Articles tagged with Viral Infections
A team of researchers has found a long-sought-after mechanism in human cells that creates immunity to influenza A virus, which could help treat diseases caused by viruses. The discovery builds on over 20 years of research and demonstrates the antiviral function of RNAi in humans against distinct RNA viruses.
Researchers at Harvard University and Novartis have discovered that Zika virus can infect neural progenitor cells by grabbing onto a specific protein called AXL on the cell surface. This finding contradicts previous studies suggesting that targeting the AXL protein alone could defend against the virus.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a platform that analyzes clinical samples to diagnose infection by 416 viruses found in tropical regions. The tool is designed for reference laboratories and can detect pathogens with the potential to cause epidemics in humans.
The first licensed vaccine for the potentially life-threatening dengue virus is predicted to be most cost-effective and effective in reducing the burden of dengue disease in moderate-to-high impacted regions. Routine vaccination could reduce hospital rates by up to 25% in these areas.
Researchers found that myocarditis is affecting both children and adults worldwide, with men being twice as likely as women to develop severe reactions. Early diagnosis is key to preventing long-term heart damage, and new investigational therapies are soon to be tested.
Biologists observed the emergence of two distinct virus species within a month-long experiment, leveraging a harmless human virus and two types of bacteria with varying receptors. This rapid process, known as speciation, was previously challenging to study due to its slow pace.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a new method to predict congenital CMV infection in fetuses using non-invasive tests. The most effective methods are ultrasound and PCR tests for uterine cervical secretion, which can accurately identify affected infants and enable early antiviral treatment.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have discovered how the human antibody C10 prevents Zika infection by locking proteins into place, preventing viral DNA entry. Disrupting fusion with C10 may be more effective than targeting docking in preventing Zika infection.
Researchers found that tree shrews have a natural immunity to HBV, with cytokine interferon-gamma playing a key role in the activation of hepatic natural killer cells. The study also revealed the importance of extracellular vesicles in regulating innate immune responses to HBV infection.
A pioneering study of invertebrates has uncovered 1445 viruses, including several new families, revealing people have only scratched the surface of the world of viruses. The research, led by Professor Edward Holmes, suggests these viruses have been associated with invertebrates for potentially billions of years.
A team of scientists has developed a mouse model that closely mimics fetal brain abnormalities caused by the Zika virus, revealing abnormal blood vessel formation and a leaky blood-brain barrier. This finding highlights the need to understand all the effects of Zika infection if successful therapies are to be developed.
Three new studies provide insight into the effects of Zika virus on congenital brain damage in babies and adults with neurological disorders. The research highlights common CT brain findings, including decreased brain volume and calcifications, as well as MRI findings such as orbital injuries and anatomical changes in brain tissue.
Norovirus can shed for months or years, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and triggers other gut problems like IBS and IBD. Researchers discuss strategies to slow down the virus, including new vaccine approaches.
A randomized clinical trial found that long-term collaborative care and occupational therapy did not slow functional decline in persons with Alzheimer disease. The study suggests that new assistive devices, home modifications, and technologies are needed to support patients and families at home.
Researchers at UTMB have created a Zika virus replicon system that strips the virus of its infectious genes, reducing safety risks. This tool will aid in vaccine development and understanding viral replication and mutations.
Researchers found high viral infectivity rates for dengue serotypes 2 and 3 compared to strain 1. The study also showed antibodies contribute to disease severity during secondary dengue infections.
Researchers found GALV retrovirus was likely transmitted to gibbons from rodents by medical researchers working on human diseases, causing a serious outbreak in the 1960s and 1970s. No evidence of ongoing infection or threat found in current captive gibbon populations.
Researchers have developed a new mouse model that can be used to study the Zika virus and its effects on the body. The model, which employs mice with functioning immune systems, has been shown to develop symptoms of neurological disease after infection, providing valuable insights into potential treatments.
A study by CU Anschutz found that high doses of vitamin D reduce acute respiratory illness (ARI) in older nursing home residents. The findings suggest a 40% reduction in ARI among those taking higher doses of vitamin D.
Researchers at UT Austin report that conventional flu vaccines may not be effective, and a new class of antibodies could protect against multiple strains. The study discovered a new approach to identifying and quantifying antibodies in human blood, allowing for more precise understanding of vaccine efficacy.
