Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital found that patients co-infected with H1N1 pandemic virus and a second respiratory virus experienced similar outcomes as those with single-virus infections. Despite increased risk of secondary bacterial pneumonia, co-infection was not linked to hospital admission or ICU treatment.
Scientists have discovered several new species of hepaciviruses and pegiviruses closely related to human viruses in frozen stocks of wild mice. These rodent viruses have genes and proteins similar to human strains, suggesting their potential use in studying hepatitis C disease and developing vaccines.
Researchers at MIT have developed a novel approach to protecting against the dengue virus using mutated antibodies. The new therapy has shown significant promise in neutralizing all four serotypes of the virus and could be ready for human trials within two to three years.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have identified a genetically engineered Newcastle disease virus as a potential treatment for prostate cancer. The virus efficiently kills prostate cancer cells, including those resistant to hormone treatments and chemotherapy, while sparing normal human cells.
A multinational study reveals that dengue is more prevalent globally than previously estimated, with 390 million infections annually, and Asia accounting for 70% of the burden.
The NIH team developed a nonhuman primate model in December 2012 to study the emerging coronavirus. Clinical signs of the disease appear within 24 hours of infection, including reduced appetite and respiratory issues. The model is helping scientists evaluate potential vaccines and treatments.
The study reveals the precise structure of the mosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus pathogen bound to antibodies, showing how infection is likely neutralized. Antibodies stabilize the viral surface, hindering fusion and blocking infection. The findings could lead to effective vaccines against the infection.
A new blood thinner, Dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa), may increase the risk and severity of certain viral infections, including flu and myocarditis. Researchers found that blocking thrombin activity can disturb the innate immune response to viral infection.
A recent study has identified a combination of genes and wheezing illness caused by human rhinovirus infection as a key predictor of childhood asthma. Children with a specific genetic variation and history of wheezing were nearly four times more likely to develop asthma by age 6.
A study found that nearly one percent of newly incarcerated inmates with IV drug history have acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Systematic screening could identify over 7,000 new HCV cases across the U.S. annually among asymptomatic inmates.
A study found that pubic hair removal, particularly shaving, can increase the risk of spreading Molluscum contagiosum. Researchers believe micro trauma from hair removal facilitates transmission of the pox virus through self-infection or scratching.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology found that interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays a crucial role in normal lung repair following influenza infection. Even after the initial episode of influenza has passed, IL-22 helps to promote recovery of normal lung function and architecture.
A study examining people with MS treated with natalizumab and diagnosed with PML found those without symptoms at diagnosis had improved survival and disability levels. Early detection of the disease may mitigate its consequences, allowing for better patient outcomes.
A University of Maryland study found that wearing a surgical mask can significantly reduce the release of infectious flu virus in even the smallest airborne droplets. The research provides new evidence on the importance of using masks to prevent the spread of influenza, particularly among vulnerable populations.
A study published in Cell Press reveals that a compound derived from fats found in fish oils prevents death in influenza-virus-infected mice. The compound, protectin D1, inhibits virus replication and improves survival when given 2 days after infection, offering a promising strategy for treating severe influenza.
Researchers have found a virus that can adapt to hosts with modified nuclear genetic codes, contrary to the long-held assumption that such changes prevent new viral infections. The discovery provides evidence of co-evolution between viruses and hosts with altered genetic codes.
Researchers monitored WNV in California Culex mosquitoes and found that the virus is passed vertically from females to eggs, but with significantly lower rates when transmission occurs from larvae to adults. This loss of infection during larval development remains unclear.
A new method better assesses pandemic risks by estimating transmissibility of emerging zoonotic viruses, such as the H3N2v-M virus, using routine surveillance data. This approach is simple and robust, but may not be suitable for non-subcritical outbreaks.
A single mutation in H5N1 avian influenza virus makes it more infective in mammals, while reducing its ability to infect ducks. The study's findings provide new insights into viral determinants of influenza virus virulence and suggest a lower pH optimum for hemagglutinin activation favors mammalian infection.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that higher indoor humidity levels can significantly reduce the infectivity of influenza virus particles. Indoor humidity above 40% is essential to inactivate flu virus particles, with most inactivation occurring within the first 15 minutes, reducing viral particle infectivity by up to 86%.
