Infectious Diseases News and Research

RSS

UTSA celebrates grand opening of NVI facility in the greater San Antonio region

The University of Texas at San Antonio celebrates the grand opening of its New Venture Incubator, a facility with laboratory, office and meeting spaces to support technology start-ups in the greater San Antonio region. The incubator, housed on UTSA’s Main Campus, will serve as a bridge between San Antonio entrepreneurs and the region’s research and development community.

8 Mar 2010

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Scientists have identified a region of a human chromosome that is associated with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a recently recognized allergic disease. People with EoE frequently have difficulty eating or may be allergic to one or more foods. This study further suggests that a suspected so-called master allergy gene may play a role in the development of this rare but debilitating disorder.

8 Mar 2010

Scientists identify the role of vitamin D in activation of T cells

Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defenses and that without sufficient intake of the vitamin, the killer cells of the immune system - T cells - will not be able to react to and fight off serious infections in the body.

8 Mar 2010

Free online training Webinars to prepare nurses for continued relief efforts in Haiti launched

While disaster response is a highly technical and sensitive effort, the most qualified of disaster professionals require additional education or real-life experience to ensure that help is delivered effectively, safely and efficiently. To assist nursing professionals volunteering their services in Haiti, Chamberlain College of Nursing in cooperation with the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future, will provide free online training Webinars hosted on the Gannett Healthcare Group's newly launched Haiti Web page to prepare nurses physically, mentally and culturally for the continued relief efforts.

6 Mar 2010

Investigators disprove reports that well-fed children are more vulnerable to dengue virus

A new study led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators disproves reports that well-fed children are more vulnerable to the dengue virus. Mosquitoes spread the virus, which can cause severe flu-like symptoms and sometimes lethal complications.

5 Mar 2010

Harmful health IT malfunctions

With the new health care IT technology already in use, preparation for the accompanying consequences should be on every family’s mind, advises Martine Ehrenclou, author of the multiple award-winning, self-help guide Critical Conditions: The Essential Hospital Guide To Get Your Loved One Out Alive (Lemon Grove Press).

5 Mar 2010

Combating liver fluke: Queen's University Belfast heads international research effort

Queen's University Belfast is spearheading a £1 million international research effort to combat liver fluke - a parasite which causes disease in livestock, resulting in billions of pounds in losses every year to farmers around the world.

5 Mar 2010

Gene involved in susceptibility and resistance to TB identified

University of Washington researchers have identified a gene involved in susceptibility and resistance to tuberculosis. This same gene, they have found, has a role in the severity of leprosy, which is caused by a related pathogen. The researchers also have learned why this gene is important for susceptibility.

5 Mar 2010

Advaxis' Listeria based fusion protein granted U.S. patent

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued Advaxis, Inc.,, the live, attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) immunotherapy company, patent #7662396 titled “Compositions and Methods for Enhancing the Immunogenicity of Antigens” for the use of fusion proteins that have been found to be effective in numerous models for the treatment of cancer in the presence of immune tolerance.

5 Mar 2010

Diamedix and Delta Biologicals’ suite of diagnostic tests: Fumouze Diagnostics to be exclusive distributor in France

IVAX Diagnostics, Inc., a fully integrated global in vitro diagnostics company, announced that Diamedix Corporation has signed a distribution agreement with Fumouze Diagnostics, a division of Sofibel S.A.S., of Paris, France, pursuant to which Fumouze Diagnostics will be the exclusive third party distributor of Diamedix Corporation and Delta Biologicals S.r.l.’s suite of diagnostic tests in France. Diamedix is a U.S. subsidiary of IVAX Diagnostics and Delta Biologicals is IVAX Diagnostics’ subsidiary located in Italy. The initial term of the distribution agreement is three years.

5 Mar 2010

Chikungunya: Experimental vaccine successfully tested in monkeys

Imagine a mosquito-borne virus that has already infected millions of people in recent outbreaks in South and Southeast Asia, the islands of the Indian Ocean, Africa and northern Italy. Although seldom fatal, it causes highly painful arthritis-like symptoms that can linger for months or even years. It's capable of adapting to spread through a mosquito species common in much of North America. And no vaccine or treatment exists to protect humans from its effects.

