Articles tagged with Parasitic Diseases
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America and Infectious Diseases Society of America have released new clinical practice guidelines for Clostridium difficile infection in adults. The guidelines update recommendations on diagnosis, treatment, and infection control measures to address changes in epidemiology and disease severity.
The study found that daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces with a spore-killing bleach disinfectant wipe significantly reduced C. difficile infections in two high-incidence units. The team aimed to reduce hospital-acquired cases to over 20 days between infections but achieved an impressive 137-day streak without a single infection.
Researchers at Penn identified a previously unidentified cell population, termed multipotent progenitor cells, which may be the body's double-edged sword, fighting off parasitic infections but also causing harmful immune responses. This discovery may lead to new targets for treatment of infection and allergic inflammation.
A new vaccine for liver fluke is being developed through a £1 million international research effort led by Queen's University Belfast. The parasite causes significant losses in the livestock industry, resulting in billions of pounds in economic losses each year. Scientists will work with partners in India and Wales to uncover an effect...
Researchers at Brigham Young University have identified genetic mechanisms behind the loss of deadliness in lab-raised nematode worms, which are used as a natural insecticide. The study's findings also shed light on how to defeat parasites that harm beneficial plants and animals, and could lead to new targets for pharmaceuticals.
A recent study suggests that a protozoan parasite may have contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs. The parasite, which infects birds and eats away at their jawbones, could have been transmitted through head biting among dinosaurs. The similarity between fossilized jawbones and modern-day samples supports this theory.
A recent study published in the journal Transfusion found a significant increase in transfusion-transmitted babesiosis cases in Rhode Island, highlighting the need for better screening tests. The research suggests that blood donors from areas with high prevalence rates should be subject to more rigorous screening protocols.
A £1 million research project will investigate the decline of honeybees, exploring how disease and food supply affect bee survival in farmed landscapes. The team aims to build a predictive model to improve honeybee health and mitigate the impact on food security.
Researchers have developed genetically modified pea seeds that produce antibodies against coccidiosis, reducing treatment costs and making it easier to use in commercial settings. The study found that chickens fed these antibody-containing pea seeds were significantly less likely to contract the disease.
Fish populations are being increasingly affected by emerging diseases, exacerbated by climate change and other stresses. As a result, population fluctuations, extinction, reduced health, and increased susceptibility to predation are expected, according to Dr. Jim Winton of the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center.
Researchers found that inhibiting Nox4 substantially inhibits hemangioma growth in a mouse model, while transplantation of cardiac progenitor cells improves heart function after myocardial infarction. Additionally, IL-17 and IL-22 play a crucial role in protecting individuals from developing kala azar, a lethal parasite disease.
Researchers discovered that variation in the same gene affects disease resistance in both humans and baboons, with 60% of Amboseli baboons infected with a malaria-like parasite. The findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of differences in vulnerability to infection.
UT Southwestern researchers accelerate efforts to eradicate worm infections by targeting a biochemical system that controls development and reproduction in parasitic nematodes. The compound dafachronic acid sends signals for the worms to mature from infective to feeding stages, making hosts sick.
Researchers have discovered that fish can harbour and spread PKD, a debilitating condition causing severe inflammation of the kidneys. The discovery paves the way for effective control measures against the disease, which has devastated the UK's fish farming industry.
Research found that parasitic infection reduces immunity to future cholera infections and compromises vaccine effectiveness. Helminth-infected patients had lower IgA antibodies, indicating a weakened immune system.
A study published in Archives of Dermatology found that wet combing is more accurate than visual inspection for identifying active head lice infestations. The method correctly identified 90.5% of cases, while visual inspection only detected 28.6%. This finding has implications for the diagnosis and management of pediculosis capitis.
Researchers at Caltech found that Caenorhabditis elegans worms respond rapidly to better conditions and develop optimistic genetic strategies. The worms' quick response is controlled by a vital cellular protein called RNA Polymerase II, which accumulates on genes involved in growth and energy metabolism.
Experts from Queen's University are in India to advise on reducing parasitic infections that destroy plants and animals, costing the world economy $200 billion annually. The delegation will share their expertise on managing drug resistance in livestock and promoting modern agricultural practices.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine have imaged the body's immune response to a parasitic infection in the brain for the first time. The findings provide unexpected insights into how immune cells are regulated in the brain and have implications for treating inflammatory conditions.
