Disease/Infection News

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Commentary on the global challenges of emerging viral infections

Paul Duprex, PhD, and Elke Mühlberger, PhD, both associate professors of microbiology at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), recently co-authored a commentary about viruses for Microbiology Today, the monthly publication of the Society of General Microbiology, which is the largest microbiological society in Europe. The article focuses on the history of viruses and vaccines and gives their perspective on what is necessary to evolve to the next era of virology research.

18 Mar 2011

Richmont obtains PURE's IV-7 Germ Defense disinfectant registration in South Africa

PURE Bioscience, creator of the patented silver dihydrogen citrate antimicrobial, today announced that its marketing partner, Richmont Sciences, LLC, through its distributor, Bio Care Products Ltd. of Lanseria, has obtained registration of PURE's SDC-based IV-7 Ultimate Germ Defense disinfectant for use on all inanimate surfaces by the South African National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.

18 Mar 2011

Rubini black elderberry extract can inhibit flu and respiratory tract infections

Historically, black elderberries were among the most regarded folk remedies for coughs, colds, and flu. Now modern science has authenticated these therapeutic properties. In February 2011, researchers at Justus-Liebig University in Geissen, Germany reported that a concentrated liquid extract of black elderberries, commercially available as Rubini - Elderberry Extract 3.2%, inhibited the growth of influenza A and B viruses and bacteria associated with upper respiratory tract infections.

18 Mar 2011

Longer looks: Health policy picks that will fascinate, captivate

Thirty-four states have some type of HIV-criminalization law. Depending on the state, it may be illegal to expose someone else to HIV, transmit the virus or conceal your own HIV-positive status from potential sexual partners. This criminalization extends even to cases in which condoms were used or when the virus was not transmitted, as well as to acts, such as spitting or biting, that pose minuscule to no risk.

18 Mar 2011

Opinions: TB funding; BBC World Service funding; direct cash transfer programs

"Prevention and control of tuberculosis on our globe is crumbling" and "[i]t needs fixing," retired pediatrician Elinor Graham writes in a Seattle Times opinion piece. She describes the burden of TB in developing countries and the costs associated with treatments, including those for drug-resistant forms of the disease.

18 Mar 2011

Anacor Pharma, MMV enter agreement to develop AN3661 for malaria treatment

Anacor Pharmaceuticals announced today that it has entered into a development agreement with Medicines for Malaria Venture to develop Anacor's compound AN3661 for the treatment of malaria.

18 Mar 2011

What about medical mistakes?

Are California hospitals reporting medical mistakes and infections accurately — or at all?

18 Mar 2011

Study sheds light on how vitamin A contributes to immune responses in gastrointestinal tract

Although it has been known for some time that vitamin A deficiency is linked with an impaired ability to resist infections, exactly how vitamin A and its metabolites contribute to the immune response is not well understood.

18 Mar 2011

Nationwide observance raises awareness about HIV/AIDS spread in women

National Women and Girls AIDS Awareness Day, a nationwide observance that raises awareness and promotes action in the fight against HIV/AIDS, took place on March 10.

17 Mar 2011

Harvard, UCI receive $2 million CDC grant to help reduce hospital-borne MRSA infections

A UC Irvine infectious disease specialist will be part of a nationwide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research program to develop and test innovative approaches to reducing infection in healthcare settings.

17 Mar 2011

Global Fund taps former HHS Sec., former President of Botswana to lead external investigation of its financial controls

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria on Tuesday named former HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt and former President of Botswana Festus Mogae to co-chair "an external review of its financial systems, amid heightened scrutiny from donors over misuse of some grants and a potential funding reduction from the U.S.," the Wall Street Journal reports.

17 Mar 2011

UNAIDS, UNDP, WHO release policy brief advising countries on using TRIPS flexibilities to drive down HIV treatment costs

Amid growing concerns over the long-term sustainability of access to affordable HIV/AIDS drugs, UNAIDS, WHO and the U.N. Development Program on Tuesday released a policy brief advising countries on how they can successfully use rules written into the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights to lower the cost of and increase access to HIV treatment, Intellectual Property Watch reports.

17 Mar 2011

Expert discusses certain measures that can help prevent HAI spread

Healthcare-associated infections represent a growing concern for both patients and healthcare providers across the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1.7 million HAIs occur each year and contribute to the death of 99,000.

17 Mar 2011

Bacteria more likely to adopt 'loner' genes

A new study of more than three dozen bacteria species - including the microbes responsible for pneumonia, meningitis, stomach ulcers and plague - settles a longstanding debate about why bacteria are more likely to steal some genes than others.

17 Mar 2011

Fresh insight into parasite's reproductive strategy can prevent malaria spread

Fresh insight into the way the parasite that causes malaria reproduces could lead to new treatments to help curb the spread of the disease.

17 Mar 2011

Research highlights new parameters for HIV study

A research article co-authored by Brenna Anderson, MD, director of Reproductive Infectious Diseases Consultation in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, was included in the recently published special issue of the American Journal of Reproductive Immunology.

17 Mar 2011

Scientists to develop new universal vaccine against various flu viruses

A vaccine that helps against all types of influenza - for several years? If all goes right for Norwegian company Bionor Pharma ASA, such a vaccine could exist within a few years.

17 Mar 2011

Experts to discuss work directions for fight against TB at ITM conference in Antwerp

On occasion of the World TB Day, leading experts from 12 countries will take stock of the fight against tuberculosis, during a conference at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.

17 Mar 2011

TB risk in infants exposed to infected health worker

Around 200 families have been exposed and probably infected with infectious Tuberculosis (TB) after a hospital health worker was diagnosed with the disease. At present the health care worker is off work and is receiving treatment. The hospital said there was no continuing risk to patients and staff.

16 Mar 2011

EU parliament approves resolution calling for countries to revise pandemic response

On the heels of the release of a draft report by an independent panel of experts examining the WHO's response to H1N1, BMJ News reports on a recently approved resolution and accompanying report released by the European Union parliament that calls on EU countries to revise their flu prevention plans "to make them more effective, coherent, and flexible" and for the WHO to revise its definition of pandemic to take into account not only geographical spread of disease but also severity.

16 Mar 2011

Disease/Infection News

Commentary on the global challenges of emerging viral infections

Richmont obtains PURE's IV-7 Germ Defense disinfectant registration in South Africa

Rubini black elderberry extract can inhibit flu and respiratory tract infections

Longer looks: Health policy picks that will fascinate, captivate

Opinions: TB funding; BBC World Service funding; direct cash transfer programs

Anacor Pharma, MMV enter agreement to develop AN3661 for malaria treatment

What about medical mistakes?

Study sheds light on how vitamin A contributes to immune responses in gastrointestinal tract

Nationwide observance raises awareness about HIV/AIDS spread in women

Harvard, UCI receive $2 million CDC grant to help reduce hospital-borne MRSA infections

Global Fund taps former HHS Sec., former President of Botswana to lead external investigation of its financial controls

UNAIDS, UNDP, WHO release policy brief advising countries on using TRIPS flexibilities to drive down HIV treatment costs

Expert discusses certain measures that can help prevent HAI spread

Bacteria more likely to adopt 'loner' genes

Fresh insight into parasite's reproductive strategy can prevent malaria spread

Research highlights new parameters for HIV study

Scientists to develop new universal vaccine against various flu viruses

Experts to discuss work directions for fight against TB at ITM conference in Antwerp

TB risk in infants exposed to infected health worker

EU parliament approves resolution calling for countries to revise pandemic response

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging

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