Articles tagged with Infectious Disease Transmission
A University of Warwick study explains Kenya's first three Covid-19 waves through socio-economic differences and variant introductions. Lower socio-economic groups were more vulnerable due to high population density, reduced access to sanitation, and daily mobility requirements.
Scientists at New York University have developed seven new crystal forms of the insecticide imidacloprid, which work up to nine times faster than the original version. The new forms enable the control of disease-carrying mosquitoes in smaller amounts and with reduced environmental impact.
Researchers from MIT have developed a way to use carbon dioxide monitors to estimate indoor COVID-19 risk in near real-time. The model takes into account various factors such as ventilation, mask usage, and activity levels to provide an indoor reproductive number that represents the virus's transmission rate.
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.
Researchers developed a model using data from over 1.1 million volunteers to identify the 7 most informative symptoms for COVID-19 test allocation. The model predicted PCR positivity with high accuracy, resulting in potential 30% to 40% increase in eligible individuals and 70% to 75% detection of positive cases.
Researchers will conduct participatory research with transit workers to identify ways to reduce occupational health disparities and improve preparedness for public-facing workers. The project aims to improve safe working environments and build resilience among frontline workers.
A new study found that people infected with COVID-19 exhale infectious virus in their breath, putting others at risk. Using tight-fitting masks can reduce the amount of virus in the air by half.
A new computer model developed by Columbia University researchers accurately predicts the likelihood of individuals being colonized with MRSA in hospital settings. The model identifies asymptomatic carriers, who are responsible for most of the spread, and suggests targeted interventions to control infections.
A study of highly vaccinated health workers found that COVID-19 vaccines lost effectiveness in protecting against symptomatic infection by July, with only 65% protection remaining. The emergence of the delta variant and lifting of masking mandates contributed to this decline in vaccine efficacy.
Researchers explored optimizing disease control in prisons using rapid tests, identifying the optimal strategy to minimize costs and reduce infection. The study found that switching between full and no testing depends on various parameters, including contagion rates and test sensitivity.
Carnivorous animals lack key genes needed to detect and respond to infection, making them asymptomatic carriers of disease-causing pathogens. This can lead to the formation of undetected disease reservoirs that can mutate and become a risk to human health.
The NIH study reveals that aerosol exposure directly deposits SARS-CoV-2 deep into the lungs, while fomite exposure leads to initial virus replication in the nose. The findings support public health guidance focused on masking, air filtration, social distancing, and handwashing.
A new approach to modeling COVID-19 spread incorporates real-time data on people's movements, showing promise for optimal lockdown policies. The study suggests a balance between controlling the pandemic and minimizing economic costs can be achieved through mathematical models and Google mobility data.
Researchers developed a new method to analyze video segments from live streams and estimate the prevalence of mask wearing. The protocol was successfully learned in under an hour and found reliable estimates of mask-compliance, with the potential to provide useful results for decision-makers within 48 hours.
A new biomarker, HBcrAg, has been found to accurately predict viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis B and reflect response to anti-viral treatments. This discovery may lead to improved monitoring methods for CHB, enabling clinical decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes.
A recent study published in Transplant Infectious Disease found that COVID-19 vaccination provides strong protection against the virus for solid organ transplant recipients, with an almost 80% reduction in symptomatic cases. The study examined data from over 2,150 transplant patients and showed that nearly 70% of vaccinated patients re...
A new model incorporates human behavior and fears to predict multiple waves of COVID-19 infections. The 'Triple Contagion' model shows how fear can drive disease resurgence, as people may abandon protective measures prematurely or avoid vaccines due to misinformation.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine modified remdesivir to create an oral version that can be taken earlier in COVID-19 diagnoses. The revised drug proved effective and safe in cell and animal studies.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic found that wearing masks and maintaining physical distance significantly reduce the spread of COVID-19. The study showed that both disposable paper medical masks and two-layer cloth masks were effective in blocking aerosol particles, with increased distance reducing particle counts to near baseline levels.
New research reveals that social distancing rules may be futile once indoors due to the dynamic behavior of droplets. The study suggests masks and air quality play a crucial role in disease transmission, with some droplets surviving longer than previously believed.
