Articles tagged with Influenza Viruses
Researchers at NIH have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus's neuraminidase protein head, known as the NA dark side. These antibodies could be used to develop new vaccine and therapeutic strategies, providing protection against influenza viruses with drug-resistant mutations.
Researchers developed a new recombinant flu vaccine called Hexaplex, which provided superior protection against H1N1 and H3N2 viruses in animal models. The vaccine's combination of six proteins from different groups resulted in strong antibody production and T-cell activation, offering broader immunity.
Researchers have identified macrophages, immune cells that gobble up foreign substances, in the pleural cavity around the lungs. These cells play a crucial role in reducing inflammation and disease during flu infections.
Studies tracking influenza A(H3N2) evolutionary dynamics over 22 seasons show genetic distance and subtype interference as key factors in determining epidemic timing and severity. The study highlights antigenic drift of HA and NA antigens, with increased NA drift linked to greater epidemic intensity and dominance of the A(H3N2) subtype.
Researchers found that ferrets infected with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus were more susceptible to lethal pneumonia when later infected with a measles-like virus. Experimental treatment with GHP-88309 prevented this outcome, suggesting a potential therapeutic option.
A new antiviral drug candidate has been found to improve flu vaccine efficacy and show promise against resistant virus variants. The study, published in PLoS Pathogens, tested the potential of 4'-fluorouridine as an influenza drug and found that resistant variants were severely weakened in mice and impaired in ferrets.
Researchers discovered a gene expression signature that differentiates between symptomatic and asymptomatic infections, as well as positive and negative individuals. The study reveals complex interactions between viruses and the human body, with influenza leading to greater changes in gene expression.
A new vaccine design has been developed by a UC Riverside-led research team, which uses preexisting immunity to the influenza virus to help kickstart the production of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The vaccine aims to speed up the immune response and provide better protection for people who still lack immunity to the coronavirus.
Researchers have identified a novel class of antibodies capable of neutralizing both certain H3 and H1 strains of the flu virus, with potential applications in developing more broadly protective flu vaccines. The findings could also contribute to reducing reliance on chicken egg-based manufacturing methods.
A new study finds that most US parents intend to vaccinate their infants and young children against COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), with 40% planning to vaccinate against COVID-19. The study also highlights the growing concern of vaccine hesitancy and its potential impact on public health.
Researchers at Scripps Research have designed a novel flu vaccine that utilizes nanoparticles to present the M2e protein fragment, which is relatively conserved across different influenza A strains. The vaccine showed promising results in initial animal tests, providing strong protection against both seasonal and pandemic strains.
A randomized trial found that unfiltered traffic-related air pollution caused a rapid and significant increase in blood pressure, which persisted for more than 24 hours. The study suggests that effective cabin air filtration may reduce the negative effects of air pollution on blood pressure.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology developed metal-enhanced fluorescence probes for rapid and accurate detection of influenza viruses. The probes showed high sensitivity and specificity, detecting the virus even at low concentrations, with a remarkable accuracy of over 99%.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University used large phylogenetic trees to identify influenza virus sequences that are likely to circulate in the upcoming season. The study suggests that this approach can help inform vaccine strain selection, with moderate effectiveness in detecting future strains.
Novel vaccine candidates using Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigens (COBRAs) protect against multiple influenza B strains, including those from different lineages. These vaccines show long-lasting protection, potentially reducing the need for yearly updates.
Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...
Researchers found that individuals with previous environmental, social, and nutritional stressors were more likely to die from the flu. This contradicts the widespread belief that healthy young adults were disproportionately affected. The study analyzed skeletal remains of 369 victims and identified lesions as indicators of frailty.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and NIH Vaccine Research Center developed an animal model that more closely mimics human infection symptoms than any existing model. This model allows for rapid testing and deployment of new vaccine candidates in a crisis scenario, potentially saving lives against bird flu.
University of Liverpool researchers develop a new material that captures coronavirus particles with minimal impact on breathability, increasing efficiency by approximately 93%. The new material has the potential to be used in various applications, including face masks and air filters.
Research finds that immune cells in older adults are similar to those in newborns and children, but less effective at recognizing infected cells. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that tailored vaccines and therapies could be developed for different age groups based on the unique characteristics of killer T cells.
