Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
Researchers infected ferrets and pigs with the human-derived H7N9 virus, showing that both species can be infected and transmit the virus. While transmission was more efficient in ferrets, the study highlights potential public health implications of the avian virus.
A new study reveals that the level of immunity to the recently circulating H7N9 influenza virus in an urban and rural population in Vietnam is very low. The findings suggest that people living in this area have had little or no exposure to the virus, making it essential to consider alternative plans for pandemic preparedness.
A new computational technique allows predicting infectious avian influenza strains based on protein sequences and physicochemical characteristics. The 'A2H' system has successfully validated its predictions against known strains of bird flu and those that are infectious to people.
Researchers have discovered that processing bodies can contribute to immune defenses by responding to viral infections. Viruses alter the composition of processing bodies to enhance their replication, but PBs can limit this ability.
A novel avian-origin H7N9 influenza virus was found to show rapid evolution, with several viruses circulating in Hangzhou. The virus's pathogenesis in humans remains unknown, but substitutions have been identified as potential pathogenicity factors.
A recent review article highlights the complex mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA sensing in animals, insects, and plants. Novel components of these antiviral recognition systems contribute to their effectiveness in protecting hosts against viral infection.
A study published in PLOS Medicine reveals that Mycoplasma pneumoniae is carried at high rates in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy children. The researchers found no significant difference in prevalence between asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, highlighting limitations in current diagnostic tests.
The US is on high alert for a potential Chinese Avian Flu pandemic, with over 100 infected and 24 deaths reported. The US Preventive Services Task Force also recommends screening all adults for alcohol misuse to reduce preventable deaths.
Scientists have identified the minimum dose of dengue virus needed to infect mosquitoes when bitten. This finding has significant implications for preventing the spread of the disease. The study provides a target for experimental vaccines and drugs to prevent the virus from reaching humans.
Chinese scientists investigated the origins of novel H7N9 influenza virus and found that viruses circulating among birds were responsible for human infections. The study recommends control measures, including shutting down live poultry markets and culling affected poultry, to prevent a possible pandemic.
Researchers at MIT have identified strains of H3N2 circulating in birds and pigs that could potentially cause a pandemic if they jump to humans. Current flu vaccines may not offer protection against these strains.
Researchers used bacteriophages to attach to and kill bacteria that form biofilms on implanted devices, reducing antibiotic-resistant infections. The technology shows promise for combating antibiotic-resistant infections and developing bacterial sensing devices.
A study reveals how viral protein 40 allows Ebola to leave host cells and spread infection, paving the way for new drug candidates. Mutating VP40's C-terminal domain reduces its effectiveness in binding to plasma membranes.
A major international TEDDY study found no evidence of a causal link between early viral infections and the rapid onset of Type 1 diabetes in young children. Despite analysis of over 8,000 children and blood samples, researchers discovered little association between viral infections and disease progression.
Researchers found that a new antiviral treatment could halve chronic HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 15 years. In cities like Edinburgh, where chronic prevalence is lower, the treatment is projected to reduce HCV rates by 25%. Doubling treatment rates and increasing budget may be needed to scale up the therapy.
A study maps H7N9 risk in eastern China by analyzing bird migration patterns and poultry distribution. The model predicts future infection risks across central and western China, aiding surveillance and control of H7N9 infections.
Scientists at UCSF have developed a new gene sequencing technique that can identify the Lone Star virus in less than 24 hours, significantly faster than conventional methods. The ultra-rapid deep sequencing approach has the potential to democratize viral surveillance and could help prevent outbreaks.
Genetic analysis reveals potential origins of novel avian influenza A H7N9 virus, suggesting at least four possible evolutionary paths. The virus has evolved into two distinct lineages, with unknown intermediate hosts implicated, highlighting the need for global surveillance and close monitoring of domestic-poultry-to-person transmission.
A recent study found that electron-beam pasteurization can significantly reduce the risk of viral food poisoning from consuming raw oysters. The research, led by Texas A&M University graduate student Chandni Praveen, used human norovirus and hepatitis A virus surrogates to test the technology's effectiveness.
NIH-supported scientists studied lab-grown human lung cells infected with the novel coronavirus (nCoV) and found that certain drugs could inhibit viral replication. The study identified a set of 207 human genes whose expression was disrupted by nCoV, which may be targets for new treatments.
Scientists studying the Human Coronavirus-Erasmus Medical Center have discovered a potential treatment strategy for the new Middle East virus. The researchers found that certain compounds could treat the infection by altering lung cells' response to infection, which might help prevent the virus from reproducing.
A novel drug developed by Gilead Sciences suppresses hepatitis B virus infection by stimulating the immune system and inducing loss of infected liver cells. The therapy targets a receptor on immune cells, reducing both virus levels and number of infected liver cells in chimpanzees chronically infected with HBV.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) by identifying a highly vulnerable site on the virus's protein. The discovery provides new insights into how neutralizing antibodies work, which could lead to the development of more effective vaccines for infant respiratory illnesses.
Scientists confirm H7N9 transmission from birds to humans in China, with four confirmed cases and symptoms similar to H5N1 influenza. No evidence of person-to-person transmission, but genetic analysis suggests the virus may adapt for more efficient transmission.
A new study reveals that Parkinson's disease protein alpha-synuclein can harm cells in the same way viruses do. It breaks out of lysosomes and releases enzymes toxic to the cell.
Researchers have made progress in targeting cccDNA using novel therapeutic approaches, including liver regeneration and epigenetic control. Studies show that inducing hepatocyte turnover and blocking cell entry can accelerate the clearance of viral minichromosomes.
Research reveals Nipah virus can be carried by fruit bats on both sides of Wallace's line, which may have initially restricted the spread of avian flu to Australia. The finding extends the known regions where Nipah virus has been detected, including the island of Timor.
Researchers found that dog owners should be cautious of ticks throughout the year, especially from March to November. The study suggests that commercially available products may not be effective in preventing tick-borne diseases, which can infect over half of dogs in a single season.
Researchers have discovered a virus that can selectively infect and kill human melanoma cells, leaving normal cells unharmed. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating the deadliest form of skin cancer, which has seen a tripling of incidence over three decades.
Scientists identified viruses closely related to Hepatitis C virus in rodents and bats, shedding light on the disease's origins and possible animal models for treatment. The findings also support the development of new vaccines and treatments, as the viruses share similar sequences with HCV.
A new study by Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital suggests that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy, leading to lifelong consequences. RSV is found in the lungs after birth and throughout development, contributing to asthma development.
Researchers at the La Jolla Institute discovered that T cells contribute to host protection against dengue virus infection, contradicting current scientific understanding. This finding may lead to a new approach in dengue vaccine design, potentially improving its effectiveness against the deadly disease.
A systems biology approach predicts the ocular tropism of a newly identified human adenovirus based on genomic and bioinformatics analysis. The study identifies a unique deletion in the viral capsid, suggesting potential for severe ocular infection.
Researchers are developing ultra-sensitive devices using retroreflectors, the same technology that increases nighttime visibility of traffic signs, to detect multiple disease-causing microbes in a single test. This can help first responders identify the source of a bioterrorism attack or diagnose everyday infectious diseases more quickly.
Scientists at LSU Health Sciences Center have discovered the inner workings of E6AP enzyme, controlling functions in nerve cells and viral replication. This finding provides potential strategies for designing drugs to block E6AP function in HPV and Hepatitis C viruses.
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.