Research reveals that California sea otters living in coastal areas with limited resources are more susceptible to diseases caused by parasites. The study found that diet diversity among individual otters can lead to higher infection rates, highlighting the importance of habitat quality for maintaining healthy populations.
Researchers study how Toxoplasma gondii infects mice and finds that infected cells fuse with endoplasmic reticulum to present parasitic peptides. This process, called cross-presentation, helps the parasite evade immune detection.
Researchers found that nematodes disrupt plant PIN proteins and activate others to create 'feeding sites' where plants produce food for the worms. This discovery could lead to ways to thwart these parasites in crops.
A new species of microsporidia has been discovered in a roundworm, providing a powerful system to study these mysterious microbes and develop new drugs. The discovery is particularly exciting as it offers a unique opportunity to identify new treatments for human microsporidian infections.
A newly discovered species of microsporidia infects the roundworm C. elegans, providing a powerful system to study these mysterious microbes and develop new drugs. This discovery has the potential to identify new treatments for human microsporidian infections.
A study by NIAID scientist Theodore E. Nash found a strong association between brain tissue swelling and seizures in people infected with the parasitic tapeworm Taenia solium. Perilesional edema, a type of swelling around dead cysts, was seen in 50% of patients with seizures, suggesting a novel mechanism behind the condition.
Researchers at Scripps Florida have received a $1.5 million grant to develop novel drug targets for amebiasis and giardiasis, two serious water- and food-borne illnesses caused by microscopic parasites. The goal is to create small molecule inhibitors that target specific proteases playing a critical role in parasite lifecycle.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that diverse host species, such as gray tree frogs, can reduce the risk of parasitic infections and limb deformations in American toads. The research found that tadpoles raised with tree frog tadpoles had significantly lower infection rates than those without.
A safety and efficacy study found tribendimidine to be effective against hookworm, large roundworm, whipworm, threadworm, and tapeworm infections. The new drug cured up to 92% of soil-transmitted helminth infections in a highly endemic setting in China.
A significant proportion of people with no recent exposure to antibiotics developed community-acquired C. difficile infection, suggesting other risk factors may be at play. Researchers recommend considering C. difficile testing in community patients with diarrhea without a history of antibiotic use.
A case of ulcerative colitis complicated by Strongyloides stercoralis infection is reported. The patient's symptoms worsened after corticosteroid treatment, leading to the diagnosis of parasitic infection. Treatment with anti-parasitic drugs resulted in complete recovery.
Researchers found that bluetongue virus can survive the winter by surviving in the eggs of Culicoides midges, or by overwintering in livestock barns. The virus can also spread through transplacental infections from an infected pregnant animal to its fetus.
Researchers at Caltech have found a signaling molecule in nematode worms that serves as both a population-control mechanism and a sexual attractant. The discovery could lead to new strategies to control parasitic nematodes, which affect the health of over a billion people.
Neglected tropical diseases in the US disproportionately affect poverty-stricken communities, particularly minorities. These chronic infections cause significant disability, impaired child development, and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Surgical antibiotic prophylaxis has increased the risk of Clostridium difficile infection by 21 times, with severe consequences for patients. Researchers suggest minimizing antibiotic duration to reduce risks and benefits.
Researchers found that female monarchs with intermediate parasite loads were long-lived and laid many eggs, while those with light loads also thrived but had fewer infected offspring. The study provides evidence for the 'trade-off hypothesis' in a natural system.
Researchers found that infection with the parasite creates distinct metabolic 'fingerprints' in the blood and urine, which can be detected as early as one day after infection. The findings could enable a simpler way to test for sleeping sickness, improving survival rates and reducing devastating side effects.
A study found that common human viruses, such as HRSV and HMPV, are responsible for outbreaks of respiratory disease in wild chimpanzees. The researchers suggest that minimizing human contact and implementing guidelines to reduce the risk of disease transmission can help protect great apes.
Researchers at Brandeis University and the University of Georgia have identified ten new compounds that inhibit Cryptosporidium's parasitic activity, including four effective in stopping infection in laboratory tests. The discovery provides an avenue for much-needed therapy for this debilitating disease.
A large comparison of blood samples found Toxoplasma gondii parasite infection may increase schizophrenia risk in people diagnosed with the disorder. People exposed to toxoplasma had a 24% higher risk of developing schizophrenia.
