Articles tagged with Viral Infections
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Researchers have developed a 'nanoshuttle' that uses viral particles to precisely home to disease, where it can perform various functions such as destroying tissue or emitting signals. The system has the potential to deliver stem cells to damaged areas, potentially treating heart disease and cancer.
Researchers have identified a new vitamin D-related compound that inhibits the production of c-Fos protein, which plays a key role in bone breakdown and resorption. In contrast, a nuclear protein called Tlx acts as an oxygen-sensing switch to regulate angiogenesis in retinal astrocytes.
The National Institutes of Health is testing avian influenza vaccines to prevent a possible pandemic. Saint Louis University School of Medicine is conducting a research study using a killed flu virus vaccine in children ages 2-9.
A study on H5N1 influenza virus infection in cats reveals systemic disease with widespread viral spread to various organ systems, including respiratory and digestive tracts. This finding has significant implications for understanding the mechanisms of avian influenza transmission to humans.
Researchers found that group B coxsackieviruses infect cells through an indirect route, utilizing signaling pathways and exploiting more accessible receptors. This understanding may lead to future therapies to block viral infections and contribute to clinical benefits.
Researchers used novel antisense drugs to interrupt normal Ebola virus replication, showing protection in non-human primates. The therapy directly targets the virus and may be more potent than current anti-viral treatments.
A Yale study reveals how toll-like receptors recognize viral infections without self-DNA recognition, highlighting potential for treating autoimmune disorders like SLE. The research also shows that TLR localization is crucial in maintaining the balance between viral and self nucleic acid recognition.
Researchers found that a hepatitis C virus protein accelerates the breakdown of a critical tumor suppressor, leading to liver cell proliferation and increasing cancer risk. This discovery could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Researchers found that chest x-rays were a reliable predictor of mortality in patients with avian flu, with the severity of findings linked to patient outcomes. Five patients who survived still had abnormal lung appearances on CT scans after discharge.
Research reveals that patients with Hepatitis C are using more healthcare resources, including increased hospitalizations, physician visits, and costs due to disease progression. The study highlights the urgent need for better HCV treatment decisions as the patient population ages.
The updated practice parameter provides new definitions for acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent sinusitis, as well as guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotics should be used judiciously, and referral to an allergist/immunologist is recommended for patients with chronic or recurrent sinusitis.
Occupational exposure to pigs significantly increases the risk of developing swine influenza infection, according to a new study. The risk is particularly high for farmers, veterinarians, and meat processing workers, who may be more likely to contract the virus due to their close contact with pigs.
Memory CD8+ T cells reactive to old flu infections exacerbate EBV infection by stimulating different T cell activities, leading to lymphoproliferation and altered disease course. This study highlights the potential importance of cross-reactive T cells in human disease states.
Researchers found US swine workers, farmers and veterinarians to be seropositive for swine influenza antibodies, increasing their risk of infection. A human influenza vaccination program is recommended to prevent an epidemic.
A study led by Northwestern University researchers suggests that Kawasaki disease is caused by a single respiratory viral agent, entering through the lungs and infecting bronchi. The research provides new insights into the disease's cause and course, and may lead to new treatments.
A clinical decision system (CDSS) helped decrease inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing rates by 10% in communities with the intervention. The CDSS tool guided diagnosis and management of acute respiratory infections, reducing the use of macrolides and antibiotics for viral respiratory tract infections.
A study published in PLoS Medicine reveals that the body's T cell response to parvovirus B19 persists long after symptoms have cleared, contradicting previous assumptions about the virus. This finding has significant implications for vaccine development and treatment of this viral infection.
Researchers at Tulane University have received a multi-million dollar grant to develop diagnostic tests for hemorrhagic fevers, such as Lassa fever. The goal is to create tests that can be performed in biosafety level 1 labs, making them accessible in West Africa.
Researchers found high HCV rates among former plasma/blood donors and villagers who received blood transfusions. Unhygienic plasma donation and blood transfusion are strong risk factors for HCV infection in rural central China.
