Virus Weekly articles from September 2003

Virus Weekly archives from September 2003

EGFR is a human cytomegalovirus receptor.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- EGFR acts as a cellular cytomegalovirus receptor. "Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a widespread opportunistic herpesvirus that causes severe and fatal diseases in immune-compromised individuals,...

Virus will appear again, as will other viruses incubating in "Pandora's boxes".
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The world can expect more SARS-like outbreaks in the near future due to evolving cultural, environmental, and economic conditions that provide viruses with new opportunities to infect humans, according...

Herpesvirus 8 infection linked to hepatitis B and HIV infections in Ugandans.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human herpesvirus 8 infection was associated with hepatitis B and HIV infections in Ugandan blood donors. According to recent research from the United States, "Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is...

Dengue virus serotype 3 viral evolution elucidated.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The viral evolution of a key dengue virus serotype has been elucidated. "Over the past two decades, dengue virus serotype 3 (DENV-3) has caused unexpected epidemics of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF)...

Killing is much more efficient than previously thought, upon virus re-exposure.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Memory T cells are more efficient upon re-exposure to virus in vivo than was previously thought. "In this study, we examined the cytotoxic activity of effector and memory CD8 T cells in vivo. At...

Respiratory syncytial virus fusion inhibitor escape mutants characterized.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The structural characterization of respiratory syncytial virus fusion inhibitor escape mutants has been accomplished. According to published research from Australia, "Respiratory syncytial virus...

Novel DSTP derivative inhibits growth of HIV and herpesviruses.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel DSTP derivative strongly inhibits the cellular activity of HIV and a variety of herpesviruses. According to a study from Germany, "N,N'-bisheteryl derivatives of dispirotripiperazine (DSTP)...

Several factors contribute to treatment failure in chronic hepatitis C.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Several factors contribute to treatment failure in chronic hepatitis C. "The treatment of chronic hepatitis C is currently based on a combination of pegylated interferon (IFN)-alpha and ribavirin....

FDA license granted for new HIV test kit.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., (BIO, BIO.B) has received a license from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its HIV-1/HIV-2 PLUS O EIA test kit used for diagnostic testing and the screening of blood...

Seropositive schizophrenic patients respond to cerebrospinal fluid filtration.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Therapy resistant schizophrenia or affective spectrum psychosis patients positive for Borna disease virus antibodies do respond to cerebrospinal fluid filtration. "According to previous...

Papillomavirus E7 protein blocks pCAF's acetyltransferase, a p53 coactivator.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Papillomavirus E7 proteins react with pCAF's acetyltransferase domain, normally a coactivator of the p53 transcription factor. According to a study from Canada, "Most cervical carcinomas express...

Thymosin-alpha 1 and interferon combination therapy controls HBV infections.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Thymosin-alpha 1 and interferon combination therapy controls HBV infections. "Hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA positive chronic hepatitis is a clinical entity, distinct...

Antigenic escape shifts the antibody balance in hepatitis C-infected patients.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Antigenic escape shifts the antibody balance in hepatitis C-infected patients. "This paper investigates the role of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antibody responses in hepatitis C virus (HCV)...

Host cell binding prevented for cytomegalovirus coated with AD-2 antibody.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Virus receptor binding was prevented when cytomegalovirus was coated with antibodies specific for antigenic domains 2. According to a study from Germany and Sweden, "Attachment of, and cell-cell...

Inflammatory pseudotumor due to clonal EBV-infected cells can occur in spleen.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Inflammatory pseudotumor due to clonal EBV-infected cells can occur in the spleen. According to a study from the United States, "We report a case of an inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the spleen...

Simpler means for making adenoviral cDNA expression libraries have been found.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Simpler means for making adenoviral cDNA expression libraries have been found. According to a study from Japan, "cDNA expression cloning is a powerful method for the identification of genes that are...

Grants to fund rapid, portable detection systems for HIV, blood lead.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Alderon Biosciences of Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, announced the award of two new research grants. As the original developer and manufacturer of the LeadCare, a U.S. Food and Drug...

Influenza A recurrence in myocarditis may cause cardiogenic shock.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Reinfection with influenza A following recovery from acute influenza A myocarditis may cause death. According to recent research published in the Circulation Journal, "A 75-year-old man recovered...

Acute flaccid paralysis may be caused by West Nile virus infection.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Clinicians should consider West Nile virus infection in patients with acute flaccid paralysis. "Acute weakness associated with West Nile virus (WNV) infection has previously been attributed to a...

Neutralizing antibodies don't prevent gB2 CMV reactivation in HIV patients.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Neutralizing antibodies fail to prevent gB2 CMV reactivation in HIV patients. "The incidence of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) genotype gB2 (UL55) is high in patients with human immunodeficiency virus...

