Research on viral diseases and the response to them. Covers Ebola and mpox, diagnostics, post-viral fatigue, and outbreak control strategies.
A new study suggests that chronic hepatitis B virus infection may be as high as 2.2 million cases in the US, with foreign-born individuals contributing significantly to this burden. The prevalence is higher than previously reported and affects up to 400 million individuals worldwide.
The study found that local variation in neighborhood immunity significantly alters the risk of dengue infection, even in highly mobile and dense urban populations. Infection with dengue provides lifelong immunity to the infecting serotype, but susceptibility returns, increasing the risk for severe disease.
A new study from researchers in the Netherlands found no association between viral infections during infancy and later childhood wheezing symptoms. However, children with reduced neonatal lung function were more prone to experience wheezing during viral infections.
Researchers found that patients taking oral acne medications like Accutane or Roaccutane doubled their risk of developing conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye. Using artificial tears or eye drops can help minimize this risk and prevent long-term damage.
A study published in PLoS Pathogens found that the rabies virus evolves nearly four times faster in tropical bats than in temperate bats. The rate of evolution depends on the bat's ecological traits, including its geographical location and behavior.
Babies with a robust innate immune response have fewer respiratory illnesses in their first year, while those with a diminished response experience more infections. Researchers measured interferon-gamma levels in umbilical cord blood samples to identify potential indicators of viral infection.
Researchers use molecular signatures to detect mutated virus strains, identifying characteristic changes in cells. The technique helps predict the severity of infection and assess potential impact on health.
Researchers from A*STAR identified the molecular switch Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) that triggers innate immunity and activates potent virus killers, enabling effective responses to dengue and influenza viruses. The discovery paves the way for developing anti-viral drugs targeting BTK.
An investigation found that a reusable open-top grocery bag stored in a hotel bathroom contaminated with norovirus aerosol led to an outbreak among 17 girls and their chaperones attending a soccer tournament. Proper disinfection of areas and use of multiple bathrooms can help limit outbreaks.
New estimates suggest that around 16% of all cancers worldwide are infection-related, with a significant disparity between developed and developing countries. Infection-related cancers are largely preventable, particularly those associated with human papillomaviruses, Helicobacter pylori, hepatitis B and C viruses.
A study published in Nature shows that relatively few amino acid mutations enable avian H5N1 influenza virus to transmit in mammals. This breakthrough has significant public health benefits and contributes to understanding the pathogen's transmission dynamics.
Research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that vitamin D supplementation can strengthen innate immunity against viral infections. The study found that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with impaired immune function and lower levels of toll-like receptor 7, which regulates immune responses to viruses.
Researchers discover small molecule inhibitors that protect a tumor-suppressing protein targeted by viral proteins, killing infected cells. The inhibitors work by binding to the protein itself, allowing it to trigger normal cell division without disrupting the effect of HPV.
A study revealed that ancient viruses, which infected ancestors as far back as the age of dinosaurs, became widespread in mammals' genomes due to a loss of cell infectivity. This led to a dramatic increase in viral genetic material, resembling the spread of 'superspreaders' during epidemic outbreaks.
University of Missouri veterinarian Leah Cohn has discovered an effective treatment for cytauxzoonosis, a deadly feline disease spread by Lone Star ticks. The treatment has been shown to save about 60 percent of infected cats, offering new hope for cat owners nationwide.
Baylor College of Medicine researchers found that the P[14] strain of rotavirus uses the histo-blood group antigen A as a receptor to infect human cells. Laboratory tests showed that cells with this antigen were easily infected, while those without it were not.
Researcher Timpka investigates how different age groups are affected by the flu, with seasonal epidemics striking hardest in children and elderly. The study also explores theories on why this is the case, including the impact of early-life infections on immunity.
Researchers aim to identify compounds disabling the NS2 protein, crucial for HCV replication, with a novel high-throughput screening test. The goal is to develop chemical tools to study NS2's role in HCV biology and potentially discover new treatments.
Researchers found antibodies that can prevent infection from widely differing strains of HCV in cell culture and animal models. The newly discovered antibodies attach to sites on the viral envelope that seldom mutate, making them promising targets for an HCV vaccine.
Researchers found that infection with gammaherpesvirus 68 significantly reduces lupus symptoms in mice, including decreased antibodies, reduced tissue damage, and inhibited activation of lymphocytes and dendritic cells. The study suggests a possible mechanism for how the virus protects against autoimmunity.