A recent study published in Science demonstrates a new and sensitive assay for infecting prion diseases, including CJD and scrapie. The research shows that persistent replication of the infectious agent provides protection against more virulent strains, without requiring misfolded prions.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) were found to prescribe antibiotics more appropriately and in line with clinical guidelines than physicians (MDs) for patients with Medicaid insurance. Increased adherence to accepted clinical guidelines and involvement in quality assurance programs are needed to reduce excessive antibiotic use.
The joint NSF-NIH program aims to create a predictive understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious diseases. Researchers will study how large-scale events alter disease emergence, allowing for better control of disease spread among humans, animals, and crops.
Researchers developed a hyper-responsive Stat1 molecule to amplify the body's immune response without side effects. This improvement could lead to treatments for viral infections, cancer, and other conditions with lower doses of interferon.
Researchers found that the antibody prevents the virus from rearranging its protein envelope after entering host cells, blocking infection. The study also uncovered a theory called antibody-dependent enhancement, which may help explain why some antibodies are ineffective against certain viruses.
Researchers used molecular epidemiologic methods to identify the relationships between four separate foodborne hepatitis A virus outbreaks in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania. The methods helped public health officials respond quickly to outbreaks and provided reassurance that a larger outbreak was not occurring.
A study published in Science reveals the structure of the SARS spike protein's interaction with its human receptor, ACE2. The findings provide insights into how small mutations can affect viral transmission and inform potential vaccines.
A new study reveals that SARS can infect brain tissue, causing severe central nervous system symptoms. The researchers found a high level of Mig, an immune system regulator, in the patient's bloodstream and brain, which may contribute to brain damage.
Researchers in Italy found that low pathogenic avian influenza strains can infect humans, highlighting the importance of improving disease surveillance and vaccination for poultry workers. The study suggests these less virulent strains have the potential to swap genetic material with human strains, resulting in a more virulent virus.
Researchers discovered that prions can rapidly 'remodel' good protein into bad, shedding important light on the molecular machinery behind infectious brain diseases. This process may also help explain the progression of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases.
Researchers discovered a new protein, MAVS, located in the mitochondrial membrane that plays a vital role in immune defense against microbial infections. The study suggests that variations in MAVS expression levels may endow individuals with varying ability to fight off viral diseases.
Researchers discovered a mitochondrial protein, MAVS, that activates immune response against viral infections. Cells without MAVS are vulnerable to virus, while those with excess MAVS resist infection.
A study found a strong relationship between HCV infection and having an anti-HCV positive family member, with the highest incidence rate in children under 10 living in households with an anti-HCV positive parent. Parenteral exposures increased the risk of HCV, particularly in men married to an HCV positive woman.
A study of 1,193 patients found only 94 received the HAV vaccine, highlighting a significant gap in vaccination rates. Patients with chronic HCV were at risk for severe liver disease and death if infected with HAV, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and vaccination efforts.
A novel coronavirus, HCoV-NL63, is strongly associated with croup in children under three years old. The study found that 43% of patients with high viral load and no co-infection had croup, compared to 6% of those without the virus.
Researchers are working on a next-generation HPV vaccine that is both protective and therapeutic, which can be converted into powder for easier transport. The new vaccine aims to be less expensive than existing options like Cervarix and has shown promise in preventing HPV infection.
A new database, The Canary Database, tracks animal diseases linked to human health threats, such as mercury poisoning and West Nile Virus infection. The project aims to improve human health decision-making by analyzing animal sentinel data.
A study found that HPV16/18 vaccine effectiveness varies significantly across regions, with higher rates in Europe and North America compared to sub-Saharan Africa.
Scientists have discovered a way to regrow the thymus, which produces T cells required to fight infection, through inhibiting sex steroids. This breakthrough offers new hope for treating cancer, AIDS, and other immunodeficiencies by improving T cell responses and recovery following bone marrow transplants.
Researchers evaluated the relationship between routine childhood vaccines and hospitalization for infectious diseases not targeted by vaccination. The study found no adverse associations between multiple vaccinations and increased risk of nontargeted infectious disease hospitalizations.
A new computer model developed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute researchers can predict the spread of a potential influenza pandemic and identify effective containment strategies. The model uses demographic information and data on past influenza pandemics to simulate the virus's transmission and track its spread.