Researchers aim to pinpoint specific areas with the highest risk of tick-borne disease transmission using GPS data loggers and interviews with people with tick-borne diseases. The study's findings will inform targeted interventions to address a major public health threat in the US.
Researchers estimate the risk of infectious disease transmission on airplanes, finding that movement patterns can facilitate disease spread. Passengers seated within one row and two seats lateral to an infected individual have a high probability of infection, while others are at low risk.
Infectious disease transmission in prisons can be prevented with simple and safe harm reduction strategies, yet governments remain reluctant to endorse alternative approaches. The Lancet emphasizes the need for a global approach to acknowledge prison health's contribution to health inequalities.
A UK study found that one in five patients with acute symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection are unlikely to be seen at a genitourinary medicine clinic within the recommended 48 hours. The study, which surveyed healthcare staff posing as patients, also revealed that those in certain regions faced even longer waits.
A new therapy effectively treats a disease similar to multiple sclerosis in monkeys by targeting T cells that cause the disease. The approach could soon be tested against MS and other autoimmune diseases in humans, offering potential for improved treatment options.
Researchers have developed a new screening process to detect human parvovirus B19 in blood plasma, ensuring its safety for transfusions. The discovery has already led to improvements in plasma processing and the voluntary recall of contaminated lots.
A study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that Duke University football players transmitted a Norwalk-like virus to their Florida State University opponents after eating contaminated food. The transmission was attributed to people touching each other's hands, uniforms, and possibly the football itself.
A study of 3000 women found that those who have sex with women are equally likely to contract STIs as heterosexual women. High rates of genital warts and herpes were also detected among all participants.
Researchers have sequenced the Ureaplasma urealyticum genome, revealing a novel metabolic system and 652 genes with unknown functions. The discovery will aid in understanding how the bacterium causes disease and may lead to better treatments.
The study provides a comprehensive understanding of Vibrio cholerae's genetic makeup, shedding light on its role in disease and survival. The DNA sequence reveals two circular chromosomes, each essential for the organism's viability, and may hold clues to developing new vaccine candidates and diagnostic tools.
A recent study found that a short regimen of nevirapine continues to reduce HIV transmission in infants even when breastfed. The results showed a sustained 39% reduction in risk over 12 months, and preliminary data suggest an additional 2% reduction after 18 months.
Scientists have developed a fruit fly model to study malaria parasite development, which may lead to the creation of mosquitoes resistant to malaria. The research could also pave the way for better anti-malarial drugs and transmission-blocking vaccines.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine implemented an STD study program that set up booths in community gathering places to offer urine screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. The program identified 24 people with the diseases, most of whom were unaware they were infected, and successfully treated 90% of them.
A study found that faucet handles and phone receivers are high-risk areas for transferring bacteria and viruses to hands and faces. This could lead to diseases like diarrhea and infection if proper hygiene is not practiced. The researchers also highlighted the potential for household items like sponges and telephones to spread infections.
A pilot program at Sandia National Laboratories aims to close the time gap between disease outbreak identification and terrorist origin. The system will use color-coded maps and database information to quickly characterize and differentiate disease outbreaks from natural occurrences.
Researchers discovered that viral load is a critical predictor of HIV transmission between men and women, regardless of gender. Individuals with low levels of the virus in their blood did not transmit the virus to their partner.
A study of over 400 HIV-positive and negative heterosexual couples found that lower HIV blood levels are associated with reduced transmission risk. Individuals with viral loads below 1,500 copies/mL had no infected partners.
The University of Pittsburgh has developed a new organ culture model to study HIV transmission in women, which could lead to breakthroughs in barrier medications and prevention strategies. The model, described in the journal Nature Medicine, closely mimics the stratified cell layers present at sites of sexual transmission in women.
A study from the University of Washington reveals that people unaware of having genital herpes are just as likely to spread the disease, and education can help identify infected individuals. The study found 83% of asymptomatic people shed HSV-2 virus in their genital secretions.
Scientists identify a feature common to the immune systems of long-term nonprogressors that enables them to resist disease. The discovery links HLA B*5701 gene to immune resistance in HIV-infected individuals, offering new insights into mechanisms of immune defense.
