Severe physical symptoms persist for up to two years in people who had a severe COVID-19 infection, highlighting the importance of long-term monitoring.
Tag: VIROLOGY
Expert Available to Discuss Rise in Rare and Obscure Diseases
There’s been an uptick in the U.S. recently in relatively obscure and rare diseases — malaria, leprosy, measles –– making a comeback, with many in the health community sounding the alarm bells. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Brian DeHaven, PhD, an expert in virology and immunology,…
A new look inside Ebola’s “viral factories”
The study, led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), reveals the inner workings of viral factories, clusters of viral proteins and genomes that form in host cells.
How eavesdropping viruses battle it out to infect us
Researchers have found that dozens of viruses respond to quorum sensing or other chemical signals from bacteria.
New algorithm may fuel vaccine development
Immune system researchers have designed a computational tool to boost pandemic preparedness. Scientists can use this new algorithm to compare data from vastly different experiments and better predict how individuals may respond to disease.
Monitoring British bats can help identify coronaviruses with pathogen potential
Researchers who found novel coronaviruses in UK bats say genetic surveys of the viruses should be regularly conducted, even if none of those viruses can infect humans yet.
UW–Madison researchers reveal how key protein might help influenza A infect its hosts
Influenza A is one of two influenza viruses that fuel costly annual flu seasons and is a near constant threat to humans and many other animals. It’s also responsible for occasional pandemics that, like the one in 1918, leave millions dead and wreak havoc on health systems and wider society. Influenza A was first identified as a health threat nearly a century ago, but only in the last decade have scientists identified one of the virus’s key proteins for infiltrating host cells and short-circuiting their defenses.
Measles virus ‘cooperates’ with itself to cause fatal encephalitis
Researchers in Japan have uncovered the mechanism for how the measles virus can cause subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, or SSPE, a rare but fatal neurological disorder that can occur several years after a measles infection.
LJI scientists uncover the structure and function of Inmazeb, the first FDA-approved drug for Ebola virus infection
Inmazeb (REGN-EB3), developed by Regeneron, is a three-antibody cocktail designed to target the Ebola virus glycoprotein. The drug was first approved for clinical use in October 2020, but its exact mechanism of action has remained unclear.
Stunningly detailed blueprint revealed of viral genome replication machinery
Wisconsin virologists have outlined in atomic detail the intricate RNA replication machines that coronaviruses create inside infected cells, giving rise to potential new strategies to fight disease.
Durable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to two viral targets at once
A new study led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) shows how ideal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 hit their marks. Now scientists are looking at how we might harness their power in new antibody therapeutics and even more effective COVID-19 vaccines.
Annual or biannual boosters are optimal for fighting endemic COVID-19, study shows
While COVID-19 boosters have been found to protect against infection, hospitalization, and severe illness, the waning of their protection has led to uncertainty about when it is most appropriate to get an additional booster shot.
LJI Instructor Annie Elong Ngono, Ph.D., wins GVN support to advance infectious disease research
LJI Instructor Annie Elong Ngono, Ph.D., has spearheaded important studies into the immune response to deadly pathogens such as dengue virus. Now, this dedication to global health and virology has earned her acceptance to the Global Virus Network’s (GVN) highly selective Rising Star Mentorship Program.
LJI scientists confirm smallpox vaccine also teaches T cells to fight mpox
“Vaccines such as JYNNEOS should be able to induce T cells that also recognize mpox and can provide protection from severe disease.”
To track disease-carrying mosquitoes, researchers tag them with DNA barcodes
West Nile, Zika, dengue and malaria are all diseases spread by bites from infected mosquitoes.
New Lassa fever therapy may be on the horizon
The LJI team plans to use their new map of the Lassa virus surface glycoprotein to design a much-needed vaccine.
Global Virus Network (GVN) Adds Thailand’s Mahidol University as Newest Member to Combat Viral Threats
The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing 68 Centers of Excellence and 11 Affiliates in 39 countries comprising foremost experts in every class of virus causing disease in humans, and the Mahidol University in Thailand announced the addition of the Mahidol Virus Network as GVN’s newest Center of Excellence.
U of U Health-Led Research Awarded $28 Million to Explore HIV’s Inner Workings and Vulnerabilities
A University of Utah Health-led multi-institutional research center that studies the inner workings and vulnerabilities of HIV, the human immunodeficieny virus that causes AIDS, recently received a five-year, $28 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health.
Targeting a human protein to squash SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses
In ACS Infectious Diseases, scientists now report that apratoxin S4, an anticancer drug candidate that targets a human protein, can interfere with the replication of many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A, offering a possible pan-viral therapy.
COVID-19 Rebound after Taking Paxlovid Likely Due to Insufficient Drug Exposure
COVID-19 rebound following Paxlovid treatment likely due to insufficient drug exposure, UC San Diego researchers find after showing rebound patient did not show drug resistance or impaired immunity.
Rethinking the rabies vaccine
Rabies virus kills a shocking 59,000 people each year, many of them children. In a new study, researchers from La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Institut Pasteur share a promising path to better vaccine design.
Dog coronavirus jumps to humans, with a protein shift
Cornell University researchers have identified a shift that occurs in canine coronavirus that may provide clues as to how it transmits from animals to humans.
Cleveland Clinic Appoints Ted Ross, Ph.D., as Global Director of Vaccine Development
Ted Ross, Ph.D., has been appointed Global Director of Vaccine Development at Cleveland Clinic.
In this newly created role, he will lead the development of novel vaccine platforms for a variety of infectious diseases, including influenza, HIV and COVID-19. A highly renowned scientist with expertise in virology, vaccines, immunology and microbiology, Dr. Ross’ research focuses on the design of new vaccines and the implementation of new vaccine trials.
