidity may be important for preventing influenza infection and disease symptoms during winter.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a mouse model of hepatitis C by introducing human proteins that allow the virus entry to liver cells. The study found that small mutations in a liver cell protein significantly impact viral replication in mice and humans.
Researchers at UNC will receive up to $10.7 million to develop a chlamydia vaccine, which could help women who suffer from infertility and chronic pelvic pain due to the infection. The project aims to identify specific T-cell and antibody responses that limit infection and inform antigens and adjuvants for vaccine development.
The dengue virus uses nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) to replicate in infected cells, with a key role in viral RNA replication and formation of the membranous replication organelle. A novel interaction between NS1 and NS4A-2K-4B is required for viral RNA replication but not for replication organelle formation.
Research finds that adult cases with respiratory symptoms are more likely to transmit the virus, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions. Contacts exposed to respiratory secretions are also at higher risk, emphasizing the need for protective measures among spouses and caregivers.
Scientists at CU Anschutz Medical Campus identified a rare genetic mutation causing an immune dysregulation syndrome, characterized by recurrent infections and autoimmune complications. The discovery provides unique insights into cell biology and suggests the possibility of treating the disease with gene therapy.
Researchers have found that anakinra, a long-standing immunosuppressive drug, can diminish fetal deaths and birth defects in mice infected with the Zika virus. The study suggests that targeting placental immune responses may be a viable treatment approach for reducing Zika-related birth defects.
A RIT professor developed a microfluidic device that detects the Ebola virus using CRISPR gene-editing technology, allowing for early treatment and potential outbreak control. The device can detect the virus within five minutes of combining automated sample processing and fluorescence sensing.
A study analyzing 15 years of mosquito surveillance data found that Culex tarsalis is the most likely species to transmit West Nile virus in Iowa, particularly in western counties along the Missouri River. The research also identified increased risk areas and recommended preventive measures.
Researchers from The University of Queensland and Swansea University have found that environmental conditions play a key role in animal-to-human disease transfer. This new understanding could help predict the spread of emerging infectious diseases and prepare for future outbreaks.
Researchers have identified a promising compound, golvatinib, that inhibits hepatitis A virus infection. The discovery was made possible by combining high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy and molecular modeling to understand the structural basis of neutralization.
Studies suggest that fruit flies co-evolving with viruses have increased genetic variation underlying their susceptibility to future infections. The findings have implications for reducing disease, particularly in mosquito populations.
Researchers from the University of Kent have found that a newly discovered Ebolavirus, known as Bombali, is unlikely to cause severe disease in humans. The study compared amino acid sequences of virus proteins and identified positions that determine whether a virus causes disease in humans.
The dengue mosquito is the primary transmitter of Zika virus in Queensland, with a 50-60% transmission rate. The discovery suggests that Zika could persist in mosquito populations, posing a risk to human health.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can distinguish themselves from closely related competitors through the use of a virus. A novel phage, SW1, controls formation of a demarcation line by utilizing one of the host's cryptic prophage proteins, providing conditional benefits to E. coli K-12.
A study published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that hepatitis B viral protein HBeAg expands immune cells called MDSCs, impairing antiviral responses. The HBeAg-MDSC-IDO axis is a potential target for developing novel HBV therapeutics.