Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
A Yale study finds that Zika infection triggers immune cells to attack neurons, causing paralysis and death in mice models lacking antiviral response. Suppressing the immune response might be an approach to treating Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition affecting some people infected with Zika.
A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute found that chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, reduces the transmission of Zika virus from mother to fetus. The research suggests that chloroquine may be effective in treating and preventing Zika infections.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered that some women who develop symptom-free Zika infections may acquire immunity that protects them from future infections and their offspring. This finding suggests the possibility of developing diagnostic tests to identify naturally immune women, which could help pr...
Scientists from the German Center for Infection Research found that the Zika virus has a high seroprevalence rate in Salvador, northeastern Brazil, suggesting that further outbreaks are unlikely. The study linked this finding to increased population immunity and socioeconomic factors such as poverty.
Scientists have identified two biomarkers that accurately predict patient survival in Ebola cases. The study analyzed blood samples from survivors and fatal cases, revealing distinct metabolic responses and immune-related molecules. These findings could improve treatment allocation and patient outcomes.
Prior Zika infection protects against reinfection during pregnancy in mice, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. Protective antibodies from previous infection defend against reinfection, reducing Zika RNA levels and fetal risk.
A QUT study has identified social factors such as overseas arrivals, rainwater tanks, and economic status as potential dengue risk factors. The study suggests increasing surveillance and monitoring of travellers arriving in Australia to control the importation and transmission of dengue virus.
A recent study by La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology reveals that dengue immunity can confer protection against Zika virus. Cytotoxic T-cells have been identified as crucial in defending against both viruses, suggesting that vaccines targeting either dengue or Zika could be effective.
Scientists have characterized the infection mechanism of Rift Valley fever virus by inserting an envelope protein into host cell membranes. The study also reveals a shared recognition pocket with other human pathogenic viruses, paving the way for new therapeutic agents.
Researchers developed a high-throughput system to study individual cells infected with a virus, revealing that the antiviral drug is most effective against growing viruses. The study's findings could lead to smarter design of new antiviral drugs by identifying specific factors responsible for different treatment outcomes.
The study reveals that a human protein called TRIM25 acts as an early defense mechanism, recognizing the unique structure of the flu virus and preventing its replication. However, the NS1 protein produced by the flu virus blocks this function, enabling the virus to evade the immune response.
Researchers discovered that a second blood feeding significantly increases the Asian tiger mosquito's ability to transmit Zika viruses, potentially underestimating its role in disease outbreaks. The study found that this 'aggressive biter' mosquito can produce many infectious mosquitoes quickly after additional feedings.
A 10-year study found that West Nile virus victims, including those with mild symptoms or none, showed evidence of brain damage years after the original infection. Brain scans revealed damage or thinning in different parts of the cerebral cortex, as well as degeneration or atrophy in several regions.
Researchers at Texas Biomedical Research Institute tested a new drug for hepatitis B virus infection, which uses RNA interference to reduce surface antigens. The therapy has shown safety and effectiveness in human trials, offering hope for a potential cure.
Researchers found norovirus in healthy Indonesian volunteers with no symptoms, suggesting they are a source of outbreaks. The virus was also detected in recombinant variations, indicating high infection rates among asymptomatic individuals.
A new T-cell therapy approach is being tested to help fight active viral infections in children with severe immune deficiencies. The therapy uses 'viral specific' T-cells that are engineered to target three common and potentially toxic viruses: EBV, CMV, and adenovirus.
A record 1.76 million people with hepatitis C were treated in 2016, but most countries are running out of patients to treat due to low diagnosis rates. Countries must boost diagnosis rates to achieve elimination targets by 2030.
Nine countries are making progress towards eliminating hepatitis C, thanks to innovative approaches and increased funding. Brazil, Egypt, Australia, and Georgia are leading the way with mass screenings, vaccination campaigns, and risk-sharing agreements.
The UK is struggling to find undiagnosed hepatitis C patients due to lack of awareness about deadly virus and new treatment drugs. Experts estimate that at least 100,000 people remain undiagnosed, threatening the country's goal to eliminate the disease by 2030.
