All news from Virology

RNA viral infections

Researchers Identify How Liver Cells: Protect Against Viral Attacks

Current models of cell-intrinsic immunity to RNA viruses centre on virus-triggered inducible antiviral responses; initiated by RIG-I-like receptors or Toll-like receptors that sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns; and signal downstream through interferon regulatory factors (IRFs); transcription factors that induce synthesis of type I and type III interferons. RNA viruses have evolved sophisticated strategies to disrupt these…

Epstein-Barr virus

Progress Toward Epstein-Barr Virus Vaccine

Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis. You might know this disease better by its nickname, “mono.” It’s also the “kissing disease” because of one way you can spread it to someone else. Even though the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) isn’t a household name; you have probably been infected without knowing it. Lots of people carry…

maternal immunity

New Insights: Maternal Immunity Impacts Neonatal HSV

Findings from a study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine; are offering new insights into neonatal herpes; its impact on developing nervous systems; and how newborns can be protected from the disease. When we hear the term herpes; many of us may first think of cold sores or perhaps genital infections. Both are; associated with…

Virus

High Response Seen for All Hep C Tx Models

Many people who inject drugs (PWID) are denied treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, even if they are receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT). Research suggests that HCV in PWID may be treated effectively, but optimal models of care for promoting adherence and sustained virologic response (SVR) have not been evaluated in the direct-acting antiviral…

Virus infection

A Restriction Factor for Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B is a viral liver infection that can lead to acute or chronic conditions. Although there is a vaccine that offers protection against the virus; current treatments which prevent the virus; from replicating are not curative for infected individuals. Scientists at the Institut Pasteur working in collaboration with the CNRS; have demonstrated that a…

disease progression in cystic fibrosis

Common Virus Linked to Faster Disease Progression: Cystic Fibrosis

A new study has found that cystic fibrosis patients who have a common virus may experience faster disease progression than patients who do not have the virus. Signs of faster cystic fibrosis disease progression included earlier times to lung transplant referral; and reaching the final stages of the disease. The study looked at the cytomegalovirus;…

Measles

Does It Make Sense to Delay Children's Vaccines?

When Elyse Imamura’s son was an infant, she and her husband, Robert, chose to spread out his vaccinations at a more gradual pace than the official schedule recommended. “I was thinking, ‘OK, we’re going to do this,’ ” says Imamura, 39, of Torrance, Calif. ” ‘But we’re going to do it slower so your body…

Common food additive

Common Food Additive: Weaken Defenses Against Influenza

Research conducted in mice suggests the food additive tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ); found in many common products from frozen meat to crackers and fried foods; suppresses the immune response; the body mounts when fighting the flu. In addition to increasing the severity of flu symptoms; the study found evidence that tBHQ exposure could reduce the effectiveness of…

cervical disease among young women

HPV Vaccination: Dramatic Reduction in Cervical Disease

Routine vaccination of girls aged 12 or 13 years with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Scotland has led to a dramatic reduction; in cervical disease in later life, finds a study published by The BMJ. Unvaccinated women also showed a reduction in disease; possibly due to herd protection, say the researchers. HPV is one…

Virology

Antibody Based Therapies Against Lethal Viruses

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded an international consortium led by Albert Einstein College of Medicine, part of Montefiore, a five-year, $22 million grant to develop antibody-based therapies against four highly lethal viruses for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments. The viruses are the tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever…

Combo of virotherapy and radiotherapy

Combo of Virotherapy and Radiotherapy in Esophageal Cancer

The experimental oncolytic adenovirus telomelysin (OBP-301); in combination with radiotherapy was safe; and showed early clinical efficacy in vulnerable patients with esophageal cancer; according to results from a phase I clinical trial; presented at the AACR Annual Meeting. “Most standard therapeutic strategies for esophageal cancer; such as surgery and chemoradiotherapy; are relatively invasive and can’t…

vaccine debate

Anti-vaxxers Appear to Be Losing Ground

As measles outbreaks spread across the U.S., our new look at how information; about vaccine safety and reliability spreads online suggests that the tide may be turning against the anti-vaccination movement. Between Jan. 1 and March 28, 387 people contracted measles in 15 U.S. states. Mumps is also coming back, with 151 infections in just…