Herpes News and Research

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Herpes is an infection caused by two different but closely related viruses — herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or cold sores and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) or genital herpes. Both are easy to catch. They have similar symptoms (blisters or sores) and both can occur on different parts of the body. When the infection is on the mouth, it is called oral herpes. When it is on or near the sex organs, it is called genital herpes. There is no cure for herpes. Treatments are available to speed up the healing of the genital sores.

Autophagy may even provide a clue to the mythical fountain of youth

The cells of higher organisms have an internal mechanism for chewing up and recycling parts of themselves, particularly in times of stress, like starvation and disease. But nobody is quite sure yet whether this recently discovered process protects cells, or causes damage.

5 Nov 2004

Study results suggest that metronidazole and clindamycin differ in their effects on microbes in women with bacterial vaginosis

In the first study to directly compare the emergence of antibiotic resistance following topical treatment between two antibiotics routinely prescribed for a common vaginal infection, researchers from the Magee-Womens Research Institute have found antibiotic-resistant bacteria more likely to develop with the drug clindamycin than metronidazole.

1 Nov 2004

New understanding of how poxviruses jump from species to species

A Canadian study conducted at Robarts Research Institute sheds new light on how poxviruses can jump from species to species -- and will lead to further exploration of another potential candidate in the emerging field of “oncolytic viruses” to fight cancer.

25 Oct 2004

Cranberries for the treatment of herpes

Alpine cranberries have significant biological activity that can help to combat herpes virus type II (HSV-2) infection, one of the most common viral infections in humans, writes Emma Dorey in Chemistry & Industry.

18 Oct 2004

Australian nanotech Starpharma to develop a second generation microbicide for the prevention of infection by HIV

Melbourne-based nanotechnology company Starpharma will lead a consortium to develop a second generation microbicide for the prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

30 Sep 2004

Guideline evaluates treatments for postherpetic neuralgia

A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology evaluates treatments for postherpetic neuralgia. The guideline is published in the September 28 issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

28 Sep 2004

Promising lead in developing anti-viral drugs with the potential to fight HIV and HSV

Dr Norelle Daly, from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience, is looking at the molecular structure of retrocyclin, a molecule with the ability to protect human cells from HIV infection.

23 Sep 2004

THC in marijuana may block the spread of forms of cancer causing herpes viruses

The compound in marijuana that produces a high, delta-9 tetrahydrocannbinol or THC, may block the spread of several forms of cancer causing herpes viruses, University of South Florida College of Medicine scientists report.

22 Sep 2004

Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine has saved the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars since its introduction

A new University of Michigan study has found that the Chickenpox (Varicella) vaccine has saved the U.S. hundreds of millions of dollars since its introduction in 1995 by preventing the kinds of severe cases that used to send children, teens and adults to the hospital.

7 Sep 2004

Scientists discover breakthrough method to treat neuronal diseases

What do stroke, epilepsy, head or spinal cord trauma, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease patients have in common? They all suffer from neuronal cell death brought about by the absence or malfunction of specific genes.

30 Aug 2004

New gene therapy treatment involves injecting Herpes simplex virus into the brain tumours of Glioma patients

Experts on the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee have given the go ahead for a large clinical trial of a new treatment for patients with Glioma - one of the most aggressive types of brain tumours for which there is currently no cure.

3 Aug 2004

Researchers have secured more than $19.4 million for their work on cardiovascular and liver diseases and HIV/AIDS

Sydney University medical researchers have secured more than $19.4 million for their work on cardiovascular and liver diseases and HIV/AIDS in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council program grants.

2 Aug 2004

Drug to fight virus from the herpes family in transplant patients moves forward in trials

A drug once considered for cancer chemotherapy is advancing in clinical trials to test its effectiveness in fighting a virus from the herpes family that threatens transplant patients.

29 Jul 2004

New diagnoses of STIs increased by four per cent from 678,709 in 2002 to 708,083

Overall, new diagnoses of STIs in GUM clinics increased by four per cent from 678,709 in 2002 to 708,083 during 2003. However the picture is variable, with diagnoses of some infections such as chlamydia and syphilis increasing, and diagnoses of gonorrhoea and genital herpes declining.

27 Jul 2004

British Government needs to get its act together to tackle the soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections

The Chairman of the British Medical Association, Mr James Johnson, has called on the Government to get its act together to tackle the soaring rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures for 2003 released today [27 July] show that STI rates are still on the increase in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

27 Jul 2004

Young holidaymaker's traveling overseas face serious health issues from casual sex

A paper published this week in the British Medical Journal says that young holidaymaker's traveling overseas face serious health issues from casual sex, and even goes as far as to suggest that some could be at risk of death.

23 Jul 2004

Increasing evidence a virus may play a role in breast cancer

A new study finds increasing evidence a virus may play a role in breast cancer. The study finds nearly three-quarters of a small sample of Tunisian breast cancer patients showed evidence of a virus similar to one known to cause breast cancer in mice, twice the rate seen in women in the United States.

12 Jul 2004

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