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Hidden culprit: Human metapneumovirus identified in severe adult pneumonia case

Severe pneumonia caused by human metapneumovirus in an immunocompetent adult highlights diagnostic challenges and underscores the need for rapid molecular diagnostics to improve outcomes.

6 Jan 2025

Extended course of Paxlovid shows promise for some long Covid patients

An up-close look at how patients respond to the drug at different times and doses adds nuance to a recent finding that Paxlovid does not work for long Covid.

6 Jan 2025

Study highlights the importance of diagnostic tests in pandemic response

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how crucial testing is for disease preparedness and response, and new research from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) and a team of collaborators underscores that principle.

3 Jan 2025

Predicting H5N1 disease severity based on T cell responses

New research led by scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) suggests that many people already have immune cells on "stand by" to fight the H5N1 virus, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza.

2 Jan 2025

Breakthrough in immunology: AbMAP’s novel approach to antibody modeling

Researchers developed AbMAP, a cutting-edge framework leveraging transfer learning to model antibody hypervariable regions, significantly improving design and immune repertoire analysis.

2 Jan 2025

Scientists pinpoint regions and species fueling coronavirus evolution in bats

Study uncovers the evolution, transmission, and geographic spread of bat coronaviruses in China, revealing key insights into hotspots and the origins of SARS-CoV-2.

1 Jan 2025

Immunocompromised adults show weaker response to RSV vaccines

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity - primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders - do not respond as strongly to vaccines against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as people in the same age group with normal immune function.

30 Dec 2024

WHO TAG-CO-VAC reviews COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness and antigen composition

The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) continues to closely monitor the genetic and antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants, immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination, and the performance of COVID-19 vaccines against circulating variants.

24 Dec 2024

New insights into respiratory syncytial virus and prevention strategies

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections, particularly in infants, children under 5 years, and older adults. Its rapid spread makes RSV a serious public health concern. Currently, there are no effective medications for RSV, and current treatment focuses on providing supportive care and preventing its spread.

20 Dec 2024

Host heterogeneity increases pathogen virulence in metapopulations

Heterogeneity is ubiquitous in real-world host populations, yet most theories assume homogeneity. Using a metapopulation model, we examine how host heterogeneities, such as uneven movement patterns and local productivities, affect the evolution of pathogen virulence.

20 Dec 2024

Pregnant women must be prioritized in pandemic vaccination programs

The vast majority of women who contract bird flu during pregnancy and their unborn baby will die from the virus, according to a new study. And the findings stress the importance of early inclusion of pregnant women in public health vaccination programs during pandemics.

19 Dec 2024

Breastfeeding after COVID-19 vaccination is safe, with minimal changes to milk composition

This study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly alters human milk composition, while COVID-19 vaccination causes minimal, transient changes, underscoring the safety of breastfeeding during vaccination.

19 Dec 2024

Breakthrough in antigen recognition: TRACeR-I enhances immune targeting

Researchers describe TRACeR-I, a protein platform that can be used to engineer immune responses.

19 Dec 2024

New long COVID index highlights five symptom subtypes

Researchers provide a detailed report of the updated 2024 long COVID research index.

19 Dec 2024

Long COVID affects 8.4% of U.S. adults, with income and geography shaping impact

Long COVID affects 8.4% of U.S. adults, with significant disparities based on sex, income, and geography, limiting daily activities for many.

17 Dec 2024

Breakthrough microchip technology enables multi-disease detection

In a world grappling with a multitude of health threats - ranging from fast-spreading viruses to chronic diseases and drug-resistant bacteria - the need for quick, reliable, and easy-to-use home diagnostic tests has never been greater. Imagine a future where these tests can be done anywhere, by anyone, using a device as small and portable as your smartwatch.

16 Dec 2024

Gut microbiome during acute infection predicts risk of long COVID

The study identifies gut microbiome signatures during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection as predictors of long COVID, enhancing understanding of symptom variability.

16 Dec 2024

A genetic variant modulates interferon signaling and disease risk

For years, scientists have looked to a critical piece of immune system machinery - known as the interferon pathway - for answers. There, when our cells sense an infection, they release a protein known as interferon, which warns other cells to fight the virus.

13 Dec 2024

Researchers classify post-COVID subtypes and uncover vaccination’s protective role

Researchers identify four distinct post-COVID subtypes, reveal key risk factors, and emphasize the protective role of vaccination in mitigating long-term impacts.

12 Dec 2024

Long-CoV-III-21 trial shows positive results for bovhyaluronidase azoximer in post-COVID pulmonary sequelae

Petrovax announced today the positive results from "Long-CoV-III-21," a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bovhyaluronidase azoximer in adult patients with pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19.

12 Dec 2024