Articles tagged with Host Pathogen Interactions
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A new study at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health found that neighborhoods with high densities of unhealthy retail food establishments were associated with a higher risk of delivering babies born large-for-gestational age, while those with healthy food options reduced this risk. The study analyzed data from over 106,000 births in...
A recent study found that the highly contagious chytridiomycosis fungus has become more prevalent and widespread in Africa since 2000, posing a new threat to amphibian populations. The disease, which can cause skin sloughing, lethargy, weight loss, and cardiac arrest, may be linked to climate change-induced stress.
Researcher Dana Hawley found that finches with mild and strong conjunctivitis symptoms spread a pathogen at higher rates than healthy birds. This suggests that pathogens can evolve to cause more harm to their hosts, leading to increased transmission.
Co-infection with gut parasites increases shedding of respiratory bugs like Bordetella bacterium, leading to higher probability of onward transmission. This study in rabbits has broad implications for human populations and suggests targeting treatment of helminths could be an effective way to reduce disease outbreaks.
A VUB study has mapped the immune system's response to brain infections, revealing that resident macrophages play a key role in defending against pathogens. The researchers found that blood-derived immune cells can eliminate parasites, but may retain 'memory' of past infections, altering their ability to respond to future insults.
The study found that the interaction between two organelles in the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, controls the transfer of cholesterol to the plasma membrane. This process is crucial for maintaining proper lipid composition at the cell surface.
Researchers at University of California - Riverside discovered a chemical cocktail in human skin that summons disease-spreading mosquitoes. The combination of carbon dioxide plus two chemicals, 2-ketoglutaric and lactic acids, elicits a scent that attracts female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, vectors of Zika and other viruses.
A recent study finds that fungal infections during the pandemic are a significant public health problem with limited treatment options. The interaction between pathogen and host may be different in people with compromised immunity, leading to increased mortality rates among severe COVID-19 patients.
The University of California, Davis has received a $10 million grant to continue its work on managing and preventing mosquito- and tick-borne diseases. Researchers will focus on finding effective methods to stop these diseases while training the next generation of public-health scientists.
Researchers developed a single-molecule technique to investigate how bacterial proteins form pores in mammalian cells. They tracked the assembly of perfringolysin O protein and found that it forms pores even before complete ring formation is completed.
A study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that antibodies against Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 decline rapidly, even after a second vaccination or booster shot, offering limited protection against infection.
A new study found that microgravity analog culture profoundly affects the microbial infection process in 3-D human tissue models. This is critical for ensuring astronaut health on extended space missions and sheds light on mysterious processes of infection on Earth.
A UC Davis study found a critical agent keeping KSHV dormant and undetected by the immune system. The virus is linked to various cancers and AIDS-related diseases. The researchers identified CHD4 as a key regulator of the latency-lytic switch, allowing the virus to stay silent.
Chronic bacterial infections can lead to chronic inflammation and DNA damage, increasing CRC risk. Salmonella infections are particularly risky, as they impair immune responses and promote tumorigenesis.
The Ustilago maydis effector Rip1 targets and binds Zmlox3, a maize gene from the lipoxygenase family, to suppress PTI and reduce susceptibility to fungal infection. This action leads to reduced ROS-burst formation in infected plant cells, highlighting the complex co-evolutionary forces between host and pathogen.
A gene defect among people of Inuit ancestry has been discovered, putting children at risk of dying from child vaccines or simple viral infections. The defect is found in 1 out of 1500 Inuits and can be screened for using heel prick blood test samples.
A novel bed net treated with chlorfenapyr has been shown to significantly reduce malaria infection in children, with a 43% decrease in the first year and 37% decrease in the second year. The study found that the bed net reduced clinical episodes of malaria by 44% over two years.
Researchers found that Chagas trypanosomes change the bacterial community in predatory bugs' intestines, leading to a decrease in diversity and an increase in certain pathogenic bacteria. The study also identified four bacteria species crucial for bug survival, which could be used to develop defensive substances against the parasite.
Research suggests that genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals may contribute to the evolution of deadly pandemic strains. The study found that ColV plasmids in pigs, cattle, and chickens can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and extra-intestinal infections in humans.
A study discovered that fungus Cyanodermella asteris synthesizes valuable compounds in plant Aster tataricus, influencing its growth. The interaction reveals a two-way dialogue between the microbe and host, with the fungus producing beneficial compounds while also being influenced by plant hormones.
