Articles tagged with Infectious Disease Transmission
A new study reveals that two specific genes in the RNA interference pathway play a crucial role in preventing virus transmission from parent to progeny in plants. This discovery could lead to healthier crops and potentially reduce the transmission of diseases like Zika from mothers to human children.
Researchers isolated drug-resistant strains of SARS-CoV-2 from immunocompromised individuals who received antiviral treatments. The virus variants showed resistance to Paxlovid and remdesivir, highlighting the need for combination therapy to treat COVID-19 in highly vulnerable patients.
The NIH has released an update on its priorities for mpox research, focusing on understanding the virus's transmission, vaccine development, and treatments. The agenda aims to improve detection and prevention strategies for the disease, which is most severe in people with compromised immune systems.
A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.
Researchers found that seabirds' food-stealing behavior, known as kleptoparasitism, could be a transmission point for the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus. This behavior involves birds forcing others to regurgitate their prey, potentially spreading the disease through contaminated food items.
Researchers will conduct laboratory and field work at UC Medical Center to detect airborne transmission of MRSA. The study aims to better understand the significance of airborne transmission of MRSA and inform enhanced workplace safety measures.
Researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History are studying bagworms' unique life cycle and their potential to inform understanding of modern climate change. They'll also analyze fossils from ancient mammal communities affected by rapid warming, as well as use AI to model future disease outbreaks.
The University of Kentucky has been awarded a six-year, $18 million NSF grant to establish the NSF ESCAPE center for assessing pathogen emergence. The center will focus on environmental surveillance using social science, engineering, bioinformatics, and risk modeling to predict and prevent pandemics.
A nationwide study by Nanyang Technological University found that individuals who recovered from dengue are at a 55% higher risk of long-term health complications, including heart problems and cognitive disorders. This is compared to those who recovered from COVID-19.
A case study reports a 9-year-old Canadian child diagnosed with Tick-borne Powassan virus encephalitis after symptoms developed 1 week after a camping trip in northern Ontario. The authors emphasize the importance of broad arbovirus serology testing for patients presenting with encephalitis, particularly during summer and fall.
A study found that men infected with high-risk types of HPV could experience sperm death from oxidative stress, leading to impaired fertility. The researchers also discovered a weakened local immune response in the urogenital tract, which may contribute to these effects.
New evidence suggests masks can reduce transmission, but behaviors like avoiding crowds also play a role. Experts emphasize the need for multi-measure approaches to public health.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara discovered that mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti, can detect thermal infrared radiation from human skin heat, doubling host-seeking behavior when combined with CO2 and human odor. This newly documented sense helps explain how mosquitoes achieve their exceptional tracking skills.
The center aims to harness new technologies to detect, investigate, and prevent pandemics at their source. It combines expertise from four UC Davis powerhouses: veterinary medicine, engineering, agriculture, and medicine.
A new study suggests treating all children under 5 with azithromycin in Africa can significantly reduce child mortality. Treating older kids protects younger children from respiratory and lethal infections.
A recent study has confirmed the efficacy and safety of the dengue vaccine TAK-003, which reduces the risk of contracting the disease by over 50%. The vaccine has shown a high safety profile, with more than 90% of adults and children developing antibodies after administration.
A new multi-site randomized-controlled study evaluates an innovative healthy relationships program for teens. The study found the program may have influenced abstinence but not relationship communication, highlighting the need for tailored program components to address unique environmental contexts.
A study found that hospitalization of a relative increases the risk of MRSA infection in household members. The longer the relative's hospital stay, the higher the risk. Researchers recommend enhanced infection control practices to track and mitigate transmission.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that increased ventilation in childcare settings may not be effective in preventing flu virus spread. The team used a play-based model using ferrets to study the spread of flu viruses in a setting that closely mimics a childcare venue.
Historical records suggest that anomalous climate conditions during El Niño events contributed to the establishment and spread of new cholera strains. Climate-facilitated emergence of novel strains is projected to increase through the end of the century due to climate change-driven increases in climate variability.
A new study reveals that blowflies in southern Japan are carrying the bird flu virus, which could lead to transmission through contaminated surfaces, food sources, and water. This finding highlights the need for effective countermeasures to prevent and control the disease in poultry farms.
