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Researchers investigate whether simian foamy virus can be transmitted through blood transfusion

Using an animal model, researchers demonstrated that simian foamy virus can be transmitted through blood from one non-human primate to another. Although this virus is not known to cause disease or health conditions in people or animals, this new research identifies an emerging issue related to the safety and adequacy of Canada's blood supply.

25 Oct 2004

Three additional human cases of West Nile virus in Mississippi

Today the Mississippi Department of Health confirmed three additional human cases of West Nile virus - one in Clay County, one in DeSoto County, and one in Grenada County residents. Health officials also report one additional death that occurred in a previously reported human case from Hinds County.

25 Oct 2004

Insects implicated in the evolution of new human infectious diseases

Insects and other invertebrates are the arena for the evolution of new infectious diseases in humans, new research shows.

25 Oct 2004

New understanding of how poxviruses jump from species to species

A Canadian study conducted at Robarts Research Institute sheds new light on how poxviruses can jump from species to species -- and will lead to further exploration of another potential candidate in the emerging field of “oncolytic viruses” to fight cancer.

25 Oct 2004

Human primitive spinal cord cells may delay symptoms and paralysis associated with Lou Gehrig's disease

Human primitive spinal cord cells delayed symptoms and paralysis by a week when implanted in the spinal cord of rats destined to develop amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's disease, researchers from Johns Hopkins report.

24 Oct 2004

Detecting diseases with no more to work with than a drop of blood

The dream of monitoring a patient's physical condition through blood testing has long been realized. But how about detecting diseases in their very early stages, or evaluating how they are responding to treatment, with no more to work with than a drop of blood!

22 Oct 2004

Microcrustaceans defeat dengue fever

Dengue fever causes 50 million infections annually in more than 90 countries; however this may soon become a thing of the past, as QIMR broadens its successful and totally environmentally-friendly mosquito-breeding control programs against dengue fever.

22 Oct 2004

Bactericidal (bacteria-killing) versus bacteriostatic (bacteria-inhibiting) drugs for treating infections

When treating an infection, physicians may face a choice between using a bactericidal (bacteria-killing) drug, a bacteriostatic (bacteria-inhibiting) drug or a combination of the two.

21 Oct 2004

The attitude towards MRSA in the United Kingdom is a case of shutting the gate after the horse has bolted

Nicholas Akerman's experience of working in Australia was that people are unable to work with patients without being screened and cleared. Yet, having worked in England in medicine for over 12 years, he has never once been screened. "Surely we should at least be adopting this policy to help combat the problem?" he asks.

21 Oct 2004

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high among patients about to undergo weight loss surgery

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (a type of bacteria associated with gastrointestinal disorders) is high among patients about to undergo weight loss surgery, and treatment to eradicate the bacterial infection before surgery may be beneficial, according to an article in the October issue of The Archives of Surgery.

18 Oct 2004

EU to spend €188 million tackling animal diseases such as BSE

The European Commission has approved a financial package to fight animal diseases in the EU. The EU budget for 2005 will tackle transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) and a range of other animal diseases that impact on animal and human health.

16 Oct 2004

Significant steps to fight a deadly childhood muscle cancer

University of Utah scientists have taken significant steps to fight a deadly childhood muscle cancer by identifying some of the genetic events that cause the disease and then engineering mice that develop the tumors.

16 Oct 2004

Malaria vaccine candidate looks extremely promising

In a proof-of-concept study published this week in The Lancet, researchers report that GlaxoSmithKline's RTS,S/AS02A malaria vaccine candidate protected a significant percentage of children against uncomplicated malaria, infection, and even severe forms of the disease for at least six months.

16 Oct 2004

PAHO reports on the care and treatment of people with HIV in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued reports on the first seven of 47 countries and territories with new and specific data on the care and treatment of people with HIV in the Americas.

13 Oct 2004

New Jersey to receive additional flu vaccine

The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) received information on October 5, 2004 that, due to manufacturing problems in the United Kingdom, the United States will have only one-half of the expected supply of the influence vaccine available for this year’s flu season.

13 Oct 2004

Wisconsin has identified its first laboratory confirmed case of influenza this season

Public health officials in the department said the case, confirmed by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene to be influenza type A (H3 subtype), involves an adult female from Waupaca County.

13 Oct 2004

SARS survivor to share his personal and professional experience of SARS

A Hong Kong SARS survivor who helped lead the territory's response to the disease from his hospital bed will be sharing his personal and professional experience of SARS at an international conference in Wellington next month.

13 Oct 2004

Infections among injecting drug users are a growing public health concern in the UK

New figures published by the UK's Health Protection Agency show that infections among injecting drug users (IDUs) are a growing public health concern.

13 Oct 2004

Discovery of compound that renders the MRSA superbug vulnerable to antibiotics

MRSA- methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus- is defined by its ability to resist the antibiotic methicillin. Like penicillin, methicillin works by blocking bacterial enzymes called PBPs, which normally strengthen cell walls by forming cross links.

13 Oct 2004

New study offers rare glimpse of how the smallpox virus attacks its victims

Results of a new study in monkeys offer scientists a rare glimpse of how, on a molecular level, the smallpox virus attacks its victims. The findings shed light on how the virus caused mass death and suffering, and will help point the way to new diagnostics, vaccines and drugs that would be needed in the event of a smallpox bioterror incident.

12 Oct 2004