Articles tagged with Influenza Viruses
A multi-year study of Nicaraguan households found that obesity extends the duration of influenza A virus shedding from infected adults by approximately 1.5 days, compared to non-obese adults. Chronic inflammation caused by obesity and increasing age are implicated as reasons for extended viral shedding.
A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that obesity may play a role in how the flu spreads. Obese adults infected with flu shed the virus for a longer time than non-obese adults, potentially increasing the opportunity for transmission to others.
A double-layered nanoparticle vaccine made with peptides has been found to effectively protect mice against the influenza A virus. The vaccine triggers immune responses of both B and T lymphocytes, providing broad cross-protection against a wide range of diverse influenza viruses.
Researchers at NIAID developed a 3D model of the 1918 H1 pandemic influenza virus using cryo-electron microscopy. The study found that VLPs are mostly composed of hemagglutinin proteins, influencing vaccine efficacy.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech found that mucus and airway secretions protect the flu virus when it becomes airborne, regardless of humidity levels. The study refutes previous findings that suggested the virus degrades and is inactivated at higher humidity levels.
Researchers developed a genetic screening tool that identified two key genes, SLC35A1 and CIC, that enable the influenza virus to infect human lung cells. The study found that modifying these genes can make cells resistant to the flu, which could lead to new antiviral drug targets.
Researchers found that influenza vaccines rarely induce antibodies against the neuraminidase protein, while natural infection does. This suggests that vaccines should be optimized to target NA for broad protection against diverse strains.
Two new clinical trials are enrolling volunteers to test an experimental H7N9 influenza vaccine candidate in the US. The Phase 2 studies will evaluate different dosages and vaccination schedules of the inactivated vaccine, as well as an adjuvant to boost immune responses.
Researchers from NIAID highlight the potential of monoclonal antibodies in treating and preventing emerging infectious diseases. These therapies have shown promise in clinical trials, such as the Ebola outbreak, and may offer a more targeted approach to infection prevention and treatment.
A new model forecasts influenza spread based on commuter data, predicting disease onset weeks up to 6 weeks in advance. The method outperforms traditional models when analyzing state-level transmission, offering a promising approach for future outbreak prediction and real-time monitoring.
A chamber design separates airborne influenza particles by size, revealing that ferrets transmit the virus via particles ranging from 15 μm to 1.5 μm before fever onset and after infection. This study provides insights into the efficient transmission ranges for influenza in ferrets.
A new study at WashU Medicine identified specific features of the influenza virus genome that could improve surveillance for pandemic flu. The researchers found that certain strains of the virus require similar genetic material to recombine and create a new hybrid virus.
Researchers developed a universal vaccine to combat influenza A viruses, producing long-lasting immunity in mice and protecting them against seasonal flu vaccines. The nanoparticles target the stalk of the HA protein, offering universal protection against various influenza viruses.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that people born during previous pandemics were at higher risk of dying during subsequent outbreaks. The analysis suggests exposure to pandemic influenza early in life may be a risk factor for mortality.
Repeated influenza vaccination significantly reduced hospital admissions for severe flu in older adults, with consistent effectiveness across seasons and patient age.
A study found that lactic acid bacteria can protect against different subtypes of influenza A virus, resulting in reduced weight loss and lower amounts of virus replication in the lungs. The researchers used a heat-killed strain of Lactobacillus casei DK128 to pretreat mice before infecting them with the virus.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a genetic mutation in the FluMist intranasal flu vaccine that has the potential to be altered to enhance its protective effect. The mutation reduces virus production, but reversing it makes the virus more active and induces a stronger immune response.
Researchers at the University of Bergen found no negative effects from annual influenza vaccination on developing natural immunity. Annual vaccination actually provides a better first line defence against infection, without preventing natural immunity.
The study reveals that a human protein called TRIM25 acts as an early defense mechanism, recognizing the unique structure of the flu virus and preventing its replication. However, the NS1 protein produced by the flu virus blocks this function, enabling the virus to evade the immune response.
A new study from Scripps Research Institute reveals that egg-based production causes the virus to target bird cells, disrupting the major antibody target site on the surface. This mutation renders the flu vaccine less effective in humans, with recent vaccines proving only 33% effective against H3N2 viruses.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have successfully characterized a highly pathogenic avian virus that is both lethal and transmissible in ferrets. The study suggests that this virus strain could become a potential public health threat if it undergoes further mutations, making it resistant to existing treatments.
