Articles tagged with Infectious Disease Transmission
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.
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.
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.
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.