A Stanford-led study identified 14 individuals in Sierra Leone who had Ebola antibodies but no symptoms, contradicting previous assumptions about the disease's severity. The research suggests that 25% of Ebola infections were minimally symptomatic, and public health efforts may not have been effective in containing the virus.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that tens of individuals in Sierra Leone showed no signs of Ebola disease but still tested positive for antibodies, suggesting a minority may contract the virus without symptoms. The discovery raises questions about the scope of the 2013-2016 outbreak and potential transmissio...
Research finds that the Zika virus can survive on hard, non-porous surfaces for up to eight hours, especially when associated with blood. However, commonly used disinfectants such as isopropyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium/alcohol are effective in killing the virus in a short period.
Scientists have found that mosquitoes can carry both Zika and chikungunya viruses simultaneously, potentially infecting humans with both diseases in a single bite. The study suggests that co-infection with chikungunya may inhibit infection of Zika virus in mosquitoes, impacting the epidemiology of two mosquito-borne viruses.
A DNA-based Zika vaccine generated robust antigen-specific antibody and T cell immune responses that protected against infection, brain damage, and death. The vaccine was also neuroprotective, preventing the disease from spreading to the brain in animal models.
A new study found that exposure to influenza viruses during childhood gives people partial protection for life. The study's findings suggest that birth year may largely determine a person's risk for serious illness in an influenza pandemic, with certain age groups more susceptible to different strains of the flu.
A new study reveals that an individual's birth year plays a crucial role in determining their susceptibility to specific flu strains. The research found that people born before and after 1968 have reduced risk of severe disease from novel strains within the same group.
A new study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that predators can catalyze the rise and fall of chlorovirus populations by exposing algae to viruses. The research suggests that the structure of food webs in an ecosystem may influence viral propagation, with a potential game-changer for virology.
A recent study published in Crop Science journal has found enhanced wheat curl mite control in genes, leading to the development of a new screening protocol. The research team identified the genetic markers responsible for resistance to the wheat curl mite and its associated diseases, such as wheat streak mosaic virus.
A team of scientists, led by prof. Savvas Savvides, used integrative structural biology to study how GIF, a protein secreted by the Orf virus, inactivates key cytokines of the host immune system. The research reveals unique strategies that viruses use to counter antiviral responses and highlights great potential for innovative therapies.
Researchers have identified a human antibody that prevents Zika virus infection in pregnant mice and protects adult mice. The antibody also prevented damage to the placenta and fetuses, suggesting it may be used to prevent Zika-related birth defects.
A human antibody that neutralizes Zika virus has been shown to reduce levels of the virus in placental and fetal tissues and decrease fetal disease in a mouse model of Zika infection. The findings suggest that this antibody could be developed to protect pregnant women and others from Zika-related complications.
Researchers found mutations in Ebola virus that increased its ability to infect human cells, potentially contributing to the outbreak's spread. The mutations did not affect the virus's ability to infect other mammalian species, including fruit bats.
A new study co-led by TSRI scientists suggests that Ebola virus gained a genetic mutation, GP-A82V, which helps it better target human cells. This mutation emerged early in the epidemic and caused about 90% of infections during the recent outbreak.
A new study suggests that Zika infection can cause testicular damage, leading to reduced fertility and low testosterone levels in male mice. The virus targets Sertoli cells, which are essential for maintaining the barrier between the bloodstream and the testes.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection can severely damage the testes of male mice, causing shrinkage and reduced sperm count. The study suggests that this may have important implications for human males infected with the virus, highlighting the need for further research on reproductive health.
Schmallenberg virus is unlikely to be circulating in southern England, but its reappearance is possible as herd immunity decreases. The virus causes mild clinical signs in adult cattle and can damage the fetus in pregnant females, leading to abortions, stillbirths, and congenital defects.
Antibodies from Ebola survivors can strongly neutralize the virus and protect mice from a lethal challenge. The study found these protective antibodies using a new technology called Immune Repertoire Capture°0niversity.
Researchers found that the key viral protein used in candidate HCV vaccines is surprisingly flexible, elicit a wide variety of antibodies that cannot block viral infection. This flexibility may be why current vaccines have been ineffective in preventing HCV infection.
Researchers discovered that cytomegalovirus (CMV) hijacks the molecular machinery in human cells to survive and replicate, relying on the human protein CPEB1. Suppressing CPEB1 levels during CMV infection reverses harmful cellular changes and reduces viral production tenfold.
