Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Scientists identified potential biomarkers in nonhuman primates exposed to Ebola virus that appeared up to four days before fever onset. These markers could predict disease development prior to other host-based indications of infection.
Researchers at Georgia State University identified a chemical compound that effectively inhibits the replication of the Ebola virus and several other viruses. The study found benzoquinoline to be a potent antiviral agent with activity against multiple viruses, including Marburg virus and Zika virus.
A study found that antibiotic use can increase the risk of severe West Nile disease in mice by weakening their immune response. The research suggests that antibiotics can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, making it harder for the body to fight off viral infections.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine found that high doses of antiviral drug favipiravir extended survival in non-human primates infected with Ebola virus. The drug was shown to inhibit viral replication in a drug concentration-dependent manner, with animals treated at higher doses surviving longer than those treated at lower doses.
A recent study found that less than 13% of individuals born between 1945 and 1965 have undergone HCV screening. The researchers also noted a significant disparity in HCV screening rates among different ethnic groups, with Hispanics and non-Hispanic Blacks receiving lower rates of screening.
Researchers have discovered that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) differentiates human hematopoietic progenitor cells into a long-lived, immunosuppressive monocyte subset for viral latency. This unique cell population is identified through specific surface proteins and can evade the T-cell immune response.
A study at UNICAMP in Brazil has identified genetic factors associated with the severity of acute viral bronchiolitis, a leading cause of hospitalization in infants worldwide. The researchers found links between specific genes and viruses that can cause the disease, which could lead to personalized treatment.
Research published in the European Respiratory Journal found that people who have had flu or pneumonia are six times more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke in the days following infection. The study highlights the importance of vaccination against these two infections in preventing cardiovascular complications.
Researchers present a modified small-molecule drug that targets the RNA polymerase subunit of the influenza virus, reducing its ability to replicate and spread. The compound could potentially eliminate the virus or slow down its reproduction, offering a new treatment option for patients with flu.
A new bioinformatics analysis method has been developed to study viral infections, revealing over 500 different proteins and peptides, including 200 previously unknown to science. This discovery improves the identification of translation events and opens up new possibilities to understand the effects of viral infections on the organism.
A recent study found that pregnant women infected with Zika virus experienced a significantly lower rate of congenital neurological abnormalities than initially thought. The study, which monitored over 2,000 women, revealed a 12.7% risk of complications when infected during the first trimester.
A new study found that people with dengue fever have a higher risk of stroke, with the incidence being 5.33 per 1000 person-years. The risk of stroke is as high as 2.49 times in the first 2 months following infection.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have identified a promising route for designing an effective vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The study focused on the RSV G glycoprotein and found that protective antibodies target specific sites on the protein, which can induce an immune response.
A new study using recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) delivery vectors found that ZMapp antibodies administered to mice resulted in 100% protection against Ebola infection. The study also compared different doses and routes of administration, with the best results achieved using a single rAAV-delivered antibody.
Scientists from NIAID exposed research mice to brain samples from three people who died from a familial prion disease. Two mutations, Y226X and G131V, were found to be transmissible to mice. The finding highlights the hardiness of prion infectivity and potential risks associated with prion transmission.
Researchers from NIAID highlight the potential of monoclonal antibodies in treating and preventing emerging infectious diseases. These therapies have shown promise in clinical trials, such as the Ebola outbreak, and may offer a more targeted approach to infection prevention and treatment.
High-ranking mothers' cubs have lower CDV infection probability and reduced mortality, while high-ranking adults are more likely to be infected but experience similar mortality rates. The study highlights the impact of social status on immune processes and disease transmission in a wildlife population.
A Kaiser Permanente study found no association between multiple vaccines and non-vaccine targeted infections in infants. The research examined 193 children with non-vaccine targeted infections and 751 control group children, concluding that vaccination does not damage the immune system.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have made a breakthrough in combating Ebola with an innovative antibody delivery method. The approach delivers monoclonal antibodies through a viral vector, bypassing the need for a natural immune response, offering 100-per-cent protection against Ebola infection in mice.
Researchers develop novel cell culture strategy to investigate early stages of HPV infection, revealing key genetic information about viral life cycle. The approach enables high infection rates in keratinocytes, allowing for the study of HPV's role in cancer development.
