Cytomegalovirus News and Research

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Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a member of the herpes virus group, which includes herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox), and Epstein-Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis). Infection with CMV is a major cause of disease and death in immunocompromised patients, including organ transplant recipients, patients undergoing hemodialysis, patients with cancer, patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, and HIV-infected patients. While drugs are available for treatment of these conditions, the primary drug choices carry significant side effects and warnings. Currently, there are no anti-CMV drugs indicated for treatment of primary CMV infection during pregnancy resulting in infections that can have catastrophic consequences to the newborn. Maternal-fetal transfer of CMV infection results in a fetal death rate of 12% and most survivors have permanent debilitating disorders, including mental retardation, vision loss, and sensorineural deafness.

Mice live longer with nasal gene therapy

In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, researchers assessed the efficiency of a novel intranasal and injectable therapy in improving life expectancy.

17 May 2022

Exploring age-associated differences in T lymphocyte immune responses after BNT162b2 vaccination

Researchers compared the immunogenicity of or and reactogenicity to the BNT162b2 vaccine in Japanese adults and elders.

16 May 2022

Scientists examine the impact of herpesviruses on (pre)diabetes

Scientists have recently analyzed the association between herpesviruses and type 2 diabetes. This study is available in the journal Diabetologia.

15 May 2022

Exploring simultaneous and sequential COVID-19 vaccine candidate

Researchers developed novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-based messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine formulations against three pathogenic coronaviruses.

10 May 2022

Bacteria-mediated oral delivery of viral replicon-based mRNA vaccines

Scientists have discussed the possibilities of developing oral replicon-based mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

4 May 2022

Proximity labeling to identify high-confidence SARS-CoV-2 interactors

A recent report published in the STAR Protocols journal depicted a protocol for an antibody-based proximity labeling to discover biotinylated interactors of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

3 May 2022

Therapeutic promise of CAR-T cell bispecific engagers against SARS-CoV-2

A new paper describes a novel method, using a specific molecule to engage T cell receptors and the virus receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, at the same time.

28 Apr 2022

Review aims to deepen the understanding of the role of natural killer cells in COVID-19

In a recent study published in Biomedicines, researchers explored the utility of natural killer (NK) cells in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

28 Apr 2022

St. John's wort extract shows potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants

Scientists from Germany have recently identified Hypericum perforatum, a widespread herbal plant known as St. John's wort, as a potential antiviral agent against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The study is published in the journal Pharmaceuticals.

27 Apr 2022

COVID-19 vaccine can elicit a distinct T cell-dominant immune-mediated hepatitis

In a recent study published in the Journal of Hepatology, researchers reported that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination could elicit a distinct T cell-dominant immune-mediated hepatitis.

25 Apr 2022

Detection of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection by T-cell receptor sequencing

A new study describes a novel COVID-19 detection technique based on T-cell receptor sequencing.

24 Apr 2022

Nurseries, schools, nursing homes and other indoor settings exposed to high levels of respiratory pathogens during winter

High levels of respiratory pathogens are present in the air of nurseries, schools, nursing homes and other indoor settings during winter, according to new research being presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases in Lisbon, Portugal, (23-26 April).

23 Apr 2022