Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers propose a new epidemiologic triad model emphasizing the role of vectors in disease transmission, highlighting the need for increased vector surveillance and community education. The new approach aims to reduce unnecessary pesticide use and promote cost-effective management methods.
A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that obesity may play a role in how the flu spreads. Obese adults infected with flu shed the virus for a longer time than non-obese adults, potentially increasing the opportunity for transmission to others.
A multi-year study of Nicaraguan households found that obesity extends the duration of influenza A virus shedding from infected adults by approximately 1.5 days, compared to non-obese adults. Chronic inflammation caused by obesity and increasing age are implicated as reasons for extended viral shedding.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that dengue immunity provides cross-protection against Zika virus in mouse models. The research shows that cytotoxic T cells mobilized by dengue infection can combat the devastating effects of Zika infection on fetal brain development.
Researchers found that people with the rare disease have genetic mutations in CIB1, EVER1, or EVER2, which compromises their immune response to ß-HPVs. The study revealed that ß-HPVs can replicate and cause skin lesions and cancer when this defense mechanism is disrupted.
Researchers have found a possible active substance against the hepatitis E virus in naturally occurring silvestrol, which inhibits pathogen replication in cell cultures and mice. Silvestrol is formed by mahogany plants and has been shown to be effective against the virus in both lab tests and animal models.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new real-time strategy for controlling foot-and-mouth disease, finding that local targeted methods are the most effective in halting disease spread. The approach prioritizes surveillance and vaccination to quickly control outbreaks, even with minimal information.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have isolated two potent monoclonal antibodies that efficiently neutralized the Zaire, Sudan, and Bundibugyo ebolaviruses. These antibodies also showed protection against infection in animal models, offering a promising lead for the development of injectable antibody treatments.
A large-scale study of chikungunya and dengue outbreaks over 50 years revealed that population density and neighboring outbreak countries are key risk factors for new outbreaks. The research suggests focusing resources on densely populated areas near existing outbreaks to mitigate the spread of these mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers discovered altered intestinal phage communities in mice with colitis, which overlapped with healthy human phages, suggesting a potential role in IBD. The study also found specific phages linked to disease-causing bacteria, highlighting the need for further investigation into viral contributions to inflammatory diseases.
A flare-up of an Ebola infection in a woman who had survived the disease a year earlier has highlighted the need for continued surveillance and strengthened health systems. The virus was detected in her family members, including her husband and sons, through genetic analysis.
A new Scripps Research study found that nearly all Ebola survivors had killer T cells responding to the nucleoprotein, while only a minority responded to the glycoprotein. This discovery suggests a more effective vaccine strategy by targeting both proteins.
A new study in Academic Emergency Medicine found that emergency department testing for HCV increased monthly screenings by 6,000 percent. The program successfully diagnosed and treated 292 active infections, with 155 cases falling outside the CDC's birth cohort for high-risk individuals.
Research reveals phages work together to overcome CRISPR-Cas, a key breakthrough for improving phage therapy to treat life-threatening bacterial infections. The study shows that a high number of viral particles can overwhelm bacterial defenses, leading to the establishment of an infection in bacterial populations.
A University of Montana researcher found that species diversity can have both a dilution effect and an amplification effect on disease transmission. In areas with more diverse rodent communities, hantavirus prevalence among deer mice decreases, but as rodent species diversity increases, infection spreads faster
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests that males recover more quickly from influenza infections because they produce more of the key lung-healing protein, amphiregulin. The research found that females have slower tissue-repair during recovery due to relatively low production of amphiregulin.
Scientists have discovered a set of powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies in the blood of Ebola survivors, providing substantial protection against disease caused by three Ebola virus species. The researchers hope that these antibodies will serve as promising candidates for further development as therapeutic molecules.
A recent study found that only 2% of trials assessing the safety or efficacy of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics adequately reported key safety components. The researchers concluded that the lack of safety data makes it challenging to accurately determine their safety profile and make informed decisions for patients.
A research team has identified DDX3, a protein involved in RNA metabolism, as a key factor promoting arenavirus multiplication. The study may pave the way to new therapeutic treatments for arenaviruses and hemorrhagic fever, which currently have no effective treatment.