Researchers at WashU Medicine developed a nasal COVID-19 vaccine that halted transmission in hamsters, showing promise for controlling respiratory infections. The vaccine targeted the virus's entry points in the nose and mouth, reducing viral replication and preventing spread.
Researchers engineered human skin bacteria to produce less lactic acid, attracting fewer mosquitoes to mice. The engineered microbes reduced mosquito attraction by up to 64.4% and also prevented bites.
Researchers find significant association between illicit fentanyl use and HCV transmission, highlighting need for point-of-care testing and treatment access. The study suggests that fentanyl's short half-life may lead to increased risk of HCV transmission through frequent dosing and sharing.
Researchers detected SARS-CoV-2 in six common backyard species, including deer mice, Virginia opossums, and raccoons, with unique viral mutations found in some animals. The study highlights the need for broad surveillance and suggests that areas with high human activity may serve as points of contact for cross-species transmission.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of proper ventilation in buildings to prevent airborne infection transmission. Experts recommend developing interdisciplinary knowledge, investing in mechanical ventilation systems, and implementing equivalent ventilation methods for existing buildings.
Researchers found that most Powassan-positive bites cause nonspecific presentations without symptoms, and estimated 3,000-5,000 people in the US are exposed to ticks carrying the virus each year. The study used a new testing approach to detect the virus in ticks and linked it to human disease outcomes.
A Cornell University study reveals efficient and sustained mammalian-to-mammalian transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 between cows and from cows to cats and a raccoon. The virus shows high tropism for the mammary gland and infectious viral loads in milk.
A new study found that the incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection among men with HIV is 10-fold higher than primary infection rates in New York City. The researchers identified receiving semen in the rectum as the only risk factor for reinfection, contradicting previous assumptions about transmission routes.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the dengue virus genome's use of less efficient codons in its host's machinery to replicate and spread. This discovery has implications for developing novel antiviral treatments and vaccines, as well as understanding the relationship between viruses and their hosts.
A team of researchers from Penn State College of Medicine identified KDR, a tyrosine kinase, as a potential drug target for treating diseases caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1). By blocking KDR, the viral protein Tax is degraded, leading to cell death and disruption of cancer-causing signaling pathways.
Researchers in Brazil identified two new serovars of Leptospira bacteria causing the disease, with one linked to cat ownership and increasing age. The study found that improving sanitary conditions and understanding animal contributions to transmission are key to preventing leptospirosis.
A recent study by the University of Exeter warns that intensive livestock farming may raise the risk of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs). The researchers highlight the need to consider social and economic factors in traditional assessments.
The University of Montana has received a $3 million federal grant to investigate three North American bat species' adaptations to white-nose syndrome and climate change. Researchers will use computational models, bioinformatics, and ecological data to forecast bat movement across landscapes and understand population resilience.
Researchers found that bovine HPAI H5N1 viruses induced severe disease in mice and ferrets after intranasal inoculation, with high virus levels detected in respiratory and non-respiratory organs. However, the virus did not transmit efficiently via respiratory droplets among ferrets.
A novel diagnostic test combining LAMP molecular amplification with a 3D printer-based DNA extraction system shows comparable sensitivity to PCR, offering a simple and rapid solution for detecting T. cruzi infection in newborns. Early detection is crucial for effective treatment, which was successfully applied in the study.
A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that regular booster doses of bivalent vaccines can maintain a person's ability to neutralize multiple SARS-CoV-2 strains, including XBB.1.5. This is especially important for immunocompromised groups, such as solid organ transplant recipients.
Studies found that wood reduces viral infectivity on its surface, with pine and spruce showing the fastest onset of antiviral activity. The researchers concluded that wood's chemical composition is responsible for its antiviral functionality.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered the hepatitis E virus is associated with sperm in pigs, suggesting a possible link to male infertility and sexual transmission. The virus was found to circulate in blood and shed in feces, with viral particles present on the head of sperm cells that can infect human liver cells.
A study by Virginia Tech researchers found that shelter dogs paired with suitable companions exhibited reduced stress levels and were adopted more quickly. The findings suggest that matching dogs with compatible roommates could alleviate stress and improve their adoptability, leading to better outcomes for animal shelters.
Researchers have identified the spleen as a critical organ in cryptic malaria infections, where over 95% of Plasmodium vivax biomass is stored. Extracellular vesicles facilitate the parasite's adherence to spleen cells, enabling its survival and evasion of immune responses.