Healthcare workers who wear special fitted face masks are less likely to get clinical respiratory and bacterial infections. The study, published in the American Journal of Critical Care Medicine, found that continuous use of N95 masks provides significant protection against both types of infections.
Researchers have created a novel vaccine candidate for Chikungunya virus using large-scale codon re-encoding, exhibiting stable phenotype and reduced viral fitness. The approach could lead to the rapid design of next-generation viral vaccines against emerging viral pathogens.
A study reveals how daclatasvir, a hepatitis C drug, targets the NS5A protein and causes rapid viral decline. The research also provides an accurate estimate of the HCV half-life, revealing that the daily viral production is four times larger than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered that daclatasvir, a direct acting antiviral agent, targets the HCV protein NS5A and also blocks viral secretion from infected cells. The study provides insight into the drug's modes of action and suggests a more accurate estimate of the HCV half-life.
Researchers found that certain viruses and fungi work together with plants to improve drought and temperature tolerance. This collaboration is a key to sustainable agriculture and may lead to more natural methods of creating crops that are more heat, drought, and stress tolerant.
Researchers found that wild plants with multiple viral infections remained healthy, suggesting a cooperative role for the microbe. The viruses were passed from plants to their offspring through seeds and may play a beneficial role in plant life, making them more resilient to extreme temperatures and drought.
Aravind Asokan, assistant professor of genetics at UNC School of Medicine, received the award for his significant contributions to gene therapy. His lab developed a synthetic viral toolkit to unravel viral infectious pathways and produce novel vectors for gene therapy.
A new research methodology uses network theory to identify outbreaks of unidentified diseases, providing a promising tool for predicting and preventing pandemic diseases. The method analyzed data from 125 outbreak reports and showed distinct patterns for emerging diseases like Nipah virus, allowing for probable diagnoses.
A CU-Boulder study found that ponds with diverse amphibian species have a 78% reduction in parasitic infections, which can cause severe deformities. Greater biodiversity also appears to protect against other diseases, such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
Scientists have discovered a long-running conflict between SAR11 bacteria and viruses that constantly kill them off. The ongoing battle affects the planet's carbon cycle and has significant implications for ocean biology.
Scientists at Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and TWINCORE are studying patient samples to find biomarkers for infectious diseases. The new antibiotic GSK1322322 targets gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA, with minor adverse effects in Phase I clinical trials.
A team at Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine found the same strain of Usutu virus in dead blackbirds in Italy in 1996 as in Austria's cases. This suggests the virus was present in Italy before reaching Europe, and forensic pathology can help unravel origins of emerging diseases.
The NIH is sponsoring three clinical trials to test new treatments for influenza, including oseltamivir, combination antiviral drugs and plasma enriched with anti-influenza antibodies. The trials aim to improve treatment options for people with severe illness or chronic health conditions.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine found that Mary Ingalls likely suffered from viral meningoencephalitis, which caused her blindness, rather than scarlet fever. The study analyzed historical records and Laura Ingalls' memoirs to reach this conclusion.
Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered a new way to treat Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in children. By boosting the accumulation of T cells and selectively attracting regulatory T cells, they aim to reduce inflammation and fight infection.
A new study suggests that healthcare providers may need to wear fitted respirators for routine care of flu patients due to the high infectiousness of some individuals. The researchers found that small particles can float in the air for hours and travel long distances, making non-fitted masks ineffective.
A study found that 26% of influenza patients released virus into the air during routine care, with some 'super-emitters' transmitting more than 32 times more virus. Current infection control recommendations may not be adequate to protect providers from influenza exposure.
Researchers have discovered a link between West Nile virus in mosquitoes and birds, as well as the insects' ability to spread the virus to horses and people. Habitats with high disease prevalence in horses and birds also have more mosquitoes and certain bird species, which contribute to the transmission of the virus.
Sang-Moo Kang receives a $3.4 million NIH grant to develop virus-like particle vaccines for flu and RSV, aiming to create safer vaccines for young children, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems.
Researchers have identified a key protein, IFITM3, in T-cells that provides resistance to influenza. Increasing the production of these resistant T-cells could lead to longer-lasting immunity.
The international collaboration found that 20-27% of people studied were infected during the first year of circulation, with higher rates in children and lower rates in older adults. The study estimated that up to a quarter of the world's population may have been infected.
