Infectious Diseases News and Research

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International researchers identify previously unknown genetic immunodeficiency

An analysis of five families has revealed a previously unknown genetic immunodeficiency, says an international team led by researchers from Boston Children's Hospital. The condition, linked to mutations in a gene called DOCK2, deactivates many features of the immune system and leaves affected children open to a unique pattern of aggressive, potentially fatal infections early in life.

19 Jun 2015

New review highlights strategies to inhibit infections during the laundering process of HCT

Proper laundering and handling are important in achieving and maintaining the hygienically-clean quality of healthcare fabrics and textiles delivered to the point of care, according to a new review that highlights evidence-based strategies to inhibit potentially serious contamination.

19 Jun 2015

Nucleoporin proteins play significant role in maintaining embryonic stem cells

What if you found out that pieces of your front door were occasionally flying off the door frame to carry out chores around the house? That's the kind of surprise scientists at the Salk Institute experienced with their recent discovery that nucleoporins -- proteins that act as cellular 'doorways' to help manage what goes in and out of a cell's nucleus -- are actually much bigger players in expressing genes than previously thought.

19 Jun 2015

Key lessons from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in South Korea

The outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in South Korea is the subject of a fast-tracked editorial in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, written by Dr. Eskild Petersen and colleagues.

18 Jun 2015

Single difference in HIV's genetic code influences progression of disease

In a finding that furthers the understanding of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), researchers from Children's Hospital Los Angeles discovered two locations where a single difference in HIV's genetic code altered the way the virus infected the cell, thereby influencing the progression of the disease.

18 Jun 2015

Public health experts outline strategies for managing MERS-CoV outbreak

The ongoing outbreak in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) is an important reminder that the Middle East respiratory virus (MERS-CoV) requires constant vigilance and could spread to other countries including the United States. However, MERS can be brought under control with effective public health strategies, say two Georgetown University public health experts.

18 Jun 2015

New study launched in Liberia to better understand health consequences of Ebola virus disease

The Liberia-U.S. clinical research partnership known as PREVAIL has launched a study of people in Liberia who have survived Ebola virus disease (EVD) within the past two years. The study investigators hope to better understand the long-term health consequences of EVD, determine if survivors develop immunity that will protect them from future Ebola infection, and assess whether previously EVD-infected individuals can transmit infection to close contacts and sexual partners.

18 Jun 2015

NIH-funded study identifies DOCK2 deficiency

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have identified a new immune disorder--DOCK2 deficiency--named after the mutated gene responsible for the disease.

18 Jun 2015

FDA accepts BiondVax's IND for Multimeric-001 vaccine

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing immunomodulation therapies for infectious diseases, today announced that its Investigational New Drug Application (IND) for its Multimeric-001 vaccine (M-001), has been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Company was notified by its regulatory advisors that the 'study may proceed'.

17 Jun 2015

Earthquake-ravaged Nepal faces 'very high' risk of hepatitis E outbreak

During the coming monsoon season, survivors of the recent earthquake that destroyed parts of Nepal face a "very high" risk of a hepatitis E outbreak that could be especially deadly to pregnant women, according to a consensus statement from a group of infectious disease experts from around the world.

17 Jun 2015

Regulatory T cells critical for the immune system's ability to fight off future pathogen attacks

Just as militaries need to have trained, experienced soldiers ready for future wars, making sure that the immune system has enough battle-ready T cells on hand is important for fast-acting, more effective vaccines, according to Penn State researchers.

17 Jun 2015

CINtec PLUS Cytology test more effective than HC2 HPV test in identifying women with precancerous lesions

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, today announced the publication of further results from the Primary ASC-US LSIL Marker Study (PALMS) in this month's issue of Cancer Cytopathology. The PALMS study, which enrolled more than 27,000 women from five European countries, was designed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the CINtec PLUS Cytology test in detecting pre-cancerous cervical disease compared to HPV testing and more traditional screening methods like Pap cytology.

16 Jun 2015

BiondVax invited to present at EDUFULVAC-NIAID workshop on immunoassay standardization for universal flu vaccines

BiondVax Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing immunomodulation therapies for infectious diseases,today announced that it has been invited to present in a workshop organized by EDUFULVAC, (EDUcate inFLUenza VACcine) a corresponding European Consortium coordinated by the European Vaccine Initiative (Germany) and NIAID (the National Instituteof Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a National Institute of Health branch) in the United States.

