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Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives research grant to help people with MDR-TB

For the third time in four months, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health has awarded Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University a research grant aimed at helping people infected with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Taken together, all three NIH grants total $8.57 million.

27 Jul 2010

Study on interactions between new antitubercular drug candidates SQ109 and TMC207

Sequella, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing drugs for treatment of life-threatening infectious diseases, announced today the publication of studies in the scientific journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy on synergy between SQ109, its lead drug candidate for the treatment of TB, and TMC207, Tibotec lead TB drug candidate:

27 Jul 2010

Scientists find MODS technique most accurate for testing tuberculosis in children

An international team of researchers comparing recently-developed methods for diagnosing tuberculosis in children in resource-poor countries has concluded that the best test for high-risk children is the microscopic-observation drug-susceptibility (MODS) technique using two gastric aspirate specimens from each child tested. MODS detects the presence of bacteria causing tuberculosis using microscopes to detect typical growth patterns in culture broth.

27 Jul 2010

Vical's prophylactic Vaxfectin-formulated pDNA vaccine effective against HSV-2 in animal model

Vical Incorporated today announced that its prophylactic Vaxfectin®-formulated plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccine against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) protected mice against lethal challenge, provided sterilizing immunity and inhibited viral counts at both the primary and latent infection sites. The Vaxfectin® adjuvant substantially improved vaccine effectiveness. A related vaccine significantly reduced the recurrence of HSV-2 lesions in a therapeutic model using guinea pigs with latent infection.

26 Jul 2010

IDC secures $32 million in Series B financing

Immune Design Corp. (IDC), a privately held biotechnology company focused on developing novel vaccines and immunotherapies for infectious disease and cancer, announced today that it has secured $32 million in Series B financing. The round was led by ProQuest Investments and was joined by current investors: The Column Group, Versant Ventures, and Alta Partners. The Series B financing brings the total amount of equity capital raised by IDC to $50 million since its inception in 2008.

26 Jul 2010

Neu5Gc in drugs provokes strong immune response

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have discovered that a kind of sugar molecule common to chimpanzees, gorillas and other mammals but not found in humans provokes a strong immune response in some people, likely worsening conditions in which chronic inflammation is a major issue.

26 Jul 2010

Babesiosis disease on the rise in Lower Hudson Valley: NYS DOH

Babesiosis, a rare and occasionally fatal tick-borne disease caused by microscopic parasites known as Babesia which infect red blood cells, is on the rise in the Lower Hudson Valley according to the NYS DOH, including the counties of Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan and Rockland.

23 Jul 2010

Health bodies to discuss steps to further reduce mother to child HIV transmission

Transmission of HIV to children before or at birth has dropped dramatically around the country in the last decade since the advent of powerful new therapies. That certainly is true for Florida, where each year, fewer than 10 babies are born with the disease despite the fact that more than 600 HIV-positive women each year, on average, give birth.

23 Jul 2010

Pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria cause death of 6 million of world's poorest children

A Johns Hopkins University scientist, whose team of researchers recently identified pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria as the primary causes of death of 6 million of the world's poorest children, today called on leaders in donor and developing nations to take action to address the terrible death toll.

23 Jul 2010

Early HAART during TB treatment prolongs survival of untreated HIV-infected adults: CAMELIA study

A clinical trial in Cambodia has found it possible to prolong the survival of untreated HIV-infected adults with very weak immune systems and newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB) by starting anti-HIV therapy two weeks after beginning TB treatment, rather than waiting eight weeks, as has been standard.

23 Jul 2010

NVHR releases statement on New York Times article 'Hope against Hepatitis C'

In response to today's New York Times article, "Hope against Hepatitis C," Andrew Muir, M.D., M.H.S., Director, Gastroenterology/Hepatology Research, Duke Clinical Research Institute and Steering Committee Member of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) released the following statement:

23 Jul 2010

Researchers discover fundamental entry mechanism of fungal microbes into plant and human host cells

A research team led by scientists at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has discovered a fundamental entry mechanism that allows dangerous fungal microbes to infect plants and cause disease. The discovery paves the way for the development of new intervention strategies to protect plant, and even some animal cells, from deadly fungal infections. The findings are published in the July 23 edition of the journal Cell.