Wolbachia blocks viral replication in mosquito cells by degrading viral RNA, with XRN1 playing a key role. The bacterium's ability to prevent disease transmission depends on the virus's replication rate.
Scientists have discovered that the CRISPR-Cas9 protein can also cut RNA, expanding its potential uses in gene editing and virus detection. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for genetic diseases and improved food and energy crops.
A large-scale study of French volunteers found significant immune variation among individuals due to differences in sex and age, as well as genetic variations. These findings shed new light on potential causes of diseases such as pollen allergy and lupus erythematosus.
Research found that flu strains H3N2 and H7N7 caused memory impairments and structural changes in the hippocampus of mice. The infections also activated brain immune cells and altered gene expression, suggesting a potential threat to healthy brain function.
Researchers found that bats have a dampened STING-interferon pathway, allowing them to maintain a balance with viruses without triggering an immune reaction. This defense strategy is thought to have evolved as part of bat biology, including their ability to fly and host a large viral reservoir.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection causes death of glioblastoma cells, a common and aggressive type of brain tumor. The study suggests that genetically modifying Zika virus to produce the digoxin molecule could be an alternative treatment for glioblastoma.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center discovered that four viruses can produce insulin-like hormones that bind to human insulin receptors and stimulate cellular signaling. This finding opens up a new field of study in microbial endocrinology, potentially revealing biological mechanisms behind diabetes, autoimmune disease, and cancer.
A chamber design separates airborne influenza particles by size, revealing that ferrets transmit the virus via particles ranging from 15 μm to 1.5 μm before fever onset and after infection. This study provides insights into the efficient transmission ranges for influenza in ferrets.
A new multiplex test can detect six of eight tick-borne pathogens including Lyme disease simultaneously in a single blood test, offering improved diagnostic accuracy. The test's potential for early detection and treatment is expected to improve patient outcomes for those infected with tick-borne diseases.
Researchers will collect data from survivors of viral outbreaks to understand how some people fight off the disease. The goal is to inform vaccine design, develop new diagnostics, and prevent future outbreaks.
A special issue of Human Gene Therapy highlights Chinese research advancements in gene and cell therapy, including novel viral and nonviral vectors for gene delivery. The articles explore innovative applications of CRISPR technology in various disease areas.
Researchers at the German Primate Center have improved DNA transfer in gene therapy by modifying viruses to produce a protein called CD9, which increases exosome production and virus efficiency. This results in an 80% infection rate, making gene therapies more efficient.
Researchers discover ebselen alleviates testicular symptoms and prevents sexual Zika transmission in mice. The antioxidant treatment also shows promise in preventing the virus's spread among humans.
Scientists at Imperial College London have developed an organ-on-chip technology to study the interaction of pathogens with artificial human organs. They tested the artificial liver's response to hepatitis B virus infection, revealing intricate mechanisms of immune evasion that could be exploited for future drug development.
A new clinical trial aims to determine if low procalcitonin levels indicate a viral lower respiratory tract infection that won't improve with antibiotic treatment. The study will enroll patients with suspected LRTIs and low PCT blood levels, and test whether they respond differently to azithromycin or placebo.
A study found that Ebola virus infects reproductive organs of macaques, suggesting similar infection in humans. The virus can persist in female reproductive tissues and may reach seminal fluid in men.
Researchers found subtle changes in fetal brains infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, which can lead to significant learning problems and mental health disorders. The study suggests that children infected with the virus at a young age may also be at risk of brain damage.
Researchers found that genes in neural progenitor cells of affected babies were more active or less active in key signaling pathways, contributing to the development of congenital Zika syndrome. The study used twins and induced pluripotent stem cell technology to replicate the virus's effects in vitro.
Researchers found genetic clues to distinct susceptibility to virus infection in congenital Zika syndrome, using Brazilian twin babies with different outcomes. The study revealed a single gene cannot explain the cases of CZS development nor brain resistance to Zika virus.
Platelets have been found to act as the immune system's first responders when a virus, bacterium, or allergen enters the bloodstream. They release serotonin, which triggers an inflammatory response in mice with antigen-antibody complexes, leading to septic or anaphylactic shock.