A Phase 1 trial of FluMos-v2 has begun at the NIH's Clinical Center, evaluating its safety and immune response. The vaccine aims to provide protection against multiple flu strains, with the potential for less frequent dosing than traditional seasonal vaccines.
Scientists have found that lung-resident memory B cells, critical for pulmonary immunity, require interferon-gamma produced by T follicular helper cells to differentiate. These long-lived immune cells migrate to the lungs from draining lymph nodes and lie in wait to react quickly to future infections.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have identified a way to improve immunological memory produced by T cells in response to influenza infection, potentially leading to more effective vaccines and treatments. The study found that manipulating a molecular signaling pathway can strengthen and prolong the immune response.
Researchers discovered a subtype of avian flu virus is undergoing mutational changes that could increase its risk of being passed on to humans. The study found the virus can cause severe animal infections and be transmitted through airborne droplets.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have made significant discoveries on how lung cells respond to influenza viruses, identifying two key molecular pathways that trigger the release of cytokines and cell death. These findings hold promise for treating people affected by such viruses.
A new study finds SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly associated with development of high blood pressure in hospitalized adults. Persistent high blood pressure was more common in people with COVID-19 than influenza, highlighting potential long-term cardiovascular risk.
A WVU study found that U.S. cities with new professional sports teams saw increased influenza mortality rates, with the NHL teams causing the largest increase. The researchers analyzed data from 122 cities and controlled for factors like population and temperature to find a significant correlation between team arrival and flu deaths.
Researchers found little evidence of a repeatable pattern in influenza cases in Vietnam, suggesting that the virus is unpredictable throughout tropical areas. This finding poses substantial challenges for prevention and management of cases in regions with high population density.
The Phase 2a trial of OVX836 showed a notable signal of protection against influenza symptoms with an 84% level of protection compared to placebo. The vaccine candidate elicited significant humoral and cellular immune responses, highlighting its potential as a universal influenza vaccine.
A study found that pdm09 influenza A virus has crossed from humans to swine nearly 370 times since 2009, resulting in evolutionary changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. The analysis suggests managing human infection can help prevent pig-to-human transmission.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science have discovered picolinic acid's ability to disrupt viral entry into host cells, blocking enveloped viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A viruses. The compound targets a host-derived component of the virus, causing permanent damage while minimizing effects on the host cell.
Researchers created a real-time air monitor that can detect SARS-CoV-2 variants in about 5 minutes, with potential applications for hospitals, schools, and public places. The device uses an ultrasensitive biosensing technique and aerosol sampling technology to quickly identify airborne virus concentrations.
Researchers found that highly conserved amino acids within MHC-II are crucial for bat influenza A virus infection. The study reveals a broad range of vertebrates, including humans, can be targeted by these viruses due to their ability to bind to MHC-II.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that gentle cleansers can be just as effective in killing viruses as harsh soaps. The study tested multiple handwash products and found that gentle cleansers were effective against enveloped viruses, while non-enveloped viruses showed greater resistance. Gentle cleansers may provide a sa...
A UNIGE team has identified how the influenza A virus manages to penetrate cells to infect them by hijacking the iron transport mechanism. By blocking this receptor, researchers were able to significantly reduce its ability to invade cells, highlighting a potential strategy for treating influenza virus infections.
Researchers used a multiomics approach to analyze changes in transposable elements after influenza A virus infection, identifying transcription factors contributing to individual responses. The study provides insights into the variable severity of illness among individuals infected with the same virus.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control highlights the rapid spread of avian influenza viruses worldwide, affecting wild bird populations and mammals. The authors warn that human infections with A(H5N1) can be severe and increase the risk of reassortment with mammalian viruses.
A new immunotherapy treatment developed by UCF researchers uses targeted IL-2 to fight respiratory viral infections with improved outcomes in animal studies. The treatment promotes an antiviral inflammatory response and reduces bronchial inflammation.
A new study found that inhaling low concentrations of ethanol vapor can inactivate the influenza A virus in mice without harmful side effects. The researchers believe this method could also treat similar viruses like Covid-19 and potentially stop pandemics. However, further evaluation is needed to ensure its efficacy and safety on humans.
Heidelberg researchers have identified key proteins that can prevent the formation of fusion pores, allowing viruses like influenza A and Ebola to be trapped in a lipid membrane. This breakthrough could lead to new approaches for preventing infections with these highly infectious viruses.
