Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis News and Research

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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease that presents as aseptic meningitis (inflammation of the membrane, or meninges, that surrounds the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), or meningoencephalitis (inflammation of both the brain and meninges). Its causative agent is the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a member of the family Arenaviridae that was initially isolated in 1933. Although LCMV is most commonly recognized as causing neurological disease, as its name implies, infection without symptoms or mild febrile illnesses are common clinical manifestations. Additionally, pregnancy-related infection has been associated with congenital hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and mental retardation.

Low serotonin levels observed in long COVID and other viral infections

Researchers identify a pathophysiological mechanism linking serotonin reduction to the multifaceted etiology of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.

20 Oct 2023

Immature immune cells near dural sinuses linked to neonatal viral meningoencephalitis

Examine virus propagation within central nervous systems (CNSs) during systemic infection.

9 Oct 2023

Research identifies Th1 memory CD4+ T cells as key to protect against emerging poxvirus skin infections

Researchers demonstrate that T helper 1 effector memory cluster of differentiation 4 T cells provide immunity against poxviruses

27 Apr 2023

The human body develops strategies to prevent the immune response from overshooting its mark

The signaling molecules of the immune system should trigger a response only where necessary. To prevent a life-threatening spread to the rest of the body, connective tissue can absorb these molecules like a sponge.

3 Feb 2023

Study suggests the rapid expansion of naïve T cells can provide a fast and effective immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections

Researchers investigated the early T cell responses during SARS-CoV-2 infections to understand the mechanisms of rapid clonal expansion that characterize the T cell responses to acute infections and vaccinations.

14 Nov 2022

The possible immune-mediated mechanisms causing CNS alterations during and post-acute SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a recent review published in Immunity, researchers explored potential mechanisms of neuro-immune pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections.

22 Jun 2022

The role of CRISPR in viral diagnostics

A comprehensive review explains in depth how CRISPR can be utilized as a reliable tool to investigate the viral life cycles.

29 Oct 2021

Study reveals the zoonotic potential of the rat Sialodacryoadenitis virus

A new review aimed to describe the current state of knowledge on Sialodacryoadenitis virus, along with its characteristics and potential zoonotic threat.

13 Oct 2021

Viral clearance accompanied by persistent footprints

Viruses do not always kill the cells they infect. Researchers at the University of Basel have discovered in experiments with mice that cells have the power to self-heal and eliminate viruses. However, these cells undergo long-term changes.

24 Aug 2021

Researchers show SARS-CoV-2 genes can be integrated into the human genome

Researchers in the United States have shown that genes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – can be integrated into the genome of infected human cells.

10 May 2021

Host cell transmembrane protein MARCH8 targets lysine residues to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

A new study deals with the inhibitory activity of a membrane protein that has broad-spectrum activity against multiple viruses, showing that this is due to its effect on cytoplasmic lysine residue incorporation into replicating virions.

26 Apr 2021

Researchers shed light on T-cell receptor activation in response to infection

Immune cells specialize to ensure the most efficient defense against viruses and other pathogens. Researchers at the University of Basel have shed light on this specialization of T cells and shown that it occurs differently in the context of an acute and a chronic infection.

10 Mar 2021

Using two different viruses to tackle tumors

An international research group led by the University of Basel has developed a promising strategy for therapeutic cancer vaccines.

3 Mar 2021

New tool enables study of SARS-CoV-2 mutant spectrum by ultrasequencing

SARS-CoV-2 genome is three times larger than influenza genome. Both consist of NRA molecules that mutate when replicate.

13 Feb 2021

Study: SphK2 enzyme regulates immune cell responses during viral infection

Viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C evade or disrupt the immune system to create persistent infections.

11 Nov 2020

Researchers identify mechanisms leading to immune 'exhaustion' in severe viral infections

Melbourne researchers have identified mechanisms leading to the functional deterioration of the immune system in response to severe viral infections, such as HIV or COVID-19.

24 Aug 2020

Discovery provides a potential target for infectious diseases immunotherapy

NIH investigators and colleagues have discovered that when the immune system first responds to infectious agents such as viruses or bacteria, a natural brake on the response prevents overactivation.

23 Jun 2020

Rigidity of tissues drives immune system activity, UCLA study finds

A UCLA research team has identified a new paradigm for understanding the regulation of the immune system, potentially paving the way for new approaches to treating infections and immune-related diseases such as type 1 diabetes and certain cancers.

2 Jun 2020

New method for discovering potential cancer-treating compounds

A new study published in the journal Cell Reports reports a novel method by which antitumor drugs that focus on reawakening exhausted immune cells called cytotoxic T cells against cancer can be quickly identified. This could help treat a large subset of cancers that thrive because of their ability to suppress antitumor activity in T cells.

4 Dec 2019

New screening method can rapidly discover potential cancer-treating compounds

Scientists at Scripps Research have developed a method for rapidly discovering potential cancer-treating compounds that work by resurrecting anti-tumor activity in immune cells called T cells.

3 Dec 2019