A recent study found that temperature variation affects infection rates and disease outcomes in distinct ways, with different effects depending on the average background temperature. Temperature fluctuations such as heatwaves can reduce infectivity and spore burden of parasites, but may not impact disease outcomes.
Researchers discovered that pathogens can hijack mitochondrial defense mechanisms by mimicking host proteins, effectively disarming the mitochondria. This allows the pathogen to acquire essential nutrients and evade the host's immune response.
Scientists have grown rousette bat 'organoids' that reproduce intestines in vitro, providing a new model for studying virus-bat relationships. The organoids were found to be susceptible to certain viruses but not others, offering insights into why bats can host multiple pathogens without getting sick.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict mosquito breeding ground temperatures, estimating populations and tracking vector-borne diseases. The model revealed that even in winter, certain breeding grounds can support mosquito growth.
A team of biologists identified the fungus Verticillium dahliae's effector molecule VdAMP3, which targets beneficial organisms in the plant's microbiome to promote infection. This discovery highlights the importance of considering the entire microbiome when understanding disease.
A new study used machine learning to predict the zoonotic capacity of 5,400 mammal species, identifying those at high risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2. The model, which combined data on biological traits with ACE2 receptor information, predicted 72% accuracy and identified numerous additional species with potential to transmit the virus.
Researchers have developed a database of parasite-host interactions among ancient ocean animals, shedding light on the evolution of biodiversity and the impact of parasitism on ecosystems. The study suggests that parasites can positively stabilize coastal ecosystems, making them more stable despite individual harm to hosts.
A 26-year study on wild white-footed mice found that mice with physical impairments survived and thrived at a rate similar to their unimpaired counterparts. Mice with impairments had greater mass and larger home ranges, but no evidence of decreased fitness.
Scientists have developed a technique to sequence individual malaria parasites' genomes, allowing for the detection of new mutations. These mutations are often targeting a gene family controlling transcription in malaria, suggesting potential avenues for developing more effective treatments and vaccines.
A VCU study found that 4 out of every 5 COVID-19 survivors regain their sense of smell and taste within six months, with younger adults more likely to recover. Those with nasal congestion are more likely to recover their sense of smell, while those with head injuries or shortness of breath have a lower likelihood.
A new OSU study on African buffalo offers insights into the persistence of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease pathogens. Researchers found that carrier transmission among certain strains can allow them to persist in populations, highlighting the need for public health interventions to limit transmission and endemicity.
A multidisciplinary research framework is needed to explore links between evolved tolerance to pathogens and their spillover into humans. Hosts can live with pathogens for long periods, creating conditions perfect for spillover, according to a new review.
Researchers from Institute for Systems Biology uncover evidence that mutations generate positive genetic interactions among rare microbial individuals, increasing cooperativity and enabling their persistence. The study also reveals parallel evolution underlying the co-evolution of two organisms in a mutualistic community.
Research highlights importance of microbiome in disease interactions, including how it strengthens resistance to pathogens and influences the spread of diseases like chytridiomycosis. Climate change can disrupt the balance of the microbiome, making organisms more susceptible to infection.
Researchers from Rice University and the University of Michigan created a model to predict the severity of multipathogen epidemics based on within-host pathogen interactions. The study used zooplankton as a model organism and found that altering the order of infection can change the course of an epidemic.
A new study reveals the presence of Asian tiger mosquitoes is negatively associated with altitude and positively associated with fresh water surfaces. Effective prevention and control campaigns can be planned by removing breeding sites, according to lead author Dr. Ana Sanz-Aguilar.
The winners of the 2018 Blavatnik National Awards are Janelle Ayres (immunology), Sergei V. Kalinin (nanomaterials), and Neal K. Devaraj (artificial cells). Their research has the potential to revolutionize fields like anti-microbial resistance, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology.
A study found that plant sugars affect mosquito susceptibility to malaria parasites, with certain plants increasing transmission rates. The researchers used an epidemiological model to predict the relative contribution of different plants to malaria transmission dynamics.
Research reveals that competing for the same host plant, different pathogen strains change disease dynamics, leading to more severe epidemics. The study highlights the importance of accounting for coinfection when designing disease prevention efforts.
