Articles tagged with Viral Infections
Researchers used mathematical modeling to simulate worldwide outbreaks and concluded that restrictions on air travel would achieve very little in controlling the spread of a new flu virus. Local measures such as vaccines and antiviral drugs could be more effective in controlling the spread of the virus.
Researchers discovered erythrovirus genome persistence in human tissues, which is ubiquitous and life-long. The Bioportfolio provides a novel database for analyzing microbial species and their variants, offering potential long-term permanence for gene therapy vectors.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that prevents haemorrhagic fever developing in monkeys infected with the deadly Marburg virus. The vaccine was found to be highly effective as a post-exposure treatment, with all treated monkeys surviving for at least 80 days.
A post-exposure vaccine has been shown to protect monkeys against the deadly Marburg virus. Researchers tested the vaccine in a study involving non-human primates and found it to be highly effective in preventing severe symptoms of the disease.
A new experimental vaccine has been shown to protect nonhuman primates against Marburg virus infection, even when administered after exposure. The study found that all treated monkeys survived for at least 80 days, while controls succumbed to the disease within 12 days.
A viral protein called p12 activates infected T cells and causes them to become sticky, adhering to other T cells. This enhanced adherence is due to clustering of special proteins on the surface of T cells.
Scientists have developed a new method using molecular beacons to visualize and detect the genome of the respiratory virus in live cells. This technique allows for early detection of the virus, which is essential for treating the disease.
A team of scientists has discovered a new hantavirus in an African wood mouse, which is related to viruses causing severe disease in humans in Central and Eastern Europe. The virus was found to have similarities with other hantaviruses, including the Dobrava virus, and can infect humans, according to preliminary evidence.
A study found that Japanese encephalitis is prevalent in Bali, particularly among children under 10 years old. The annual incidence rate for this age group was 8.2 per 100,000, resulting in nine deaths and 31 cases of serious neurological disability.
A large-scale model simulates the spread of a pandemic influenza virus in the US population, exploring the impact of interventions such as vaccination and social distancing. The study finds that stockpiling vaccines and implementing a combination of mitigation strategies could be effective in slowing the spread of the flu.
Adult stem cells can make new tendon tissue and repair damaged tendons in rats. The study demonstrates potential for using this technology to treat musculoskeletal injuries and degenerative diseases.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that a cancer virus protein is necessary for the virus to successfully infect and reproduce in the body. The protein, p13, plays a critical role in the early phase of infection, and its function could be targeted by new drugs or vaccines.
The HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent cervical cancer, but understanding its context is vital. Vaccination should not be misconstrued as a green light for permissive behavior, but rather as a means of preventing infection in young women.
Scientists detect novel gammaretrovirus more frequently in men with RNASEL gene mutations, sparking questions about a potential viral cause for prostate cancer. The discovery raises several questions for future experimentation, including the relationship between the virus and the disease.
Researchers found that horse antibodies to H5N1 protected dog kidney cells and mice infected with the deadly virus from death. Low doses of antibody (50µg) protected 70% of mice, while higher doses (100µg) offered full protection.
A study found that Vesivirus antibodies were present in over 40% of patients with clinical hepatitis, suggesting a potential link between the virus and human disease. The research also highlights the widespread distribution of Vesivirus in various animal species, including fish and primates.
A recent study from Thailand found a significant association between bocavirus (HBoV) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in young children. HBoV was detected in over half of hospitalized patients under one year old, highlighting the need for further research to understand the virus's role in human disease.
The study found that small mutations can change the binding site preference of the avian virus from bird to human receptors, increasing its chances of infection. This critical step is a key reason why most avian influenza viruses are not easily transmitted between humans.
Researchers found that carnivore parvoviruses and the human B19 erythrovirus undergo rapid evolution when switching host species. This contradicts the assumption that DNA viruses exhibit slower mutation rates compared to their hosts and other DNA viruses.
Researchers have created genetically modified mosquitoes resistant to the Type 2 dengue fever virus, which infects 50 million people annually. The mosquitoes showed high levels of resistance and were able to reproduce, making them a promising tool for controlling mosquito-borne diseases.
Researchers propose using chemotherapy to treat avian flu, citing success in treating a related immune disorder called haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The treatment involves etoposide and corticosteroids, and has shown promise in reducing mortality rates in similar cases.
Researchers tracked individuals infected with EBV, RRV, or Q fever and found post-infective fatigue syndrome lasting six months or longer. The study suggests that brain damage during acute infection phase may be responsible for chronic fatigue symptoms.
Researchers found that Culex mosquitoes changed their feeding behavior from American robins to humans in the fall, leading to large-scale outbreaks of disease. The study's findings suggest a continent-wide phenomenon and may explain why West Nile virus outbreaks are more intense in the US than in Europe and Africa.
Researchers have discovered consistent genetic differences in the southern house mosquito, explaining the geographical distribution of disease-transmitting strains. The study found that different strains of the mosquito are responsible for serious diseases like elephantiasis and West Nile virus.
Researchers detected a novel virus, XMRV, in human prostate tumors with two copies of the RNASEL gene mutation. The study validates the use of DNA-hunting 'virus chip' technology to discover previously unknown viruses and potentially uncover new viral causes for disease.
Researchers at EMBL and IVMS have obtained a detailed structural picture of the ZEBRA protein, which plays a key role in activating the EBV. The study reveals a potential weak point that could be targeted by antiviral drugs to block the virus's activation.
A study by Gibson and Mace found that villages with improved water supply in rural Ethiopia experienced a significant increase in birth rates, contradicting the expected reduction in fertility. The researchers suggest that development programs should be more comprehensive, incorporating access to contraceptives.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in infants and young children may be shortened by three weeks per degree Celsius rise in annual mean daily temperature. Rising temperatures may also increase the spread of other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.
A team of biologists developed improved software to analyze virus structures, revealing new details about the Epsilon 15 virus that infects salmonella. The advancements enable scientists to observe previously invisible features, including non-symmetric components and a core with unknown function.
Researchers at UW-Madison have discovered a systematic mechanism for the influenza virus to package its genetic materials, enabling the development of new antiviral drugs and more efficient vaccine production. This finding has significant implications for addressing avian influenza pandemics.
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.