Disease/Infection News

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Chemist’s work could impact treatment of cancer and malaria

A University of Houston (UH) chemist hopes his work will one day impact the treatment of such diseases as cancer and malaria by better understanding how molecules react and how atoms come together to form bonds.

6 Jun 2014

Device used in physics and chemistry reveals dynamics of pervasive pathogen

If you have it, you probably don't know it. Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is perhaps one of the biggest pathogens you've never heard of-big, both proportionately and epidemiologically.

6 Jun 2014

Merck enrolls first patient in reformulated raltegravir Phase 3 trial for treatment of HIV-1 infection

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that the first patient has been enrolled in the company's global Phase 3 clinical trial, ONCEMRK.

6 Jun 2014

Terminix warns about two serious mosquito-borne diseases in Florida

Terminix, the leading provider of termite and pest control services in the United States, today warned of two serious mosquito-borne diseases which are being reported in Florida. The Florida Department of Health this week issued a report confirming 18 cases of chikungunya virus and 24 cases of dengue fever.

6 Jun 2014

Patients and families benefit from shorter TB treatment regimens

Shorter TB treatment regimens will reduce the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by both patients and their family members, who often act as the patients' guardians. In addition, shorter TB regimens may allow an earlier return to productive activities for patients and their families.

5 Jun 2014

RPB grants $500,000 to accelerate treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa

Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), the leading eye research foundation, is providing $500,000 to accelerate the development of treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) -- a family of retinal diseases that progressively create extreme tunnel vision, loss of night vision and leave affected patients legally blind by the age of 40.

5 Jun 2014

NEJM publishes results from SOLO I Phase 3 clinical trial of ORBACTIV for ABSSSI

The Medicines Company today announced the publication of the results from the SOLO I Phase 3 clinical trial of ORBACTIV (oritavancin), an investigational intravenous antibiotic treatment for Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI), in the New England Journal of Medicine.

5 Jun 2014

Flu vaccination of healthcare workers protects broader community, shows study

For every 15 healthcare providers who receive the influenza vaccination, one fewer person in the community will contract an influenza-like illness, according to a study using California public health data from 2009 - 2012.

5 Jun 2014

Disinfection caps reduce CLABSI events by 68%

Thanks to the simple use of an alcohol-impregnated cap, Loyola University Medical Center achieved a 68 percent decrease in the overall number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) over a 12-month period.

5 Jun 2014

Loyola achieves 68% decrease in central line-associated bloodstream infections

Loyola University Medical Center achieved a 68 percent decrease in the overall number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) over a 12-month period. A two-year study compared the use of disinfection caps to an intense scrub-the-hub intervention to standard care. Scrub-the-hub refers to cleaning catheter connector hubs and injection ports with alcohol for the recommended 15 seconds before accessing the central line, a catheter placed in a large vein to deliver medicine and liquids during hospitalization.

5 Jun 2014

New antibiotic proves effective in treating serious bacterial skin and skin-structure infections

A study published in today's New England Journal of Medicine reports that the antibiotic dalbavancin is as effective as vancomycin, the current standard-of-care antibiotic used to treat serious bacterial skin and skin-structure infections.

5 Jun 2014

Novel technology to block human infections receives I-Corps grant

A novel technology developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) to block human infections by taking a lesson from fish has landed a $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program.

5 Jun 2014

NORD's letter to FDA raises concerns on rare diseases

In a letter submitted today to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) urged Commissioner Margaret Hamburg to give serious consideration to the concerns of the rare disease community when setting policy regarding official names for biologics, including biosimilars.

5 Jun 2014

High dose vitamin C therapy may have positive effect on Epstein-Barr virus infection

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a member of the herpes family that targets lymphocytes and epithelial cells. While the infection is usually benign, it can in some cases lead to acute infectious mononucleosis and can impair the immune system. EBV is also linked to several malignancies. There is currently no cure for removing EBV infections and very little success treating acute EBV infection and mononucleosis with drugs.

4 Jun 2014

Researchers develop antibodies that reduce liver damage, recovers liver function

A Tainan-based research team from National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) has discovered the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and developed antibodies that reduce liver damage, inhibit hepatic fibrosis, and recover liver function.

4 Jun 2014

GPM Pediatrics doctor offers safety tips on tick bites

Dr. Michael Gabriel of GPM Pediatrics responds to an article published on Ozarksfirst.com on May 23rd that gives advice on tick bites and urges people to be cautious during the summer.

4 Jun 2014

Researchers figure out way to disable a part of SARS virus

A Purdue University-led research team has figured out how to disable a part of the SARS virus responsible for hiding it from the immune system; a critical step in developing a vaccine against the deadly disease.

4 Jun 2014

Salk Institute receives $25 million for cutting-edge biological research

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies has received a $25 million gift from San Diego philanthropist and former Salk trustee Conrad T. Prebys to support cutting-edge biological research on a wide range of diseases.

3 Jun 2014

Obesity, overweight correlated with prevalence of H. pylori infection

The germ Helicobacter pylori is the cause of most stomach ulcers, but new research in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics suggests that treating the bacteria is linked to weight gain.

3 Jun 2014

New discovery may shed light on how common cold triggers asthma attacks

Cold season may be just behind us, but a new discovery may shed light on how this common condition triggers asthma attacks. In a new research report published in the June 2014 issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, researchers show that in individuals with asthma, statins significantly reduce the in vitro inflammatory response of human monocytes to rhinovirus (RV), the cause of the common cold.

3 Jun 2014