Researchers have created artificial codes to regulate viral assembly, outperforming natural codes in efficiency. The new understanding of viral self-assembly codes could lead to breakthroughs in cancer therapy and immunization.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus is transmitted from mother to fetus by infected microglia cells, which later develop into the brain's defense system. The finding suggests a potential therapeutic target for reducing Zika transmission and offers hope for preventing devastating neurological damage.
Scientists have identified a new player in viral infection, revealing how certain long noncoding RNAs can aid viruses in hijacking host cells. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding host-virus interactions to develop effective antiviral strategies.
Researchers discovered a virus-like particle vaccine can prime the immune response and prevent severe respiratory disease caused by RSV vaccine. The study found immunizing mice with RSV fusion proteins before administering the FI-RSV vaccine prevented lung inflammation and eosinophil invasion.
Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have solved the last unknown protein structure of HIV-1, which helps understand how the virus infects human cells and assembles progeny viruses. The cytoplasmic tail of gp41 protein plays a crucial role in virus assembly and replication.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully characterized a highly pathogenic avian virus that is both lethal and transmissible in ferrets. The study suggests that this virus strain could become a potential public health threat if it undergoes further mutations, making it resistant to existing treatments.
A multidisciplinary team has developed a novel platform to diagnose infectious diseases at the point-of-care using a smartphone and credit card-sized test kit. The system achieves detection limits comparable to laboratory-based methods in about 30 minutes, enabling rapid diagnosis and improved disease control.
Researchers identified a link between lower levels of defective viral RNA molecules and increased flu severity. The findings suggest that these molecules could serve as a general marker for predicting disease severity in influenza A virus-infected patients.
Scientists found that H7N9 avian flu viruses can spread among ferrets via respiratory droplets and are minimally responsive to commonly used antiviral drugs. The study also shows that these viruses have a high potential for pandemic due to their efficient replication in human airway cells and the lungs of animal models.
Researchers have identified key pathways and mechanisms underlying viruses and infections, opening new avenues for treatment. The studies found that targeting the Hedgehog pathway may reduce severity of flu symptoms and could lead to effective treatments for anthrax infection.
The UMass Amherst TickReport service is expanding its public health mission with a recent NIH grant and collaboration with L2 Diagnostics to study Borrelia miyamotoi, a tick-transmitted bacterium causing infection and disease in the US, Europe, and Asia. Researchers will conduct human testing on people who submitted B. miyamotoi-positi...
A study published in JAMA found a strong association between Zika virus infection and Guillain-Barré syndrome in Puerto Rico. The study identified acute Zika virus infection as a significant risk factor for GBS, highlighting the need for further investigation into the pathophysiology of Zika virus infection.
Researchers have developed a novel reagent to detect rare B cells indicating successful vaccination in veterinary animals. The method will be widely applicable for demonstrating immunity to other veterinary pathogens.
A new meta-analysis shows that procalcitonin reduces relative mortality by 14% and antibiotic side effects by 25% in patients with respiratory infections. This biomarker can help medical experts diagnose infectious diseases and tailor treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered 96 transcription regulatory sequences (TRSs) used by arterivirus Simian hemorrhagic fever virus to produce subgenomic messenger RNAs, exceeding the previously reported nine TRSs. The study found that multiple TRSs are involved in producing structural proteins and alternative reading frames.
After a 10-year absence, Usutu virus has reemerged in both blackbirds and humans, particularly in Austria and Hungary. Genetic analysis reveals that the viruses circulating in these regions are closely related to those found in Italy, demonstrating inter-country transmission of viral strains.
A new AI model called druGAN enables the generation of novel molecules with desired properties, surpassing previous GAN-based approaches. The model uses reinforcement learning to generate effective molecular graphs, paving the way for improved pharmaceuticals.
Researchers at NYU School of Medicine discovered that calcium flow into cells controls the activation of genes involved in glucose metabolism, enabling T cells to multiply. The study's findings have implications for autoimmune diseases and may lead to new treatments.
A new study reveals how rabies induces frenzied behavior in animals by binding to and inhibiting brain receptors, leading to the transmission of the disease. The research provides a molecular mechanism for this behavior change, shedding light on why rabies is devastating in poor, rural regions.
A study by University of Utah Health found that 7% of US athletes and staff infected with mosquito-borne viruses during the 2016 Rio Olympics were positive for West Nile virus, Dengue fever, and Chikungunya. Most had mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, highlighting the importance of post-travel diagnostics.