Markers of abacavir allergy versus influenza virus infection identified.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Symptoms useful for distinguishing between influenza virus infection and allergic reactions to the anti-HIV drug abacavir have been identified. "Differentiation between abacavir hypersensitivity and...

BlockAide trial to begin in fourth quarter; scientific advisory board formed.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Adventrx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (AVRX) announced the formation of its new scientific advisory board, consisting of three well-known academic experts in the areas of anticancer and antiviral development....

Tat-expressing Sendai viral vector-booster does not increase protection.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- No significant enhancement of protection by Tat-expressing Sendai viral vector-booster occurred in a macaque AIDS model. According to a study from Japan, "We previously developed a...

Nonexclusive HCV license granted to Gilead Sciences.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Chiron Corporation (CHIR) announced that it has granted a nonexclusive license to Gilead Sciences for the research, development, and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics against certain...

The HSV ICP8 DNA-binding protein becomes altered upon viral replication setup.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Specific antibodies can recognize the conformational changes that occur in HSV ICP8; the changes appear to occur during assembly of viral DNA replicative structures. According to a study from the...

Herpes simplex virus VP16-induced complex investigated.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A herpes simplex virus VP16-induced complex may be part of a regulatory switch. According to recent research published in the journal Trends in Biochemical Sciences, "When herpes simplex virus (HSV)...

Inactivated parapoxvirus ovis protects against hepatitis and herpes viruses.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Inactivated parapoxvirus ovis protects against hepatitis and herpes viruses. "It is known that some viruses are able to induce vigorous immune reactions. This study shows that inactivated...

GHRH receptor gene involved in NREMS response to influenza infection in mice.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The GHRH signaling pathway plays an important role in the murine NREMS response to influenza virus infection. "Viral infections induce excess non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS) in mice,"...

Antimalarial action explained by new report.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A molecular target for the class of antimalaria drugs called artemisinins has been identified, researchers report. Artemisinins have become increasingly important for treating malaria as resistance...

Researchers to take blood samples from victims for study.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers from the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) recently made a trip to Wisconsin to study people who contracted monkeypox in an effort to learn more about the virus. Eighteen cases...

Aedes albopictus mosquitos do not spread dengue virus.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Aedes albopictus mosquitos do not spread dengue virus among humans. "Over 60,500 dengue cases were reported in the state of Espirito Santo (ES), Brazil, between 1995 and 1998," scientists there...

Transcriptional and transductional targeting improve gene delivery to ovaries.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Transcriptional and transductional targeting improve gene delivery to the ovaries. "Adenoviruses are efficient gene delivery vehicles but have broad native tropism. To this end, finding ways to...

Burkholderia cepacia complex and other pseudomonads are phage-infectable.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Pseudomonads, including the human pathogenic Burkholderia cepacia group, are susceptible to wild-isolated bacteriophages. "The Burkholderia cepacia complex comprises a group of nine closely related...

late expression factor-8 gene necessary for optimal baculovirus function.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The late expression factor-8 gene is necessary for optimal function of the baculovirus. According to a study from the United States, "The late expression factor-8 gene (lef-8) of Autographa...

Did rats spread disease in apartment complex?
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A hypothesis proposes that roof rats could have been responsible for the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Hong Kong's Amoy Gardens apartment block where more than 300...

Pregnancy centers initiate program to reduce spread of STDs.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Community Pregnancy Centers (CPC) have launched a new program designed to educate and assist current Bay Area residents in reducing the number of sexually transmitted disease (STD) cases through...

Optimized procedures improve suicide gene therapy in graft-versus-host disease.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Optimized procedures improve suicide gene therapy in graft-versus-host disease. According to a study from the United States, "clinical trials evaluating the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase...

Intestinal transplant recipients can develop calicivirus enteritis.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Intestinal transplant recipient's calicivirus enteritis was resolved by a reduction in immunosuppression. According to recent research published in the American Journal of Transplantation,...

HIV-1-infected children have impaired immunological memory.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- HIV-infected children who were immunized with "Haemophilus influenzae vaccine exhibited impaired immunological memory. According to a study from Greece, "Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)...

Polyethylene glycol FGF2 conjugates retarget adenoviruses to select domains.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Polyethylene glycol FGF2 conjugates retarget adenoviruses to select domains. According to published research from the United States, "bifunctional PEG (polyethylene glycol) molecules provide a novel...

Heterologous flaviviruses alter the outcomes of human yellow fever infections.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Heterologous flaviviruses alter the outcomes of human yellow fever infections. According to recent research published in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, "using a recently...

Hepatitis B virus genotypes on India's islands arrived with penal settlers.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Hepatitis B virus genotypes on India's islands arrived with penal settlers. "To understand the possible origin of hepatitis B virus (HBV), three of the four hyperendemic, primitive accessible tribes...

