VirScan blood test can reveal viral history

VirScan blood test can reveal viral history

Your complete viral history revealed by VirScan – Blood test detects exposure to hundreds of viruses simultaneously – VirScan – a single blood test can now simultaneously test for more than 1,000 different strains of viruses that currently or have previously infected a person.

A new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection

A new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection

In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection – In first human study, new antibody therapy shows promise in suppressing HIV infection. The new study, conducted in Michel Nussenzweig’s Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, finds that administration of a potent antibody, called 3BNC117, can catch HIV off guard and reduce viral loads.

53 approved drugs that may block Ebola infection

Study identifies 53 approved drugs that may block Ebola infection — Compounds may keep virus from entering cells; may accelerate drug development – Researchers found 53 existing drugs that may keep the Ebola virus from entering human cells, a key step in the process of infection. Among the better known drug types shown to hinder infection by an Ebola virus model: several cancer drugs, antihistamines and antibiotics.

Low cholesterol slows HIV progression

Low cholesterol in immune cells slows HIV progression – Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified why some HIV-infected people experience much slower disease progression, even without medication, and it has to do with cholesterol levels in specific immune cells.

MERS infection rising in Saudi Arabia

MERS cases spike to 339 in Saudi Arabia — 8 new MERS deaths take Saudi toll to 102 – The Saudi health ministry announced eight new deaths from the MERS virus on Sunday taking the kingdom’s death toll from the disease to 102. The number of recorded infections in the kingdom has risen to 339, it added.

HIV fresh cases reduced by 52%

UNAIDS reports a 52% reduction in new HIV infections among children and a combined 33% reduction among adults and children since 2001 – UNAIDS shows dramatic acceleration towards reaching 2015 global targets on HIV. New HIV infections among adults and children were estimated at 2.3 million in 2012, a 33% reduction since 2001. New HIV infections among children have been reduced to 260 000 in 2012, a reduction of 52% since 2001.

Tamiflu drug resistance in H7N9 flu cases raises concern

Tamiflu Resistance Confirmed in H7N9 Flu Cases — Drug resistance in new China bird flu raises concern – Resistance easily develops when patients take antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir (tamiflu) for treating h7n9 influenza infections. Researcher’s analysis, which includes 14 patients who were hospitalized in Shanghai within 2 days of starting therapy with Tamiflu, appears in The Lancet.

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