Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have identified how the parasite <em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> infects the brain by tracking its movement and reproduction in living tissues. The study provides insights into treatment strategies to combat the parasite, which can be life-threatening for people w...
A study published in PNAS reveals that genetic variations in the Tie2 gene are associated with an increased risk of developing life-threatening vascular complications following infections. Higher Tie2 levels provide protection against these complications.
The DengueTools consortium has accumulated knowledge on controlling the spread of Dengue fever by targeting its mosquito carriers. The global collaboration aims to develop practical tools for diagnosing and monitoring the virus in affected areas, as well as prevent infections in school children.
A distinctive gene signature discovered in white blood cells of patients infected with Lyme disease could lead to a new way of diagnosing the tick-borne illness. The study found that this signature persisted even after antibiotic treatment, suggesting potential long-term symptoms.
Researchers developed a real-time system to track Ebola virus particles' interaction with human cells, revealing crucial host and viral proteins involved in fusion. The study identifies specific cellular proteins required for fusion, offering insights into designing future drugs or vaccines.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism by which adenovirus protein E4orf4 inhibits the DNA damage response, improving viral replication. This finding provides insight into the virus's ability to infect immunocompromised patients and may lead to new cancer therapies.
Scientists at Indiana University have developed a method to alter a plant's innate defense system to deliver resistance to a new disease. By creating decoy proteins that mimic bacterial modifications, the team broadened the recognition ability of a sensor protein to detect multiple pathogens.
A report published in Annals of Internal Medicine describes the first known case of Zika virus in a US resident following travel to Costa Rica. The traveler exhibited symptoms and had test results that indicated Zika infection, highlighting the need for travelers to avoid day-biting mosquitoes.
A Brazilian study found a link between Zika virus and eye abnormalities in infants with microcephaly. The study evaluated 29 infants with microcephaly and found ophthalmoscopic abnormalities in 34.5% of them, including focal pigment mottling of the retina and chorioretinal atrophy.
The Zika virus is primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, which also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. Physicians should be aware of symptoms in travelers returning from affected regions and consider Guillain-Barré syndrome and microcephaly as potential complications.
Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease, can cause microcephaly in infants and mild flu-like symptoms in adults and children. The US is at risk of introduction, particularly with the presence of Aedes species mosquitoes in many states.
A comprehensive review reveals frequent opportunities for HCV exposure in Ghana, including traditional practices like circumcision and home births. The study found a substantial genetic diversity of HCV-2, confirming its long epidemic history in the country.
A study found that lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, account for 26 percent of all ER visits for infectious diseases and 15 percent of deaths during hospitalizations. Influenza vaccination is underutilized among older adults, with about one-third not receiving the vaccine.
Two vector-borne diseases, Chagas' disease and Leishmaniasis, can be transmitted from mother to child through the placenta, posing a significant risk to newborns. Research highlights the importance of healthcare workers remembering these diseases when examining sick children whose mothers have traveled from affected areas.
Researchers found that immune cells activated during severe maternal inflammation produce IL-17, which interferes with brain development. Blocking this signal restored normal behavior and brain structure in mice. The study suggests a possible mechanism for how maternal infection may lead to autism-like behavior.
Researchers found that immune responses similar to viral infections in pregnant mice altered brain structure and caused behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder. Blocking the action of a specific immune cell population restored normal behavior and brain structure in offspring.
Researchers have identified antibodies in the blood of survivors that can kill various types of Ebola, providing a potential single treatment against several strains. The study's findings could lead to the development of treatments for Ebola and other related viruses.
Human monoclonal antibodies isolated from Ebola survivors can neutralize multiple species of the virus, including Bundibugyo, Sudan, and Zaire viruses. These findings suggest a common therapeutic or vaccine strategy could solve all Ebola viruses.
A study found that older individuals and those with neuroinvasive disease have elevated and atypical T cell responses, promoting pathogenic outcomes. The researchers suggest that immune-mediated damage may contribute to neurologic symptoms in West Nile Virus infection.
A recent study found that only 17.4% of ambulatory care nurses reported compliance with all nine standard precautions for infection prevention. The highest rates of compliance were reported for wearing gloves and face masks, but knowledge of hepatitis C virus was variable among participants.
