In a case-control study, cancer, chronic renal diseases, splenectomy, and transplantation were strongly associated with an increased risk for invasive pneumococcal disease in children. Medscape Medical News
New research indicates that microRNA precursors expressed by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) play a key role in establishing and maintaining viral latency. Reuters Health Information
The accuracy of a relatively new interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) assay in detecting latent tuberculosis infection can be compromised if a tuberculin skin test (TST) is used several weeks before, according to a study by South Korean researchers published in the June issue of Chest. The investigators also found the agreement between the two tests to be low. Reuters Health Information
Mortality in severe falciparum malaria is significantly greater among adults over 50 years of age than in other age groups, a multinational team of researchers from Asia report in the July 15th issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information
In the last 20 years, a steady rise in imported cases of falciparum malaria has been seen in the UK, despite the existence of highly effective prevention measures, according to a report in the July 4th Online First issue of The British Medical Journal. Reuters Health Information
Continuous administration of a CXCR4 receptor antagonist improves survival of mice infected with West Nile virus, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine have found. Reuters Health Information
Injection drug users who successfully clear HCV infection have a reduced risk of re-infection. Now, in long-term injection drug users frequently exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), analysis of virus-specific immune responses has shown that resistance to re-infection is correlated with T cell responses. Reuters Health Information
In areas where the prevalence of initial multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) exceeds 3% -- so-called MDR-TB "hot zones" -- patients treated with standard regimens have high rates of failure and relapse, new research indicates. Reuters Health Information
Women who are colonized with group B streptococci (GBS) during one pregnancy are at increased risk for colonization in the next one, according to a report in the August issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Reuters Health Information
Address the most frequently asked questions regarding the HPV vaccination while reviewing the most recent clinical data on vaccinations and the health impact of HPV.