A study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections reports that over one in five women attending genitourinary medicine clinics have experienced sexual assault. Long-term distress is common among these survivors, with those who disclosed their experience to multiple people reporting more severe emotional impact.
Researchers at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories have identified a new class of compounds that slow the development of prion diseases in mice. The compounds, which include drugs used in cancer therapy, block the conversion of normal prion protein to an altered form, delaying disease progression. If successful in humans, this treatmen...
Leishmaniasis, a deadly tropical disease, has been cured with nearly 100% effectiveness using the oral treatment Miltefosine. The new therapy was discovered in India and shows promise for treating visceral leishmaniasis, a particularly fatal form of the disease.
Research finds that combining AIDS drugs with cesarean delivery can reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to babies. The study, conducted in North Carolina from 1998 to 1999, showed a significant decrease in HIV transmission rates after these interventions were implemented.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine reported a groundbreaking case of tuberculosis transmission from a cadaver to an embalmer, revealing the first documented instance of such a transmission. The study emphasizes the need for updated guidelines and precautions to prevent similar incidents in funeral homes.
Researchers establish direct link between prions causing mad cow disease and new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, challenging the species barrier theory. The study used transgenic mice to demonstrate that the strain of prion responsible for mad cow disease also causes new-variant CJD.
Researchers will study the psychological impact of diagnosis on self-esteem and relationships. The study aims to understand how people cope with the news and develop prevention strategies.
Researchers found that African-American patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have a lower sustained response to antiviral therapy compared to Caucasians. Additionally, anti-HCV testing in infants may not be reliable until they are two years old, and the deletion of ALT testing has removed an important screening tool for liver di...
Researchers found that HIV-infected mothers are at highest risk of transmitting the virus to their babies through breastfeeding during the first few months of life. The study also revealed that women who had fewer than four previous births and younger mothers were more likely to transmit HIV through breast milk.
Researchers found that women with high HIV RNA levels in their blood transmitted the virus to their infants more often than those with low levels, highlighting the importance of treatment strategies aimed at reducing viral load. The studies also suggest that undetectable viral RNA levels can significantly reduce transmission risk.
Scientists at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories discovered a section of the prion protein that can prevent misfolding and progression to disease. This finding opens possibilities for therapy in animals and may one day help prevent degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
A genetic variant of HIV linked to rapid disease progression in the US and Europe is rare in Africa, according to a new study. The findings may impact the design of HIV vaccines and therapies for underdeveloped regions where the epidemic is expanding.
A new report by Johns Hopkins Medicine highlights the inadequate tuberculosis control programs in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV infection rates are high. The report recommends improved screening, treatment, and integration of TB and HIV care to reduce transmission.
A common surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), has been shown to inactivate sexually transmitted viruses including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomaviruses (HPVs). The discovery provides a major step towards developing a practical, non-toxic, and inexpensive product to protect women from HPV infection.
Pregnant women infected with HIV can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to their infants by about 50 percent if they deliver by elective cesarean section before labor and membranes rupture. The study found that c-sections cut mother-to-child HIV transmission by at least 50 percent.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University found latent HIV in the semen of seven infected men taking HAART, which may be transmissible. The study suggests that even if detectable virus is not present in blood, individuals should practice safe sex to prevent transmission.
Scientists have discovered that the corkscrew-shaped bacterium causing relapsing fever changes its surface proteins when moving from a tick to a mammal or vice versa. This finding could lead to an improved blood test for diagnosing the illness, distinguishing it from Lyme disease in endemic regions.
Researchers discover that the CFTR protein acts as a receptor for Salmonella typhi, allowing it to be ingested and cleared from the body. This finding suggests that cystic fibrosis gene carriers may have protection against typhoid fever due to their abnormal CFTR protein.
A UC San Francisco study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that HHV-8 is a direct cause of Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-positive homosexual men, with transmission through sexual contact playing a major role. The study showed that infection with HHV-8 increases the risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma within 10 years.
Researchers discovered that syphilis increases HIV transmission by activating immune cells through bacterial membrane lipoproteins. This understanding could lead to treatments to slow HIV disease progression. The study found a plausible molecular explanation for why people with syphilis are more likely to transmit or contract HIV.