Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Biologists have found that the influenza A virus migrates globally and mixes with other viral strains during the summer off-season before returning to the Northern Hemisphere as a genetically different virus. The research suggests widespread viral traffic across the equator, contributing to new epidemics in both hemispheres.
Assistant professor John Drake is studying how West Nile virus differs between urban and rural areas using computer models and data on infected mosquitoes, birds, and humans. The goal is to provide recommendations for improving New York City's mosquito control strategies and early warning systems.
Researchers have determined the three-dimensional structure of a glycosyltransferase enzyme crucial for viral assembly. This discovery may enable scientists to develop drugs inhibiting certain viral infections.
A human peptide called LL37, normally used as a natural antibiotic, can bind to the body's own DNA and trigger an immune response. This may drive autoimmunity in psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers have identified potential targets for ALS treatment by studying SOD1 gene mutations. Additionally, a new study on Candida parapsilosis has revealed that lipase is an essential virulence factor. Further research suggests that the timing of treatment with immune-modifying drugs can significantly impact viral infection outcomes.
Researchers in Molecular & Cellular Proteomics have identified key proteins involved in schistosomiasis, a tropical disease affecting up to 200 million people. The study also reveals the structural proteome of a lethal shrimp viral disease and unique proteins allowing algae to thrive in salty environments.
Researchers discovered that soy isoflavone genistin significantly reduced rotavirus infectivity by 33-74%, with the active component being genistin alone. The study found an effective range of concentrations, and the results held up even in high levels of rotavirus exposure.
Researchers discover Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) significantly associated with colony collapse disorder (CCD) in honey bee colonies. IAPV was found in all four affected operations and correctly distinguished CCD from non-CCD status 96.1% of the time.
Scientists recorded entire genomic expression of a host bacterium and infecting virus over eight-hour infection course. The study suggests viral infection may play role in shaping bacterial genetic repertoire, leading to evolutionarily significant exchange.
Hepatitis E virus has been detected in European pigs and pork products, posing a risk to human health. The disease is often fatal for pregnant women and can be transmitted through direct contact with animals or contaminated food.
A 2004 outbreak of Norwalk virus at The Johns Hopkins Hospital resulted in estimated $650,000 in total hospital costs. Strict precautions taken to control the outbreak included isolating infected units, implementing strict hand hygiene and thorough cleaning protocols.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found gamma globulin to be highly effective against adenovirus-mediated eye infections, including conjunctivitis. The treatment showed significant antiviral activity and minimal toxicity.
In a first systematic analysis, researchers confirm the limited human-to-human spread of avian-flu virus in Indonesia. Biostatistician Ira M. Longini Jr. found the virus spread within a small family, with the new software providing real-time analysis.
A Japanese patient with liver cirrhosis and HCV infection underwent liver transplantation and was cleared of the virus just one month later. The long-term use of PEGylated IFN may have contributed to this outcome.
Scientists have identified Marburg virus RNA genome and antibodies in African fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus), providing new insight into a deadly disease that has long baffled epidemiologists. The discovery, published in PLoS ONE, offers potential for understanding transmission and development of a vaccine or drug therapy.
A new study suggests that infection with human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) may contribute to the development of obesity in some individuals. The virus transforms adult stem cells into fat cells, leading to increased fat accumulation.
A genetically modified maize variety resistant to the severe maize streak virus has been created using pathogen-derived resistance, delaying symptom development and increasing survival rates. The research aims to alleviate Africa's food shortages and famine by providing a disease-resistant crop for local farmers.
A study published in JAMA found that the HPV-16/18 vaccine does not accelerate clearance of the virus in women with pre-existing infections. The vaccine is effective only in preventing new HPV infections and cervical precancers.
Researchers have identified common attributes in viral replication machinery that could be vulnerable to disruption, potentially leading to broad-spectrum antiviral agents. A study on flock house virus reveals a new compartment for RNA synthesis, where the virus can collect components and carry out processes efficiently.
Researchers found that lymphoid chemokines, which guide immune cells to lymph nodes and spleen, are reduced during active immune responses, potentially leading to transient immune suppression. This discovery could help explain why the immune system is less effective at responding to secondary infections after an acute infection.