23 Jul 2010

Achillion nominates ACH-2928 NS5A clinical candidate for treatment of HCV

Achillion Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leader in the discovery and development of treatments for the most challenging infectious diseases, today announced the nomination of a lead clinical candidate in its fourth proprietary program against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The candidate, ACH-2928, is an NS5A inhibitor that in preclinical studies has demonstrated excellent potency against HCV RNA replication, as well as good pharmacokinetic and safety profiles.

22 Jul 2010

AHF hosts 'Test & Treat: Getting to 10 Million on ARVs' satellite session

As both cost containment of care and services and treatment-as-prevention gain greater prominence in the global fight against HIV/AIDS during the Vienna AIDS Conference, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which currently provides AIDS medical care to more than 139,000 individuals in 23 countries worldwide, will host a satellite session today, July 21st, titled "Test and Treat: Getting to 10 Million on ARVs" (IAC Mini Room #5 at 6:30pm) preceded by a press conference (5pm, Media Center, Room PCR #2).

22 Jul 2010

New era of scientific innovation to drive novel ways of treating, preventing HIV

The unwillingness of the global AIDS community to accept the status quo is fuelling a new era of scientific innovation to drive novel ways of treating and preventing HIV, organizers of the XVIII International AIDS Conference taking place in Vienna, Austria said today. And, with millions of lives dependent on expanding access to antiretroviral treatment to all those clinically in need, researchers and clinicians are partnering in new ways to find the most effective and efficient methods to deliver treatment and strengthen health systems.

22 Jul 2010

Onconase, Amphinase 2 show positive results for SARS virus: Tamir Biotechnology

Tamir Biotechnology, Inc. announced today that scientists supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases confirmed that testing of two (2) of the company's compounds Onconase (Ranpirnase), and recombinant Amphinase 2 showed positive in vitro results for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as (SARS) virus.

22 Jul 2010

Study links application of disinfectants in recreational pools to adverse health outcomes

Splashing around in a swimming pool on a hot summer day may not be as safe as you think. A recent University of Illinois study links the application of disinfectants in recreational pools to previously published adverse health outcomes such as asthma and bladder cancer.

22 Jul 2010

Study marks significant milestone for microbicide research field, HIV prevention

Today we congratulate the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa and the people of South Africa on the positive findings from the CAPRISA 004 microbicide study, which marks a significant milestone both for the microbicide research field and HIV prevention as a whole.

22 Jul 2010

Experts outline three elements necessary for ending HIV/AIDS pandemic

According to a new editorial, the world can control and ultimately end the HIV/AIDS pandemic through a three-pronged strategy

22 Jul 2010

AIDS 2010 studies, releases: PMTCT, treating children, male circumcision; National prevention programs; IDUs

"In parts of Africa, only about half of babies born to mothers with HIV receive the HIV prevention drug nevirapine," according to a study published Wednesday, HealthDay News/U.S. News & World Report reports.

22 Jul 2010

Infectious Diseases News and Research

Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives research grant to help people with MDR-TB

Study on interactions between new antitubercular drug candidates SQ109 and TMC207

Scientists find MODS technique most accurate for testing tuberculosis in children

Vical's prophylactic Vaxfectin-formulated pDNA vaccine effective against HSV-2 in animal model

IDC secures $32 million in Series B financing

Neu5Gc in drugs provokes strong immune response

Babesiosis disease on the rise in Lower Hudson Valley: NYS DOH

Health bodies to discuss steps to further reduce mother to child HIV transmission

Pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria cause death of 6 million of world's poorest children

Early HAART during TB treatment prolongs survival of untreated HIV-infected adults: CAMELIA study

NVHR releases statement on New York Times article 'Hope against Hepatitis C'

Researchers discover fundamental entry mechanism of fungal microbes into plant and human host cells

Achillion nominates ACH-2928 NS5A clinical candidate for treatment of HCV

AHF hosts 'Test & Treat: Getting to 10 Million on ARVs' satellite session

New era of scientific innovation to drive novel ways of treating, preventing HIV

Onconase, Amphinase 2 show positive results for SARS virus: Tamir Biotechnology

Study links application of disinfectants in recreational pools to adverse health outcomes

Study marks significant milestone for microbicide research field, HIV prevention

Experts outline three elements necessary for ending HIV/AIDS pandemic

AIDS 2010 studies, releases: PMTCT, treating children, male circumcision; National prevention programs; IDUs

NGS for Infectious Disease Surveillance eBook

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

Advancing Intracellular Delivery with LumiPore®

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