Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases have developed a laboratory model to study tick-borne flaviviruses, including Powassan virus. The new model involves culturing organs from Ixodes scapularis ticks with flaviviruses, which can infect salivary glands and midgut.
Researchers from the University of Exeter have discovered a virus that can reprogram ocean plankton to absorb certain nutrients, potentially affecting carbon storage in the ocean. The study found that infected phytoplankton cells become more competitive and grow faster before being killed by the virus.
Researchers found that avian flu viruses isolated from humans have the same gene sequences as those from birds, suggesting transmission through the mineral layer. The mineralized shell changes the electric surface potential of the virus, allowing it to adsorb efficiently onto host cells.
Researchers from the University of Basel have identified messenger substances that trigger excessive inflammatory responses in infected mice, leading to circulatory failure. Blocking these substances with existing medications may help prevent fatal outcomes in viral hemorrhagic fevers.
A new mechanism has been discovered that allows white blood cells to recognize and expel pathogens, preventing the spread of infections like Cryptococcosis to the brain. Researchers have identified a key molecule called ERK5 that can be manipulated to enhance this process, offering potential therapies for diseases such as this.
A Penn State researcher has received a $1.9 million grant to develop a genetic lab tool using a mosquito virus to control malaria. The virus, called AgDNV, will be used to insert specific genes into mosquitoes, allowing scientists to study their phenotypes and develop malaria-control strategies.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers highlights the need for protective measures to prevent pig-to-human flu transmission at fairs. The study found that shorter exhibition lengths and proper hygiene practices can significantly reduce disease transmission.
A new study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso researchers explores the impact of prior West Nile virus exposure on Zika infection. The team collected blood samples from 500 individuals and tested for West Nile antibodies to determine whether previous exposure could inhibit or enhance Zika infection severity.
A single-center study in Brazil found Zika virus infection associated with a diverse spectrum of serious neurologic syndromes, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and encephalitis. The study suggests serologic and molecular testing as an alternative diagnostic strategy in developing countries.
A team of researchers has created a three-dimensional movie showing a virus preparing to infect a healthy cell. The study uses powerful algorithms and X-ray imaging equipment to reveal the sequential images of the virus's molecular machinery. The findings provide new insights into how viruses undergo changes during infection.
Researchers developed a test that detects Zika virus presence in blood in minutes, using gold nanorods on paper. The test relies on an immune response caused by the virus and doesn't require refrigeration, making it suitable for resource-limited settings.
A study shows that Alaska's universal hepatitis B vaccination programme has wiped out hepatitis B infection and liver cancer cases in the state's young people. The program, introduced in the 1980s, led to a significant decrease in acute symptomatic HBV infection and liver cancer cases among Alaskan Native children, with no reported cas...
A new meta-analysis reveals that Indigenous Peoples are significantly more likely to contract viral hepatitis due to factors like poverty, injection drug use, and lack of access to healthcare. The study shows disparities in prevalence rates across North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
A clinical trial has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of a new treatment using virus-specific cells to treat viral infections in patients who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. The treatment resulted in an overall complete or partial response rate of 92% in patients with severe, drug-resistant viral infections.
Researchers found that populations of males who have sex with males can form an outbreak-sustaining core, while heterosexual populations experience smaller outbreaks. This raises concerns about silent, sustained outbreaks in the community, particularly among men who are least likely to get tested for Zika.
A new study shows that a particular gut microbe can prevent severe flu infections in mice by breaking down flavonoids, which are commonly found in foods like black tea and blueberries. The research identifies a specific metabolite called desaminotyrosine that enhances interferon signaling, reducing lung damage from flu infection.
Researchers have developed a mouse model to study Zika virus transmission, finding that the virus can be transmitted sexually from males to females and vertically from pregnant women to their fetuses. The study suggests that the placenta may be a key barrier in preventing Zika virus infection of the fetus.
Climate change may exacerbate epidemics and spread diseases within their natural range, according to a new study on European pathogens. Nearly two-thirds of the top 100 human and animal pathogens are found to be sensitive to climate change.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care found that Ebola virus RNA can persist in the semen of survivors for more than two years after infection. This persistence has important implications for transmission and may require an update to World Health Organization guidelines.
The University of Delaware has received $6 million in grants from the National Science Foundation to study how viruses impact microbes, with a focus on improving crop yields and developing new drug therapies. The research team will develop microfluidics technology to examine single virus-cell and microbial interactions.
