Treating a little-known virus, CMV, to combat hearing loss in children
(University of Utah Health) A National Institutes of Health-supported nationwide clinical trial will test a novel approach to combat hearing loss in children infected by a relatively unknown virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV). The University of Utah Health-led study will determine whether antiviral therapy can halt progressive hearing loss in children with a confirmed CMV infection. CMV is the leading non-genetic cause of hearing loss, contributing from 6 to 30 percent of childhood cases. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - September 14, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Team led by UCLA, UCSF receives $8 million to study virus that often strikes after kidney transplants
UCLA, UC San Francisco and City of Hope have received a five-year, $8 million grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study how a common virus called cytomegalovirus may provoke the immune system to reject transplanted kidneys.The 14-member interdisciplinary team is co-led by Elaine Reed, who holds the Daljit S. and Elaine Sarkaria Endowed Chair in Diagnostic Medicine at UCLA and is director of the UCLA Immunogenetics Center. “Nearly 70 percent of people around the world carry antibodies to the cytomegalovirus infection, yet healthy people rarely display symptoms,” said Reed, who also ...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - August 24, 2017 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news
NIAID herpesvirus study in mice leads to discovery of potential broad-spectrum antiviral
(NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) NIAID scientists studying herpes simplex virus infection have unexpectedly found that inhibiting a cellular enzyme complex, EZH2/1, suppresses viral infection. The researchers then demonstrated that EZH2/1 inhibitors also enhanced the cellular antiviral response in cultured cells and mice. They then showed that EZH2/1 inhibitors suppressed HSV infection, spread, and reactivation in mice and, in cell culture, suppressed human cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and Zika virus infections. They suggest that EZH2/1 inhibitors have considerable potential as broad-spectrum ant...
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - August 15, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Issues with maternal screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection
(Kobe University) Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus found worldwide. When CMV infects fetuses, it can cause serious complications such as hearing difficulties and mental retardation in affected infants. A group of researchers have evaluated for the first time the efficacy of maternal universal screening using CMV IgG avidity tests for congenital CMV infection, and they have also identified issues with the current maternal CMV screening methods. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - July 24, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
What Conditions is Erythema Nodosum Associated With?
Discussion
Erythema nodosum (EN) is a common dermatological eruption characterized by inflammatory nodules of the subcutaneous fat (panniculitis) on the extensor surfaces of the extremities especially the shins, thighs, and forearms. They are usually painful, nodular, bilateral and multiple. They can be found on other areas and be unilateral. They can be red, purple or blackish. They usually resolve without problems in 3-6 weeks.
Diagnosis is usually clinical but biopsy may be needed if there is atypical presentation or history, physical examination or laboratory testing reveals potential underlying diseases. Treatment is...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - July 24, 2017 Category: Pediatrics Authors: pediatriceducationmin Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news
Atomic structure of the human cytomegalovirus capsid with its securing tegument layer of pp150
Herpesviruses possess a genome-pressurized capsid. The 235-kilobase genome of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is by far the largest of any herpesvirus, yet it has been unclear how its capsid, which is similar in size to those of other herpesviruses, is stabilized. Here we report a HCMV atomic structure consisting of the herpesvirus-conserved capsid proteins MCP, Tri1, Tri2, and SCP and the HCMV-specific tegument protein pp150—totaling ~4000 molecules and 62 different conformers. MCPs manifest as a complex of insertions around a bacteriophage HK97 gp5–like domain, which gives rise to three classes of capsid floor&n...
Source: ScienceNOW - June 29, 2017 Category: Science Authors: Yu, X., Jih, J., Jiang, J., Zhou, Z. H. Tags: Biochemistry, Online Only r-articles Source Type: news
HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus likelier to pass virus that causes AIDS to infant
HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus, or CMV, in their urine at the time of labor and delivery are more than five times likelier than HIV-positive women without CMV to transmit HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to their infants, according to a UCLA-led study.The research also found that they are nearly 30 times likelier to transmit cytomegalovirus to their infants.Dr. Karin Nielsen, a professor of clinical pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases at theDavid Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is the senior author of the study, which was published today in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.“The findings ...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - June 22, 2017 Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news
HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus likelier to pass virus that causes AIDS to infant
(University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences) HIV-positive women with cytomegalovirus, or CMV, in their urine at the time of labor and delivery are more than five times likelier than HIV-positive women without CMV to transmit HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to their infants. The research also found that they are nearly 30 times likelier to transmit cytomegalovirus to their infants. (Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases)
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - June 21, 2017 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Management Update Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Management Update
This review provides an update on the available management strategies for congenital cytomegalovirus infection and discusses promising new treatment options.Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases (Source: Medscape Today Headlines)
Source: Medscape Today Headlines - June 16, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Infectious Diseases Journal Article Source Type: news
Disease Awareness Months Work, Even If You Don't Wear The Ribbon
June is the month for more than 10 disease-related awareness campaigns, including Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month, National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month and National Scleroderma Awareness Month. It also hosts a handful of awareness weeks and days, ranging from Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week to World Sickle Cell Day.
June’s awareness list is shorter than most, but every month is full of diseases and disorders to take note of. You probably haven’t heard of half of them, and you’re not alone. So what’s the point of an awareness day, week or month?
To understand the chall...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - June 2, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Virus study targets infection linked to birth defects
Fresh insights into how a common virus replicates could pave the way for new therapies to stop its spread. Scientists have discovered a key molecule linked to Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, which is harmless for healthy people but can cause miscarriage and birth defects during pregnancy. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - May 15, 2017 Category: Science Source Type: news
Virus study targets infection linked to birth defects
(University of Edinburgh) Fresh insights into how a common virus replicates could pave the way for new therapies to stop its spread. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a key molecule linked to Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, which is harmless for healthy people but can cause miscarriage and birth defects during pregnancy. (Source: EurekAlert! - Biology)
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - May 15, 2017 Category: Biology Source Type: news
Scientists ID human protein essential for human cytomegalovirus replication
Scientists have demonstrated that a human protein known as valosin containing protein (VCP) is essential for replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The findings identify VCP as a potential new treatment target. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - May 11, 2017 Category: Science Source Type: news
Scientists ID human protein essential for human cytomegalovirus replication
(PLOS) Scientists have demonstrated that a human protein known as valosin containing protein (VCP) is essential for replication of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The findings, published in PLOS Pathogens, identify VCP as a potential new treatment target. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)
Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health - May 11, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: news
Vaccine/Chemotherapy Combination Improves Survival in Glioblastoma
Cytomegalovirus targeted vaccination plus high-dose chemotherapy with temozolomide can lead to long-term progression-free and overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. (Source: CancerNetwork)
Source: CancerNetwork - April 16, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Mark L. Fuerst Tags: Brain Tumors News Source Type: news
