A research team at the University of California, Riverside has discovered the structure of a human monoclonal antibody that protects against Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus. The study provides insights into fighting a broad range of viral strains and could lead to targeted therapeutics for infected patients.
Biovac has concluded a licensing agreement with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to manufacture an oral cholera vaccine, addressing the critical shortage of vaccines needed to prevent cholera globally. The partnership aims to increase production volumes, reduce supply gaps, and support Africa's indigenous vaccine industry.
Researchers have identified a tailor-made pocket feature in the spike glycoproteins of deadly coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, MERS, and Omicron. This finding could lead to the development of a pan-coronavirus treatment that exploits this pocket feature to stop virus infectivity.
Researchers from UCSF and the San Francisco VA Health Care System found that veterans with PTSD had an 8% increased risk of death and a 9% increased risk of hospitalization compared to those without psychiatric diagnoses. Patients with psychosis had a 58% increased risk of death and a 66% increased risk of hospitalization.
A study found that mixing genetic makeup of corals increases resistance to disease, allowing some vulnerable corals to thrive. This 'rescue' effect helps reduce disease transmission among corals.
The number of Candida auris cases in the EU/EEA nearly doubled between 2020 and 2021, with 11% of cases having no available information on carriage or infection. Early detection is crucial to prevent the spread of this healthcare-associated pathogen.
A global case series of monkeypox infection in cisgender and transgender women and non-binary individuals provides valuable insights into risk factors, routes of transmission, and clinical features. The study highlights the need for education among healthcare professionals to accurately diagnose and prevent transmission.
A new analysis by researchers at Duke University proposes a four-step science-based framework to overcome barriers and enhance the success of early warning systems. The framework involves understanding potential barriers, engaging key stakeholders, identifying promising strategies to overcome barriers, and measuring outcomes.
A new study by MIT researchers finds that maintaining an indoor relative humidity between 40 and 60 percent is associated with relatively lower rates of COVID-19 infections and deaths. Indoor conditions outside this range are linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes.
Global immunization efforts have made polio a rare disease, but healthcare workers still need to be vigilant for acute flaccid paralysis. Dr. Marina Salvadori emphasizes the importance of alerting healthcare workers to this diagnosis as elimination is within reach.
A new analysis proposes a four-step framework to overcome barriers and enhance the success of early warning systems for climate-related disease outbreaks. Engaging crucial decision makers immediately is key, as well as training local health providers in environmental science.
Researchers identify unique chemical signal allowing ancient TB bacteria to evade immune system and spread beyond lungs. The 'mobile factor', called EsxM, allows the bacteria to infect macrophages more easily, leading to bone infections in six people.
Researchers used event system theory to analyze how past pandemics, including the Black Death, were caused by cumulative events leading up to a transformation. They found similar patterns in human behavior and societal responses, highlighting the importance of understanding historical events to address current crises.
A large contact tracing investigation found no secondary cases of monkeypox, informing estimates of exposure risk and postexposure prophylaxis recommendations. The framework's ease of application and cross-setting use has important applications for future infection prevention efforts.
Researchers identified specific monkeypox mutations that contribute to its continued infectiousness. The virus is accumulating mutations where drugs and antibodies from vaccines are supposed to bind, making it smarter and more infectious.
A UK study found substantial monkeypox transmission before symptoms appear, with 53% of cases occurring pre-symptomatically. The study's findings have important implications for infection control globally and may affect isolation and contact tracing policies.
A new study has linked the invasive Anopheles stephensi mosquito to an unprecedented dry season wave of infections in Ethiopian city Dire Dawa, causing a 10-fold spike in malaria cases. The mosquito's ability to thrive in urban environments and resist insecticides poses a significant threat to Africa's efforts to eliminate malaria.
A large listeriosis outbreak in southern Spain was linked to contaminated stuffed pork, which led to a public health alert and the implementation of post-exposure prophylaxis for pregnant women. The outbreak resulted in 207 confirmed cases and five miscarriages, highlighting the risk of Listeria contamination in ready-to-eat foods.
According to a review by Petra Zimmermann and Nigel Curtis, children under 8 are at higher risk of complications from monkeypox disease. The authors emphasize the need for smallpox vaccination as an effective way to prevent the spread of monkeypox among young children.
A banana protein-derived therapy called H84T-BanLec has been shown to be effective against all known strains of the flu and all human-infecting coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The therapy works by binding to high-mannose glycans on the surface of viruses but rarely found on normal human cells.
