Infection Archives

Gardasil HPV vaccine reduces abnormal pap test results

In testing GARDASIL reduced abnormal Pap test results by 43 percent compared to women not given the vaccine, according new research. The findings show the approved anti-HPV agent appears to prevent the development of cell changes that lead to cervical disease. – A significant drop in abnormal Pap test results happened after girls and women were given Gardasil vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, according to a researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

ELISpot-Plus blood test to diagnose tuberculosis

The combination of ELISpot-Plus and tuberculin skin testing is able to rule out TB within 48 hours. – A new blood test called ELISpot-Plus could enable doctors to rule out tuberculosis (TB) infection within days rather than weeks, according to a new study published this week in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

Schistosomiasis more debilitating than estimated

The health effects of one strain of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease common in developing countries, are seven to 46 times greater than previously estimated, according to new Brown University research. – The health effects of one strain of schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease common in developing countries, are seven to 46 times greater than previously estimated, according to new Brown University research.

Race differences affect response to drugs and infections

Gene expression differences between those of European and African ancestry affect response to drugs and infections. – Differences in gene expression levels between people of European versus African ancestry can affect how each group responds to certain drugs or fights off specific infections, report researchers from the University of Chicago Medical Center and the Expression Research Laboratory at Affymetrix Inc. of Santa Clara, CA.

Bird flu awareness campaigns should continue in India

The United Nations has praised the “swift and comprehensive” measures taken by India to bring under control the “worst-ever” outbreak of bird flu. – The recent, worst-ever outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Indian state of West Bengal seems to have been brought under control by the swift and comprehensive measures taken by the country’s authorities, though continued vigilance was crucial, the United Nations agricultural agency said.

Researchers discover TRIM22 gene that blocks HIV

Canadian researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a gene that can block HIV, and in turn prevent the onset of AIDS. – Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a gene that is able to block HIV, and in turn prevent the onset of AIDS. Stephen Barr, a molecular virologist in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, says his team has identified a gene called TRIM22 that can block HIV infection in a cell culture by preventing the assembly of the virus.

Influenza vaccination for children 6 months through 18 years of age

CDC’s Advisory Committee Recommends Influenza Vaccination for Children 6 months through 18 years of age. – A panel of immunization experts voted to expand the recommended ages for annual influenza vaccination of children to include all children from 6 months through 18 years of age. The previous recommendation was for vaccination of children from 6 months to 59 months of age.

Bird flu could strike again in India, warns FAO

The recent, worst-ever outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza in the Indian state of West Bengal seems to have been brought under control by the swift and comprehensive measures taken by the country?s authorities, though continued vigilance was crucial, the United Nations agricultural agency said. – India is to be commended for its successful efforts to control the recent worst-ever outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the state of West Bengal, FAO said today. The agency warned, however, that intensive surveillance should continue in high-risk areas as the possibility of new outbreaks remains high.

72% rise in clostridium difficile linked deaths

This is the fourth annual report on deaths in England and Wales involving MRSA and the third annual report on deaths involving Clostridium difficile. Data for 2006 are published for the first time. – The number of deaths involving Clostridium difficile continued to rise between 2005 and 2006, while deaths involving MRSA levelled out, according to new figures published by the Office for National Statistics in Health Statistics Quarterly 37 spring 2008.

Tenofovir gel safe for daily use

Trial finds tenofovir gel safe for daily use and most women adhered to study regimens; Results of Phase II study of ARV-based microbicide presented at international meeting in India bolster interest in latest approach – A vag inal microbicide that incorporates an antiretroviral (ARV) drug normally used to treat people with HIV is safe for sexually active HIV-negative women to use every day over an extended period, suggest results of a clinical trial of tenofovir topical gel.

Antidepressant and psychotherapy work for depressed teens

Teens with treatment-resistant depression more likely to get better with switch to combination therapy – antidepressant and psychotherapy. – Teens with difficult-to-treat depression who do not respond to a first antidepressant medication are more likely to get well if they switch to another antidepressant medication and add psychotherapy rather than just switching to another antidepressant, according to a large, multi-site trial funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

Anti HIV gel Tenofovir proven safe for women

A gel using anti-HIV drug tenofovir to shield women from AIDS has been proven safe for daily use and acceptable to women. – An experimental anti HIV gel is safe for women to use on a daily basis, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.