Research by University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists reveals that Zika virus transmission is unlikely through casual contact like kissing or sharing utensils. The study found that the virus can survive in bodily fluids for extended periods but remains inactive in saliva, which may play a role in preventing infection.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Biomedical Science Institute have discovered a new virus in a migratory bird species. The virus, type 15 avian paramyxovirus, was found to be closest to viruses previously identified in South America and does not pose a threat to humans or birds.
Research at the University of Cincinnati reveals that stimuli inducing lung cell division increase the spread of influenza to the alveoli, making these cells a vulnerable target. Interventions preventing alveolar cell division reduce mortality in animal models, offering potential prophylactic and therapeutic strategies for influenza pn...
Researchers found standard maternal screening methods can overlook cases of congenital CMV infection in up to 70% of women. A more comprehensive approach, including PCR tests on all newborns, is needed for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at Rockefeller University have developed a new animal model for hepatitis C using a virus closely related to the human disease, allowing for study of disease progression and immune system response. This breakthrough could accelerate hepatitis C vaccine development and lead to the eradication of the disease.
A new antibody-based assay developed by researchers at UC Berkeley and Humabs BioMed has shown very high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing Zika virus infections from those caused by similar viruses. The test is simple, cost-effective, and can be used to detect both recent and past Zika virus infections.
Researchers have found that Ebola virus can persist in specific areas of the body, including the eye, brain, and testes, even after symptoms resolve. This knowledge holds promise for developing medical products to counter the disease in humans.
A study found that 21.4% of infants born to mothers with confirmed Zika virus infection had sight-threatening eye abnormalities, including optic nerve and retinal issues. Screening eye exams are recommended regardless of CNS abnormalities or timing of maternal infection during pregnancy.
A recent study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil found that prior dengue infection does not intensify Zika disease severity. The research involved 65 individuals who contracted Zika virus during the 2016 epidemic, and analyzed their viral loads, finding no significant difference between those with prior dengue exposure and those without.
A new study shows that females vaccinated before pregnancy and infected with Zika virus while pregnant bear pups who show no trace of the virus. Two vaccines provided substantial protection against Zika infection, reducing viral genetic material in fetuses and placentas.
Two experimental vaccines demonstrate protection against Zika-related congenital damage in mice, preventing placental damage and fetal demise. Researchers observed significant reduction of Zika virus RNA in maternal, placental, and fetal tissues among vaccinated mice.
Researchers developed a human lung tissue model to study pneumonia and found that viral pathogens inhibit the immune system's ability to fight bacterial infections. A new drug-based treatment was tested, which inhibits tyrosine kinase-2, restoring the immune system's ability to combat bacterial pathogens.
Researchers studied the relationship between an African forest bat, a novel virus, and a parasite, identifying all three as potentially new species. The study found that the parasite plays a crucial role in transmitting the virus, with the fly serving as a 'chauffeur' to help the virus spread.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch have developed a Zika vaccine that can protect the developing fetus against infection and birth defects during pregnancy. The study showed that two different potential vaccines could prevent the Zika virus from infecting the fetus.
Tulane University has received a $12 million grant to test a promising drug treatment for Lassa fever and develop a vaccine against the deadly disease. The vaccine targets a recently discovered key antibody target on the surface of the virus, which can block it from infecting host cells.
Between 2005 and 2015, the number of confirmed HEV cases increased from 514 to 5,617, a ten-fold rise. Most infections were locally-acquired, with men and people over 50 being most affected.
Researchers at WashU Medicine found that hydroxychloroquine effectively blocks viral transmission to the fetus, protecting it from Zika infection. The study used mouse models to demonstrate that suppressing autophagy promotes Zika virus survival and infection in the placenta.
A new study suggests that certain viruses in the intestines may affect a person's chance of developing Type 1 diabetes. Children with less diverse gut viral communities are more likely to generate self-destructive antibodies, while those carrying a specific circovirus group are less likely to develop the disease.
More than 115,000 children under five die annually from RSV complications, with half occurring outside hospitals in developing countries. Researchers call for affordable treatments and vaccines as a priority to combat the virus.
A recent study by Duke University researchers demonstrates a vaccine approach that appears to protect fetuses from congenital CMV infection. The findings, published in JCI Insight, suggest potent antibodies can prevent viral transmission and severe disease in developing fetuses.
