Virology News and Research

Latest Virology News and Research

Respiratory syncytial virus, a common cold virus, can act as a 'hit and hide' virus

An international team of researchers has discovered that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cold virus causing bronchiolitis in children, can act as a 'hit and hide' virus. It was thought that the virus could only survive in the body for a few days, but these new results show that the virus can survive for many months or years, perhaps causing long-term effects on health, such as damage to the lungs.

23 Apr 2004

CellCept linked to reduced cancer incidence

A study presented today at an international transplant meeting showed that heart transplant patients treated with the immunosuppressant CellCeptÒ (mycophenolate mofetil) in standard immunosuppressive regimens had a significantly lower risk of developing cancer compared to those receiving non-CellCept-based treatment regimens.

23 Apr 2004

The April 2004 issue of Otolaryngology focuses on head and neck surgery

The efficacy of a new cancer-fighting virus is tested in the study, “Treatment of Solid Sarcomas in Immunocompetent Mice with Novel Oncolytic Herpes Simplex Viruses.” A team of multi-disciplinary Japanese researchers found that a weakened version of herpes simplex virus (HSV) effectively eradicated neck and flank tumors in mice.

23 Apr 2004

Hepatitis B vaccination for inmates

rrectional settings provide a unique opportunity to offer hepatitis B vaccination to a substantial number of high-risk adults who are willing to be vaccinated and who would not otherwise have access to the preventive medicine, according to a new Brown University study of inmates within the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.

23 Apr 2004

Evidence of airborne SARS transmission

There is uncertainty about the mode of transmission of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus. We analyzed the temporal and spatial distributions of cases in a large community outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong and examined the correlation of these data with the three-dimensional spread of a virus-laden aerosol plume that was modeled using studies of airflow dynamics.

21 Apr 2004

No relationship between HIV and oral polio vaccine

HIV-AIDS did not come from oral polio vaccine contaminated with chimpanzee virus, reports a research team led by a University of Arizona evolutionary biologist

21 Apr 2004

Possible breakthrough in AIDS and cancer research

Mayo Clinic researchers have found a way to revive immunity in mice that have abnormal or deficient immune systems. The discovery may lead to a means of restoring immunity to individuals with immunodeficiency diseases such as AIDS and cancer.

20 Apr 2004

44 countries to hammer out global health issues at Earth Observation Summit

44 countries will hammer out plans for sharing outbreak data at the Earth Observation Summit meeting, to be held Sunday in Tokyo.

19 Apr 2004

Jefferson scientists learn how HIV causes dementia

Ever since the AIDS epidemic began more than two decades ago, scientists have been trying to understand why as many as one-quarter of those infected with HIV develop dementia.

19 Apr 2004

World expert speaks on bioterrorism and emerging infections

World renowned and esteemed Australian virologist Professor Frank Fenner will present the inaugural Rod Andrew Oration this week at Monash University. His topic "Big lessons from smallpox: bioterrorism and emerging infections" is timely and sure to be thought-provoking.

19 Apr 2004

Preclinical data on Histamine's ability to prevent liver damage

These new results demonstrate the ability of histamine to prevent LPS-induced liver injury in a rodent model by showing efficacy when delivered in a manner mimicking oral administration.

19 Apr 2004

An experimental vaccine based on a critical piece of the SARS virus

An experimental vaccine based on a critical piece of the SARS virus protects mice from SARS infection, researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have found.

19 Apr 2004

Lack of evidence of sexual transmission of Hepatitis C among monogamous couples

Italian researchers have evaluated the risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among 895 monogamous heterosexual partners of HCV chronically infected individuals in a long-term prospective study.

19 Apr 2004

Three actors tested positive for HIV - Quarantine list update

The US pornographic film industry is in turmoil from a two-month production shutdown after three actors tested positive for HIV.

17 Apr 2004

Daycare and siblings increase likelihood of contracting respiratory syncytial virus and rhinovirus

Daycare attendance and siblings are associated with viral-induced wheezing in children. Pre-existing immunologic factors may influence the expression of viral infections in infancy, and in turn, recurrent infections may influence the development of immune responses.

17 Apr 2004

Mayo Clinic debunks myths cancer myths

Believing cancer myths can be dangerous to your health, because they could prevent you from having the tests and treatments needed to detect and treat cancer.

16 Apr 2004

Measles outbreak prompts CDC to recommend suspension of adoptions from Chinese orphanage

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today recommended a temporary suspension of adoption proceedings for children from the Zhuzhou Child Welfare Institute in the Hunan Province of China, which is experiencing an outbreak of measles.

16 Apr 2004

Bad hygiene may be good for you

A group of scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found a connection between poor T cell survival in the body and the development of autoimmunity.

16 Apr 2004

A case of paralytic poliomyelitis (Polio) has been reported in Botswana

A case of paralytic poliomyelitis due to an imported type 1 poliovirus has been reported in Botswana, a country which had been polio-free since 1991. The virus has been closely linked genetically to poliovirus endemic to northern Nigeria. The case - a seven year old boy from the Ngami district of north-western Botswana - had onset of paralysis on 8 February 2004.

14 Apr 2004

Protecting against West Nile virus

What's that buzzing noise? Believe it or not, mosquito season is already here again. Why do we even need mosquitoes? What purpose do these pesky insects serve? In the grand scheme of biology, mosquitoes are an important food source for other insects and birds, and fish eat their larvae.

14 Apr 2004