Amino acid substitutions on the ISDR associate with hepatitis C viral load.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Amino acid substitutions on the ISDR associate with hepatitis C viral load. According to a study from Japan, "the correlation between hepatitis C virus (HCV) genomic sequences and circulating HCV...

GBV-B infections in marmosets closely resemble human hepatitis C virology.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- GBV-B infections in marmosets closely resemble human hepatitis C virology. "GBV-B virus is a close relative to hepatitis C virus (HCV) that causes hepatitis in tamarins, and thus, is an attractive...

Canarypox virus is a safe vector for use in human p53 cancer vaccine.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Canarypox virus is a safe vector for use in human p53 cancer vaccine. "Overexpression of p53 occurs in more than 50% of colorectal cancers. Therefore, p53 represents an attractive target antigen for...

Combinatorial approaches enhance the selection of receptor-specific vectors.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Combinatorial approaches enhance the selection of receptor-specific vectors. According to published research from Germany, "improving the efficiency and specificity of gene vectors is critical for...

Clinical trial cleared for NeuGene against virus; financial results reported.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- AVI BioPharma, Inc., (AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ) announced that it has satisfied all regulatory requirements for initiating a multicenter phase Ib clinical trial with its NeuGene drug AVI-4020 in patients...

Vaccine said to be effective in mice.
September 2, 2003... 2003 SEP 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A mild virus related to dangerous West Nile protected mice from the deadly disease when used as a vaccine, a team of Australian researchers reports. West Nile virus has been spreading rapidly since...

Duck hepatitis B virus core protein contains a central site for genome release.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Duck hepatitis B virus core protein contains a central site for genome release. "Viral nucleocapsids compartmentalize and protect viral genomes during assembly while they mediate targeted genome...

Scientists detect antibody link in viral infections.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Researchers at SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, are unlocking the underlying mechanisms behind viral infections, which may help doctors one day detect and control viruses behind...

Infections linked to mental decline in elderly.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Infection by several common viruses can significantly increase the risk of dementia in the elderly with cardiovascular disease, according to a new report. Finnish researchers tested 383...

Most resistance to anti-HIV drugs created by good pill-taking patients.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Resistance mutations to anti-HIV medications are more likely to occur in patients who take most of their medications rather than in those who don't, according to AIDS specialists at the University of...

NF-kappaB plays role in gammaherpesvirus latency.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) appears to play a key role in the establishment of gammaherpesvirus latency in infected patients. "Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and B-cell lymphomas...

Mayo publishes review on clinical presentation, diagnosis.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- As the peak transmission season of the West Nile virus reaches its midpoint, the Mayo Clinic has published a report in print and online to help clinicians and the public quickly access the latest...

Blood, pooled plasma will be screened for parvovirus B19 in the Netherlands.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Blood, pooled plasma will be screened for parvovirus B19 in the Netherlands, to reduce risk group exposure. According to recent research from Netherlands, "A Committee of the Health Council of the...

Orphan designation filed for SARS antisense drug.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Avi BioPharma, Inc., (AVII, AVIIW, AVIIZ) announced that, based on positive preclinical data, it has filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to obtain orphan designation...

Hospitals falling short in updating Colorado disease database.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Colorado hospitals and other health organizations are not regularly updating a state database that tracks diseases such as anthrax, cholera, and the plague, state auditors said on August 18, 2003. ...

Japanese encephalitis virus infection is blocked by chlorpromazine.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Japanese encephalitis virus infection occurs by clathrin-dependent endocytosis; chlorpromazine blocks this process. "Entry of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) into cells was analyzed by using the...

Natural mutation in HIV Tat enhances viral genome expression.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A mutation in HIV Tat has been found to enhance viral genome expression. "A natural amino acid substitution in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transcriptional activator Tat...

CD28 and ligands involved in AIDS- and EBV-associated lymphoma development.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The CD28 molecule appears to play a key role in the development of AIDS- and EBV-associated lymphoma. According to recent research from the United States, "CD28, which is expressed on most T cells,...

Versant HCV RNA 3.0v assay valuable for measuring HCV RNA levels in HIV patients.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel Versant HCV RNA assay is valuable for measuring HCV RNA levels in coinfected HIV patients. In a recent study from Italy, "the new generation assay Versant HCV RNA 3.0v (Bayer Diagnostics)...

With the help of P-TEFb, HIV Tat can activate latent viral reservoirs.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- With the help of P-TEFb, the HIV Tat protein can activate latent viral reservoirs. "The persistence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in optimally treated infected individuals poses a major...

Cholesterol depletion of lipid rafts inactivates HIV virions.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Cholesterol depletion of lipid rafts can inactivate HIV virions. "Recent evidence suggests that human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles assemble and bud selectively through areas in...

