Pre-Existing Immunity to Dengue Virus Shapes Zika-Specific T Cell Response
March 13th 2017Although Zika and dengue are considered different virus “species,” they are so closely related that the immune system treats Zika just like another version of dengue, report researchers at La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology. Their latest study, published in the March 13, 2017, advance online edition of Nature Microbiology, shows that pre-existing immunity to dengue virus modulates the magnitude and breadth of the immune system’s T cell response to Zika.
Highly Pathogenic A(H7N9) Virus Mutation Does Not Change Risk to Humans
March 13th 2017In February 2017, a new A(H7N9) virus -- indicating high pathogenicity in poultry -- was detected in three patients connected to Guangdong, China, as well as in environmental and poultry samples. This is an important development to be monitored, however, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)'s updated rapid risk assessment concluded that the risk of the disease spreading within Europe via humans is still considered low, as there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. Although the genetic changes in A(H7N9) may have implications for poultry, to date, there is no evidence of increased transmissibility to humans or sustainable human-to-human transmission.
Making Resistant Superbugs Sensitive to Antibiotics
March 13th 2017New research is paving the way for the development of innovative drugs that restore antibiotic susceptibility in antibiotic-resistant superbugs such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, a main cause of fatal lung and bloodstream infections worldwide. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen and Ross University School have discovered a new way to restore antibiotic susceptibility in multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains. The results of this research have recently been published in two scientific journals, Scientific Reports and Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, which are published by Nature Publishing Group and the American Society for Microbiology, respectively.
Standard Precautions: Studies Indicate Suboptimal Adherence
March 13th 2017Standard precautions (SPs) are one of the cornerstones of infection prevention and control, designed to limit bloodborne pathogen exposures among healthcare workers (HCWs) and halt the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) to patients. To review, the components include hand hygiene, use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), safe use and disposal of sharps, decontamination of envi-onment and equipment, patient placement, and linen and waste management
The Role of Surveillance in HAI Prevention
March 13th 2017Infection surveillance, once the primary task of infection preventionists (IPs), has transitioned over time to assume a more limited place in a massively expanded scope of IP responsibilities. Infection surveillance data is used to measure success of infection prevention and control programs, to identify areas for improvement, and to meet public reporting mandates and pay for performance goals.
NASA, ASU Collaboration Develops 3-D Tissue Culture Models to Mimic Human Gut Infections
March 10th 2017Vaccines and antimicrobials have done more to transform medicine and extend the average human lifespan than any other scientific breakthrough. Yet infectious diseases remain the world's No. 1 leading cause of death of children and young adults. Now, with emerging epidemic threats like Zika, Ebola, SARS, TB and others, massive increases in antimicrobial resistance, and the time and cost for developing new antimicrobial drugs and therapeutics, scientists are worried about finding ever new ways to outpace infectious diseases. One exciting approach to address this problem is the use of predictive tissue culture models that can more accurately reflect how our own bodies respond to pathogens.
Scientists Reveal Structure of Potential Leishmaniasis Vaccine
March 9th 2017Leishmaniasis, caused by the bite of a sand fly carrying a Leishmania parasite, infects around a million people a year around the world. Now, making progress toward a vaccine against the parasitic disease, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases have characterized the structure of a protein from sand flies that can convey immunity to Leishmania.