International teams used computer modeling to simulate H5N1 avian flu outbreaks in Southeast Asia, finding antiviral treatment a critical component of control measures. The models aid development of effective strategies and offer powerful tools for policymakers and researchers.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that inhibitors of cellular enzyme cathepsin L prevent the SARS virus from entering target cells. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of new therapeutics against the SARS virus.
A large-scale genomic study found that co-circulating minor variants of the flu virus can exchange genes and create novel, epidemiologically significant strains. This process can lead to an epidemic with just one or two more mutations, challenging the traditional view of epidemic flu.
Researchers have identified a protein, heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K), that plays a crucial role in the replication of the Hepatitis B virus. This discovery offers new therapeutic opportunities by targeting human proteins involved in viral replication, providing hope for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis B infections.
Researchers tested oseltamivir on mice infected with H5N1 virus, finding that higher doses for longer periods improved survival rates. The study suggests that antiviral drugs like oseltamivir may be effective in preventing and treating avian flu.
The incidence of hepatitis A in the US has dropped substantially since 1990, with a 76% decline to 2.6 per 100,000 people. Children under 18 years old have been disproportionately affected, with a 87% decrease in cases.
Eight Melbourne scientists, including six from WEHI, have been awarded five-year grants to tackle infectious and parasitic diseases like malaria. The $23.3 million international program aims to understand disease mechanisms, identify new drug targets, and develop vaccines.
Researchers at UCLA and USUHS discovered the Ephrin-B2 receptor as the doorway for Nipah and Hendra viruses to enter cells. This finding promises to lead to better understanding of how these viruses cause disease in humans and animals, ultimately aiding in vaccine and treatment development.
Researchers identified a cell receptor called Ephrin-B2 as the key used by the Nipah virus to unlock cells, allowing them to develop vaccines and drugs to block viral entry. The discovery could help prevent infection and outbreaks of this deadly virus.
A Yale University research project aims to reduce malaria transmission by identifying effective odor cues that attract or repel mosquitoes. The team will test these odors in simulated natural situations and eventually distribute them to African villages for practical tests.
A new experimental vaccine has shown promising results in protecting nonhuman primates from Lassa fever. The vaccine, developed using a non-pathogenic form of vesicular stomatitis virus as a carrier, has been successfully tested with all vaccinated monkeys surviving infection.
A promising new vaccine candidate has shown protection against Lassa fever in macaque monkeys, offering hope for a potential vaccine. The vaccine's effectiveness and safety will need to be further assessed in larger studies.
Researchers have found that adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) can selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The study suggests that AAV2 recognizes abnormal cancer cells and induces apoptosis, making it a promising candidate for an anti-cancer therapy.
Emerging diseases can move between species, mutating into more virulent forms; WCS proposes 'One World, One Health' concept to prevent outbreaks. The global trade in wildlife poses a significant challenge, with estimated $100 billion losses due to livestock pathogens and pandemic diseases.
Abed-rest study investigates the impact of space-like conditions on the human immune system, exploring possible causes of a compromised immune response. The study aims to provide valuable data for international efforts to plan long-duration missions and address health risks associated with chronic radiation exposure.
A new study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has streamlined a method for making large quantities of human papillomavirus, a major human pathogen. The technique allows scientists to culture any of the virus's 100 subtypes and genetically manipulate it, enabling faster development of therapeutic drugs and new vaccines.
Researchers have developed a new technique to produce infectious human papillomavirus (HPV) in the lab, over 1,000 times faster than existing methods. This breakthrough could lead to new antiviral drugs and enhanced vaccines that target early stages of infection.
Scientists have developed a method to create an infectious form of the hepatitis C virus in a test tube, allowing researchers to study its life cycle and develop new drugs. This breakthrough could lead to better understanding and treatment of liver diseases associated with HCV.
A new method using quantum dots detects RSV in a matter of hours, reducing the need for lengthy tests. The system has potential benefits including increased proper use of antiviral medicines, reduced inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, and improved patient separation.
Plant cells use programmed cell death to protect against viruses, but this process must be controlled to avoid killing the plant. Researchers found that silencing a specific gene, BECLIN-1, helps regulate PCD and prevent infection from spreading.