Human Milk Sugar Blocks Norovirus in Lab Models
A recent study in the Journal of Virology suggests that 2′-fucosyllactose (2′FL), a sugar found in human breast milk, may offer a treatment for human norovirus (HuNoV), a leading cause of gastroenteritis. The study focused on the GII4 Sydney (P16) strain of HuNoV, found that 2′FL can block the virus from entering and replicating in […]
Is it Time to Rethink Biocontainment?
Gavin Harris, MD Image credit: Emory School of Medicine In early fall 2014, a patient walked into a Dallas, Texas emergency department with largely gastrointestinal complaints after having recently returned from Liberia and was sent home with supportive care measures. He returned, was found to have Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and succumbed to his illness […]
Timeline for mRNA Vaccine Development for Rift Valley Fever
Afrigen Biologics, a South African biotechnology company, has secured a $6.2 million grant from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop the first mRNA-based vaccine for Rift Valley fever (RVF). This funding will advance the vaccine candidate through preclinical development and into Phase I clinical trials, with testing planned in South Africa or […]
Considering Rezafungin For Candidemia and Invasive Candidiasis
The antifungal market is limited in terms of development, and when rezafungin (Rezzayo) was FDA approved back in 2023, it became the first new therapy approved to treat candidemia and invasive candidiasis in more than 10 years. Since its approval, additional studies have been done, and rezafungin was shown to be noninferior to caspofungin for […]
Afrigen Biologics Advancing Development of mRNA Vaccine for Rift Valley Fever
Afrigen Biologics, a South African biotechnology company, got $6.2 million in funding from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop the first mRNA-based vaccine for Rift Valley fever (RVF). This funding will advance the vaccine candidate through preclinical development and into Phase I clinical trials, with testing planned in South Africa or another […]
How Immunomics Technology is Leading the Way
Crystal GirodImage Credit: Beckman Coulter Life Sciences The COVID-19 pandemic raised urgent calls from health experts worldwide for governments to form a cohesive strategy to prepare for future pandemics—while also putting measures in place to prevent them. Towards that end, the World Health Organization is leading negotiations for a global pandemic preparedness treaty, and it’s set to […]
FDA Approves Rapid Point-of-Care STI Tests
Cobas liat molecular assays Image credits: Roche diagnostics Roche has received FDA clearance for its cobas liat molecular assays, designed to diagnose sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the point of care. The tests, which have also been granted a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver, can rapidly detect multiple STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and Mycoplasma […]
How Prepared Are We For Avian Influenza?
By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail—Benjamin Franklin When it comes to public health, and the idea of being prepared for a potential outbreak or pandemic, there are some objective measures that can be put into place including stockpiling vaccines and therapies, having emergency plans, and carrying out surveillance measures to name a few. […]
Executive Function Impairments in Long COVID Linked to Brain Changes
Image symbolizing coronavirus affects the brain. Image credits: Unsplash Long COVID affects millions of individuals worldwide, with symptoms persisting for more than 12 weeks after the initial infection. Among the various challenges faced by patients, cognitive impairments, particularly in executive function (EF), are emerging as significant barriers to daily living. A recent systematic review in […]
Rezafungin is Noninferior to Caspofungin For All-Cause Mortality For Candida Infections
If left unmitigated, the yeast, Candida, can penetrate deeply into the body and develop into fungal infections, including candidemia and invasive candidiasis. These fungal infections can affect the bloodstream and internal organs. Candidemia, in particular, is a common infection found in hospitalized patients. In addition, there are some specific clinical challenges associated with them. “There’s really […]
