All Infectious Disease articles – Page 12
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NewsBreakthrough in coronavirus fight: scientists develop powerful bispecific inhibitor to combat a wide range of coronaviruses
Researchers have discovered a powerful bispecific inhibitor capable of combating all existing human-pathogenic coronaviruses, including those resistant to existing treatments like Paxlovid.
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NewsResearchers discover method to combat antibiotic treatment failure
Researchers explored ways to alter our own immune cells to help antibiotics work more effectively. They identified a small molecule that alters the body’s immune cells, forcing them to ’wake up’ dormant bacteria and make them more vulnerable to antibiotic treatment.
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NewsCould cardamom seeds be a potential source of antiviral treatment?
Researchers have found that cardamom seed extract, as well as its main bioactive ingredient, 1,8-cineole, can have potent antiviral effects through its ability to enhance the production of antiviral molecules known as type I interferons via nucleic acid ‘sensors’ inside cells.
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NewsResearchers probe how malaria harms unborn babies
UK-based Wellcome has awarded over €2 million to an international research effort to uncover how malaria can injure developing babies.
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NewsNew study reveals diverse threats from Avian E. coli
New research has determined why various strains of Avian Pathogenic E. coli behave so differently. The study analysed a colibacillosis outbreak in turkeys in the UK, and found a strain called ST-101 was the dominant cause of the outbreak, accounting for nearly 60% of cases.
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NewsCould targeted steroid use offer a universal complimentary treatment to fight TB?
Newly published research provides evidence that treating patients with steroids may enhance the function of their macrophages to kill the mycobacteria, while diminishing pathways of inflammatory damage.
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NewsTraditional Chinese medicine combined with peginterferon α-2b in chronic hepatitis B
A new study demonstrates that adjunctive Traditional Chinese Medicine significantly enhances the antiviral efficacy of peginterferon α-2b in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B while concurrently mitigating treatment-limiting myelosuppression.
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NewsResearchers developing new easy-to-use viral biosensor test, giving patients more accurate and immediate results
An interdisciplinary team of researchers is creating a single low-cost test to detect HIV & Hepatitis B and C simultaneously, that may be used in resource-limited settings. With quicker and more accessible results, the test has potential to save lives.
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NewsCHIKVdb: A comprehensive genomic resource for chikungunya virus surveillance and outbreak response
Scientists have developed the Chikungunya Virus Database (CHIKVdb), a comprehensive genomic resource. CHIKVdb integrates 8,193 nucleotide sequences and 10,637 protein sequences from five major host categories across 99 countries, spanning 40 years.
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NewsTracking infectious disease spread via commuting pattern data
Researchers have introduced a Commuter Metapopulation Model (CMPM) to simulate the spread of COVID-19 with actual commuting data provided by the country’s second-largest telecommunication network, revealing it could better capture spatial variety in outbreak patterns.
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NewsWhen faucets rest: hidden microbial risks emerge in hours
Stagnant water in building plumbing systems is a well-known driver of microbial growth and contamination, including L. pneumophila. A new study highlights a short “microbial safety window” of 2–4 hours, after which risks increase significantly.
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NewsWHO upgrades its public health intelligence system to boost global health security
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched version 2.0 of the Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system, used globally for the early detection of public health threats.
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NewsMaldives is first country to achieve ‘triple elimination’ of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B
The World Health Organization has validated the Maldives for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, while maintaining its earlier validation for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis. This makes the Maldives the first country in the world to achieve ‘triple elimination’.
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NewsWHO warns of widespread resistance to common antibiotics worldwide
One in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections causing common infections in people worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotic treatments, according to a new World Health Organization (WHO) report.
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NewsMeasles immunity 90% in BC’s Lower Mainland
In British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, 90% of people have detectable antibodies against measles, indicating high vaccine coverage and population protection, according to a new study.
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NewsTwo-dose recombinant shingles vaccine is effective even accounting for prior receipt of live shingles vaccine
A target trial emulation was conducted to assess the effectiveness of recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) accounting for prior receipt of live zoster vaccine (ZVL) and immunocompetence. The results suggest individuals vaccinated with ZVL should be revaccinated with two doses of RZV.
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NewsScientists develop safer and more sustainable antimicrobials to prevent infection of cow udders
A new study has unveiled an alternative class of potent antimicrobial compounds that could be used in the agriculture industry to combat multi-drug-resistant bacteria that cause bovine mastitis.
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NewsMolecular bodyguard helps infections persist
Researchers have identified a key molecular player that helps bacteria survive the hostile environment inside the body. Their study reveals how the protein RfaH acts as a protective shield for bacterial genes — and points to new strategies for fighting persistent infections.
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NewsStudy finds HEPA purifiers alone may not be enough to reduce viral exposure in schools
In a secondary analysis of a study of 200 classrooms, researchers found respiratory viral exposures were still high in those with HEPA purifiers, suggesting additional interventions are needed.
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NewsNew global burden of disease study: Mortality declines, youth deaths rise, widening health inequities
The world faces an emerging crisis of higher death rates in adolescents and young adults in North America and Latin America due to suicide and drug and alcohol consumption, and in sub-Saharan Africa due to infectious diseases and unintentional injuries.