Zoonotic & Vector-Borne Diseases

In this update, we cover the latest news this past week associated with the Zika virus.

Joergen Richt, DVM, PhD, discusses which animal models are being used to study Zika virus.

In a new study reviewing existing literature, researchers have found that more than 2 dozen viruses have been detected in human semen.

Viviane Boaventura, MD, MsC, PhD, shares how past research has demonstrated that adults can experience Zika-associated hearing loss.

Silvio Pitlik, MD, visiting scientist, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, explains how the first Lyme disease patients were misdiagnosed.

Although West Nile virus activity is set to taper off in the coming weeks, state health agencies are continue to report new cases, reminding the public that mosquito activity and new infections may continue well into fall.

Puppies sold by national pet store chain have been identified as the potential source of an ongoing multistate Campylobacter outbreak.

NIH scientists have developed a novel organ culture model to study ticks that transmit flaviviruses.

Joergen Richt, DVM, PhD, discusses the transmission cycle of Zika virus.

New research has shown that the devastating effects of the Zika virus on the newborn brain may be the key to destroying glioblastoma in adults.

In a new study on factors that make individuals susceptible to infectious diseases, researchers have found that cholesterol-lowering drugs may reduce susceptibility to certain diseases.

Researchers suggest the need to consider previous infection with dengue in the development of any new prophylactic modality.

As the United States enters the final weeks of West Nile virus season, state health officials from around the country report several new deaths caused by the virus.

A relatively rare mosquito-borne virus has hit a couple of US states this summer, and it has health officials urging state residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites.

Keck School of Medicine at USC study has found that Zika virus suppresses pregnant women’s immune systems, which enables the virus to spread, causing harm to unborn baby.

A new study suggests that sexual transmission of Zika virus may create a higher risk for fetal disease than transmission via mosquito.

The new test examines proteins and peptides in saliva using proteomics, the study of proteomes and their functions.

Stay up-to-date on the latest infectious disease news by checking out this snapshot of our top 5 articles of the week.

A new study is disputing previous findings that the Zika virus persists in semen for up to 188 days.

Those US residents affected by Hurricane Harvey need to be mindful of rodent-borne infections that can spread from displaced rodents.

With federal and state officials rescuing Texas and Louisiana residents from the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey, health experts are looking into the storm’s impact on mosquitoes carrying West Nile and Zika viruses.

Joergen Richt, DVM, PhD, discusses animals that have proven susceptible to Zika virus replication after experimental infection.

Benznidazole has been granted accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in children aged 2 to 12 years with Chagas disease.

Kedrion Biopharma and Kamada Ltd. recently announced that KEDRAB, a post-exposure prophylaxis to be used against rabies infection has just been approved by the FDA.

As cases of murine typhus in Texas are on the rise and occurring in more counties in the state, researchers are investigating the spread of the flea-borne disease.

NIAID researchers make an unexpected discovery when examining how a cellular enzyme complex regulates herpesvirus; inhibiting the enzyme suppressed viral infection.

New West Nile virus cases are being reported by states in the South, Midwest, and West Coast region, as health officials look to September and the end of the season.

As new human cases of West Nile virus spring up in Mississippi, and health officials report a new West Nile virus-associated death in Louisiana, the first human case this season has sprung up in New York City.

The less-costly tobacco-plant derived vaccine will be targeted for the developing world.

New research on Zika, cases of swine flu infections, parallels between Zika and HIV, a new warning sign of HIV infection, and an increase in cyclospora cayetanensis infections in United States make up the top 5 articles this week.