16 Jun 2015

DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals supports WHO’s ‘Call to Action’ on antimicrobial resistance

Following the Global Health Summit in Uppsala (Sweden) on 2-3 June, 2015, DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals pledged its commitment to the WHO’s ‘Call to Action’ on antimicrobial resistance issued at the Summit. One of the biggest opportunities to maintain the effectiveness and availability of antibiotics is responsible waste management, to date a highly undervalued dimension in the debate around resistance. DSP promised to use its expertise and influence in this area to help curb antimicrobial resistance.

16 Jun 2015

Helmholtz Zentrum München scientists identify how Epstein-Barr virus conceals in human cells

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have now discovered how Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) conceals itself in human cells. A main culprit for its bad visibility by the immune system is the viral protein LMP2A. As published in the scientific journal PLOS Pathogens, the protein helps EBV-infected cells hide from T cells. This camouflage through the LMP2A protein may play a major role in the causation of cancer by EBV.

16 Jun 2015

New evidence suggests that biodiversity limits disease outbreaks among humans, wildlife

With infectious diseases increasing worldwide, the need to understand how and why disease outbreaks occur is becoming increasingly important. Looking for answers, a team of University of South Florida biologists and colleagues found broad evidence that supports the controversial 'dilution effect hypothesis,' which suggests that biodiversity limits outbreaks of disease among humans and wildlife.

16 Jun 2015

VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay receives FDA approval

Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., a member of the Roche Group, today announced approval of the VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay by the US Food and Drug Administration as a companion diagnostic to aid in the identification of patients for Pfizer's FDA approved targeted therapy, XALKORI (crizotinib).

15 Jun 2015

Researchers uncover how Gram-negative bacteria can trigger immune system reaction

Researchers at the University of Toronto have uncovered how Gram-negative bacteria -- a broad class of bugs that cause diseases ranging from gonorrhea to diarrhea and pneumonia -- can trigger a reaction from our immune system. This discovery could lead to new therapies and treatments that use the immune system to fight infections instead of antibiotics.

12 Jun 2015

BRIM, Janssen announce strategic collaboration to develop effective treatment for dengue

BRIM Biotechnology, Inc., announced today that it has entered a Collaboration, Option and License Agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

11 Jun 2015

Johns Hopkins researcher to help address solutions to antibiotic-resistant bacteria at White House

Johns Hopkins infectious disease researcher Sara Cosgrove, M.D., M.S., has been tapped by the White House to help address solutions to the ever-growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

11 Jun 2015

Infectious Diseases News and Research

International researchers identify previously unknown genetic immunodeficiency

New review highlights strategies to inhibit infections during the laundering process of HCT

Nucleoporin proteins play significant role in maintaining embryonic stem cells

Key lessons from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in South Korea

Single difference in HIV's genetic code influences progression of disease

Public health experts outline strategies for managing MERS-CoV outbreak

New study launched in Liberia to better understand health consequences of Ebola virus disease

NIH-funded study identifies DOCK2 deficiency

FDA accepts BiondVax's IND for Multimeric-001 vaccine

Earthquake-ravaged Nepal faces 'very high' risk of hepatitis E outbreak

Regulatory T cells critical for the immune system's ability to fight off future pathogen attacks

CINtec PLUS Cytology test more effective than HC2 HPV test in identifying women with precancerous lesions

BiondVax invited to present at EDUFULVAC-NIAID workshop on immunoassay standardization for universal flu vaccines

DSM Sinochem Pharmaceuticals supports WHO’s ‘Call to Action’ on antimicrobial resistance

Helmholtz Zentrum München scientists identify how Epstein-Barr virus conceals in human cells

New evidence suggests that biodiversity limits disease outbreaks among humans, wildlife

VENTANA ALK (D5F3) CDx Assay receives FDA approval

Researchers uncover how Gram-negative bacteria can trigger immune system reaction

BRIM, Janssen announce strategic collaboration to develop effective treatment for dengue

Johns Hopkins researcher to help address solutions to antibiotic-resistant bacteria at White House

eBook: Advancing infectious disease vaccine development eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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