Researchers from the University of Utah School have discovered that IFITM3 contributes to the body's defense against viral infections. The protein plays a critical role in the structural stability and function of vacuolar ATPase (v-ATPase), which regulates cellular waste disposal and pH levels.
A recent study found that dengue virus infection triggers changes in the activity of genes and functions of mosquito salivary glands, which may lead to greater virus transmission. The researchers also identified three salivary gland genes that modulate dengue virus infection and two olfactory genes that help control mosquito behavior.
Researchers found that dengue virus infection of mosquito salivary glands triggered genes involved in immune response, feeding behavior, and odor sensing. This may facilitate the spread of dengue fever to humans by making mosquitoes more efficient at finding and feeding on hosts.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have identified a number of tiny but powerful genetic regulators that are hijacked by avian and swine flu viruses during human infection. The discovery could reveal new targets for broad-spectrum antivirals to combat current and future strains of influenza A viruses.
A study published by the World Health Organization estimates that 20.1 million individuals were infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotypes 1 and 2 in 2005. This resulted in 3.4 million symptomatic cases, 70,000 deaths, and 3,000 stillbirths, primarily affecting countries in Asia and Africa.
A genetic finding has identified a human gene that influences how we respond to influenza infection. People carrying a particular variant of the IFITM3 gene are more likely to be hospitalized with severe flu symptoms than those with other variants.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how to treat the lethal norovirus, which causes severe gastroenteritis. The study reveals that antibodies can bind to the virus's unique structure, potentially leading to the development of more effective vaccines and treatments.
Research suggests that calorie-restricted diets can impair immune systems and increase mortality in mouse models with colon cancer. The findings contradict previous research on obesity's impact on inflammatory bowel diseases. Further studies are needed to understand the association between body fat percentage and immune responses.
Brain-tumor cells infected with a cancer-killing virus release CCN1, which initiates an antiviral response that reduces viral replication and limits its cytolytic efficacy. This mechanism may help control viral infections and improve oncolytic viral therapy for glioblastoma.
A Stanford researcher used an integrative 'omics' profile to discover and track his own type-2 diabetes onset, demonstrating the potential of personalized medicine. By analyzing his DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, and immune system responses, he was able to identify the disease early and make lifestyle changes to prevent further damage.
The number of US deaths from gastroenteritis increased by 10,000 over eight years, with adults over 65 accounting for most deaths. C. difficile and norovirus were the top infectious causes, with a five-fold increase in C. difficile deaths.
Scientists at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network have made significant strides in understanding Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne disease that can cause severe joint pains. Researchers discovered a direct biomarker, IgG3 antibodies, to identify patients at risk of the more severe form of the disease.
US Army researchers have successfully tested antibody-based therapies in monkeys infected with Ebola and Marburg viruses, demonstrating full protection even when treatment was delayed until two days post-infection. This breakthrough provides proof-of-concept for developing filovirus therapies for human use.
Researchers have discovered that an Epstein Barr-like virus can infect dogs and be linked to lymphoma, similar to its effects on humans. The study found that dogs with lymphoma had antibodies against the virus and viral elements in their tumors, indicating a direct association.
Researchers found that blocking PD-1 molecule after antiretroviral therapy interruption can significantly enhance viral control in SIV-infected monkeys. The effect depends on maintaining measurable immune cell response following therapy.
A scientific method paper and video demonstrating a laboratory technique used to study mitochondrial dysfunctions in Alzheimer's disease and other disorders has gone viral. The technique, which measures the electrical potential across the inner mitochondrial membrane, has been accessed by more than 14,000 scientists worldwide.
A new study challenges the long-held theory that antibodies are essential for antiviral immunity. Researchers found that mice infected with the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) could survive even without producing antibodies, as their B cells produced a chemical that maintained innate immune cells called macrophages.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital discovered memory T cells living in skin that protect against infection and disease. These resident cells are more important for immunity than previously thought and suggest a fundamental shift in how vaccines are designed and delivered.
Researchers discovered that natural killer T cells reduce the accumulation of inflammatory monocytes, leading to decreased lung injury and improved outcomes in severe flu infections. The study provides a platform for new approaches to mitigate the deadly effects of all flu strains.
Researchers discovered that IL-8 monomers and dimers interact differently with cell-surface molecules in different body tissues, influencing neutrophil recruitment. This fundamental mechanism regulates neutrophil function and could help control runaway inflammation and related tissue damage in diseases such as sepsis.