The US National Science Foundation, NIH, and USDA have awarded over $12 million in new research grants to study the ecological and biological mechanisms behind human-induced environmental changes and infectious diseases. Researchers will investigate topics such as landscape structure on disease dynamics and host vaccinations' impact on...
Research suggests that HIV-like viruses in non-human primates date back to at least 5 million years ago, possibly up to 12 million years ago. The study's findings indicate an evolutionary arms race between viruses and the host immune system, driving selective changes in antiviral genes.
Researchers developed methods to synthesize and change the Schmallenberg virus genome, identifying a gene that protects the virus against the immune response. The study found that viruses missing this gene caused less sickness in mice, suggesting potential for new vaccines.
New research shows that elderly individuals mount normal immune responses to virus infections, retaining T cell functionality. This finding has important implications for vaccination strategies in the elderly.
Researchers at Cornell University discovered how Toxoplasma gondii evades the human immune system by hijacking immune cells and manipulating cell behavior. The parasite's ability to control its host's immune system challenges common conceptions of pathogen-host interactions.
Jörn Coers is honored by the American Society for Microbiology for his work on immune responses against intracellular pathogens. His research focuses on host-pathogen interactions and has revealed key insights into diseases caused by Chlamydia.
Researchers found that prion-tainted aerosols can induce disease in mice by transferring to the brain and colonizing it. The study suggests airborne transmission of prions may be a risk, prompting potential regulations to minimize infection risks.
Scientists from Oxford University found that Alpine pennycress plants accumulate zinc, nickel, and cadmium to defend against bacterial infection. The study demonstrates a direct link between metal concentrations and resistance to disease.
Researchers found that most H5N1 outbreaks occurred at sites with temperatures between 0°C and 2°C, where wild waterbirds congregated along freezing fronts. This congregation created ideal conditions for the transmission of the virus within and between species.
Researchers identified YfiBNR signaling system in P. aeruginosa responsible for SCV formation and persistence in CF patients. c-di-GMP triggers massive exopolysaccharide production and reduced growth rates, conferring resistance to macrophage phagocytosis.
Wolf-Watz recognized for seminal work on Yersinia host-pathogen interaction and international collaborations that advanced microbiological sciences. His proposal of type III protein secretion systems as unique injectors of proteins into host cells has been critical to understanding host-pathogen interactions.
A new treatment route for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and its human form Creutzfeldt Jakob disease (CJD) may be closer based on new findings from the University of Leeds. Glypican-1 has been shown to cause abnormal prion proteins to rise, and reducing levels in infected cells can lower their levels.
A study by researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that HIV transmission in UK heterosexuals can occur within networks of up to 30 people. The research used phylodynamics to reconstruct viral sequence divergence, revealing smaller clusters and slower transmission rates compared to homosexual men.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a potential vaccine to prevent urinary tract infections, which affect 53% of women and 14% of men. The vaccine targets iron receptors on bacteria that cause infection, inducing an immune response in mucosal tissue.
A new study reveals that impaired axonal transport in neurons is a key factor in the development of prion diseases. The research shows that clinical symptoms correlate with reduced axonal transport in specific brain centers, providing new insights into the disease.
A subset of immune cells has been found to contribute to the development of severe malaria by suppressing the immune system and allowing parasites to grow uncontrollably. This discovery could lead to new drug targets and immunotherapies against malaria, as well as insights into other inflammatory diseases.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens has revealed that a majority of the global population has been infected with three recently discovered human polyomaviruses, including KIV, WU, and MCV. The study, which tested over 2,200 anonymous donor blood samples, found that infection with these viruses occurs early in childhood.
Researchers found that prior STD infections can lead to a genetic bottleneck in HIV transmission, allowing multiple viral variants to spread. The study suggests that the genital mucosa provides a natural barrier against infection, which can be compromised by inflammatory genital infections.
Researchers identified a prion protein characteristic unique to certain natural sheep scrapie cases, which may help study prion diversity and changes during cross-species transmission. The findings distinguish these isolates from bovine BSE cases.
Researchers analyzed fecal samples from 25 chimpanzee communities and found a range of SFV infection rates from 44% to 100%. The study highlights the importance of understanding cross-species infections in primates and their potential impact on human health.
New research reveals that coronavirus replication relies on the host's secretory pathway and disrupts the Golgi complex, a crucial cellular process. The study found that inhibiting this pathway can slow down or prevent viral infection.