Researchers discovered significant differences in immune-related genes among patients with and without E. coli symptoms, indicating innate resistance to infection. The findings could lead to new ways to boost the immune system and predict susceptibility to infections like E. coli.
A new TSRI study defines an unexpected mechanism at work in an anti-autoimmune drug candidate, ozanimod. The researchers found that S1PR1 agonists directly target immune cells to slow the overproduction of proteins known to cause autoimmune disease.
A new clinical imaging method has been developed to tackle one of the main killers of patients with weakened immune systems. The method uses a combination of PET and MRI imaging to identify invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis.
The Zika virus has been introduced into the Americas, spreading locally among people who have not traveled abroad. The virus is linked to serious birth defects, including microcephaly, and there is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment available.
Researchers have engineered antibodies that can potently neutralize Zaire and Sudan Ebola virus strains, providing high levels of protection for mice exposed to lethal doses. The findings are a significant step toward developing an all-inclusive treatment for Ebola virus that causes human disease.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified diacylglycerol kinase alpha as a potential therapeutic target for X-linked lymphoproliferative disease. Inhibition of this enzyme restored sensitivity to cell death in X-linked lymphoproliferative T cells and curtailed T cell expansion in virus-infected mice.
Researchers at Institut Pasteur in French Guiana have sequenced the complete genome of the Zika virus, showing almost complete homology with strains responsible for the 2013-2014 Pacific epidemic. The analysis provides a major starting point for understanding how the virus behaves and shedding light on its impact.
A team of healthcare workers developed guidelines for treating Ebola-infected children, recommending an aggressive approach that includes fluid therapy, highly fortified food, and increased bedside care. The protocol aims to improve survival rates among young patients and provide a basis for future outbreaks.
A review analysis suggests that patient location and travel mapping limitations contributed to the Ebola epidemic's spread. Employing community members in mapping and education could have helped contain the outbreak.
Researchers discovered that a human protein called ANP32A helps the virus replicate in human cells. Understanding this mechanism may lead to the development of new antiviral treatments for seasonal flu and pandemics.
A new study has identified the factors contributing to the transmission of zoonotic diseases from bats to humans, highlighting areas at high risk in West Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and South East Asia. The research used data spanning over 110 years to create a global map showing hotspots for bat-human virus transmission risk.
Researchers found that minor flu strains can replicate and evade immunizations, spreading the virus rapidly among individuals.
A nationwide study in Taiwan found that people with hepatitis C virus were nearly 30% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without. The study involved over 49,000 participants and followed them for an average of 12 years.
Researchers have discovered a compound that induces genes to control infection in several known viruses, including West Nile and Ebola. The findings show promising evidence for creating a broad-spectrum antiviral that can suppress a range of RNA viruses.
Researchers found that flaviviruses target peroxisomes to subvert the body's early antiviral defenses. The degradation of protein Pex19 leads to a loss of interferon production, making cells more vulnerable to viral infection.
A Stanford University School of Medicine team identified a distinctive pattern of gene expression that distinguishes people with a viral infection from those with a bacterial infection. The meta-virus signature is present even before symptoms appear and can predict up to 24 hours before illness onset.
Researchers have solved the crystal structures of three human TIM members and found that they efficiently enhance Ebola virus infection. The study provides valuable information on the atomic interactions between phosphoserine and hTIMs.
A US expert is urging a unified global response to the growing threat of zombie infections. Emerging outbreaks have been identified worldwide, with a range of potential causes including viruses and fungi.
Researchers discovered how Qβ bacteriophage uses its host cell's proteins to replicate its genetic material, highlighting the importance of selectively replicating one's own genome. The study's findings may pave the way for novel treatments targeting viruses that struggle to distinguish between their own and host genetic material.
Mount Sinai researchers developed a synthetic vector to rapidly eliminate total cellular miRNA populations, revealing the limited role of microRNAs in modulating cell biology over long periods. This tool enables manipulation of miRNA responses for potential treatment of diseases like cancer.
Researchers at University of Missouri breed pigs that do not produce protein CD163, which helps spread PRRS virus. The study could save the swine industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually by preventing this disease.
