Articles tagged with Virulence
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New research highlights key differences between COVID-19 variants alpha and omicron, including the impact on virulence and disease severity. The study suggests that omicron's genetic makeup is less conducive to causing severe illness compared to its older variant sibling, alpha.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a new genetic tool to study Candida auris, revealing key factors behind its shape-shifting abilities and drug resistance. The study could aid in understanding the fungus's transmission on hospital surfaces.
A large-scale study of over 1.2 million people found breakthrough COVID-19 infections are rare but more frequent and severe in those with weakened immune systems. The study supports the introduction of a third vaccine dose for immunocompromised individuals to increase protection.
Chromobacterium violaceum uses zinc ion transporter ZnuABC to overcome host constraints on metal availability, increasing its virulence. The discovery offers a route for novel therapies against bacterial infections.
Researchers from the University of Seville discovered that a single amino acid mutation in Salmonella enzymes enables them to modify more proteins in infected cells, leading to increased virulence. This finding has significant implications for developing inhibitors as alternative antibacterial treatments.
A large Ontario study confirms SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern like Delta increase the risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Vaccination blunts severity, reducing risk in partially and fully vaccinated individuals by about 80-90%.
Researchers have identified a new prophage-mediated defence system in Salmonella Typhimurium ST313 called BstA, which efficiently suppresses phage attacks. This discovery opens up a new avenue of research and could potentially lead to the development of new biotechnologies.
A new DNA sensor can detect both the presence and infectivity of viruses in minutes, providing a significant improvement over current methods that only detect genetic material. This breakthrough could aid in tracking and containing viral outbreaks, as well as understanding mechanisms of infection.
Researchers investigate Pseudomonas cannabina pv. alisalensis (Pcal) interaction with cabbage and oats, discovering coronatine (COR) suppresses salicylic acid to aid pathogen growth. This finding opens doors to new disease control strategies.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that SARS-CoV-2 viruses grown in successive generations exhibit increased infectivity, binding to heparan sulfate, and reduced virulence. The study suggests that evolved strains may be used as a basis for development of stable live attenuated vaccines.
Scientists are still unraveling how pathogens adapt to changing conditions, including climate change and global trade. Genome sequencing and big data technologies have revealed that dramatic events like hybridization between pathogen species can lead to rapid evolution of virulence on new host plants.
A virulent Salmonella Enteritidis strain has been sequenced from two consecutive poultry flocks in North Carolina State University. The strain, SE_TAU19, exhibits seven antimicrobial resistance genes and 120 virulence genes, posing a threat to human health. Genome sequencing provides valuable data for tracing outbreaks and preventing f...
A new approach to modeling COVID-19 spread incorporates real-time data on people's movements, showing promise for optimal lockdown policies. The study suggests a balance between controlling the pandemic and minimizing economic costs can be achieved through mathematical models and Google mobility data.
A new biomarker, HBcrAg, has been found to accurately predict viral load in patients with chronic hepatitis B and reflect response to anti-viral treatments. This discovery may lead to improved monitoring methods for CHB, enabling clinical decisions and potentially improving patient outcomes.
Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine modified remdesivir to create an oral version that can be taken earlier in COVID-19 diagnoses. The revised drug proved effective and safe in cell and animal studies.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia warn that relaxing Covid-19 restrictions prematurely could pave the way for new vaccine-resistant virus mutations. The 'arms race' between humans and the virus continues, with rising cases providing opportunities for it to evolve into more transmissible variants.
A recent study found that genes involved in bacterial signaling play a crucial role in the virulence of Psa3, a highly aggressive biovar of the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding the diversity of virulence strategies among closely related bacterial strains.
Researchers found that high concentrations of fine particles less than 2.5 micrometers in size can modulate the waves of SARS-CoV-2 contamination and explain the profile of the COVID-19 pandemic. Acute exposure to these particles aggravates respiratory, pulmonary, and cardiovascular issues, promoting severe disease progression.
Research found that pathogens with intermediate virulence are most evolutionarily successful, as they balance harm and transmission. This challenges conventional wisdom that new diseases evolve to become harmless.
Researchers found that a pre-epidemic Zika virus mutation enhanced virulence and fitness for transmission, increasing maternal-to-fetal transmission in nonhuman primates. The mutation did not affect mosquito-borne infection but increased the virus's ability to spread through human populations.