A new study found that long COVID's impact on public health systems is likely due to the volume of those infected with SARS-CoV-2, rather than the severity of symptoms. In a highly vaccinated population, adults with Omicron had similar ongoing symptoms and functional limitations as those with influenza.
A new study published at ECCMID 2023 found that antibiotics do not reduce the risk of dying in adults hospitalised with common viral respiratory infections like influenza. The research suggests a restrictive antibiotic strategy for these types of infections may be warranted to reduce unnecessary prescribing and combat antimicrobial res...
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine are using mRNA vaccine technology to combat various infectious diseases. A new clinical trial aims to test an mRNA-based vaccine against malaria, with hopes for a rapid adaptive response to virus evolution and the manufacture of combination vaccines.
A meta-analysis of seven studies found that sleeping less than six hours per night reduces the immune response to vaccination. The deficit was equivalent to two months of antibody waning. This suggests that getting good sleep may also extend the duration of protection provided by vaccines.
Scientists at Münster University identified specific modifications to the influenza A virus polymerase that are triggered by host cell proteins, such as ubiquitin. These stable modifications may lead to the development of medicines resistant to viral mutations.
Researchers have identified a compound that inhibits the body's own methyltransferase MTr1, thereby limiting influenza virus replication. The compound proved effective in lung tissue preparations and mouse studies, showing synergistic effects with already approved influenza drugs.
The Access to Advanced Health Institute has received a $9.9 million award to develop an intranasal bivalent influenza RNA vaccine candidate based on its self-amplifying RNA platform that targets both pandemic A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) influenza virus pathogens.
The University of Kansas has established the International Center for Avian Influenza Pandemic Prediction and Prevention (ICAIP3) with $1 million in NSF funding. The center aims to predict and prevent future avian influenza pandemics by monitoring viral strains and identifying potential outbreak areas.
Researchers will investigate how ducks' immune systems act as a reservoir for the highly infectious H5N1 virus and engineer antibodies to prevent transmission to other animals and humans. They aim to develop ways to purify antibody-producing cells from ducks and assemble a pool of antibodies to understand their molecular features.
Researchers created an atomic-level computer model of the H1N1 virus, revealing dynamic movement of HA and NA proteins. This discovery provides new insights into the flu vaccine's target sites, suggesting possible strategies for designing future vaccines and antivirals.
Researchers used simulations to study the movements of influenza virus proteins, finding that they can clump together and form large aggregates. This discovery could lead to improved vaccines and antiviral treatments by targeting these vulnerable states.
A new study provides evidence on when OAS occurs and how it impacts seasonal vaccines and booster shots. The findings suggest that boosting against a new strain can be effective if the new strain is sufficiently different from the previous one.
A study found that Ezo red foxes and Japanese raccoon dogs infected with HPAI virus had different outcomes due to varying diets. The fox died, while the raccoon dog survived but suffered damage to its eyes. The findings suggest that monitoring programs should be expanded to understand HPAI ecology and identify risk factors.
A study found that acidification of aerosols post-exhalation significantly impacts viral load. Influenza A viruses are inactivated within minutes, while SARS-CoV-2 requires days at typical indoor pH levels.
Researchers developed a multivalent mRNA-based vaccine protecting against all 20 known influenza subtypes, providing broad protection in animal models and paving the way for clinical trials.
A systematic review of 36 studies found that influenza vaccination reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection by 20% and poor outcomes like ICU admission and death by 17-31%. The findings suggest that routine influenza vaccination could offer non-specific immunity against COVID-19 symptoms.
Researchers found reduced levels of D-amino acids in patients with severe COVID-19 and IAV infection, suggesting they could be used as biomarkers. Supplementation with D-alanine improved survival rates and clinical outcomes in mouse models of both infections.
Researchers discovered that a lipid called prostaglandin E2 weakens lung immune cells with age. This increased PGE2 production impairs alveolar macrophage health and leads to a suppressed immune response, making older people more vulnerable to flu infections.
Structural insights from collaborative Oxford-Diamond research reveal new potential drug targets for novel antiviral drugs. The study elucidated how the viral polymerase interacts with cellular proteins, including ANP32A, and appropriates it to shelter viral RNA from detection by the immune system.
A banana protein-derived therapy called H84T-BanLec has been shown to be effective against all known strains of the flu and all human-infecting coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The therapy works by binding to high-mannose glycans on the surface of viruses but rarely found on normal human cells.