Researchers have identified a human protein, DDX3, that is exploited by arenaviruses to promote viral growth and evade the immune system. This discovery suggests DDX3 could serve as a potential target for new anti-arenavirus strategies.
Dr. Christopher Basler and his team will study Reston ebolavirus (Reston virus), a virus that resembles Ebola but does not cause disease in humans. They aim to better understand the virus's mechanisms of replication, animal disease severity, and potential ways to reduce its deadly effects.
Two biological control agents, myxoma and rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses, have been found to work together to control feral rabbit populations in Australia. The study used data from the largest wild rabbit study in the world to show that both viruses are effective when acting together.
Researchers identified phosphatidylethanoloamine as a potent anti-inflammatory lipid found in Francisella tularensis bacteria, which can impair host immune response. Synthetic versions of the lipid also showed therapeutic potential against dengue fever virus.
Researchers found that Zika virus has a unique ability to ferry the virus throughout the body using macrophage cells, allowing it to bypass natural barriers. This discovery could lead to the development of effective countermeasures to protect people from the virus's devastating effects.
A team of researchers has identified a complex interaction between three cell types that work together to recruit protective NK cells in the lymph node after a viral infection. This collaboration enables the body to mount an effective response against certain viruses, such as mousepox.
A collaborative study between six National Primate Research Centers found that 26% of female nonhuman primates infected with Zika virus experienced miscarriage or stillbirth despite few clinical signs of infection. The study suggests that Zika-associated pregnancy loss in humans may be more frequent than currently thought.
A new study found that Zika virus-infected monkeys experienced a 26% fetal death rate, which could indicate more severe outcomes in human pregnancies. The research used data from six National Primate Research Centers and tracked fetal development in infected macaques.
A study by Drs. Smithey and Nikolich-Žugich found that mice infected with cytomegalovirus had a more robust immune response to subsequent infections. This suggests that the virus may be able to harness the immune system's existing capacity, rather than weakening it as previously thought.
Research suggests that Zika virus can cause more miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women without showing symptoms. A recent study found 26% of infected monkeys experienced fetal loss despite few signs of infection.
A collaborative study published in Nature Medicine found that 26 percent of nonhuman primates infected with Zika during early stages of pregnancy experienced miscarriage or stillbirth. This is the first time such a finding has been demonstrated, highlighting the importance of understanding how the Zika virus damages the placenta.
A new study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal reveals substantial delays in diagnosing viral meningitis, leading to unnecessary treatments and longer hospital stays. Patients with viral meningitis often experience prolonged recovery periods, including memory and mental health problems.
A new study found that viruses are the most common cause of meningitis in adults and diagnosis is often delayed due to unnecessary brain scans. This can lead to inappropriate use of antibiotics and prolonged hospital stays. Prompt investigation with a lumbar puncture can help identify the specific virus or bacteria causing the illness.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a rapid, deployable, low-cost diagnostic test for Zika using mobile health technologies, targeting resource-limited settings and home testing for couples trying to conceive
Researchers have developed genetically humanized mice that can be persistently infected with Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), a common cause of liver fibrosis and cancer. The mice were able to rid themselves of the virus before showing any liver damage, making them an ideal model for testing new treatments.
A study published by Imperial College London shows that financial incentives led to a 3% decrease in antibiotic prescriptions for common respiratory tract infections. The reduction was particularly notable among children and those with sore throats, highlighting the potential of this approach to curb excessive antibiotic use.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble investigate how Xofluza, a new anti-influenza drug, works and explore possible mechanisms for viral resistance. They found that a specific mutation in the virus's polymerase enzyme makes it less susceptible to the drug.
Researchers create FluVision technology to visualize influenza infection in real-time, observing differences between highly-pathogenic H5N1 and milder H1N1 strains. The tool reveals increased damage caused by H5N1, including pulmonary leakage and immune cell activation.
Researchers identified a protein film that forms over wounds, providing protection against bacterial infection for at least 12 hours. The biofilm has 'breathability' properties, allowing air to reach the wound while keeping bacteria out.
Researchers have identified a way to slow the spread of the flu virus by altering molecular interactions between the virus and host genes. Altering these interactions can stunt viral replication, according to new research published in Nature Communications.
Researchers have found that invasive Aedes mosquitoes in California are capable of transmitting the Zika virus, a significant global health threat. The study involved infecting various mosquito species with three different strains of ZIKV and found that up to 90% of infected Aedes mosquitoes transmitted the virus.
