Disease/Infection News

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Pollutants appear to weaken immune system and increase pathogen virulence

Many people view pollutants and pathogens as separate causes of illness. However, recent research indicates that the two can interact, changing how people and animals respond to infectious diseases.

21 Mar 2019

Anti-vaxxer Italian leader down with chickenpox

In a twist of fate, an Italian politician who was lobbying against mandatory vaccination laws, has come down with chickenpox and is now hospitalized.

21 Mar 2019

Worryingly long wait for NHS cancer patients

Around a fourth of NHS cancer patients have to wait a worryingly long amount of time to start treatment, according to a new NHS England report.

20 Mar 2019

Breast cancer relapse predictor tool may soon be a reality

Researchers have developed a tool by which they can predict accurately the time when breast cancer is likely to return.

20 Mar 2019

Researchers investigate whether Zika reservoirs are found in the Americas

Most emerging infectious diseases affecting people are zoonotic -- they make the jump from other animals to humans.

20 Mar 2019

ECDC-WHO report: TB remains a major public health challenge in the European region

The latest ECDC-WHO report Tuberculosis surveillance and monitoring in Europe 2019 (2017 data) shows that despite an overall decline in numbers of people suffering from TB, the disease remains a major public health challenge in the Region.

20 Mar 2019

Space worries - shingles affecting astronauts says NASA

NASA has come up with a warning about herpes zoster or shingles being activated among crew aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station missions. The problem was highlighted in a study that appeared in the latest issue of the journal Frontiers in Microbiology.

19 Mar 2019

Innovative model identifies primate species with potential to transmit Zika in the Americas

In the Americas, primate species likely to harbor Zika - and potentially transmit the virus - are common, abundant, and often live near people. So reports a new study published today in Epidemics. Findings are based on an innovative model developed by a collaborative team of researchers from Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and IBM Research through its Science for Social Good initiative.

19 Mar 2019

Current HBV genome sequences help deduce ancient human population movements into Australia

Australian researchers have used current hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome sequences to deduce ancient human population movements into Australia, adding weight to the theory that the mainland Aboriginal population separated from other early humans at least 59 thousand years ago and possibly entered the country near the Tiwi Islands.

19 Mar 2019

TGen and ABL sign agreement to distribute new TB test technology

n an important step toward eradicating tuberculosis, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, has signed a licensing agreement with an international biomedical firm, Advanced Biological Laboratories, to market and distribute TGen's patented Next Generation Sequencing-based TB test technology.

19 Mar 2019

New case study describes adolescent patient with rapid-onset schizophrenia and Bartonella infection

In a new case study, researchers at North Carolina State University describe an adolescent human patient diagnosed with rapid onset schizophrenia who was found instead to have a Bartonella henselae infection.

19 Mar 2019

Researchers use big data to gain better understanding of hepatitis E virus

As far as research is concerned, hepatitis E had long led a shadowy existence - even though it is the main cause for acute viral inflammation of the liver.

18 Mar 2019

Bioactive compounds in mushrooms may fight neurodegeneration in later life

New research suggests that mild cognitive impairment could be prevented in people over the age of 60 by simply eating mushrooms more than twice a week.

15 Mar 2019

US opioid prescriptions drop by a half but it’s not all good news

The number of opioid prescriptions issued each month in the US dropped to less than a half. However, experts remain concerned about the number of high-risk prescriptions.

15 Mar 2019

Study confirms sensitivity of microbiological cultures for detecting cholera

Recently, the sensitivity of fecal microbiological cultures for detecting cholera has come under question. Researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases investigated this claim using a ‘vaccine probe’ analysis of a completed cholera vaccine cluster randomized trial to support the sensitivity of conventional microbiological culture for cholera.

15 Mar 2019

New analysis compares scenarios to find the best time to get a flu shot

When flu season peaks after mid-winter, tens of thousands of influenza cases and hundreds of deaths can likely be avoided if older adults wait until October to get their flu immunization, a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine analysis reveals in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

15 Mar 2019

Antiviral treatment improves survival for kidney transplant recipients infected with HBV or HCV

Prior to the development of antiviral therapy, kidney transplant recipients infected with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C experienced poor outcomes.

15 Mar 2019

Shorter treatment for Chagas disease found to be effective and safer than standard treatment

A two-week treatment course for adult patients with chronic Chagas disease showed, when compared to placebo, similar efficacy and significantly fewer side effects than the standard treatment duration of eight weeks, according to the results of a clinical trial in Bolivia led by the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative.

14 Mar 2019

Success for new cholesterol-lowering drug

A new, oral drug that effectively lowers LDL or "bad" cholesterol, looks set for clinical approval.

14 Mar 2019

FIND launches new schistosomiasis program within neglected tropical diseases portfolio

The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics announced today the launch of a new schistosomiasis programme within its neglected tropical diseases portfolio.

14 Mar 2019