Pathogen News and Research

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Study provides new insights into fundamental characteristics of dendritic cells

Dendritic cells represent an important component of the immune system: they recognize and engulf invaders, which subsequently triggers a pathogen-specific immune response.

17 Dec 2016

Portable detection system can rapidly identify virulent, multi-drug resistant pathogens in remote areas

A team of researchers has developed a portable detection system that can rapidly identify some of the most virulent, often multi-drug resistant pathogens.

16 Dec 2016

Research provides insights into dental hygiene and diet of early European hominin population

Bits of wood recovered from a 1.2-million-year-old tooth found at an excavation site in northern Spain indicate that the ancient relatives of man may have use a kind of toothpick.

15 Dec 2016

Common bacterium that causes gum infections may trigger rheumatoid arthritis

Investigators at Johns Hopkins report they have new evidence that a bacterium known to cause chronic inflammatory gum infections also triggers the inflammatory "autoimmune" response characteristic of chronic, joint-destroying rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

15 Dec 2016

Childhood diarrhea from pathogens more common than previously thought?

The number of cases of childhood diarrhea, and its mortality toll of 500,000 per year, has not changed. Now, however, we can explain ~90% of the cases to specific pathogens. We can assign responsibility.

15 Dec 2016

Researchers identify protein that degrades and inhibits infectious biofilms

Many infectious pathogens are difficult to treat because they develop into biofilms, layers of metabolically active but slowly growing bacteria embedded in a protective layer of slime, which are inherently more resistant to antibiotics.

9 Dec 2016

Empa researchers developing solution to magnetically remove bacteria from blood

Blood poisoning is still fatal in more than 50% of cases, but can be cured if treated at an early stage. The highest priority is therefore to act quickly.

8 Dec 2016

Scientists reveal key insight into how immune system recognises TB

Every 18 seconds someone dies from tuberculosis (TB). It is the world's most deadly infectious disease.

7 Dec 2016

Vaxine’s unique adjuvants boost effectiveness of vaccines for battling against infectious diseases

SUGAR-based adjuvants from Australia are boosting the effectiveness of vaccines to target some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

7 Dec 2016

New UTMB study sheds light on how Ebola effectively disables immune system

A new study at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston sheds light on how Ebola so effectively disables the human immune system.

6 Dec 2016

Researchers develop new compound that can take down defenses in M. tuberculosis

Part of the reason tuberculosis-causing bacteria are so good at colonizing the human body is that they have defenses against the body's immune system.

6 Dec 2016

Research validates effectiveness of world-first dental vaccine

A world-first vaccine developed by Melbourne scientists, which could eliminate or at least reduce the need for surgery and antibiotics for severe gum disease, has been validated by research published this weekend in a leading international journal.

5 Dec 2016

New UGA research finds pathogen's motility activates immune response

Until now, a pathogen's ability to move through the body has been overlooked as a possible trigger of immune response, but new research from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine found that motility will indeed alarm the host and activate an immune response.

1 Dec 2016

USP researchers develop new platform to detect 416 viruses from tropical regions

Researchers from the University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto in Brazil have developed a platform that analyzes clinical samples from patients to diagnose infection by 416 viruses found in the world's tropical regions.

1 Dec 2016

Researchers find new way to target deadly virus and develop vaccines

Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an unforgiving killer of horses, donkeys and zebras, resulting in mortality as high as 80 percent of infected animals. It causes rapid, catastrophic swelling of the brain and spinal cord, leading to severe neurological symptoms and--in many cases--sudden death.

29 Nov 2016

Social status affects immune regulation and health status in rhesus monkeys

The richest and poorest Americans differ in life expectancy by more than a decade. Glaring health inequalities across the socioeconomic spectrum are often attributed to access to medical care and differences in habits such as smoking, exercise and diet.

24 Nov 2016

NTM lung infections

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are part of a group of bacteria called mycobacteria. The non-tuberculous mycobacteria are, as the name suggests, mycobacteria that are not tuberculosis. They're also not leprosy, but they are the other members of the bacteria group termed mycobacteria.

23 Nov 2016