infections

Combating Secondary Infections in Clinics

harminka — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:26:28 -0500

Infections following treatment in clinics, retirement homes, and long-term care facilities are a grave problem for patients, and resistant germs can be particularly devastating. “High infection rates are in particular observed related to implants, catheters, and stents,” reports Karl Gademann, “those for urinary catheters mounting up to 30 % per week!”

Spanish researchers take part in discovery of new immune disease

harminka — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:03:20 -0500

From the moment we are born, we all come into continuous contact with microbes that can cause disease. To deal with them, we have a highly effective immune system that allows our bodies to identify and eliminate agents that cause infections.

Parasitic worm infections increase susceptibility to AIDS viruses

harminka — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:07:20 -0500

Persons infected with schistosomes, and possibly other parasitic worm infections, may be more likely to become infected with HIV than persons without worm infections, according to a study published July 23rd in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Researchers at the U.S.

Killer Kevlar — clothing that shields from germs

harminka — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:22:41 -0500

Protective clothing worn by firemen and other emergency workers may soon get a germ-fighting upgrade. Researchers in South Dakota report progress toward the first Kevlar fabrics that can kill a wide range of infectious agents, including bacteria, viruses, and the spores that cause anthrax.

Virulence factor that induces fatal Candida infection identified

harminka — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:45:58 -0500

Scientists here have found that certain substances from bacteria living in the human intestine cause the normally harmless Candida albicans fungus to become highly infectious.

Herpesvirus proteins that target key cellular processes

harminka — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:44:19 -0500

A study published July 11th in the open-access journal PLoS Pathogens suggests that herpesviruses use multiple strategies to manipulate important components of the host cell nuclear environment during infection.

Scientists reveal key structure from ebola virus

harminka — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 05:50:49 -0500

Described in the July 10, 2008 issue of the journal Nature, the research reveals the shape of the Ebola virus spike protein, which is necessary for viral entry into human cells, bound to an immune system antibody acting to neutralize the virus.

Finding could shed light on candida and allergies

harminka — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:06:37 -0500

Recent scientific findings explain why patients with a rare immunodeficiency disorder are unusually susceptible to certain common infections. By revealing the exact molecular mechanisms involved, they also give us clues as to why some 'healthy' people are more prone to these infections than others, and suggest potential treatments.

Neglected infections disable hundreds of thousands of Americans annually

harminka — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 04:46:55 -0500

An analysis published June 25th in the open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases highlights that diseases very similar to those plaguing Africa, Asia, and Latin America are also occurring frequently among the poorest people in the United States, especially women and children.

Engineers create 3-D model to help biologists combat blue tongue virus

harminka — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:22:00 -0500

A large 3D model of the Blue Tongue virus has been created by WMG engineering researchers at the University of Warwick that will help biologists devise new ways to combat the virus and protect millions of livestock from infection.

Early life infections increase risk of rheumatoid arthritis

harminka — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:12:33 -0500

Infections during the first year of life are a marker of increased risk of developing specific types of arthritis later in life, according to new research from Sweden presented today at EULAR 2008, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism in Paris, France.

Many Americans lacked confidence in food safety system

harminka — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 04:14:59 -0500

A new national study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health Project on the Public and Biological Security finds that, in spite of a number of food safety incidents in recent years, most Americans remain confident that the food produced in the United States is safe. However, many have concerns about the safety of imported food produced in some other countries.