A new study by PECARN reveals that steroid treatment does not prevent hospitalization or improve symptoms in infants with bronchiolitis, the most common cause of infant hospitalization. The study's findings provide solid evidence for treating bronchiolitis with simple supportive care.
Researchers estimate that less than half of household infections could be prevented with current antiviral drugs, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring. The study provides a method for detecting emerging secondary human-to-human transmission using easily collected data.
Scientists at the University of Cape Town have developed a genetically engineered (GE) maize variety that is resistant to maize streak virus (MSV), a destructive pathogen that can wipe out entire maize crops. The transgenic maize variety has proven consistently resistant and can be reliably passed on to future generations.
A study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases reveals 35 genes whose expression patterns correlate with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. These findings may provide clues about the disease's underlying nature and potential mechanisms.
A new reovirus has been isolated from bats and can cause a serious but non-fatal respiratory illness in humans. The virus, named Melaka, is closely related to two other bat-borne reoviruses and can be transmitted between people.
A new study by John R. Talbott finds that the number of infected prostitutes in a country is key to understanding the global spread of AIDS. The study suggests that prostitute communities can act as an engine driving infection rates to unusually high levels in the general population.
A new model predicts the danger of flu pandemics by analyzing population heterogeneity. The study highlights the importance of considering individual attributes such as social interaction and susceptibility to infection. Social distancing measures may be effective in limiting the spread of disease, according to the research.
A new study has identified a direct link between Plasmodium falciparum antigens and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation, increasing the risk of Burkitt lymphoma in children living in malaria-endemic areas. The researchers found that certain proteins from P. falciparum can spur latent EBV-infected cells into active production.
Researchers are working together to identify the cause of Devil Facial Tumour Disease and develop a test to detect infected animals. The integrated team will use various techniques to search for infectious agents and markers, with the goal of stopping the disease in its tracks.
Patients with liver cancer undergoing chemotherapy who have high serum levels of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA are at risk of developing severe hepatitis, which is associated with poor survival. Researchers found that a pre-chemotherapy HBV viral load above 10^5.65 copies per milliliter was linked to poorer outcomes.
A study by researchers at the University of Iowa found that veterinarians with occupational exposure to birds have significantly higher levels of antibodies against avian influenza viruses. The greatest risk factor for infection was examining sick birds, highlighting the need for priority access to pandemic vaccines and antivirals.
A study finds that cytomegalovirus infection triggers an autoimmune response, causing endothelial cell damage and exacerbating atherosclerosis. The immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to inflammation and further disease progression.
Researchers used human antibodies derived from immune cells of H5N1 survivors to treat and protect mice from the virus. The study found that these antibodies could neutralize the virus and prevent death in mice, offering a promising therapeutic approach for pandemic influenza.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a new high-affinity molecule called V-beta that blocks staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), a major cause of toxic shock syndrome, with a rate 2000 times more effective than typical antibody treatment
The viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) has been identified in 19 species and poses a potential threat to New York's sport-fishing industry. Containing the spread of the virus requires restrictions on live fish movement, testing, and surveillance.
Hospitalized patients treated with antimicrobials against atypical pathogens experienced reduced time to clinical stability, decreased hospital stays, and lower mortality rates. The study found that atypical treatment significantly improved patient outcomes in regions globally.
A study by Queensland University of Technology found that droplets carrying viruses can travel large distances in the air, posing a risk to people breathing nearby. The research dispels the myth that viruses only travel a short distance from a person, suggesting that one infected individual can spread the virus simply by exhaling.
Researchers in Japan have found that over 95% of pigs are infected with the hepatitis E virus by 150 days of age, minimizing human infection risk. This reduces the likelihood of pigs passing on the virus to humans at slaughter.
Researchers found that oral HPV infection is the strongest risk factor for throat cancers in both men and women. Consistent condom use may reduce risk, while tobacco and alcohol use do not increase the risk of HPV-linked cancer.
People infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at an increased risk of developing certain lymphomas, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. The risk was found to be 20-30% higher for HCV-infected patients compared to uninfected patients.