Scientists have created gene-edited pigs that resist Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) by removing a section of the CD163 receptor. The research shows that these pigs do not become infected with the virus, which causes significant economic losses in the pig industry.
Researchers have developed a rhesus macaque model to study Zika brain pathology, revealing similar brain lesions as in human infants with congenital Zika syndrome. The findings suggest that therapies can be tested using fewer animals, providing hope for the development of new treatments.
Researchers have identified a protein called STING, which is nearly identical in both humans and fruit flies, triggering an immune response to invading bacteria. This discovery provides a new model organism for studying human immunity and developing infection-fighting medicines.
A gene signature in the bloodstream could reveal whether someone is going to develop active tuberculosis disease months before symptoms begin. Researchers developed a new 20-gene signature that distinguishes between TB and viral infections, showing promise for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have revealed the 3D structure of a deadly plant virus in unprecedented detail using cryo-electron microscopy. The discovery could help virologists and molecular biologists develop new ways to stop the spread of these viruses and the diseases they cause.
Despite taking steps to protect themselves, Floridians were under-armed in their response to the Zika virus. More than half of Floridian households failed to take preventive action despite knowing about the risks and having a family member at risk.
A Brazilian team developed a platform that combines mass spectrometry with AI to diagnose viral, bacterial, fungal, and genetic diseases. The method shows high accuracy in detecting Zika infection even after the acute phase.
A study of almost 15,000 outpatients with acute respiratory infections during flu seasons found that 41% were prescribed antibiotics despite not being indicated for their conditions. Antibiotic overuse remains a widespread issue in the treatment of outpatient acute respiratory infections.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech found that mucus and airway secretions protect the flu virus when it becomes airborne, regardless of humidity levels. The study refutes previous findings that suggested the virus degrades and is inactivated at higher humidity levels.
Infected mice developed seizures, motor function impairment, and memory issues as adults, with reduced muscle strength and increased inflammation. Targeting TNF-α inhibition may alleviate some long-term consequences of neonatal Zika infection.
Researchers developed a mouse model to investigate the potential long-term symptoms of congenital Zika virus infection, finding weight loss, cognitive deficits, and impaired motor function. Infliximab, a TNF-α inhibitor, showed promise in reducing seizures in young mice, offering new hope for public health crisis
Researchers found that airline passengers' bacterial communities have much in common with those surrounding people at home and office environments. The core airplane microbiome included genera Propionibacterium, Burkholderia, Staphylococcus, and Strepococcus (oralis).
A great majority of Mozambican adolescent girls (around 80%) are aware that cervical cancer can be prevented and over 90% willing to receive the vaccine. The introduction of HPV vaccination is urgent in sub-Saharan Africa, where cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality among women.
A recent study found the Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus in ticks collected from migrating birds in the Mediterranean basin. The discovery suggests that birds may contribute to the spread of the virus to new geographical areas. Continuing surveillance is essential to understand the ecology of the virus and prevent its potential spread.
Researchers found dominant strains of equine-like G3 rotavirus infecting children in Indonesia, genetically different from human strains, shedding light on virus travel and evolution.
Researchers discovered that cytomegalovirus can infect the iris of mouse eyes, causing chronic inflammation and long-lasting eye problems. The virus remains dormant for months after infection, prompting a reevaluation of its effects on healthy individuals and potentially misdiagnosed conditions.
A research team at Hokkaido University has discovered the key receptor molecule that enhances the infection of the influenza A virus. The Ca2+ channel is the critical component, and blocking it with calcium channel blockers can significantly suppress IAV infections.
Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security have developed a forward-looking framework for identifying naturally occurring microorganisms that pose a global catastrophic biological risk (GCBR). The report outlines common characteristics of a potential GCBR-level pandemic pathogen, including respiratory mode of transmiss...
The University of Surrey has created a mathematical model that more accurately details how hepatitis C (HCV) infection develops and behaves. This new model could lead to improved treatment for the infection affecting 215,000 people in the UK.
A new study reveals that Zika virus was introduced to Mexico earlier than previously thought, with evidence of two annual outbreaks across multiple regions. The research also highlights the need for better data collection to track future epidemics of mosquito-borne diseases.