UTEP research reveals a new target for tuberculosis drug development by investigating the mechanisms of Mtb pathogenesis and discovering that Nα-acetylation of EsxA drastically affects the course of infection. The study provides a beautiful story in the prestigious Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Researchers discovered a clonal group of S. maltophilia strains with increased biofilm formation and colistin resistance, featuring new virulence factors. The study highlights the role of quorum sensing in pathogenicity and persistence.
A modified Grunow-Finke assessment tool (mGFT) has been validated against previous outbreaks, outlining 11 criteria for determining if an outbreak is of unnatural origin. The tool helps identify unusual strain patterns, genetic manipulation, and peculiar geographic distribution, indicating potential artificial origin.
A new study reveals unprecedented details of the bacterium Francisella tularensis' key membrane protein Flpp3, responsible for its virulence. The researchers used X-ray free electron laser technology to gather detailed structural information, which will help develop targeted drugs and effective vaccines against tularemia.
Researchers identify virulence factors in Aeromonas hydrophila infection, showing microbes modulate infection progress and strain interactions. The study's findings aim to develop therapies for lethal necrotizing fasciitis caused by the bacterium.
Researchers analyzed the genome of Ug99 and found that it emerged as a result of somatic hybridization between two different rust strains, creating a unique hybrid with increased virulence. This discovery provides new insights into how Ug99 was able to threaten wheat crops across the world.
A new study by the University of Exeter found that bacteria evolving alongside other microbes develop resistance to phages using an immune mechanism called CRISPR-Cas. This resistance does not reduce the bacteria's virulence, with similar effects expected in humans.
A new strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae was discovered in 2017 and found to be resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. A recent study identified an easily transmitted DNA piece that can make this superbug even more deadly and hyper-virulent, posing a significant threat to human health.
A new study demonstrates that a mutant live attenuated Ebola virus vaccine protects non-human primates against infection, targeting the immune-evasion function of VP35. The researchers developed a virus with three mutations in the VP35 protein, which plays a critical role in evading host immune responses.
A team of researchers has discovered that Leishmania parasites exploit an intracellular transport mechanism to spread their virulence factors within infected host cells. The findings provide new insights into the disease's pathogenesis and could potentially lead to the development of new treatments or therapies.
A new study by University of Exeter researchers shows that pathogens can evolve to become more virulent without increasing their rate of replication. This suggests that manipulating host immune systems may play a role in generating symptoms necessary for transmission.
Researchers have developed a mutant version of the RhlR quorum-sensing receptor, which does not require an autoinducer to function. This discovery provides new insights into cell-cell communication and virulence in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a globally important pathogen.
The study reveals that malaria parasite genomes are shaped by parasite-specific gene families and strongly correlate with virulence. The researchers identified unique features in the organization of gene families involved in antigenic variation, which enables high virulence in Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University investigated the virulence factors of Klebsiella pneumoniae in neonates with sepsis and urinary tract infections. They found that rmpA gene-containing strains were associated with more severe diseases, revealing a higher prevalence of virulent K. pneumoniae strains than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed over 400 anthrax strains and found that human and animal samples tend to have more virulent plasmids than environmental sources. The study suggests a correlation between plasmid copy number and virulence, offering new insights into the severity of specific anthrax strains.
Research from Purdue University found that when two strains of a parasite infect a host, the combined virulence is often worse than with only one strain. This could be bad news for people affected by schistosomiasis, a disease prevalent in Africa, the Middle East, and the tropics.
Researchers identified M21 as a compound that inhibits virulence factors in S. aureus via ClpP inhibition, reducing bacteria and abscesses in infected mice with improved survival rates. The findings suggest a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating drug-resistant S. aureus infections.
Researchers discovered a carbapenem-resistant, hypermucoviscous Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate with enhanced virulence and colistin heteroresistance from a patient in the US. The bacteria's increased virulence poses a significant threat to healthcare settings.
The study reveals that flea-borne plague existed for at least 4,000 years, with key virulence factors acquired in the Bronze Age. The researchers hope their findings will help predict future evolution of epidemics and better understand the spread of the deadly bacteria.
Researchers identify SpdC as a key player in controlling S. aureus virulence, biofilm formation, and antibiotic resistance; Inhibiting SpdC may offer new approach to combating S. aureus infections.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have identified potential compounds that could inhibit the virulence of Listeria by targeting an enzyme involved in bacterial cell surface modifications. Inhibiting this enzyme renders Listeria less virulent, making it a promising approach for combating severe food poisoning and listerio...
