Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
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.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that key cell-killing proteins can block certain bacterial infections like Listeria without harming the host cells. The RIPK3 and MLKL proteins recognize the bacteria's chemical composition and bind to it, preventing its spread while keeping the host cells alive.
Researchers estimate tweet infectivity from early retweets to predict virality, finding that infectivity is a key driving force in determining tweet lifespan. A hybrid model combining infectivity and community models yields the most accurate predictions, highlighting the complexity of social network interactions.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy has designed new small molecules that can stop the replication of equine encephalitis viruses in the brain. These compounds have shown a high survival rate in mice, even when delayed treatment is administered.
Researchers found that a significant proportion of patients and healthcare workers shed the flu virus without displaying symptoms, making it difficult to control its spread. The study, conducted at a tertiary hospital in Zurich, tracked over 700 healthcare workers and inpatients during two consecutive influenza seasons.
Researchers at UNC and TMIMS discovered that IRF1 protein regulates RARRES3 enzyme, making liver cells hostile to hepatitis A infection. The study provides implications for cellular responses to other RNA viruses like dengue and Zika.
A new study found low hand hygiene compliance on ICUs, with healthcare workers more likely to move from dirtier to cleaner tasks, increasing the risk of transmitting infections to patients. Interventions should teach workers to move in the opposite direction to minimize risks.
Researchers developed a mouse model to investigate the role of persistent CD30 signaling in blood cancer development. They found that permanent CD30 activation increases the risk of B-cell lymphoma and can trigger cancer through misdirected cellular processes.
The New England Journal of Medicine advocates for standardized care in treating Ebola patients. Recent innovations, such as the Cube System, offer improved patient-centered care through continuous observation and accessibility.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors exhibit memory immune responses, including specific T cells against the virus, persisting over 2 years after infection. These findings could help develop more effective vaccines by boosting key immune cells needed for long-lasting protective immunity.
A small-scale NIH-led clinical study found that pembrolizumab can slow or stop the progression of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a fatal brain infection caused by the JC virus. The treatment resulted in improved symptoms and reduced viral levels in five patients with PML.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia have identified a new mechanism for assembling influenza A virus genomes within infected cells. The study reveals that viral-induced compartments called 'viral inclusions' use liquid-liquid phase separation to segregate and assemble the eight distinct parts of the genetic material.
Researchers at UConn are using Atomwise's AI-powered in silico screening technology to develop therapeutic treatments for ischemic strokes, hand-foot-and-mouth disease, and a pig infection. Early successes have been reported by three researchers, including Rajkumar Verma and Simon White.
Scientists at the Institut Pasteur have identified a cellular protein that can degrade hepatitis B virus DNA, potentially leading to a 'Trojan horse' approach to target infected liver cells. This discovery offers new hope for developing curative treatments for chronic HBV infection.
Researchers at Colorado State University developed a technology that can detect extremely small amounts of antibodies in a person's blood, allowing for faster diagnosis and treatment. The new sensor can detect as few as 10 antibody molecules within 20 minutes, making it more sensitive than current medical testing methods.
A study suggests that tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) impairs immune function and makes flu shots less effective in mice. The findings could explain why seasonal influenza poses a major global health threat.
Researchers have developed a synthetic DNA-encoded monoclonal antibody that rapidly protects mice and non-human primates from Zika infection. The DMAb-ZK190 platform has shown promise in controlling infection and reducing viral loads, providing a potential alternative to existing prevention methods.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center research team successfully developed a protective antibody-based treatment against the Zika virus, completing the challenge in just 12 days. The breakthrough could pave the way for rapid deployment of treatments to prevent outbreaks and pandemics worldwide.
Researchers discovered that owl monkey cytomegalovirus produces a CD48 decoy receptor called A43, which binds strongly to natural killer cells and blocks their interaction with CD48. This finding highlights the potential of using A43 as a therapeutic tool to manipulate aberrant immune responses.
Researchers successfully transplanted hepatitis C-infected hearts and lungs, detecting no signs of the disease and good outcomes for patients treated with a short course of antivirals. The study found that nearly all patients cleared the virus within two weeks, and graft survival was comparable to non-HCV positive donors.
Scientists have identified a new ebolavirus species, Bombali virus, in an Angolan free-tailed bat captured in Kenya. The researchers found high amounts of the virus in bat tissues, confirming productive infection occurs in this species.
Researchers discovered a new species of ebolavirus, Bombali, in Kenyan bats, suggesting it may be more widespread than thought. The virus does not infect humans and its presence in wildlife could help researchers understand the dynamics of this and other ebolavirus species.
A new study warns that global warming could lead to the spread of disease-carrying mosquitoes to areas previously too cold for them, putting 1 billion people at risk. The research suggests that temperatures are expected to rise, leading to year-round transmissions in tropical regions and seasonal risks elsewhere.
Researchers found that severe flu cases reshape the lungs by triggering the growth of 'tuft cells', which may help protect lung function. The discovery may provide insight into preventing long-term respiratory damage after a severe flu infection.
Researchers discovered that HIV-1 forms nanotubes between macrophages in tuberculosis patients, increasing viral transfer and production. This finding provides potential targets for reducing viral load and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers discovered a new mechanism by which influenza A viruses alter host immune systems, making them more susceptible to deadly bacterial infections. The PDZ-binding motif regulates cytokine production, controlling the severity of secondary bacterial infections.