Disease/Infection News

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FSU assistant professor unlocks mysteries of KSHV infection

In the early days of the AIDS epidemic, a once-rare form of cancer known as Kaposi's sarcoma emerged as a frequent harbinger of HIV. Its stigma was best illustrated by Tom Hanks, who portrayed a gay man trying to conceal the cancerous skin lesions from his co-workers in the 1993 movie "Philadelphia."

4 Jun 2011

Mimicry allows bacteria to evade host's defense responses

Deadly bacteria may be evolving antibiotic resistance by mimicking human proteins, according to a new study by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen).

3 Jun 2011

AHF to host 'Remember AIDS' event on June 5

Hundreds of community members are expected to join AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) at a candlelight vigil and march to mark the 30th anniversary of the discovery of HIV. The "Remember AIDS" event—which will take place on Sunday, June 5th—will begin with a gathering at Matthew Shepard Memorial Park at 7:00 pm.

3 Jun 2011

U.N.-led joint report examines HIV/AIDS among young people ages 10-24

An estimated 2,500 young people are infected with HIV every day worldwide, and young women and adolescent girls are most at risk of contracting the disease because of biological and social factors, according to a report released on Wednesday by a group of international agencies, RTT News reports.

3 Jun 2011

UNICEF appealing for $6M to continue water treatment in Zimbabwe

UNICEF on Wednesday said it needs $6 million to continue treating water in Zimbabwe, which does not have the funds to do it on its own, Deutsche Presse-Agentur/M&C reports.

3 Jun 2011

E coli outbreak in Germany continues

As the current virulent Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak in Germany spreads, experts from The European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) are concerned not only about the pressure health facilities are being put under, but also the use of antibiotics and broader implications for preparedness across Europe to cope, both now and in the future.

3 Jun 2011

Stevens Institute of Technology to host conference on bacteria-material interactions

On June 9-10, Stevens Institute of Technology will host the Stevens Conference on Bacteria-Material Interactions, an event that covers the latest multi-disciplinary research in the area of infection-resistant biomaterials.

3 Jun 2011

Mass vaccination strategy could prevent future cholera epidemics in Zimbabwe

Mathematical models analyzing how a cholera outbreak spread in Zimbabwe are providing new insights into the most effective vaccination strategies for preventing future cholera epidemics, according to University of Florida researchers.

3 Jun 2011

Media outlets examine case of man cured of HIV, leukemia through bone marrow transplant

In a special report, Reuters examines the case of Timothy Ray Brown, who was cured of HIV and leukemia after undergoing "a bone marrow transplant using cells from a donor with a rare genetic mutation, known as CCR5 delta 32," which researchers knew conveyed resistance to HIV infection.

3 Jun 2011

Copper effectively prevents spread of new E. coli strains

As the World Health Organisation suggests the E. coli outbreak in Germany is a strain never before seen in an outbreak - O104:H4 - laboratory science conducted at the University of Southampton indicates a role for copper in preventing the spread of such infections.

3 Jun 2011

Study provides insights into evolution and origins of MRSA

A distinctly new type of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that is not detected by traditional genetic screening methods has been discovered in patients in Irish hospitals according to research to be published in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.

3 Jun 2011

Previously unknown E. coli strain affects more than 1,500 in Europe; source remains unknown

The WHO on Thursday said "that an unusually lethal strain of E. coli, which has infected more than 1,500 people in Germany, mystified public health officials and threatened to touch off panic in Europe, was a previously unknown variant of the bacteria, raising new concerns about the extent and severity of the contagion," the New York Times reports.

3 Jun 2011

Safer sex communication in transgender adults is more complicated: Study

A new study from North Carolina State University shows that talking about safer sex is a complicated process for individuals in the transgender community. The finding may help efforts to promote safer sex practices in a community facing high HIV rates - and also sheds light on broader questions related to safer sex for everyone.

3 Jun 2011

Positive interim results from iBio's H1N1 influenza subunit vaccine Phase 1 trial

iBio, Inc. today announced positive interim results from a Phase 1 clinical trial of an iBioLaunch platform-produced subunit vaccine directed against Influenza A/California/04/09 (H1N1).

3 Jun 2011

Climate change can harm indigenous peoples' health

The Canadian Arctic. The Amazonian jungle. The fringes of an African rainforest. These lands are home to some of the most isolated and vulnerable people in the world - the indigenous populations of Canada, Peru and Uganda. Because of their dependence on the land for food and water, indigenous peoples' health is particularly affected by climatic changes. Indeed, they are already seeing dramatic effects due to changing temperatures.

3 Jun 2011

Elastography and serum markers show promise in patients with liver disease

Patients who are evaluated for liver diseases such as hepatitis C (HCV) are typically recommended for liver biopsy to determine the extent of disease progression.

3 Jun 2011

Opinion: Integrate NTD, HIV, TB and malaria programs

In a New England Journal of Medicine opinion piece, Peter Hotez of the Sabin Vaccine Institute and colleagues, including Jeffrey Sachs of the Earth Institute of Columbia University, outline how integrating treatment of neglected tropical diseases (NTD) into HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria control efforts could speed up progress toward attaining the sixth Millennium Development Goal.

3 Jun 2011

New Kaiser Family Foundation tool shows which global health interventions are working

Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation unveiled an innovative, online tool that allows users to learn quickly and easily about which global health interventions work. The Global Health Intervention Review (GHIR) compiles the latest information on the efficacy of key global health interventions, including the strength of the evidence, and presents the information in a variety of accessible formats. Users can view a comprehensive overview and a key findings table.

2 Jun 2011

Flu cases rise by 50% in Queensland: Residents alerted

According latest reports, flu cases in Queensland have increased by more than half since last year, causing concern among doctors about an early on-set of flu season. The Australian Medical Association Queensland has revealed close to 1600 cases of flu have been reported across the state this year, with as many as 460 cases reported over the last five weeks alone. They add that that as many as 30 per cent of the flu cases reported were the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

2 Jun 2011

Positive interim results from Fraunhofer USA CMB's HAC1 influenza vaccine Phase 1 trial

Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology, a not-for-profit, Delaware-based organization focused on developing a proprietary plant-based protein production platform and its applications in vaccine and therapeutic fields, today announced positive interim results from the first human trial of plant-produced H1N1 influenza vaccine that began on September 13, 2010.

2 Jun 2011