Novel HIV protease inhibitor highly active against PI-resistant viruses.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel HIV protease inhibitor is highly active against drug-resistant viral strains. "A biaryl pyridylfuran P-3 substituent on the hydroxyethylene isostere scaffold affords HIV protease inhibitors...

Infection of macaques with SIV induces species-specific antibody response.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Infection of macaques with simian immunodeficiency virus induces a species-specific antibody response to major histocompatibility complex class I and class II molecules. According to a study from...

Delayed hepatitis A booster still effective in people older than 2 years.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Delayed hepatitis A booster is still effective in people older than two years. "Current immunization schedules for hepatitis A vaccine specify administration of a booster within 6-12 or 6-18 months...

Gamma-herpesviruses do seem to favor memory B cells for latency.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Gamma herpesviruses do seem to favor memory B cells for latency, as seen in a murine model. According to a study from the United States, "It has been proposed that the gamma-herpesviruses maintain...

Antagonists of the E1-E2 protein interaction inhibit HPV DNA replication.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Small molecule antagonists of the E1-E2 protein interaction inhibited human papillomavirus DNA replication. "Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA replication is initiated by recruitment of the E1...

Human serum-reactive epitopes in virus-like particles of HPV mapped.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Human serum-reactive epitopes in virus-like particles of human papillomavirus types 16 and 11 have been mapped. According to a study from Sweden and the United States, "Most human antibodies...

Measles virus V protein interferes with host interferon production.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Measles virus V protein interferes with host interferon production, IL-6 and v-Src signaling. "Measles virus, a paramyxovirus of the Morbillivirus genus, is responsible for an acute childhood...

LPS-induced macrophage cytokine secretion changes with temperature.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- LPS-induced macrophage cytokine secretion changes with temperature. According to a study from the United States, "Local and systemic temperature change is associated with the immune response to...

Adaptor TRIF needed for TLR3- and TLR4-mediated antiviral defense.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The adaptor TRIF is needed for TLR3- and TLR4-mediated antiviral defense. "Stimulation of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) triggers activation of a common MyD88-dependent signaling pathway as well as a...

Company increases influenza vaccine availability to 19 million doses.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Henry Schein, Inc., (HSIC) announced that it has begun to ship what it anticipates to be more than 19 million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2003-2004 influenza season. This shipment represents...

Novel molecular assay may improve orthobunyavirus monitoring.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel molecular assay may improve clinical and field monitoring of pathogenic orthobunyaviruses. "Modern detection and identification tools can help to provide answers to urgent questions about...

Influenza B virus BM2 protein conducts protons across membranes.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- The influenza B virus BM2 protein possesses ion channel activity that conducts protons across membranes. According to published research from the United States, "Successful uncoating of the...

Epimmune announces termination of merger agreement.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Epimmune, Inc., (EPMN) announced that the merger agreement between Epimmune and Anosys has terminated. The companies concluded that conditions did not support the concept of the combined company....

West Nile Virus is found in horses from Coahuila State in Northern Mexico.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- West Nile virus is advancing south to Mexico; 62.5% of horses tested were positive in Coahuila in Northern Mexico. "Serum samples were obtained from 24 horses in the State of Coahuila, Mexico, in...

West Nile virus is found in horses from Yucatan State in Mexico.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- West Nile virus is advancing south through Mexico; 1.2% of horses tested were positive in the Yucatan in Mexico. According to a study from the United States, "Serum samples were obtained from 252...

Epitope of SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein identified.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- An epitope of the SARS-coronavirus nucleocapsid protein has been identified. "The nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a major virion structural...

U.N. team in China to investigate potential presence of virus in animals.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A joint team of specialists from two United Nations agencies is in China to assist the government to design further investigations into a possible animal reservoir of the virus that causes the severe...

Infection with parvovirus B-19 is extremely similar; perhaps B-19 initiates SLE.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Infection with parvovirus B-19 and lupus have so much in common they are often misdiagnosed; perhaps viral infection with B-19 is a trigger for SLE. "Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a...

LightCycler-based assay superior to standard tests for CMV detection.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A novel molecular assay can improve CMV monitoring in solid organ transplant recipients. According to published research from Canada, "in order to evaluate the LightCycler-based PCR (LC-PCR) as a...

Non-radiometric flow-cytometry assay detects VZV cell-mediated immunity.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- A non-radiometric, flow cytometry method to detect cell mediated immunity, FASCIA, is more rapid and accurate than the conventional assay for response to varicella-zoster virus. According to recent...

Artificial viruses offer a novel way to do gene transfer.
September 9, 2003... 2003 SEP 9 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Artificial viruses offer a novel way to do gene transfer "We here report a novel example of artificial glycoviral vectors constructed via number- and size-controlled gene (pCMVluc, 7040 bp) coating...