A study published in PNAS reveals that dengue fever transmission is driven by human movement within residential networks. The research found that people visiting friends and relatives in nearby homes were the main driver of rapid transmission. This finding has implications for disease surveillance and control.
Researchers at NIH and OHSU found that an experimental Ebola vaccine elicits antibodies that protect nonhuman primates from Ebola virus infection. The study's results showed that antibodies induced by the vaccine appeared to be critical to protecting the animals, while immune cells had a minimal role.
The IFIT protein recognizes foreign viral RNA and blocks viral infections by acting as a defender molecule. The discovery reveals the molecular mechanism behind how IFIT proteins capture only the viral RNA and distinguish it from normal molecules belonging to the host.
Researchers developed methods to synthesize and change the Schmallenberg virus genome, identifying a gene that protects the virus against the immune response. The study found that viruses missing this gene caused less sickness in mice, suggesting potential for new vaccines.
Researchers have observed the detailed changes in a virus's structure as it infects an E. coli bacterium, providing new insights into the viral infection process. The study reveals that the virus extends its ultra-thin fibers to find an optimal site for infection and ejects its genetic material through the host cell membrane.
Researchers at Duke University developed a genomic signature to diagnose flu and staph infections, distinguishing between infected and uninfected individuals with high accuracy. This approach could lead to earlier diagnoses, reduced antibiotic misuse, and improved treatment decisions.
A recent study found that many teenagers who received a complete hepatitis B vaccine series as infants can still contract the virus, especially if they have high-risk mothers or weak immune systems. Researchers suggest that a booster shot at age 15 may be necessary to prevent reinfection.
A meta-analysis of 67 studies confirmed IL28B polymorphisms impact natural HCV clearance and PEG-IFN/RBV treatment response. Favourable genotypes equated to more than double the probability of achieving sustained virologic response, supporting personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers from FIGHT-MG project discover that a viral molecule can trigger an inappropriate immune response, causing muscular function to deteriorate. The study provides proof of concept that a viral infection can cause auto-immune myasthenia, a rare disease characterized by muscular weakness and exhaustion.
A Cornell University computer model predicts chikungunya outbreaks in NYC during August-September 2013, Atlanta from June-September, and year-round in Miami. The virus is transmitted by Asian tiger mosquitoes, which are rising in numbers due to climate change.
New research shows that elderly individuals mount normal immune responses to virus infections, retaining T cell functionality. This finding has important implications for vaccination strategies in the elderly.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which Ebola virus alters and evades the immune response of its infected host. The secreted protein can selectively drive induction of antibody responses to itself while competing for antibodies to the viral surface protein, enabling repeated or sustained infection.
A new study published in BMJ Open found that high-dose vitamin D supplementation reduced symptoms of respiratory tract infection by almost a quarter and antibiotic use by nearly half in patients with frequent infections. However, the treatment had no significant impact on otherwise healthy individuals.
A new study suggests that human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in older women may represent reactivation of the virus, rather than a new infection. Nearly 90% of HPV infections were detected in women with multiple lifetime sexual partners, highlighting the need for further research on HPV persistence and reactivation.
Scientists at the University of Exeter discovered a new way viruses evolve to switch their behavior in response to other viruses infecting a host. This means that even with manipulation, viruses will always adapt to serve their own purposes and cause maximum destruction.
A new coronavirus, hCoV-EMC, has been linked to severe disease in humans and can infect cells from various bat species and pigs. The virus uses a different receptor than SARS, but its ability to transmit between animals and humans repeatedly remains uncertain.
Infants with severe RSV disease may have a dysfunctional innate immune response that relates to the severity of their disease. Immune monitoring could help identify children at high-risk for severe disease, and may lead to the use of immune stimulant drugs to reverse innate immune suppression.
Scientists have identified an 'immune system kill switch' that triggers the destruction of blood stem cells in response to severe stress, such as chemotherapy or systemic infections. Blocking this internal signal could prevent death after chemotherapy and boost recovery from infection.
Researchers identified evidence of immune system involvement in autism development through novel genome analysis approaches, supporting a common molecular physiology behind the condition. Viral infection pathways were found most important in this immune-related mechanism, potentially affecting brain development.