Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
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.
Scientists found that queen bees infected with deformed wing virus can transmit the disease through natural mating, leading to colony collapse. The study suggests that a significant portion of failed bee colonies is due to queen failure, highlighting the importance of managing queen health.
Researchers have identified a rare mutation in the Non-Structural 1 protein that renders the flu virus defenseless against the immune system. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective live flu vaccines.
A study of 130 pregnant Sudanese women found a significant link between Rift Valley fever virus infection and miscarriage. The risk of miscarriage was seven times greater for infected women compared to those without the infection.
Researchers discovered that Zika virus infects cranial neural crest cells, which form the bones of the skull, without killing them. Instead, it causes these cells to produce signaling molecules promoting new neural cell formation, potentially leading to smaller-than-average skulls and disproportionate facial features.
Researchers have identified a protein in mosquito saliva that binds to and inhibits the Dengue virus, reducing its transmission to human cells and mice. The study suggests that targeting this protein could provide a novel approach to preventing disease transmission.
A new therapeutic strategy targeting a shared Achilles' heel of all Ebola viruses has shown promising results. Two monoclonal antibodies blocked the invasion of human cells by all five ebolaviruses, and one protected mice exposed to lethal doses of Ebola Zaire.
A new study published in Cell found that providing nutrients to mice with viral infections can help them survive, while those with bacterial infections die when fed. The researchers discovered that the brain's metabolic needs differ depending on the type of infection, which may have implications for designing clinical trials.
Researchers have identified Zika virus in mosquito species other than Aedes aegypti, raising concerns about alternative transmission sources. However, studies show that Culex species mosquitoes are highly unlikely to transmit the infection to humans, highlighting the need for targeted mosquito control efforts.
Ghedin aims to identify key drivers of disease severity and biomarkers predictive of neurological problems. The grant supplements an existing research program focusing on influenza infections.
Dr. Richard Rosenfeld suggests a pragmatic approach to diagnosing and treating bacterial sinus infections in adults, emphasizing symptomatic treatment over antibiotics. The recommended 'watchful waiting' approach involves monitoring symptoms and reserving antibiotics for worsening cases.
Researchers have identified a factor in umbilical cord blood that can counteract harmful inflammation and sepsis, with tripled survival rates in mice. The newly discovered factor, nNIF, is present for just two weeks after birth and may offer insights into controlling the inflammatory response.
Researchers found that Zika virus can infect specific regions of the eye in adult mice, resulting in inflammation and symptoms similar to those observed in human patients. The study also raised questions about whether the virus continues to replicate in the lacrimal gland after being cleared from the body.
A new analysis of the world's first marketed dengue virus vaccine (Dengvaxia) provides critical insights for policymakers in dengue-affected countries. The study found that seropositive recipients gained a substantial benefit from vaccination, being 90% less likely to be hospitalized after contracting dengue.
Researchers found that Asian Zika strains cause more harm to neural progenitor cells than African strains, particularly with the p53 gene. This discovery could lead to potential inhibitors of p53 as treatments to protect brain cells from cell death.
A new study suggests that the dengue vaccine can prime the immune system to make future infections more severe, particularly in people who have never been exposed before. The research recommends testing individuals before vaccination to minimize risks and maximize benefits.
Researchers find that a widely available dengue vaccine could worsen the disease in some settings, particularly in low-transmission areas. The vaccine has shown to reduce illness and hospitalization by 20-30% in high-transmission countries but may increase these rates in locations with lower transmission.
A Zika virus reference strain has been sequenced to aid in diagnosis and screening of the disease. The strain will be used as a World Health Organization reference strain to identify Zika virus infection in the blood, making it easier to diagnose the disease.
A new study identifies countries in Africa and Asia at greatest risk of Zika virus transmission due to climate, mosquito presence, and large populations. The analysis highlights India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Bangladesh as top countries, emphasizing the need for public health decision-making support.
Researchers identified compounds that can inhibit Zika virus replication and reduce brain cell death, including emricasan and niclosamide. The compounds were found using NCATS' drug repurposing screening robots and will be studied by the broader research community to combat the Zika public health crisis.
A team of researchers has discovered existing drug compounds that can treat Zika virus by stopping replication and brain damage. The identified compounds are based on a U.S. FDA-approved drug called Nicolsamide, which is commonly used to treat tapeworm.
Researchers found that female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes can pass the Zika virus to their eggs and offspring. This discovery highlights the importance of using larvicides to curb the spread of the virus. The study suggests that controlling adult mosquitoes may not be enough to eliminate the virus.
A recent study by FAU researchers found that up to 56% of e-mail recipients and 40% of Facebook users clicked on links from unknown senders, primarily driven by curiosity about the content or sender's identity. The experiment revealed that participants' awareness of security risks was often lower than their actual clicking behavior.