A study in São Paulo state found that chikungunya virus circulated silently for years before causing major epidemics. The researchers monitored residents for four years and discovered a significant rise in seroprevalence from 0.35% to 2.3%. This finding underscores the need for strengthened disease surveillance.
A new study analyzed over 14,600 scientific publications funded by more than $4 billion in NIH grants, revealing key research topics such as clinical trials, vaccine distribution, and virology. The findings suggest that half of the funding went to five states: North Carolina, Washington, New York, California, and Massachusetts.
Researchers tracked mpox cases in a surveillance network of 13 emergency departments, finding three new cases among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men. The study highlights the need for vigilance and vaccination to prevent further transmission.
A review of research suggests that only around half of individuals feel comfortable disclosing their STI diagnosis to a partner before engaging in sexual activity. Comprehensive sex education is needed to prevent the spread of infections and support individuals with diagnosed STIs.
Experts at NYU Langone Health have warned of a growing public health threat from hard-to-treat fungal skin infections in the US. Two new reports document cases of highly contagious forms of ringworm and jock itch that can take months to clear up with treatment.
Researchers at the University of Toronto discovered a new RNA virus, Apocryptovirus odysseus, associated with severe inflammation in humans infected with Toxoplasma gondii. The virus is found in two hypervirulent strains of the parasite, exacerbating toxoplasmosis disease and triggering an immune response.
Researchers identified a novel virus in pet trade zebrafish that causes hemorrhaging in laboratory fish, revealing a risk of viral transmission. The study found that viruses circulating in healthy pet trade zebrafish can transmit to laboratory animals and cause severe disease.
A new analysis reveals that national-level data on rubella vaccination may overlook nuances at the local level, affecting vaccination efforts. Introducing a vaccine program can reduce CRS cases by thousands in the first five years.
A recent laboratory study found that human body lice are more efficient at transmitting Yersinia pestis, the bacterium causing plague, than previously believed. The researchers discovered a new mechanism by which lice can spread the pathogen through bites, highlighting the potential role of body lice in past plague outbreaks.
A new study by Emory University researchers found a link between deforestation and rabies outbreaks in cattle in Costa Rica. The study suggests that decreased availability of bat-roosting sites within forested habitat may increase the preference of vampire bats to feed on cattle.
The Planetary Child Health & Enterics Observatory (Plan-EO) is developing an online tool to identify diarrheal disease transmission hotspots and accelerate treatment deployment. The dashboard will provide up-to-date epidemiological estimates and predictions, enabling public health communities to make informed decisions and save lives.
A new NIH study using human cerebral organoids suggests a substantial species barrier preventing the transmission of chronic wasting disease from cervids to people. Researchers found no infection in healthy human cerebral organoids exposed to CWD prions for up to six months.
Boston University researchers have identified 10 drug compounds that can reduce PrP Sc levels in infected cells and prevent toxicity, five of which are already used in humans. The study has significant public health implications for prion disease treatment, particularly considering the absence of effective treatments.
Scientists found that a specific strain of the H5N1 virus, which caused a 2022 mink outbreak, can transmit through the air to ferrets with limited effectiveness. The study suggests these viruses may be evolving to infect mammals and potentially pose increased risk to humans.
Researchers in South Korea have detected the first hepatitis E virus from urban Norway rats, raising concerns about potential human transmission. The study found that 4.4% of examined rats carried the virus, which is linked to symptoms like fever, fatigue, and jaundice in humans.
The Kobe University study traced the HIV variant CRF01_AE to Thailand, where it emerged around 1977. The virus then spread through Southeast Asia and was introduced to Indonesia at least three times, with an Indonesian strain moving to Iran. Understanding these transmission trends is crucial for developing effective treatments.
A new study predicts climate change will lead to an overall decrease in areas suitable for malaria transmission from 2025 onwards. The research used several climatic and hydrological models to create a more in-depth picture of malaria-friendly conditions on the African continent.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a family of natural compounds that stall the unique metabolic process used by parasites to survive in the human gut. The discovery offers potential as new and more effective treatments for parasitic worm infections, which cause debilitating symptoms and developmental defects.
A study by UC San Diego researchers found that closing the US-Mexico border during COVID-19 increased HIV transmission due to continued drug tourism. The study analyzed data from participants who crossed the border, revealing nine new cases of HIV contraction primarily during the pandemic.