Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers analyzed 736 ZIKV positive patients and found that older veterans with underlying health issues were more likely to be hospitalized. Patients presenting with neurological symptoms were also more likely to be hospitalized. This study helps providers evaluate and treat patients with ZIKV infection.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is evaluating the safety and tolerability of mAb114, a single monoclonal antibody developed from an Ebola survivor. The trial aims to enroll 18-30 healthy volunteers and will not expose participants to Ebola virus.
Researchers developed Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) to detect Zika virus in mosquitoes, outperforming current methods with 18x speed and 110x cost savings. The technology has shown a 94-99% accuracy rate under laboratory conditions and is being tested for detecting other diseases like dengue and malaria.
A study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that 63% of Hepatitis C infections resulting from medical treatment were discovered after patients became acutely ill. Researchers highlight the importance of proactive reporting and proper infection control practices to prevent such incidents.
Researchers have created a modeling framework that takes a zoonotic perspective on Ebola, predicting the next outbreak by tracking bat migration patterns and environmental factors. The study suggests that environmental conditions play a key role in the spread of the Ebola virus among bats.
Scientists have identified a molecule found on human cells and some animal cells that could be a useful target for drugs against chikungunya virus infection. Mxra8, a key to the entry of chikungunya virus into host cells, was identified using CRISPR-Cas9.
A new study found that a procalcitonin biomarker test had little impact on reducing antibiotic use for patients with suspected lower respiratory tract infections. The trial involved 1,656 adult patients and showed that physicians already commonly withheld antibiotics based on clinical signs alone.
Researchers have discovered a previously undiscovered hepadnavirus in an immunocompromised cat and found it in banked feline blood samples. The virus is similar to the human hepatitis B virus and has been linked to liver cancers in other species.
Researchers have generated tools to understand the pig immune system's killer T cell responses to influenza, allowing for the design of more effective vaccines. The breakthrough research uses a unique line of pigs and can be applied to other important pig diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
Scientists have identified a molecular handle that chikungunya virus uses to get inside cells, which could lead to ways to prevent or treat disease caused by the virus. The researchers found that blocking this handle reduces chikungunya infection and signs of arthritis.
A high-fiber diet increases survival in influenza-infected mice by setting the immune system at a healthy level of responsiveness. It also boosts antiviral immunity by activating T cells, mediated by changes in gut bacteria composition.
UNIGE researchers found that a DNA-binding factor called TOX triggers immune cells to cause autoimmune tissue destruction in the brain. This discovery provides important insights into understanding and treating auto-immune diseases.
Scientists have developed a statistical framework to predict chikungunya and Zika outbreaks based on dengue fever 'hot spots'. The analysis used eight years of data from Merida, Mexico, and showed that people living in these hot spots had twice the rate of infection as those outside.
NIH scientists found that Makona Ebola virus mutations did not impact disease progression or viral shedding in animal models, suggesting a consistent disease presentation. The study also compared EBOV-Makona to the original EBOV-Mayinga strain, finding that Makona is less virulent.
Researchers have identified and studied antibodies from human survivors of Ebola Bundibugyo that neutralize and protect against infection with several different Ebola virus species. The newly discovered antibodies bond at a different site on the Ebola virus than other antibodies currently used to develop Ebola therapies.
A new study published in PLOS Pathogens estimates that nearly 80% of dengue virus infections are caused by individuals with mild to no symptoms who do not seek medical attention. This finding highlights the importance of proactive disease prevention strategies to curb the spread of dengue fever.
A novel marmoset model of human Zika virus infection offers new opportunities for understanding the virus's impact on congenital disease in humans. The researchers found that infection of marmoset dams recapitulates the human infection more faithfully than other animal models.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have identified a unique type of immune cell that can combat viral infections. These unconventional V-delta-2 lymphocytes are present at birth and increase in numbers during viral infections, becoming licensed to kill and accessing tissues to detect and destroy virally infected target cells.
A new virus has been discovered in the waters of Oahu, Hawaii, which infects common marine algae and contains the largest genome ever sequenced for a viral infection. The virus, named TetV-1, appears to have picked up genes from its host, allowing it to survive in low-oxygen conditions.
A recent study found that hepatitis C cases among infants are increasing due to the opioid epidemic, with a significant proportion remaining undiagnosed. The study suggests that improved screening and testing protocols are needed to address this growing public health concern.