A survey among European gay-dating app users found a 82% crude vaccination acceptance rate. Willingness to vaccinate increased with factors like perceived severity of monkeypox, transmission risk, and existing health links. Higher acceptance rates were seen in northern and western Europe compared to southern and eastern regions.
The study will gather data from over 500 adults with monkeypox to determine the effectiveness and safety of tecovirimat. Participants with severe disease or high risk of severe disease will receive open-label tecovirimat, while others will be randomly assigned to receive either tecovirimat or placebo.
Nurses play a key role in combating stigma by educating healthcare professionals about safe spaces for affected individuals, regardless of sexual behavior or co-infections. Accurate messaging is crucial to prevent misinformation and promote proper care and counseling.
Researchers have reverse-engineered a virus linked to chronic kidney disease in cats and described its mechanism of infection. The feline morbillivirus, or FeMV, can spread from host to host through urine, similar to the zoonotic Nipah virus.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking model to estimate bait vaccination effectiveness in wild animals by analyzing the proportion of immunized animals and vaccine applications. The study successfully tested the model using real data from Japan's CSF outbreak, demonstrating a measurable increase in immunized wild boars.
A 14% decrease in live births was observed in Europe nine months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdowns. The decline may be linked to lockdowns rather than COVID-19 infection, with countries experiencing longer lockdowns having lower birth rates.
A clinical trial begins in the Democratic Republic of Congo to evaluate tecovirimat's safety and effectiveness in treating monkeypox. The trial will enroll up to 450 participants, comparing those who receive tecovirimat to placebo, and gather data on disease severity, mortality, and recovery.
The article highlights the need for a unified approach to prevent and respond to pandemics by adopting a One Health strategy. This involves targeted preparedness, drug and vaccine research, and worldwide cooperation on surveillance and stopping disease spread.
The Independent Task Force Report emphasizes the need for a One Health approach to prevent or respond adequately to the next pandemic. Key findings highlight the importance of 'Smart Surveillance' to identify high-threat pathogens and invest in R&D for innovative diagnostics, antiviral strategies, and therapeutic research.
A new study suggests that genetic sequencing can detect emerging COVID-19 variants with enough time to contain them at their source. This approach requires coordinated global efforts to prevent the spread of new variants.
The COVID-19 pandemic is linked to increased malnutrition risk, as reduced access to food and healthcare worsens nutritional deficiencies. In turn, malnutrition amplifies the spread of infectious diseases, creating a vicious cycle that threatens global health.
A method combining local health department data and hospital records identifies new COVID-19 outbreak waves, helping inform public health strategies. Researchers detected two large waves in Harris County, with the second taking longer to spread, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring and community collaboration.
A UCL-led study found that grandparents who stopped looking after their grandchildren during the Covid-19 pandemic were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. The study also found that reduced grandparental childcare provision was linked to lower life satisfaction and quality of life among grandparents.
Researchers mapped the spread of pathogens in wild macaque populations near human settlements, finding that monkeys with high human interactions cause larger outbreaks. The study used computer simulations to predict disease transmission and identified key factors influencing outbreak size.
Researchers developed a highly effective and safe Zika vaccine technology that prevents systemic infection in pregnant mice and stimulates an immunogenic reaction. The vaccine was tested in various mouse models, proving safe and protective against the virus.
UK researchers recommend recruiting highly skilled scientists and volunteer staff to provide surge capacity for testing capacity. The system aims to hit the ground running in case of future outbreaks.
A new scoring tool prioritizes countries with higher vaccination rates and vulnerable populations, aiming to allocate Covid-19 vaccines more fairly. The tool considers a broader range of factors than current global COVAX facilities, which have been criticized for insufficient access.
The current global monkeypox outbreak emphasizes the importance of a preventative One Health approach to minimize the risk of future emergence of known and unknown zoonotic pathogens. This is particularly crucial with the majority of people worldwide living in high population densities in cities, facilitating the spread of infectious d...
A team of scientists from SMART and NTU Singapore has developed a quick test kit that can determine a person's immunity against COVID-19 and its variants based on antibodies detected in a blood sample. The test kit, which requires just 10 minutes to show results, can be easily adapted for new variants of concern and other diseases.
A literature review found that only 53% of primary research supported the association between land change and zoonotic disease risk. Webpage content often overstated the evidence, neglecting uncertainty. The authors recommend more accurate and nuanced science communication to improve understanding.
