A team of researchers at the Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology have designed a novel influenza-vaccine patch containing numerous vaccine-filled, dissolvable micron-scale needles, which facilitate painless intradermal administration. Enabling self-administration, the patch is reported to be easy-to-use, aiding in large-scale immunization programs, especially in developing countries. The promising findings of the study are published in the recent online publication of the journal, Nature Medicine. Continue Reading

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), the worst pandemic to date, continues its deadly course in contributing to the substantial increase in the number of people contracting the infection every year. As per the reports of UNAIDS, The United Nations Joint Program on HIV/AIDS, the year 2008 had approximately 33.4 million people living with HIV. Among these, half of the cases have been reported in women, especially those of childbearing age; thereby proposing an increased risk for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of the condition. Continue Reading

Researchers at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute, Theraclone Sciences and Monogram Biosciences based in US, have identified two potent, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) which can disclose vital epitopes on the HIV. The discovery of these novel antibodies could add further vigor to the effort of designing a vaccine against AIDS. The study findings are reported in the recent issue of the journal Science. Continue Reading

Food borne infections are known to increase the risk of certain conditions, for instance, Guillain-Barre Syndrome may occur after campylobacter enteritis, and reactive arthritis after yersinia enteritis. Now, a recent study by Danish researchers has confirmed on an earlier finding, which reports that salmonella and campylobacter gastroenteritis increase the short-term and long-term risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study was published in the latest issue of Gastroenterology. Continue Reading

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease reports the annual incidence rate of chlamydial infection, the most common sexually transmitted disease in the US, to be around 3 million. Also, since the infection has been identified as a major contributor of infertility in both males and females, early screening and detection of the disease holds paramount clinical significance. Now, a recent prospective cohort study published in the British Medical Journal has validated the efficacy of a novel ‘Chlamydia Rapid Test’ to detect the infection in men, by evaluating the first void urine sample. Continue Reading

The outbreak of the H1N1 influenza, earlier referred to as “swine flu”, has drawn major global attention, owing to its rapid spread and high initial mortality rates. In response to the ongoing community level outbreak in various regions and the emergence of a global pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the alert level for H1N1 to phase 6, in June, 2009. ¹ Continue Reading

A remarkable rise in antibiotic resistance has necessitated the exploration of novel approaches for combating several bacterial illnesses. Now, a recent study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, reports that iron triple helicate ([Fe₂L₃]⁴⁺), a synthetic metallomolecule, exhibits bactericidal activity by binding to the major groove of bacterial DNA, causing coiling and preventing its replication. Owing to the direct interaction with DNA, the molecule has been suggested to overcome multi-drug resistance. Continue Reading

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common vaginal infection affecting women of childbearing age, is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, spontaneous preterm birth, and enhanced risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. According to a recent study published in The Journal of Nutrition, the deficiency of vitamin D is associated with the increased prevalence of BV during the first trimester of gestation. Continue Reading

The sleep disorder, narcolepsy has been found to arise due to the lack of the hormone hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness. Earlier, researchers have proposed that the hypocretin-producing cells might get selectively destroyed in individuals with one or more human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1*0602 alleles. Now, the findings of a recent study published online in Nature Genetics, confirms the long-harbored suspicion that narcolepsy is an autoimmune disorder. This is touted to be the first documentation of the genetic association of T-cell receptor alpha (TRA@) locus that encodes the major HLA-peptide receptor, with any autoimmune disease. Continue Reading

The recent outbreak of a new strain of the influenza A virus (H1N1) has been causing major havoc across the world, with various public health organizations taking aggressive steps to contain the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the alert level for H1N1, earlier referred to as ‘Swine Flu’, to phase 5 on the six-point scale, which confirms human to human spread of the disease, and also indicates the increased chances for a flu pandemic. The WHO has currently reported 4,694 laboratory confirmed cases of the H1N1 influenza virus across 30 countries. Continue Reading