Scientists develop an antibody-based Zika virus therapeutic that protects monkeys from infection and neutralizes the virus. The treatment has been shown to be effective in preventing Zika virus replication in rhesus macaques.
A collaborative study has found that a combination of three monoclonal antibodies prevents Zika virus infection in primates. The treatment completely blocked the virus from taking hold in the animals, indicating a promising intervention to protect uninfected pregnant women and their fetuses.
The Congenital Zika Virus Program at Children's National evaluated 36 women and their fetuses, revealing that 89% had been bitten by Zika-tainted mosquitoes or exposed via sex with an infected partner. Tragically, four fetuses suffered severe birth defects, leading to two non-viable pregnancies and one infant death.
A new DNA-based Zika vaccine candidate has demonstrated both safety and the ability to elicit an immune response against Zika in humans. The phase 1 clinical trial showed that participants produced an immune response against Zika with minimal adverse effects.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have identified a Zika virus mutation that contains a sugar in its protein envelope, which may help the virus enter the brain. This discovery could explain why the virus became more lethal during outbreaks in the Caribbean and South America.
A phase 1 clinical trial demonstrated the safety and ability of a new DNA-based Zika vaccine to elicit an immune response against the virus, with 100% of participants developing Zika-specific antibodies. The vaccine also showed promise in preventing infection in immunocompromised mice.
A new study by Midwestern University found that physical and occupational therapists are at increased risk of contracting CMV due to lack of knowledge on prevention methods. The study highlights the need for educational initiatives to address the knowledge gap among these healthcare professionals.
Researchers identified a tiny viral protein, 3B3, that plays a key role in the replication of foot-and-mouth disease virus. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective vaccines against the disease.
A study published in Nature Immunology has found that a specific type of immune cell, called T follicular regulatory cells, plays a crucial role in preventing autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus after viral infections. These cells prevent the generation of self-reactive antibody responses whil...
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that TRPV1 protein plays a critical role in airway disease through mucus production, cough reflex stimulation and airway narrowing. The study suggests that targeting this protein may lead to new strategies to reduce the impact of RSV infections in both asthmatic and non-asthmatic children.
A new study identifies RC-101 as a potential protective agent against flu and other infections. The protein targets the virus and inflammation, improving symptoms and mortality rates in animal models.
Researchers identified retrocyclin-101 (RC-101) as a potential protective agent against flu infection, showing improved symptoms and reduced mortality in animal models. RC-101 targets the influenza virus and inflammation, offering a new tool in the fight against this deadly disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed artificial peptide molecules that neutralize a broad range of influenza virus strains. The peptides show high binding affinity and potent ability to neutralize infections with these viruses.
A recent study has found that natural killer cells play an important role in protecting against CMV-induced hearing loss in mice. The interaction between NK cells and the viral protein m157 is crucial in preventing hearing loss, with mice lacking this interaction being more susceptible to hearing loss.
New study reveals integrated HBV DNA as a significant source of HBsAg, expanding understanding of HBV biology and host interactions. The findings have important implications for future trial design and endpoint expectations for new therapies developed to cure chronic HBV.
Researchers at the University of Hawaii aim to develop strategies to prevent Zika virus transmission to the fetus and treat patients infected with the virus. Dr. Mukesh Kumar will work on understanding how the virus is transmitted and developed effective therapeutics.
The Center for Solutions for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CfS for ME/CFS) will pursue basic research and develop tools to monitor illness progression, while working closely with the ME/CFS community through partnerships and outreach.
Researchers found that the Ebola virus exploits a protein called Tim-1 in T-cells to spread and cause disease. The study suggests that blocking this protein could lead to effective treatments for Ebola.
A potential Zika vaccine has shown to completely prevent infection, transmission from pregnant mothers to developing fetuses and protect males against testicular infection and injury. The vaccine also prevents a lowered sperm count after one vaccination.
A new study shows an antibody that prevents dengue disease also protects mice from Zika. Administering the antibody soon after infection can protect fetuses from Zika-related birth defects.
Scientists discovered that antibodies taken from dengue patients are effective in treating zika infection in rodents and even protect unborn pups. The discovery could lead to a single therapy to protect against both viral threats if replicated in humans.