Promising Class of Antibiotics Discovered for Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Scientists have discovered a promising new class of antibiotics that could aid efforts to overcome drug-resistance in tuberculosis (TB), a global killer. The drugs increased survival of mice infected with TB and were effective against drug-resistant strains of TB. [Press release from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital discussing online prepublication in Nature Medicine]
Press Release|Abstract
G-CSF Drives a Posttraumatic Immune Program that Protects the Host from Infection
The authors found that thermal injury to the skin induced a robust time-dependent protection of mice from a lethal Klebsiella pneumoniae pulmonary challenge. The protective response was neutrophil dependent and temporally associated with a systemic increase in neutrophils resulting from a reprioritization of hematopoiesis toward myeloid lineages. [J Immunol]
Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis Infection Reduces Regulatory T Cells in Infected Atherosclerosis Patients
Whether P.gingivalis infection is associated with regulatory T cells (Tregs) dysregulation during atherosclerosis (AS) is still unknown and the prevalence of different P.gingivalis FimA genotypes during this process is unclear. Researchers analyzed the distribution of Tregs and in P.gingivalis-infected atherosclerotic patients to reveal the relationship between P.gingivalis infection and Tregs reduction/dysfunction and to elucidate their role in periodontitis-AS interaction. [PLoS One]
Full Article
HIV
Persistent HIV-1 Replication Is Associated with Lower Antiretroviral Drug Concentrations in Lymphatic Tissues
Researchers showed in lymph node samples obtained before and during 6 months of treatment that the tissue concentrations of five of the most frequently used antiretroviral drugs are much lower than in peripheral blood. These lower concentrations correlated with continued virus replication measured by the slower decay or increases in the follicular dendritic cell network pool of virions and with detection of viral RNA in productively infected cells. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA]
Abstract|Press Release
How HIV-1 Nef Hijacks the AP-2 Clathrin Adaptor to Downregulate CD4
The Nef protein of HIV-1 downregulates the cell surface co-receptor CD4 by hijacking the clathrin adaptor complex AP-2. The structural basis for the hijacking of AP-2 by Nef is revealed by a 2.9 Å crystal structure of Nef bound to the α and σ2 subunits of AP-2. Nef binds to AP-2 via its central loop (residues 149-179) and its core. [eLIFE]
Full Article|Press Release
Diabetes and Immunity to Tuberculosis
This review provides an update on the clinical and epidemiological features of tuberculosis in the diabetic population and relates them to recent advances in understanding the mechanistic basis of tuberculosis susceptibility and other complications of diabetes. [Eur J Immunol]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis in Immunosuppressed Individuals
Treatment of cutaneous and mucosal leishmaniasis can be challenging and systemic treatment is more often indicated. With globally increased travel and access to advanced medical care in developing countries, the leishmaniasis burden in immunosuppressed individuals will probably continue to rise, warranting increased awareness and enhanced surveillance systems. [Clin Microbiol Infect]
Abstract
Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the infectious disease research field.
VIB Scientists Find New Strategy to Combat Bacterial Infections
Alvin Lo and Han Remaut have identified a chemical substance with the potential of acting as a new drug to treat bacterial infections, particularly urinary tract infections. In contrast to the most popular antibiotics, this candidate drug does not destroy pathogenic bacteria, but rather disarms them. [VIB]
Press Release
Recruit Top Talent: Reach more than 50,000 potential candidates by posting
your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
Have we missed an important article or publication in Immunology of Infectious Disease News? Click here to submit!
Comments or Suggestions? Submit your feedback here.