Articles tagged with Viral Infections
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.
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.