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Researchers provide new insights into how common cold virus infects

On average, each of us catches a cold two to three times a year. However, how the common cold virus actually infects us is only partly understood. Researchers from the Max F. Perutz Laboratories of the Medical University of Vienna and the University of Vienna, in collaboration with two Spanish groups, have now provided new insights into this process.

30 Dec 2013

CF101 drug fails to meet primary efficacy endpoint in phase III study for Dry Eye Syndrome

Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd., a biotechnology company with a pipeline of proprietary small molecule drugs that address inflammatory and cancer diseases, announced today that its subsidiary OphthaliX Inc. released results from a 24 week, placebo-controlled phase III study involving 237 patients with moderate-to-severe Dry Eye Syndrome who were treated with its licensed drug CF101, an A3 adenosine receptor agonist.

30 Dec 2013

Research could pave way for more effective treatments for bacterial infections

The mechanism by which some bacteria are able to survive antibacterial treatment has been revealed for the first time by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers. Their work could pave the way for new ways to control such bacteria.

30 Dec 2013

CotH protein mediates fungal invasion of host cells during mucormycosis

Opportunistic infection of individuals on immunosuppressive therapy are a major problem for patient outcome, despite current prophylactic strategies.

27 Dec 2013

Streptococcus biofilms persist on objects, surfaces in daycare center for longer periods after cleaning

Numerous scientific studies have concluded that two common bacteria that cause colds, ear infections, strep throat and more serious infections cannot live for long outside the human body.

27 Dec 2013

Researchers develop a class of compounds that may help eradicate Chagas disease

A team of researchers from Canada has developed a class of compounds which may help eradicate a neglected tropical disease that is currently hard to kill in its chronic form. The research was published ahead of print in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

27 Dec 2013

Study suggests that cocktail of AMA1 proteins can overcome major limitations of AMA1-based vaccines

A safe and effective malaria vaccine is high on the wish list of most people concerned with global health. Results published on December 26 in PLOS Pathogens suggest how a leading vaccine candidate could be vastly improved.

27 Dec 2013

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

Researchers from the Boston area, Mexico, and Norway have completed a comprehensive genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations. The study identified recurrent genetic mutations not previously found in cervical cancer, including at least one for which targeted treatments have been approved for other forms of cancer.

25 Dec 2013

On-site testing for HIV, STIs declines substantially between 2000 and 2011: Study

A survey of opioid treatment programs finds that the proportion offering on-site testing for human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections declined substantially between 2000 and 2011, despite guidelines recommending routine opt-out HIV testing in all health care settings, according to a study appearing in the December 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Dec 2013

Study explores how genetic sequencing can help fight new strains of flu

Published in the Journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, senior author, Associate Professor Katherine Kedzierska from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology said that being able to predict which patients will be more susceptible to the emerging influenza strain, will allow clinicians to better manage an early intervention strategy.

24 Dec 2013

Healthcare workers' hands contaminated with C. difficile after routine care, study shows

A new study finds nearly one in four healthcare workers' hands were contaminated with Clostridium difficile spores after routine care of patients infected with the bacteria. The study was published in the January issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

24 Dec 2013

New tools for neglected diseases: an interview with Dr. BT Slingsby, CEO, GHIT Fund

Nearly 3.3 billion people, a little less than half of our world’s population, are at risk of malaria, TB and what we call “neglected tropical diseases”—diseases caused by worms, parasites, viruses and bacteria like Chagas disease, river blindness, elephantiasis, sleeping sickness, etc.

24 Dec 2013

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School's David Perlin explains how fungal infections can become deadly

Ask someone what the term 'fungus' brings to mind, and chances are it will be an image of something that smells or looks disgusting. Ask David Perlin, executive director of the Public Health Research Institute at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and the response will be far more somber - because he knows how deadly fungi can be.

24 Dec 2013

Research findings reveal how immune system responds to respiratory viral infections

An antibody that blocks a component of a key signaling pathway in the respiratory airways could help the immune system rid the body of the influenza virus, a new study suggests. The findings, from a team at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, not only offer a new approach to treating the flu, but also add new information about how the immune system responds to respiratory viral infections.

24 Dec 2013

Preoperative antibiotics within two hours of cardiac surgery decrease risk of developing SSIs

A new study found preoperative antibiotic therapy administered within two hours of cardiac surgery decreased the risk of developing surgical site infections (SSIs) significantly. The study was published in the January issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the journal of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

23 Dec 2013

FDA grants QIDP and Fast Track designations to TaiGen's nemonoxacin

TaiGen Biotechnology Company, Limited today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted nemonoxacin (Taigexyn) Qualified Infectious Disease Product and Fast Track designations for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections.

23 Dec 2013

Researchers develop new vaccine that protects against lethal pneumonia caused by staph bacteria

University of Iowa researchers have developed a new vaccine that protects against lethal pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria, including drug-resistant strains like MRSA.

23 Dec 2013

Death rates two times higher in postmenopausal women with anti-CCP and RA antibodies

New research shows mortality rates are two times higher in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Findings published in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) journal Arthritis & Rheumatism, soon to be called Arthritis & Rheumatology, indicate the higher mortality rates persisted after adjusting for age, positive rheumatoid factor, positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) use.

23 Dec 2013

Study: High levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation

Researchers from Boston University's School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences found that among HIV-infected Russian drinkers, depressive symptom severity alone was not significantly associated with lower rates of antiretroviral therapy initiation. However, when examining cognitive symptoms of depression, results showed that high levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation.

22 Dec 2013

Research finding could lead to development of vaccine and therapies for mucormycosis

Mucormycosis is a deadly infection that strikes people with weakened immune systems when certain types of fungi, called Mucorales, invade the patients' cells. A novel protein on the surface of the Mucorales cells, called CotH, makes this invasion possible.

22 Dec 2013

Disease/Infection News

Researchers provide new insights into how common cold virus infects

CF101 drug fails to meet primary efficacy endpoint in phase III study for Dry Eye Syndrome

Research could pave way for more effective treatments for bacterial infections

CotH protein mediates fungal invasion of host cells during mucormycosis

Streptococcus biofilms persist on objects, surfaces in daycare center for longer periods after cleaning

Researchers develop a class of compounds that may help eradicate Chagas disease

Study suggests that cocktail of AMA1 proteins can overcome major limitations of AMA1-based vaccines

Researchers complete genomic analysis of cervical cancer in two patient populations

On-site testing for HIV, STIs declines substantially between 2000 and 2011: Study

Study explores how genetic sequencing can help fight new strains of flu

Healthcare workers' hands contaminated with C. difficile after routine care, study shows

New tools for neglected diseases: an interview with Dr. BT Slingsby, CEO, GHIT Fund

Rutgers New Jersey Medical School's David Perlin explains how fungal infections can become deadly

Research findings reveal how immune system responds to respiratory viral infections

Preoperative antibiotics within two hours of cardiac surgery decrease risk of developing SSIs

FDA grants QIDP and Fast Track designations to TaiGen's nemonoxacin

Researchers develop new vaccine that protects against lethal pneumonia caused by staph bacteria

Death rates two times higher in postmenopausal women with anti-CCP and RA antibodies

Study: High levels of depressive symptoms may be associated with delayed ART initiation

Research finding could lead to development of vaccine and therapies for mucormycosis

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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