Researchers have created a stealth virus that effectively recognizes and infects tumor cells using adapter molecules. The virus is protected by a novel protein shield that prevents immune system elimination, opening up avenues for treating aggressive cancers.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that West Nile and Powassan viruses can cause brain damage and fetal death in mice, similar to Zika. The study suggests that these flaviviruses may also pose a risk to developing fetuses in humans.
Researchers found that relatives of Zika virus can damage developing fetuses in mice and replicate in human tissues, raising concerns about other emerging viruses causing birth defects. The study suggests that flavivirus infections might cause pregnancy complications more frequently than previously appreciated.
A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports suggests that containment measures during epidemics can make a society less resilient and more vulnerable to economic and social disruption. By limiting mobility, authorities may create greater risks than they mitigate. The study's findings highlight the need for policymakers to con...
Researchers found that a repurposed drug used to treat Hepatitis C effectively protected and rescued neural cells infected by the Zika virus in both cell cultures and mouse models. The study suggests that the drug could be effective against Zika-infected adults, including pregnant women.
Researchers at MIT and Albert Einstein College of Medicine isolate and study a new group of viruses that lack tails and can infect dozens of different types of bacteria. The Autolykiviridae provide key insights into viral evolution, bacterial populations, and the ocean's ecosystem.
Researchers at ICES and PHO found a significant association between acute respiratory infections, particularly influenza, and acute myocardial infarction. The risk is higher for older adults, patients with influenza B infections, and those experiencing their first heart attack.
A new study published in mBio found that people with higher levels of anti-HA stem antibodies have less viral shedding when they get the flu, but do not have fewer or less severe signs of illness. The study suggests that these antibody levels are not independent predictors of whether someone becomes sick or how severely.
Researchers used a plant virus to study how plants defend themselves against invading pathogens, revealing key receptor proteins that regulate RNA interference. The findings also identified a suppressor protein named C4 used by the virus to disarm the plant's defence mechanism.
A new study by University of Waterloo researchers found that vaccines used by commercial fish farmers are not protecting fish from disease, with vaccinated fish showing more symptoms and higher death rates. The study highlights the need for veterinary pharmaceutical companies to redesign and test vaccines tailored to fish immune systems.
A major review by UNSW medical researchers has identified Enterovirus D68 as the likely cause of a mystery polio-like illness that paralysed children in the affected regions. The study used Bradfield Hill criteria to determine causality and found strong evidence linking EV-D68 to acute flaccid myelitis.
A new University of Maryland-led study reveals that people with the flu can generate infectious aerosols even when not coughing, and especially during the first days of illness. This finding suggests that airborne transmission may be a significant route of flu spread.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection in pregnant rhesus monkeys caused placental tissues to become thickened and inflamed, leading to decreased oxygen levels and impaired fetal development. The study's findings may provide important insights into preventing Zika virus infection and disease during pregnancy.
A two-year-old female Far Eastern leopard was found with severe neurological disease and euthanized due to poor health. The discovery confirms canine distemper virus in the species, which is already critically endangered.
A study in mice suggests that West Nile virus infection can lead to persistent neurological problems due to unresolved inflammation. Targeting this inflammation with an arthritis drug may prevent some of these problems with memory.
Researchers analyzed immune cells of children with flu symptoms and found that previous exposures to viruses influence the immune response. The study identified changes in key immune pathways that may lead to better therapies for young patients with acute respiratory tract infections.
A human protein called prohibitin may play a significant role in infection of the nervous system by EV71 virus. The study found that inhibitin is required for entry and replication of the virus within cells.
Research suggests that different bacterial strains can provoke varied immune responses in humans, contradicting previous studies that used a single strain. This variability is contributed by viruses infecting the bacteria, and may help predict disease outcomes and tailor treatment.
Researchers discovered that dengue virus takes over an accordion-shaped structure within host cells to produce proteins, while avoiding the larger fluid-filled space of the cell. This subtle approach allows the virus to reproduce tens of thousands of times without triggering the body's defenses.
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered the workings of a promising treatment for Marburg virus, which has a mortality rate of up to 88 percent. The treatment, MR191, targets a conserved site on the virus and neutralizes it by mimicking the host receptor.