A new human immunodeficiency has been discovered due to a faulty RASGRP1 gene, affecting T cells, B cells, and Natural Killer cells. The study identified a potential treatment using the drug lenalidomide, which reversed some effects of the mutation.
A recent study by Emory Vaccine Center-India collaboration reveals insights into CD8 T cells' role in fighting dengue virus infection. The research shows that these immune cells expand massively but keep cytokine production under control, retaining the ability to kill virus-infected cells.
Researchers found that Zika virus disrupts fetal brain development by interfering with human neural progenitor cells, leading to microcephaly. They also identified specific small RNAs from the virus that could impact brain development and lead to microcephaly in mice.
A recent study reveals that archaic and modern humans co-diverged with a common HPV16 strain, which was then transmitted through sexual contact with Neanderthals. This ancient 'hanky panky' may have influenced the spread of STIs, explaining regional diversity in HPV16 strains.
Researchers found that Zika virus infection provides excellent protection against reinfection, offering potential relief from future epidemics. The study also revealed the virus remains in some tissues for an extended period, but clears from blood plasma and urine within 10 days.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University provide a detailed overview of Zika's history, transmission modes, and risks, including sexual transmission and miscarriage risks. The study also highlights the connection between dengue virus infection and Zika virus exacerbation.
Researchers analyzed viral samples and wild bird migration patterns to understand the spread of H5N8 avian influenza. The study found two main migration routes for the virus, suggesting direct or indirect contact with infected birds as likely transmission methods.
A global study suggests that tracking migrating birds' routes could provide early warning of potential bird flu outbreaks. Researchers found that long-distance flights of infected birds from Asia to Europe and North America via their breeding grounds in the Arctic are a key factor in spreading deadly strains of avian flu.
A randomized controlled trial found ZMapp to be safe and well-tolerated, with a 40% lower risk of death for those who received the treatment. However, the trial was conducted during a public health emergency and enrolled too few participants to determine definitively whether ZMapp is superior to standard care alone.
New research published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reveals that infection with Zika virus during pregnancy can lead to brain damage in infants born prematurely. In another study, scientists found Zika virus in patients receiving organ transplants, highlighting a new complication of the disease.
Researchers have discovered peculiarities in the NS3 protease of the Zika virus, a key enzyme that can be targeted for effective inhibition. This understanding may lead to the development of highly specific inhibitors with minimal effects on nonviral proteases.
A study found that universal newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is generally associated with cost savings or is essentially cost-neutral, satisfying criteria for newborn screening. The cost of identifying one case of cCMV was estimated to be between $566 and $10,000.
A newly discovered protozoan parasite, Tritrichomonas musculis, has been found to protect mice from intestinal bacterial infections by activating the inflammasome in gut epithelial cells. This discovery highlights the importance of considering non-bacterial microorganisms in studying the microbiome.
A US university is testing an intervention to reduce antibiotic prescriptions for viral infections, a major contributor to antibiotic resistance. The study focuses on adult acute bronchitis and children's upper respiratory tract infections, aiming to promote better use of antibiotics and reduce resistance.
A rapid blood test using C-reactive protein (CRP) can rule out serious infections in nearly 40% of 'at-risk' children. The test reduces unnecessary hospital referrals and anxiety for less seriously ill children.
Researchers have discovered that HPV16's E7 protein can suppress the body's immune response to the virus. This knowledge could lead to new therapies and ways to block cancer suppression of the immune response.
A study published in Nature Medicine found that the Zika virus can rapidly infect brain and nervous tissues, and is shed in bodily fluids such as semen and urine. The research highlights the need for enhanced clinical vigilance and the rapid development of vaccines and therapies against the virus.
A rapid blood test using a finger prick can detect serious infections in children within minutes, allowing general practitioners to diagnose more quickly. The test, which measures C-reactive protein levels, is not meant for all ill children but can help identify those with serious symptoms.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a mechanism by which EBV virus suppresses alarm signals sent out by infected cells. MicroRNAs made by the virus block production of proteins that would ring the alarm, rendering killer T cells and helper T cells inactive.
Researchers found strong biological evidence linking Zika virus infection to Guillain-Barré syndrome in a substantial number of patients. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, supports the correlation with immunologic and viral evidence of Zika infection.