A study found that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma by 20-30% and Waldenström macroglobulinemia by nearly three-fold. HCV is also linked to an increased risk of nonmalignant plasma cell disorders.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo have developed a device that can rapidly detect infectious viruses in biological samples. The innovation uses nanoparticles to transport viral particles to specific locations, allowing for quick detection and paving the way for an 'on-the-spot' virus detector.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that intramuscular injections of peramivir for 8 days protected mice from lethal H5N1 influenza virus infection and inhibited virus replication. This study supports the use of peramivir to control influenza during a pandemic.
A team of researchers created an interactive 'supermap' using Google Earth technology to visualize the mutations and spread of the avian flu around the globe. The map allowed users to analyze movements and changes in genetic blueprints of known avian flu sub-strains, providing insights into viral spread and potential future outbreaks.
Researchers created a supermap of the H5N1 virus using genetic, geographic, and evolutionary data to predict future outbreaks. The map revealed no significant association between mutations in surface proteins HA and NA and specific host types.
Researchers have developed a genetic test that can predict which hepatitis C patients are at high risk of developing cirrhosis. The test uses a 'Cirrhosis Risk Score' based on seven genes and has been validated in independent studies, offering hope for more targeted treatment.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found that the LC8 protein is actually a transcription factor that enhances viral replication, not a transport mechanism. This discovery may change how scientists think about central nervous system-attacking viruses like rabies and herpes.
Researchers are investigating a genetically modified variant of Avian Newcastle disease virus to treat human prostate cancer. The virus is designed to replicate only in the presence of prostate-specific antigen, found exclusively in cancerous cells.
Researchers at UTMB overturned the long-held medical dogma on RSV, finding that an inadequate immune reaction is associated with severe infections. The study's findings have major implications for developing therapies and treating viral respiratory infections during infancy.
A rare case of hepatitis B virus transmission between two patients at a dentist's office has been documented, highlighting the need for meticulous infection control. Universal vaccination against HBV would likely have prevented both cases.
The NIAID is awarding $23 million per year for seven years to establish six Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance. These centers will bolster influenza research in key areas, including understanding how the virus causes disease and how the human immune system responds to infection with the virus.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has been awarded a $26 million contract to establish the New York Influenza Center of Excellence, one of six nationwide centers focused on improving flu research. The center aims to develop more effective vaccines against seasonal influenza and future pandemics.
Interferon gamma and interleukin-1 alpha molecules work together, collaborating like two halves of a key, to initiate various immune responses. This unexpected collaboration enhances the antiviral activity of interferon gamma, providing an extra layer of security for the body.
New research from Rockefeller University and St. Jude Children’s Hospital shows that a viral protein-derived lysin can prevent middle ear infections in mice by killing the bacteria that cause them. The treatment was 100% effective against secondary infections, which contribute to much of the sickness and death rates during flu season.
A new nasal spray treatment using a virus enzyme shows promise in preventing acute otitis media and secondary pneumonia in mice infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The treatment uses lysine to eliminate bacteria from the ear, reducing the risk of middle ear infection.
Researchers analyzed gene expression patterns in leukocytes from children with four common infections: flu, staph, strep, and E. coli. They identified infectious agents with high accuracy rates, distinguishing between viral and bacterial pneumonias.
Researchers reconstructed the H5N1 avian flu virus's history over the past decade, tracing its origins in Guangdong province and spread across Eurasia. The study provides a roadmap for health officials to limit the virus's spread by targeting specific strains and regions.
A study exploring attitudes and beliefs about HPV found low awareness and a stigma associated with the disease, which hinders public acceptance of the vaccine. The research suggests that health education efforts should take a public-health approach to emphasize the prevalence and commonality of HPV infection among sexually active adults.
A review of 1918 pandemic flu studies reveals more unanswered questions than answers, particularly regarding the origins and impact on young adults. Further study is crucial for pandemic planning and preparedness efforts.
Scientists have produced the first 3-dimensional image of a key influenza protein, revealing insights into transmission between birds and humans. The study sheds light on how polymerase mutations contribute to avian flu's ability to jump species barriers.