Possible new antivirals against COVID-19, herpes
The immune system fights viruses with peptides. Now, scientists have treated animal models of herpes with synthetic peptide mimics known as peptoids. These molecules could one day cure or prevent many kinds of infections, including COVID-19. They will present their results at ACS Fall 2021.
Most of UC San Diego’s COVID-19 Cases Detected Early by Wastewater Screening
Part of UC San Diego’s Return to Learn program, wastewater screening helped prevent outbreaks by detecting 85 percent of cases early, allowing for timely testing, contact tracing and isolation.
Early antiviral response in the nose may determine the course of COVID-19
Cells sampled at the time of diagnosis from patients who later developed severe COVID-19 show a muted antiviral response, study finds
Advantages of intranasal vaccination against SARS-CoV-2
Intranasal vaccination is needle-free and elicits immunity at the site of infection, the respiratory tract
Longitudinal serological and vaccination responses to SARS-COV-2 in dental professionals
Alexandria, Va., USA – Iain Chapple, University of Birmingham, England, presented the oral session “Longitudinal Serological and Vaccination Responses to SARS-COV-2 in Dental Professionals” at the virtual 99th General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR),…
Llama ‘nanobodies’ could hold key to preventing deadly post-transplant infection
Scientists have developed a ‘nanobody’ – a small fragment of a llama antibody – that is capable of chasing out human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as it hides away from the immune system. This then enables immune cells to seek out and…
Cell-analysis technique could combat tuberculosis
ITHACA, N.Y. – A new method that analyzes how individual immune cells react to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis could pave the way for new vaccine strategies against this deadly disease, and provide insights into fighting other infectious diseases around…
Interaction identified between SARS-CoV-2 and unusual RNA structures in human cells
Replication of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, depends on a series of interactions between viral proteins and different cellular partners such as nucleic acids (DNA or RNA). Characterizing these interactions is crucial to elucidate the process of viral replication…
Less-sensitive COVID-19 tests may still achieve optimal results if enough people tested
Analysis suggests same epidemiological outcomes possible with rapid-antigen versus RT-PCR tests
SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 gives the immune system a hard time
SARS-CoV-2 still poses major challenges to mankind. The frequent emergence of mutant forms makes the threat posed by the virus difficult to predict.
Traditional Japanese food may hold building blocks of COVID-19 treatments
Natto, a fermented soybean dish often served for breakfast in Japan, originated at the turn of the last millennium but may hold an answer to a modern problem: COVID-19, according to a new study based on cell cultures. Long thought…
SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 gives the immune system a hard time
SARS-CoV-2 still poses major challenges to mankind. The frequent emergence of mutant forms makes the threat posed by the virus difficult to predict. The SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 circulated in India and gave rise to the Delta variant, B.1.617.2, which is…
Effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against the Alpha and Beta variants in France
ComCor study: analysis of the effectiveness of messenger RNA vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha and Beta variants in France
Toward one drug to treat all coronaviruses
Safe and effective vaccines offer hope for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the possible emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as novel coronaviruses, make finding treatments that work against all coronaviruses as important as ever. Now, researchers…
Self-collected saliva and courier service — A feasible diagnostic strategy for COVID-19
Alexandria, Va., USA – Walter Siqueira, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada, presented the poster “Self-collected Saliva and Courier Service – A Feasible Diagnostic Strategy for COVID-19” at the virtual 99th General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental…
Study refutes suspicion that dengue increases risk of microcephaly associated with zika
Researchers compared data for pregnant women in two cities who were infected by zika virus in 2015-16. Factors that influenced the risk of fetal malformation were the high zika attack rate in the area and being infected in the first trimester of pregnan
SARS-CoV-2: Achilles’ heel of viral RNA
Researchers at Goethe University find small molecules as binding partners for genomic RNA of the coronavirus
ComCor study on SARS-CoV-2: where are French people catching the virus?
ComCor study on places of infection with SARS-CoV-2: where are French people catching the virus?
The virus trap
Hollow nano-objects made of DNA could trap viruses and render them harmless
Inadequate sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants impedes global response to COVID-19
Better international sequencing efforts are needed to track and respond to new SARS-CoV-2 variants
Measures and clinical approach of COVID 19
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has spread throughout the globe and much time has passed since it was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19: Diagnosis and Management provides clinicians and scholars all the information…
Present and future application of artificial intelligence in clinical drug
The combination of expert knowledge and multidisciplinary approaches highlighted in the book make it a valuable source of information for physicians and clinical researchers active in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment (oncologists, oncologic surgeons, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine…
Short chain fatty acids: An ‘ace in the hole’ against SARS-CoV-2 infection
Scientists find that short chain fatty acids can be used to reduce susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection and mortality from COVID-19
Supermarket model to guide safer shopping amid pandemic
A Skoltech team has developed a model for assessing infection risks for supermarket customers. The researchers believe that their model will help formulate scientifically backed rules for safe shopping during the pandemic. The paper was published in PLOS One .…
Allocating COVID-19 vaccines based on health and socioeconomics could reduce mortality
Study suggests spatial relationship between COVID-19 mortality and population-level health factors
Role of host genetics on gut microbiome is near-universal, but environmentally-dependent
Taken together, the bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes that live in our intestines form the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in the health of people and animals. In new research from the University of Minnesota, University of…
Neonatal meningitis: the immaturity of microbiota and epithelial barriers implicated
Meningitis is associated with high mortality and frequently causes severe sequelae. Newborn infants are particularly susceptible to this type of infection; they develop meningitis 30 times more often than the general population. Group B streptococcus (GBS) bacteria are the most…