Researchers identified retrocyclin-101 (RC-101) as a potential protective agent against flu infection, showing improved symptoms and reduced mortality in animal models. RC-101 targets the influenza virus and inflammation, offering a new tool in the fight against this deadly disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute developed artificial peptide molecules that neutralize a broad range of influenza virus strains. The peptides show high binding affinity and potent ability to neutralize infections with these viruses.
Researchers use viral kinetic models to increase understanding of influenza biology and antiviral pharmacology, identifying sources of variation between individuals. These models have been used to support dose optimization and clinical development of potential influenza therapies.
Researchers are developing a new class of biological therapeutics that can coevolve with viruses, potentially eliminating or blunting resistance. By leveraging natural phenomena like defective interference, they aim to create therapeutic interfering particles that can reduce disease severity and transmission.
Researchers found that NS1 suppresses the body's immune responses to viral infection, suggesting a new approach to combat influenza A virus infection. The study proposes developing a live attenuated vaccine based on an engineered influenza A virus lacking NS1 and designing antiviral drugs targeting NS1.
Dr. Sang-Moo Kang's project aims to improve the efficacy and extent of cross protection against new influenza virus strains by incorporating M2e epitopes into HA molecules. The research will test novel approaches to boost cross protective properties of licensed seasonal influenza vaccines, with results expected to impact public health.
A microneedle patch vaccination with an influenza fusion protein improves the effectiveness of conventional flu vaccines by boosting humoral immunity and cellular immune responses in mice. The study offers a new perspective for universal influenza vaccines.
Researchers revamped a 50-year-old flu virus model, revealing loopholes that allow viruses to swap genetic material and give rise to new strains. This discovery could lead to better pandemic predictions and disruption of the flu virus.
A novel DNA-based strategy delivers monoclonal antibodies to protect against highly diverse strains of influenza A and B viruses. The approach holds promise as a simple and economical way to overcome current flu vaccination limitations.
Researchers developed a new technique to analyze influenza virus infections in cells and lung tissue, visualizing the delivery of viral genome segments. This approach revealed that productive cell co-infections only occur when both viruses enter the same cell within two hours.
Researchers found that water birds, particularly mallards, develop significant immunity and resistance to other variants of the low-pathogenic influenza A virus after infection. This means they can partially protect themselves against future infections, including virulent strains like H5N1 or H5N8.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found that influenza viruses handicapped by a single mutation can overcome their disadvantage when combined with other mutations. This phenomenon, known as epistasis, could lead to better development of flu vaccines and therapies.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have created two new live-attenuated vaccines against canine influenza viruses, which can be transmitted to humans. These vaccines provide better immune protection and longer periods of protection than existing inactivated vaccines.
Researchers developed a technology that could produce influenza B vaccines with higher efficacy, using mammalian cell culture instead of eggs. This could lead to better protection against both lineages of influenza B and improved ability to respond during an influenza pandemic.
A team of researchers has found a long-sought-after mechanism in human cells that creates immunity to influenza A virus, which could help treat diseases caused by viruses. The discovery builds on over 20 years of research and demonstrates the antiviral function of RNAi in humans against distinct RNA viruses.
Researchers successfully developed a vaccine against influenza using genetically modified live virus that activates the immune system but cannot replicate in healthy cells. The new vaccine proved effective in mice, guinea pigs, and ferrets, offering an antibody response comparable to existing vaccines.
A study co-led by the University of Arizona found that a person's birth year can predict their odds of getting seriously ill in an outbreak of animal-origin influenza virus. This 'immunological imprinting' effect provides clues for developing a universal flu vaccine.
A new study found that exposure to influenza viruses during childhood gives people partial protection for life. The study's findings suggest that birth year may largely determine a person's risk for serious illness in an influenza pandemic, with certain age groups more susceptible to different strains of the flu.
A study in mice found that recalling 'old' antibodies does not compromise the response against new flu strains. In fact, some 'original antigenic sin' antibodies are highly effective at protecting against secondary encounters with antigenically drifted viral strains.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified the protein trigger ZBP1, which specifically recognizes the influenza virus and triggers infected cells to commit suicide. This discovery offers hope for developing drugs to protect against the virus's lethal complication of pneumonia.