Researchers developed a new technique to analyze influenza virus infections in cells and lung tissue, visualizing the delivery of viral genome segments. This approach revealed that productive cell co-infections only occur when both viruses enter the same cell within two hours.
A new pestivirus, LINDA virus, has been discovered in Austrian pigs, causing severe shaking and damage to the brain and spinal cord. The virus is distantly related to classical swine fever and its discovery highlights the need for further research into its prevalence and potential impact on pig breeding.
Researchers found that water birds, particularly mallards, develop significant immunity and resistance to other variants of the low-pathogenic influenza A virus after infection. This means they can partially protect themselves against future infections, including virulent strains like H5N1 or H5N8.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have discovered clues to how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes disease. The study reveals that a specific protein, NS1, interferes with the body's ability to fight off RSV, potentially leading to new targets for vaccine or treatment development.
A new study found that only 4.5% of hospitalized patients with end-stage liver disease received palliative care consultations. The rate of referrals increased from 0.97% in 2006 to 7.1% in 2012, but still remains low due to socioeconomic and ethnic barriers.
A new study by Michigan Medicine finds that 60% of patients with acute conjunctivitis are prescribed antibiotic eye drops despite antibiotics rarely being necessary. The study also highlights the socioeconomic factors driving this trend and the potential negative consequences of overprescription.
The EASL Editorial raises concerns about the Cochrane Review's conclusions on Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) for Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV), citing a lack of understanding of the disease and its long natural history. Recent studies have shown improvement in quality of life with DAA therapy, highlighting the need for more comprehensive ...
Researchers at UTEP have been awarded a patent for a potential vaccine against Chagas disease, a life-threatening tropical illness. The vaccine, which has shown promising results in non-human primates, could provide a much-needed solution to the growing number of people infected with the disease.
Researchers identified a novel molecular pathway involving p300, C/EBPα, and microRNA-203 that helps maintain normal skin cell proliferation. HPV8's E6 protein disrupts this pathway in EV patients, potentially paving the way for skin cancer.
Researchers identified naturally infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Chikungunya virus genotype ECSA in Brazil. The finding highlights the need for expanded surveillance to prevent new outbreaks and expose other countries at risk.
Researchers have identified a novel endemic area for Borna disease in Upper Austria, with high concentrations of Bornaviruses found in shrews and horses. Genetic analysis reveals the strain is distinct from neighboring regions, shedding light on the virus's spread.
Researchers used mathematical modeling to understand maize lethal necrosis, a devastating plant disease in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that rotating crops and controlling insects can provide effective disease control, but limited control is achievable by resource-poor farmers.
Researchers used mathematical modelling to understand new ways of combating maize lethal necrosis, an emerging disease affecting food security in sub-Saharan Africa. The study found that a combination of crop rotation, clean seed, and insect control is the best way to prevent loss of maize crop.
Researchers are studying the clinical outcomes of children infected with Zika virus after birth to examine long-term brain development. Neurodevelopmental testing will be conducted to identify changes in children infected with Zika virus.
A daily low dose of valnoctamide reduces CMV infection in newborn mice and suppresses replication in the brain, normalizing neurological development. The treatment also attenuates neurobehavioral dysfunctions and brain abnormalities associated with CMV infection.
Researchers found that artificial viruses can infect brain cells and surrounding tissues beyond the injection site, influencing the immune response. The study's findings could improve the selection of suitable viral 'gene transporters' for custom therapies, offering a glimmer of hope for patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A new study reveals that nearly all Indonesian children in urban areas are infected with the dengue virus by childhood. The researchers found that 69.4% of children tested positive for dengue antibodies, with infection rates increasing from 33.8% of 1-4 year olds to 89.0% of 15-18 year olds.
Researchers identify unique cytokine markers for Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Nephropatia Epidemica (NE), highlighting key differences in immune response between the two diseases. The study's findings suggest that 'cytokine storm' plays a crucial role in disease presentation.
Research reveals mast cells can contribute to severe dengue disease by increasing vasculature permeability, providing insights into pathogenesis and potential treatments. Mast cell activation mechanisms also affect local immune responses during dengue transmission.
Complement component C3 is produced by microglia in the brain within days of viral infection, suggesting a localized immune response. This finding adds to understanding of how increased expression of immunologic factors contributes to neuroinflammation and seizures following viral infection.