Researchers found that marmosets infected with the Zika virus during pregnancy experienced spontaneous abortion and neurological abnormalities in their fetuses. This study suggests that marmosets may be a relevant model for understanding the effects of Zika on fetal health.
University of Rochester researchers have developed a new live equine influenza vaccine that is safe and more protective than existing vaccines. The vaccine targets the H3N8 strain currently circulating in North America and Europe, and was shown to protect horses against the virus in a small study.
Researchers have created a modeling framework that considers ecological dimensions driving bat migration patterns to forecast Ebola outbreaks. The tool analyzes spatially distributed random fluctuations of environmental parameters to understand how they impact bat migrations.
Scientists have created a detailed image of BKV, a virus affecting kidney and bone marrow transplant patients, which may aid in developing antiviral therapies. The new structures allow researchers to visualize potential targets for blocking the virus's entry into cells or preventing its assembly.
Scientists have identified immune-related genes in Egyptian fruit bats that suggest a different approach to viral infections. The study found expanded and diversified natural killer cell receptors, MHC class I genes, and type I interferons in bats, which may enable them to tolerate viruses without symptoms.
A new study from Boston University has identified larger-than-expected families of genes related to the mammalian immune system in the Egyptian fruit bat. This finding may lead to a deeper understanding of virus transmission and better treatments for humans infected with deadly pathogens.
A study published in Cancer Research reveals that the Zika virus selectively kills aggressive human embryonal CNS tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The virus was effective at concentrations as low as one viral particle per ten cells, with no impact on differentiated neurons.
Researchers discovered Zika virus can infect and destroy human CNS tumor cells, reducing tumor mass and increasing survival rates. The virus shows a greater affinity for CNS tumor cells than healthy neural stem cells.
A collaborative study led by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine found that a monoclonal antibody cocktail therapy was effective in clearing the virus from pregnant women's blood but failed to prevent fetal transmission and treat infected fetuses. Researchers are now working on engineering antibodies to target the fetus.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) study has found no evidence of transmissibility of chronic wasting disease in cynomolgus macaque monkeys. The research, published in the Journal of Virology, involved exposing 14 macaques to brain matter from CWD-infected deer and elk over a period of up to 13 years.
A Vanderbilt team has deciphered the key to infecting entire mosquito populations with virus-killing Wolbachia bacteria. By hijacking insect reproductive systems, Wolbachia spreads rapidly, reducing risk of dengue and Zika virus transmission.
Researchers at Umeå University have discovered that adenovirus binds to polysialic acid, a carbohydrate receptor overexpressed on certain types of cancer cells. This finding opens new possibilities for using adenovirus as a treatment for corresponding types of cancer.
Researchers found that West Nile virus reemerged in Greece in 2017 after a two-year hiatus, causing 45 cases of infection, primarily in southern regions. The study highlights the importance of mosquito management and public education to prevent transmission, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System used a homemade microscope to reveal the structure of a cancer-causing virus's 'tether' that anchors it to our DNA. This discovery could lead to cures for viral infections like HPV and Epstein-Barr by disrupting the tether.
A study published in Immunity reveals that T follicular helper cells play a crucial role in determining the fate of B cells, with stronger interactions leading to plasma B cell formation. The researchers identified a subset of B cells expressing IRF4 and CD69 as precursors to plasma B cells.
Researchers discovered Zika virus infects hot spots in the brains of chicken embryos, affecting key signaling centers and neural patterning. This finding could lead to targeted therapies and drug testing for complications associated with Zika virus in humans.
A study of NYC house mice reveals they carry disease-causing pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria like C. difficile and Salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans. The study also finds evidence of viruses present in mouse droppings, some of which may infect other animals.
A novel computational method reveals that EBV protein EBNA2 activates human genes associated with increased risk for autoimmunity, including systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis. Researchers propose potential therapies to interrupt this process.
A new study found the Epstein-Barr virus is linked to seven serious diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis (MS), and type 1 diabetes. The virus affects nearly 8 million people in the US, highlighting a common cause of chronic illness.
Research found that acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) is associated with elevated levels of fine particulate matter PM2.5 in young children, even those as young as two months old. The study, involving over 100,000 patients, suggests that air pollution may impair the immune response and increase susceptibility to infections.