The International Cytokine and Interferon Society has awarded Carl Nathan, John O'Shea, and Jan Vilcek for their outstanding contributions to cytokine and interferon research, leading to clinical benefits for thousands of patients. The award recognizes achievements in basic or applied fields, highlighting the critical role of interfero...
Scientists screened 6,000 existing compounds for their effectiveness against Zika virus infections and identified two classes of promising drugs: neuroprotective and antiviral agents. Three drugs showed robust results, but further studies are needed to confirm their efficacy in humans.
Researchers have reported a new neurological complication of Zika virus infection, specifically sensory polyneuropathy, in a Honduran patient. The study highlights the potential for Zika virus to cause acute infectious sensory polyneuropathy, which began during the acute infectious phase.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have successfully grown human noroviruses in laboratory cultures of human intestinal epithelial cells by adding bile to the cultures. This breakthrough allows researchers to explore and develop procedures to prevent and treat infection, as well as better understand norovirus biology.
A new device developed by MIT and Connecticut Children's Medical Center could significantly improve doctors' ability to accurately diagnose ear infections. The shortwave infrared instrument can penetrate deeper into the tissues of the ear than existing otoscopes, revealing buildups of fluid behind the eardrum more clearly.
A study published in Cell found that Zika virus can replicate in the vaginal tissue of pregnant mice several days after infection, potentially leading to dire consequences for reproduction. The researchers also detected Zika virus in the fetal brains of infected mice, associated with fetal weight loss.
Researchers successfully cultured norovirus in human intestinal cells, a breakthrough that could lead to the development of novel therapeutics and vaccines against this debilitating virus. The study, supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sheds light on the molecular mechanisms behind norovirus infection.
A recent study published in Radiology documents brain abnormalities associated with congenital Zika infection, revealing significant reductions in brain tissue volume and enlarged ventricles. The research team analyzed pre- and post-natal images of fetuses and newborns in 45 confirmed and presumed cases of Zika virus.
Research suggests that genetic influences on asthma are more pronounced when exposed to early life environmental factors, such as viral respiratory infections. Children with a specific variant of the PAI-1 gene and a history of severe lower respiratory tract infections have an increased risk of developing asthma.
A baby born with Zika infection remained infected for two months and one week after birth, showing delayed psychomotor development and spastic hemiplegia. The virus may have been sexually transmitted, as the father also showed symptoms before his wife.
A Yale team discovered that Zika virus diverts a key protein necessary for neural cell division, causing microcephaly. Researchers found an FDA-approved drug, Sofosbuvir, may prevent Zika virus infection of neural stem cells and keep phospho-TBK1 involved in cell division.
Scientists have discovered a new class of small molecule compounds that can block the Ebola virus's ability to break out of cells and infect new ones. The compounds target an interaction between the virus and host cells, inhibiting viral egress without being toxic to human cells.
Scientists have identified two genes that are switched on only when a child is suffering from a bacterial infection. A rapid test based on these genes has been developed to diagnose bacterial infections, which could help combat antibiotic resistance and save lives.
Two studies explore the use of genetic tests to identify bacterial infections in children with fever. Researchers identified specific host genes that distinguish bacterial from viral infections, and found that these signatures can be used to diagnose bacterial infections. The study has potential for a clinically applicable test using c...
The study found that nearly all babies with confirmed and presumed Zika infections had ventriculomegaly, gray and white matter volume loss, and cortical migrational abnormalities. Imaging exams also revealed intracranial calcifications and reduced tissue volume in the brain.
Researchers at UTMB have protected nonhuman primates against Ebola Sudan four days after infection using a siRNA-based treatment. The treatment was effective even when animals showed signs of disease and had detectable levels of the virus in their blood.
Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch have successfully treated rhesus macaques infected with Sudan ebolavirus using an RNA-based therapeutic called siRNA, administered via a lipid nanoparticle platform. The treatment was effective in preventing replication of the virus and improving survival rates.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine identified the protein CD300lf that norovirus uses to infect cells. By expressing this protein on human cells, researchers can study noroviral pathogenesis and search for treatments in people.
Researchers at Rockefeller University and La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology found that Zika virus can infect adult brain cells, specifically neural progenitor cells, leading to cell death and reduced neuron generation. This may have implications for cognitive decline and conditions such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers investigate prenatal infections and their link to developmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. A five-year NIH grant supports studies on the effects of early-life immune responses and sex differences in brain vulnerability.
Researchers found that Zika virus productively infects primary human placenta-specific macrophages, with 10-15% of placental macrophages infected. The study suggests that placental macrophages may play a role in maternal-fetal Zika transmission and warrants further investigation.
A Yale study reveals how the Zika virus crosses the maternal-fetal barrier, affecting infant brain development. Researchers found that specific placenta cells are susceptible to infection, potentially leading to fetal brain damage.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that polymers can selectively target dying cells, halting chronic inflammation in lupus while enhancing flu immunity. The approach shows promise for treating a range of inflammatory conditions.