A recent study published in mBio found that obese mice who received influenza vaccines with and without adjuvants were not protected against the flu. Despite increased antibody responses, obese mice succumbed to infection due to a combination of factors, including increased viral load and severe disease severity.
A study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that wild ducks and other aquatic birds do not carry highly pathogenic flu viruses, which caused widespread poultry outbreaks in North America. The research suggests that existing immunity in wild birds may explain why these viruses do not persist in their populations.
Researchers have identified three types of vaccine-induced antibodies that can neutralize diverse strains of influenza virus, which could guide development of a universal flu vaccine. The discovery provides clear evidence that these antibodies can be induced by a vaccine, making them a potential basis for a universal flu vaccine.
Researchers developed functionalized surfaces with tailored wetting characteristics that reduce or eliminate Influenza A virus infectivity. The study provides insights into the role of surface wettability on viral transmission.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University have developed monoclonal antibodies that effectively neutralize the H3N2 variant virus (H3N2v) in human subjects who received an experimental vaccine. These antibodies were able to neutralize H3N2 strains circulating between 1995 and 2005, but not currently circulating human H3N2 strains.
A new study suggests that an avian influenza virus vaccine can trigger broad and durable protection against multiple flu strains, offering a promising path toward a universal flu vaccine. The research identifies unique epitopes on the virus and highlights the potential of non-neutralizing antibodies in providing protection.
Researchers discovered that influenza viruses can hide from the immune system by using a protein that masks the virus, making it harder for the body to detect and fight. This finding has implications for developing treatments against influenza and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Researchers designed a new compound HB36.6 to target the HA stem region of influenza viruses, offering broad-spectrum protection against different strains. The study found that HB36.6 provided better protection than Oseltamivir and showed synergy when combined with low-dose post-infection treatment.
A person's first flu infection stimulates key antibody production, which later influences responses to other seasonal strains. Researchers found that early exposure, such as in childhood, can imprint the immune system and shape its response.
A team of researchers combined large genomic and proteomic datasets to identify new factors that can be targeted to prevent viruses from spreading. They found 20 previously unrecognized host proteins required for IAV replication, including the pivotal protein UBR4.
A recent study identified 20 previously unknown host molecules that enable influenza A viruses to replicate and spread. Blocking these host proteins can inhibit viral growth and slow disease progression in mice. The researchers developed a public web portal to facilitate drug development and analysis of host-protein interactions.
Researchers developed a simple method to track and predict viral evolution based on whole-genome sequences of influenza viruses. By identifying genetic variants that change the structure of influenza proteins, they found that many strains used in vaccines during previous seasons lacked these markers.
A new randomized clinical trial found that acetaminophen does not provide benefits in fighting the flu or reducing symptoms. The trial involved adults with confirmed influenza infections, who were treated with paracetamol or placebo for five days.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified Tpl2 as a key regulator of immune signaling proteins called interferons, which play a large role in host defense against viral infections. The study found that Tpl2 promotes induction of antiviral genes and protects against influenza virus infection.
Researchers found that infected cells in breast tissues could transmit the influenza virus from mothers to breast-feeding infants and vice versa using a ferret model. The study also showed that mammary glands can harbor live influenza virus and produce it in milk.
Researchers discovered the soft palate plays a key site for flu virus emergence and transmission, binding preferentially to mammalian-type SA, which is associated with airborne transmission. The finding may aid efforts to define properties governing flu virus transmissibility and predict pandemic potential.
Researchers discovered two distinct antigenic groups co-circulating during the 2014-2015 winter season, with different epidemic patterns across Europe, the US, and mainland China. The study provided a comprehensive understanding of the H3N2 virus's antigenic evolution, facilitating effective vaccine strategy formulation.
Researchers have made a major advance toward creating an effective, long-lasting flu vaccine by inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies in animal models. The study's findings show that the vaccine candidate can produce powerful 'broadly neutralizing antibodies' against many influenza subtypes.
A new virus-like particle vaccine has been developed to protect against a wide variety of influenza viruses. The vaccine was shown to provide significant protection against many different flu strains, including avian H5N1 and H7N9 viruses, which have caused many human cases and deaths in recent years.