Articles tagged with Infectious Disease Transmission
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.
Rising global temperatures could lead to the expansion of dengue fever's geographic range into temperate regions. The mosquito Aedes aegypti's larval size and adult frequency will increase with warmer temperatures, boosting disease transmission.
A 1998 study predicts that global warming will increase the potential transmission of dengue fever in temperate regions. The researchers used computer models to simulate climate change and found that a relatively small temperature rise can lead to an increase in epidemic potential, allowing for more efficient virus spread.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine is establishing a unique clinical trials unit to develop and test new therapies and vaccines for sexually transmitted diseases. The unit will focus on addressing major problems worldwide, including syphilis and gonorrhea, and will be the first of its kind in the US.
Researchers discovered a strain of hepatitis E virus in pigs that is similar to the human strain, but not causative of disease. The finding may contribute to the development of a vaccine and improve our understanding of the virus's transmission and prevalence.
Researchers found that treating co-infections with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) significantly reduces the amount of virus shed in semen, making transmission less likely. The study suggests widespread STD screening and therapy could be a crucial step in combating HIV/AIDS globally.
A collaborative study between the US and Russia aims to uncover the causes of Hepatitis C, a prevalent liver disease. The project will collect blood samples and questionnaires from over 4,000 individuals across New Mexico and Chelyabinsk-70, with results expected to shed new light on the virus.
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) found in white-tailed deer and black bears, with 56% of Midwestern patients hospitalized due to severe symptoms. Early detection is crucial for treatment with a special antibiotic, which can cure the infection in 24-48 hours.
Hepatitis A virus is the most severe foodborne viral disease, causing liver damage and debility. Viruses are transmitted through direct or indirect contamination of foods with human feces, highlighting the importance of good hygiene practices in preventing transmission.
Researchers identified three key factors that significantly boost the spread of HIV: having other STDs, multiple sexual relationships, and sex with people newly infected. Increasing STD detection and treatment, and focusing on early HIV infections can help curb the epidemic.
The Pediatric ACTG Protocol 185 clinical trial was stopped early due to an unexpectedly low rate of infant HIV infection, making it impossible to compare treatment outcomes. The study confirmed the effectiveness of AZT in reducing mother-to-child HIV transmission, extending its benefits to women with more advanced disease and previous ...
Researchers found that viral load in semen increases with progression of the disease in most patients. Using antiviral therapy, they were able to reduce viral load in semen to undetectable levels in six patients.
Recent advances in HIV research reveal the critical role of host factors in determining disease progression and replication rates. Key discoveries include the regulation of HIV replication by immune response molecules and the activation of the immune system by the virus.
Researchers analyzed data from 958 individuals and found equal rates of chlamydial infection in men and women. The study suggests that diagnostic tests using PCR or LCR may be effective in controlling the spread of Chlamydia.
A recent analysis of ACTG 076 data found that the risk of perinatal transmission of HIV can occur even when a woman has little or no detectable virus in her blood. Offering AZT therapy to all pregnant HIV-infected women is crucial, regardless of their stage of disease.
A study conducted by the University of Washington found that HIV transmission can occur even among individuals with few sexual partners, and that oral sex is a common route of transmission among gay men. Despite warnings from health experts, unprotected oral sex may not be as safe as previously thought.