A team of researchers at Kansas State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has identified a novel pestivirus affecting swine, causing uncontrollable shaking that led to the death of nearly 700 pigs. The virus, named APPV, was found to be widely distributed in the US swine herd and is associated with neurological disease.
A large clinical trial found that a combination of antiviral medications can eradicate hepatitis C infection in over 90 percent of patients with advanced liver disease. The study showed significant improvements in liver function, even among patients with existing cirrhosis and liver failure.
Researchers found that infants exposed to farm dust at a young age have a lower risk of developing asthma later on. The study's findings suggest that the positive influence of farm environment can effectively neutralize the genetic variant associated with childhood asthma.
A recent study found that the chikungunya virus can lead to severe brain infections, including encephalitis, with a higher incidence rate than West Nile virus and similar infections in the US. The infection is particularly severe in infants and people over 65, with a high death rate of 17% and long-term disabilities reported.
Scientists from TSRI have shown how a previously unknown process promotes infection in dangerous viruses, such as dengue, West Nile, and Ebola. They also point to an experimental antibiotic called duramycin that inhibits infection by these deadly viruses, all of which lack vaccines and treatments.
Researchers found that transmission in the general community is low-risk, with even living with someone infected not posing a significant threat if direct contact is avoided. The study recommends urgent diagnosis, hospitalization, and targeted vaccination strategies for close contacts and healthcare workers to stop the spread of Ebola.
A new study found that nonhuman primates in Bangladesh and Cambodia harbor diverse astroviruses, including human astroviruses, challenging the paradigm that AstV infection is species-specific. The researchers also detected recombinant viruses that may be more efficiently transmitted.
A study found H7N9 virus transmission from a hospital patient to an unrelated individual, challenging common exposure assumptions. The live poultry market is considered the most probable source of infection for the original case.
Researchers have discovered a new virus, Parramatta River virus, carried by saltmarsh Aedes vigilax mosquitoes, which do not pose direct health risks to humans. The discovery may lead to stopping outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases by preventing the spread of 'bad' viruses.
Researchers have identified Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola as the definitive cause of snake fungal disease (SFD) in eastern US snakes. The fungus causes skin lesions and can lead to mortality rates of up to 100% in some species, threatening extinction.
Researchers have developed a novel HCV antigen test system, which significantly improves sensitivity and specificity over current tests. The new test can use urine specimens for one-step screening and diagnosing of HCV infections, making it more convenient and affordable globally.
Researchers designed a giant molecule formed by thirteen fullerenes covered by carbohydrates to block the Ebola virus receptor, inhibiting cell infection. The study highlights the potential of these giant molecules as antiviral agents, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified Tpl2 as a key regulator of immune signaling proteins called interferons, which play a large role in host defense against viral infections. The study found that Tpl2 promotes induction of antiviral genes and protects against influenza virus infection.
Researchers have discovered that the antigen-presenting protein MHC1 must 'wriggle' in a specific way to perform its vital functions, which could lead to new immunotherapies for diseases. The findings also have potential applications for reducing allergic reactions by understanding how additives are detected by the immune system.
Researchers have found a link between the origins of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and small mammals, specifically bats and rodents. The study provides novel insight into the evolution of HAV and how it spread to humans, highlighting the importance of analyzing animal reservoirs for risk assessment of emerging viruses.
A new study develops a live attenuated SARS-CoV vaccine that maintains genetic stability through targeted modifications of the E protein gene. Vaccinated mice show full protection against challenge with virulent SARS-CoV, demonstrating potential as an efficient and safe vaccine.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide discovered a family of genes that suppress HCV infection in the liver by blocking viral entry into cells. This natural immune response may lead to new treatments targeting the virus.
Researchers at Aarhus University have created a model that groups the incidence of viral infections into four categories, allowing beekeepers to easily assess the severity of infections. This simplified system benefits both scientists and beekeepers, enabling them to make informed decisions about disease prevention and breeding.
The study reveals that vultures have a strong immune system due to their diet and genetic adaptations. The cinereous vulture's genome shows variations in genes related to immunity and defense against microbial and viral infections, which may help combat pathogens in their diet.