A study found that incomplete immunity to a pathogen in birds makes it stronger and more dangerous for its next victim. The findings suggest that imperfection can be deadly, and the results have implications for human health.
Scientists from Brazil and Senegal discovered the gene responsible for the mild effects of West Nile lineage 8, which could be used to develop a vaccine against more virulent lineages. The researchers found that the substitution P122S induces mutations linked to low replication rates, making it an ideal candidate for a vaccine.
Researchers developed a mouse model to study PRV's pathogenesis, virulence, and treatment efficacy. The model showed that the lung was the primary target organ for replication and demonstrated protective effects of antiserum and non-lethal doses.
A study examining HIV virulence and its effect on the human immune system found that both CD4+ T cell decline and per-pathogen pathogenicity are heritable from donor to recipient. Heritability rates revealed a significant 17% impact, indicating that viral genotype plays a crucial role in infection severity.
Researchers at Duke University mapped out the complex molecular circuitry of Francisella tularensis, a bacterium that causes tularemia and is considered one of the world's most infectious pathogens. By understanding how the bacteria becomes virulent, scientists can design new drugs to shut down its virulence.
Researchers have discovered that certain bacteria use quorum sensing to regulate their virulence levels, allowing them to coexist with insects without causing harm. By studying the genetic differences between mutualistic and pathogenic strains of bacteria, scientists have gained insights into the mechanisms behind these relationships.
A preclinical study found that an antimicrobial protein called EntV reduces the severity of oral thrush in a mouse model, blocking fungal growth and development. This new strategy may lead to the development of a novel antifungal drug that can combat multidrug-resistant yeast strains.
A recent study published in Cell Chemical Biology reveals new insights into the molecular pathway that leads to Staphylococcus aureus virulence. Researchers developed nanodiscs to observe AgrC receptor kinase activity and discovered a key regulatory hotspot, providing a starting point for designing molecules to inhibit it.
A new study shows that cranberry extract successfully interrupts the communication between bacteria associated with problematic infections, reducing their severity. Cranberries' proanthocyanidins (PACs) may help control virulence and spread of potentially dangerous bacterial infections worldwide.
Researchers at the University of Basel discovered that calcium induces the transition from acute to chronic infections in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a life-threatening pathogen. This shift enables the bacteria to adapt and survive in the lungs, making treatment more challenging for patients with cystic fibrosis.
Researchers have uncovered two novel virulence mechanisms employed by Leishmania parasites to circumvent the host's antimicrobial defenses. GP63 and CPB proteases play a central role in these processes, allowing the parasite to manipulate host cell membrane fusion machinery and evade phagocytosis.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can multiply within human fluids from burn wounds, leading to increased virulence factors. Exudates from burns contain immune molecules and enzymes that favor P. aeruginosa growth, making it difficult to treat infections.
Scientists at Umea University have discovered chemical compounds that attenuate Listeria monocytogenes virulence without killing the bacteria, reducing resistance risks. The findings provide a promising platform for developing new antimicrobial strategies against this foodborne pathogen.
Researchers found that short-term exposure to different outside host resource types and concentrations affects Serratia marcescens' virulence in Galleria mellonella-moth. This suggests that even genetically similar bacteria can differ in their virulence depending on the source of nutrients.
A study reveals that Aspergillus fumigatus uses its sugar galactosaminogalactan to evade the immune system, making it more resistant to neutrophil killing and increasing its virulence. This finding suggests targeting GAG as a potential antifungal approach for human patients.
Researchers have discovered that short segments of genes associated with severe malaria are shared across multiple species, including humans, apes, and chimps. This finding suggests an ancient genomic structure underlying human malaria virulence factors, which could aid in developing new treatments and vaccines.
Researchers uncover interesting revelations about the vaccinia virus through DNA sequencing data and historical accounts. The study suggests that the Brazilian VACV-IOC strain may have originated from a French Beaugency strain, challenging previous assumptions.
University of Adelaide researchers identified a common building block called PATR in virulence factors of many major harmful bacteria. The discovery could lead to the development of broad-spectrum bacterial virulence inhibitors, revolutionizing antibiotic treatments.
Researchers discovered that Salmonella lowers its cytoplasmic pH in response to acidic environments, triggering the secretion of virulence proteins. This low-pH signal activates an intracellular cascade that induces the formation of a nanomachine used for injecting virulence proteins into host cells.