Researchers developed a methodology to forecast outbreaks of pathogens such as coronavirus and monkeypox, identifying host species at risk of infection. The machine-learning approach analyzes variables like location and climate to predict community hot spots at risk.
A new study from Lehigh University found that social, economic, and demographic factors can predict an individual's propensity to engage in high-risk behaviors that expose them to Ebola spillover. The research identified young adults and those with agricultural jobs as the most at risk populations.
Public health researchers developed a global vaccine risk index (VRI) to predict vaccine coverage lapses worldwide. The VRI considers factors like measles incidence, vaccine confidence, climate change, education, and income, revealing countries at high risk of disease outbreaks.
Researchers discovered 13 cases of asymptomatic MSM with positive monkeypox virus PCR results in anal samples, raising concerns about the outbreak's transmission dynamics. The findings suggest that vaccination may not be an effective strategy for preventing infection, highlighting the need for expanded public health interventions.
A new model predicts that high transmissibility and immune erosion will lead to further outbreaks. The study highlights the need for a universal vaccine to block SARS-CoV-2 infection and prevent severe disease.
An analysis of European data found a significant link between adenovirus and severe liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children under 5. Most affected were those with adenovirus testing positive, with a notable decline in cases after week 17. The study calls for further investigation into the cause of this syndrome.
A team of researchers from Boston University and EcoHealth Alliance will develop models to predict disease emergence and spread. They aim to identify location hotspots for pathogen emergence and determine the most effective pandemic mitigation strategies using data from COVID-19, H1N1 flu, and Ebola Virus Disease.
Researchers warn that climate change poses a significant threat to global food supply and stability, potentially triggering famine, conflicts, and new disease outbreaks. The study proposes a research agenda to explore worst-case scenarios, including 'warm wars' and ecosystem collapse, highlighting the need for urgent action.
The partnership aims to enhance early detection and reporting for emerging diseases, building a robust decentralized global surveillance network. The collaboration will focus on advancing equitable data-sharing practices, bolstering epidemiological and genomic surveillance in low- and middle-income countries.
A new recombinant VSV-vectored vaccine developed at UTMB provides rapid protection against lethal Lassa fever, a pathogen causing severe symptoms and high mortality rates. The vaccine was found to be effective against different strains of the virus, critical for outbreak scenarios.
A new study suggests that current vaccine boosters intensify protections against serious infection caused by Omicron subvariants. The research found that booster doses bring neutralizing antibodies to appreciable levels against all Omicron subvariants, consistent with other evidence of expanded memory B cells and antibody production.
A new study found outliers in influenza-negative ILI cases in global surveillance networks 13.3 weeks before the first reported COVID-19 peaks in 16 countries. This suggests undetected spread of COVID-19 and highlights the importance of strengthening disease surveillance networks.
The International Vaccine Institute (IVI) has launched a two-week training course for biologics development and manufacturing, targeting low- and middle-income countries. The program aims to enhance local production of vaccines and biologics in LMICs to address vaccine inequity and global pandemic preparedness.
A study in Madrid found that private encounters and parties contributed to the outbreak, while a German study showed a shift from travel-associated to local transmission with Berlin as the epicenter. Both studies highlight the importance of targeted information for populations at risk, especially MSM.
Researchers at UC San Diego and Scripps Research developed a wastewater sequencing tool to track regional infection dynamics. This approach proved effective in identifying emerging variants and predicting COVID-19 surges, enabling early detection of cases and informing public health interventions.
Researchers at USAMRIID have demonstrated the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) to develop treatments for infectious diseases. The study found that administering mRNAs encoding monoclonal antibodies targeting poxviruses resulted in significant systemic levels of functional antibodies, offering potential for rapid response to disease outbreaks.
A new study found that the O139 cholera variant lost antimicrobial resistance and changed toxin production, leading to its unexpected decline. The findings suggest continuous monitoring of genetic changes is key to preventing future outbreaks.
Researchers found viral DNA on hospital surfaces, including patient rooms and frequently touched areas. However, the study's authors caution that surface contamination does not prove the virus can cause infection through contact.
A study of 54 patients with monkeypox in London's sexual health clinics found higher skin lesion prevalence and lower tiredness/fever rates compared to previous outbreaks. The authors suggest reviewing current case definitions due to differences in clinical features, including a possible link to sexually transmitted infections.
Researchers found that infected mice and humans emit a specific molecule, acetophenone, which attracts mosquitoes. This altered scent allows the viruses to spread faster. A potential preventative, isotretinoin, was also tested and shown to reduce mosquito attraction.