A Chikungunya virus outbreak in Italy emphasizes the need for preparedness and response to emerging infectious threats as globalisation increases. The disease was fairly mild in nearly all cases, with only one reported death.
A new study reveals that parasites play a pivotal role in the decline of species in fragmented forests. Red colobus monkeys were found to be infected with more human or livestock parasites than their black-and-white cousins, due to their varied diet and increased travel range.
Researchers found that industrial UV reactors can inactivate Cryptosporidium parasites with an efficacy rate of over 99.998%. This breakthrough could prevent waterborne outbreaks and secure drinking water supplies.
A new study published in Science journal reveals the genetic makeup and biology of Giardia lamblia, a parasite causing diarrhea that affects millions. The research may lead to better diagnostic tools and treatments for giardiasis.
Research published in Gut journal reveals C difficile infection is four times more likely to be fatal for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The study found that those with both conditions had significantly worse outcomes, including longer hospital stays and increased rates of endoscopy.
A global team of researchers has revealed the genetic sequence of Brugia malayi, a parasitic worm that causes debilitating diseases in over 40 million people. The study identifies dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines, including genes involved in molting, immune signaling, and host metabolism.
Researchers found that the human immune system uses hemoglobin to bind to HDL and create a toxin that clears trypanosomes from the body. This discovery could lead to better treatment options for cattle infections and provide insights into understanding why some parasites don't infect humans.
Researchers at the University of Virginia are developing a single test to identify more than 20 different food and waterborne pathogens, as well as a treatment that could protect against over 20 potential pathogens. The tests aim to improve public health by detecting outbreaks of E. coli and other parasites more quickly.
Research reveals that parasites can significantly alter the abundance of edible algae, which is a crucial resource for various organisms. This finding suggests that non-lethal impacts of parasites can have far-reaching effects on entire ecosystems.
A study found that using narrow-spectrum antibiotics and providing feedback to doctors led to a significant drop in prescriptions of broad-spectrum agents and a fall in CDI rates. The research suggests that this approach could be successfully replicated in other hospitals to reverse the rapid increase in CDI.
The team of scientists deciphered the genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite causing trichomoniasis, which affects an estimated 170 million people annually. The large genome contains nearly 26,000 confirmed genes, providing new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.
A recent study suggests that parasite infection may alter the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) by affecting the immune response. MS patients with a parasite infection showed fewer clinical relapses and less disability compared to uninfected controls.
The Institute for Genomic Research has published a draft genome sequence of Trichomonas vaginalis, the cause of trichomoniasis. The researchers identified mechanisms that help the parasite resist existing therapies and potential targets for new drugs and diagnostic techniques.
A prolific parasite is shaping the destiny of a species it doesn't infect by medling with its host's sexual behavior. The parasite, Wolbachia, has been found to cause a change in the sexual behavior of a species that is not infected, potentially contributing to evolutionary pressure.
Scientists have discovered a natural protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis that is highly effective at treating hookworm infections and curing anemia. The protein, called Cry5B, targets both developing and adult parasites, and can be produced inexpensively and safely for humans.
Researchers at VIB have made a significant breakthrough in combating African sleeping sickness by developing a nanobody that carries an ApoL-1 variant to the surface of the parasite. This treatment has shown promising results in mice, with infected animals surviving after a single treatment and the parasite being removed from their blood.
Researchers found that forest degradation and human presence significantly influence the prevalence of parasitic nematodes in red colobus monkeys. The study's results suggest that easily measurable indices like stump density can predict host-parasite dynamics and inform conservation efforts.
A UT Southwestern researchers discovered a hormone-like molecule that aids in the development and reproduction of Caenorhabditis elegans, a common research worm. The molecule, called a ligand, acts like a key fitting into a lock, binding to a nuclear receptor that activates genes allowing the worm to develop normally.
A new UV measurement tool helps validate UV treatment for preventing disease-causing bacteria and parasites in drinking water. The technique uses fluorescent microspheres to mimic pathogenic microbes, providing precise measures of UV doses.
The joint NSF-NIH program aims to create a predictive understanding of the ecological mechanisms governing relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious diseases. Researchers will study how large-scale events alter disease emergence, allowing for better control of disease spread among humans, animals, and crops.
A new vaccine targeting the dog hookworm has shown significant benefits in animal studies, reducing hookworm burdens and fecal egg counts. The vaccine protects dogs from severe outcomes like blood loss and anemia caused by the parasite.