5 Mar 2010

BioVex commences dosing in Phase 1 study of ImmunoVEX live attenuated genital herpes vaccine

BioVex Inc, a private biotechnology company developing new generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and prevention of infectious disease, announced today that the first subject had been dosed in the Phase 1 study of its live attenuated genital herpes vaccine, ImmunoVEXHSV2. The Phase 1 study is an open label ascending dose trial, assessing safety and immune response in healthy volunteers. The study is taking place in the UK at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and will involve up to 42 already identified subjects.

4 Mar 2010

Scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals to convene in Atlanta to set agenda for HAI prevention

Three thousand scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals from throughout the world specializing in epidemiology and infectious diseases will convene March 18-22 in Atlanta with the goal of setting the agenda for healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention for the next decade.

4 Mar 2010

FDA, CDC, FSIS to host joint public workshop to take measure in reducing foodborne illnesses

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will host a joint public workshop on how best to measure progress in reducing foodborne illnesses on March 30, in Washington, D.C.

4 Mar 2010

Abbott enters into agreement with GSK to develop molecular diagnostic test for skin cancer treatment

Abbott announced today that it has entered into an agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to develop a molecular diagnostic test intended for use as an aid in selecting patients who may benefit from a skin cancer treatment in development by GSK.

4 Mar 2010

Winner of 2010 Thomas Parran Award

University of Washington's Dr. H. Hunter Handsfield, a long-time trailblazer in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) research, will receive the nation's highest honor in the STD field during the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2010 National STD Prevention Conference in Atlanta, March 8-11.

3 Mar 2010

Vaccine researchers at HZI find c-di-IMP molecule, more effective than known adjuvants

The adjuvants present in vaccines have a bad reputation. For most people, they are only unnecessary compounds within a medicinal product. This is a misunderstanding since adjuvants have a critical impact on the success of a vaccination. In the best case scenario, one single vaccination shot would be now sufficient for conferring life-long protection.

3 Mar 2010

Merck announces updated late-stage pipeline following its recent merger with Schering-Plough

Merck & Co., Inc. today announced its updated, newly integrated, late-stage pipeline following its recent merger with Schering-Plough. The new pipeline features a broad and diversified portfolio of investigational medicines and vaccines, including more than 20 candidates in Phase III or under regulatory review, and more than 20 candidates in Phase II of development.

3 Mar 2010

FDA issues final guidance to help develop safe and effective cell-based viral vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today issued final guidance to help manufacturers who are developing safe and effective cell-based viral vaccines to address emerging and pandemic threats.

3 Mar 2010

HIV, NCDs impact achievement of MDGs, study says

Unequal progress in achieving U.N. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for tuberculosis and child mortality in low-income countries is related to the countries' burdens of HIV and non-communicable diseases (NCD), according to a study published Tuesday in the journal PLoS Medicine, Reuters reports (Kelland, 3/2).

3 Mar 2010

Infectious Diseases News and Research

UTSA celebrates grand opening of NVI facility in the greater San Antonio region

Scientists identify EoE-associated region in human chromosome

Scientists identify the role of vitamin D in activation of T cells

Free online training Webinars to prepare nurses for continued relief efforts in Haiti launched

Investigators disprove reports that well-fed children are more vulnerable to dengue virus

Harmful health IT malfunctions

Combating liver fluke: Queen's University Belfast heads international research effort

Gene involved in susceptibility and resistance to TB identified

Advaxis' Listeria based fusion protein granted U.S. patent

Diamedix and Delta Biologicals’ suite of diagnostic tests: Fumouze Diagnostics to be exclusive distributor in France

Chikungunya: Experimental vaccine successfully tested in monkeys

BioVex commences dosing in Phase 1 study of ImmunoVEX live attenuated genital herpes vaccine

Scientists, researchers and healthcare professionals to convene in Atlanta to set agenda for HAI prevention

FDA, CDC, FSIS to host joint public workshop to take measure in reducing foodborne illnesses

Abbott enters into agreement with GSK to develop molecular diagnostic test for skin cancer treatment

Winner of 2010 Thomas Parran Award

Vaccine researchers at HZI find c-di-IMP molecule, more effective than known adjuvants

Merck announces updated late-stage pipeline following its recent merger with Schering-Plough

FDA issues final guidance to help develop safe and effective cell-based viral vaccines

HIV, NCDs impact achievement of MDGs, study says

Discover how SciY empowers scientists

Why use light scattering to analyze proteins and viral vectors?

Changing the landscape of R&D to build clinical success from the ground up

Latest News