Two new studies published in Annals of Internal Medicine highlight the importance of rapid diagnosis and treatment of flu. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are found to be accurate at diagnosing the flu but not ruling it out, requiring follow-up testing.
Researchers propose a new approach to treating infectious diseases by targeting tolerance to infection. This strategy aims to reduce tissue damage and promote host protection. By distinguishing between failed resistance and failed tolerance, scientists can choose more effective therapeutic approaches.
Researchers are developing a norovirus vaccine using Virus-Like Particles, which mimic actual noroviruses to stimulate a robust immune response. The vaccine aims to combat the highly contagious and often severe gastrointestinal illness caused by noroviruses.
A new global analysis reveals that water-associated infectious disease outbreaks are more likely to occur in areas with growing population density. The research used a massive database of 1,428 water-associated disease outbreaks and found that population density was the greatest risk factor for these outbreaks.
Researchers found that cytotoxic T lymphocytes are triggered by damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) released after cell death, which signals a strong immune response. The presence of interleukin 33 (IL-33) amplifies this response, holding promise for developing new vaccines against infectious diseases and cancer.
Dr. Zhijian Chen has been recognized for his contributions to understanding cancer and immunity through the discovery of a central signaling pathway component and an unprecedented role for mitochondria in fighting viral infections.
Researchers found that MHC genes, which distinguish self from foreign proteins, undergo an 'arms race' with germs, favoring the retention of diverse genes. This diversity is crucial for mounting a defense against novel pathogens.
A recent study from University of Utah biologists found that the diversity of immune-system MHC genes is maintained through an 'arms race' between genes and germs, where pathogens evolve to evade the immune response, but also create new opportunities for other variants to emerge. This phenomenon helps explain why some disease-susceptib...
Scientists from MIT and partners have developed a way to produce liver-like cells from induced pluripotent stem cells, which can be infected with hepatitis C. This allows for the study of why people respond differently to the infection, potentially leading to personalized medicine.
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health conducted a case-control study to investigate the link between Borna disease virus and psychiatric illness. The study found no evidence of active or historical infection with BDV in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.
Abnormal regulation of viral sensors can lead to autoimmune pathology, according to a new study using a mouse model of human autoimmune disease. The research identifies key pathways linking DNA detection with IFN production and drives different aspects of the immune response.
Researchers at Michigan State University show that a virus called Lambda evolves complex and potentially deadly new traits through four mutations. The study suggests that natural selection played a key role in the virus' evolution, promoting adaptation by survival of the fittest.
Researchers at Michigan State University demonstrate how a new virus, Lambda, evolves to attack host cells through a new receptor. The study shows that four mutations are required for this innovation to occur, and natural selection plays an important role in the virus' evolution.
A new diagnosis technique has been developed to detect influenza virus infection in just 40 minutes, surpassing conventional methods in speed and sensitivity. This technique was confirmed through clinical research conducted in Japan during the 2009 pandemic, demonstrating its effectiveness in rapidly identifying infected patients.
Researchers at the University of Illinois College of Medicine have identified a molecule embedded in liver cells that enables hepatitis C virus entry. Ezetimibe, an FDA-approved cholesterol drug, has been shown to inhibit HCV infection and may provide a new treatment option for patients.
Scientists have discovered a gene that regulates the function of Natural Killer cells, which play a crucial role in the immune system's first line of defense. By blocking this receptor, they found that NK cells become more effective at combating microorganisms and tumor cells, opening up new therapeutic possibilities.
Professor Masao Matsuoka has been awarded the 2011 Retrovirology Prize for his exceptional work on the HBZ genes in HTLV-1 associated diseases. His research showed that HBZ promotes T cell proliferation and induces lymphomas and inflammations.
Researchers at UBC have found a way to block infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the liver, leading to new therapies for those affected by this and other infectious diseases. The approach could benefit millions of people globally.
The hepatitis C virus has evolved a unique relationship with the liver's miR-122 microRNA to stabilize its RNA and promote efficient replication. A new experimental antiviral drug works by binding to and sequestering this microRNA, destabilizing viral genome and accelerating degradation.
Researchers found that prior immune response to one serotype can influence interaction with virus subtypes in a subsequent infection, increasing risk of severe disease. The study provides new insights into the complex interplay between viral genetics and immune system response.