The percentage of liver transplants performed due to HCV infection has more than halved since the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Post-transplant survival rates among those with HCV infection are now similar to those with HBV infection, reaching an all-time high.
A large-scale study in Punjab, India found that mass treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection using decentralized care and generic DAAs resulted in high cure rates among almost 20,000 individuals. The study validated the efficacy and safety of this approach, with over 90% of patients achieving sustained virological response.
Researchers have identified tuft cells as the primary target of norovirus infection, a discovery that could pave the way for new treatments. The study found that administering immune signaling proteins IL-4 and IL-25 increased viral transmission and abundance in mice.
The HEPAHEALTH Project Report reveals a significant increase in liver disease mortality in Europe and Central Asia, driven by high alcohol consumption and obesity rates. The report emphasizes the need for effective prevention strategies to mitigate this growing health concern.
Researchers found that hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals and are linked to blood-borne transmission, highlighting the importance of HEV RNA screening of all blood products destined for transplant or immunosuppressed patients. The studies also show that HEV infection has been increasing ste...
Researchers found norovirus infects tuft cells, which multiply virus quickly and set off severe infections. Targeting these cells with a vaccine or drug may prevent or treat norovirus infections.
Two real-world studies from Italy and Germany report high rates of viral suppression and favourable safety profiles for glecaprevir/pibrentasvir in patients with chronic HCV infection. The treatment was found to be effective across a range of different patient types, with over 98% achieving sustained virological response.
Researchers develop SyMAPS technique to study self-assembling virus shells, which can be used for disease detection, drug delivery and vaccinations. The technique allows testing of nearly 2,600 versions of the protein, providing insight into how mutations change the scaffolding.
Alcoholic liver disease has become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the US, surpassing hepatitis C infection, according to two studies. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is also on the rise, ranking second as a cause of liver transplantation due to chronic liver disease.
A novel point-of-care Hepatitis C assay has been developed to diagnose chronic cases in asymptomatic patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The assay detects HCV RNA reliably, faster than existing methods, and can be used at the point of care, reducing the need for centralized laboratories.
Researchers from Ohio State University have discovered that viral infections can affect nutrient turnover, health, and disease in bacteria commonly found in the environment. The study highlights the importance of understanding these interactions to improve environmental preservation and human health, potentially leading to new ways to ...
Researchers developed a genetic screening tool that identified two key genes, SLC35A1 and CIC, that enable the influenza virus to infect human lung cells. The study found that modifying these genes can make cells resistant to the flu, which could lead to new antiviral drug targets.
Researchers have developed a new animal model using cynomolgus macaques to study the progression and interactions of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever with the immune system. The study aims to develop treatments and vaccines for the disease, which is fatal in nearly one in three cases.
Researchers argue that targeting neuraminidase, the 'N' protein, could substantially decrease infection rates and reduce disease severity for those infected with the influenza virus. The current anti-flu vaccines concentrate on hemagglutinin, leaving a big hole in immunity.
A new study reveals that many viruses infecting humans today have ancient evolutionary histories dating back to the first vertebrates, with discoveries made in fish and reptiles. The research, a collaboration between several institutions, found 214 novel RNA viruses in healthy animals, including relatives of Ebola and influenza viruses.
Researchers report successful cataract surgeries in 34 Ebola survivors, improving visual acuities from Hand Motions to 20/30 levels. The study provides evidence for safe elective eye surgery in Ebola survivors at risk of uveitis and vision impairment.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute discovered a new aspect of the flu virus and its interaction with antibodies in the lungs. They found that IgA antibodies can protect against infections through two different ways.
Researchers at Yale University developed a novel RNA-based therapy to target West Nile virus, delivered through the nose. The therapy reduced the virus in the brain and allowed the immune system to destroy it, resulting in a 90% survival rate among treated mice. The treatment also provided long-term protection against future exposure.
Researchers discovered a new path of evolution that enables viruses to quickly adapt to their environment and infect new host targets. This phenomenon could lead to new insights into preventing the emergence of new diseases.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered a common pattern of immune response among monkeys exposed to Ebola virus, occurring four days before the onset of fever. This finding suggests a possible biomarker for early diagnosis and could lead to better quarantine and control of outbreaks.