Source
A genetically engineered live attenuated HIV vaccine has been developed at the University of Western Ontario, and US FDA approval was announced in mid-December of 2011. The vaccine has already been proven to stimulate immune response in animal subjects, and Phase I testing in HIV-infected human subjects began in January. The efforts of UWO and Sumagen Canada were also recently bolstered by a $728,000 boost from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
I'll try and dig up more information on how exactly this vaccine works, and what the genetic modification entails. I'm sure we all remember the Sabin vaccine controversy...
-Alan Le
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
The reservoir of Foot and Mouth disease in Mongolia
In Mongolia, outbreaks of food and mouth disease, caused by the foot and mouth disease virus, in the family picornaviridae, affects a wide range of mammals and cloven-hooved animals including: domestic sheep, goats, cattle, camels and Mongolian gazelles. This is a fatal disease, both economically and resource-wise, as about a third of the Mongolian population relies directly on livestock for survival.
Until recently, it was thought that the Mongolian gazelles were the main reservoir of this virus, however, the results of a recent study, entitled "Serosurveillance for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Mongolian Gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) and Livestock on the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia", proved otherwise. The researchers involved in the study collected blood samples from 36 gazelle calves and 57 adult gazelles to identify the existence and quantity of antibodies to the virus in their blood. They also collected more blood samples from other domestic animals that were kept in areas frequented by gazelles. These included: 138 sheep, 140 goats, 139 Bactrian camels, and 138 cattle and were used as a comparison. They found that in general, the pattern of antibody prevalence in the blood of these gazelles reflected the dynamics of foot and mouth disease outbreaks: for instance, they saw that during 1998-1999, which was free of foot and mouth disease outbreak, no antibodies were to be found in the blood samples of these gazelles, whereas during an outbreak in 2001, there was about 67% prevalence of antibodies in these animals. The study further analyzed following outbreak-free periods, during which the level of antibodies in the gazelle population continued to decline.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that the Mongolian gazelles were not the natural reservoir for the foot and mouth disease virus, but instead, become infected after spillover from livestock during the sporadic outbreaks.
- Julie
Until recently, it was thought that the Mongolian gazelles were the main reservoir of this virus, however, the results of a recent study, entitled "Serosurveillance for Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Mongolian Gazelles (Procapra gutturosa) and Livestock on the Eastern Steppe of Mongolia", proved otherwise. The researchers involved in the study collected blood samples from 36 gazelle calves and 57 adult gazelles to identify the existence and quantity of antibodies to the virus in their blood. They also collected more blood samples from other domestic animals that were kept in areas frequented by gazelles. These included: 138 sheep, 140 goats, 139 Bactrian camels, and 138 cattle and were used as a comparison. They found that in general, the pattern of antibody prevalence in the blood of these gazelles reflected the dynamics of foot and mouth disease outbreaks: for instance, they saw that during 1998-1999, which was free of foot and mouth disease outbreak, no antibodies were to be found in the blood samples of these gazelles, whereas during an outbreak in 2001, there was about 67% prevalence of antibodies in these animals. The study further analyzed following outbreak-free periods, during which the level of antibodies in the gazelle population continued to decline.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that the Mongolian gazelles were not the natural reservoir for the foot and mouth disease virus, but instead, become infected after spillover from livestock during the sporadic outbreaks.
- Julie
Norovirus Hits Close to Home: San Francisco High School Shut Down
Last week, a norovirus outbreak suddenly and dramatically hit St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco. School authorities and health professionals have scrambled to explain the source of the outbreak, but so far tests run to check possible contamination of the food or water supply, which would be the easiest way for the fecal-orally transmitted norovirus to spread so quickly, have come back negative. As of now, the school's population has been devastated with a 20% infection rate(!!). 300 students and 30 teachers all got acutely sick on last Wednesday with many vomiting at school. Because of the high infection rate and norovirus' extremely contagious nature, officials shut down the school and declared a 5-day weekend while testing was done and the entire school cleaned to eliminate any residual viral particles. As with the case of most norovirus outbreaks in America, all those affected are expected to recover in a matter of days even though several cases at the school resulted in trips to the hospital due to severe dehydration, likely so they could be treated by ORT.
Interestingly, one of the investigators relayed an anecdote that may explain the outbreak. Supposedly, a sick student vomited on one of the door handles in a main hallway and the janitors didn't disinfect the mess completely. Though the cause of this incident may never be known, the possibility that a single sick patient and a single vomiting could lead to over 300 ill speaks volumes about the incredibly contagious norovirus. We should be so lucky that such a virus is not more dangerous, and that all of these students will recover with no chronic infection.
-Zachary Herrera
Interestingly, one of the investigators relayed an anecdote that may explain the outbreak. Supposedly, a sick student vomited on one of the door handles in a main hallway and the janitors didn't disinfect the mess completely. Though the cause of this incident may never be known, the possibility that a single sick patient and a single vomiting could lead to over 300 ill speaks volumes about the incredibly contagious norovirus. We should be so lucky that such a virus is not more dangerous, and that all of these students will recover with no chronic infection.
-Zachary Herrera
Pediatric Rabies Patient in California Recovers
An eight year old girl with a history of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardio (occasional rapid heart rate) was seen by her pediatrician for a sore throat and vomiting on April 25th, 2011. A week later, she was taken to the emergency department on accounts of poor oral intake and dehydration. Two days after that incident, she returned to the emergency room for non-localized abdominal pain, neck and back pain and was discharged. The next day she returned with the previous days' symptoms, a rapid pulse, respiratory distress and acidosis. All infectious disease tests were negative with the exception of a positive rhinovirus PCR. As time progressed, she suffered from ascending flaccid paralysis, a fever, and decreased level of consciousness.
This patient was tested for west nile virus and enterovirus which both came back negative. Then, the Californa Department of Public Health Viral and Rickettsial Laboratory suggested testing for rabies based on the clinical syndromes. The tests came back positive for rabies-specific antibodies IgG and IgM . She was later sedated, received advanced supportive care and was placed in therapeutic coma. She, however, was not administered rabies immunoglobin or the post-exposure rabies vaccine. (why?)
A few weeks after the combined treatments and therapeutic coma, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation center where she regained fine motor skills as well as her cognitive skills.
A public health investigation in this rural county in California ruled possible exposure to the rabies virus through means of suspicious animal contact in school- the girl was apparently scratched by two cats in school weeks before the onset of the symptoms. Of all the cats tested, none came back positive for rabies. Nevertheless, precautions were taken and 27 people that came in contact with the girl were given post exposure prophylaxis.
-Angela Cesena
Source:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6104a1.htm?s_cid=mm6104a1_w
This patient was tested for west nile virus and enterovirus which both came back negative. Then, the Californa Department of Public Health Viral and Rickettsial Laboratory suggested testing for rabies based on the clinical syndromes. The tests came back positive for rabies-specific antibodies IgG and IgM . She was later sedated, received advanced supportive care and was placed in therapeutic coma. She, however, was not administered rabies immunoglobin or the post-exposure rabies vaccine. (why?)
A few weeks after the combined treatments and therapeutic coma, the patient was transferred to a rehabilitation center where she regained fine motor skills as well as her cognitive skills.
A public health investigation in this rural county in California ruled possible exposure to the rabies virus through means of suspicious animal contact in school- the girl was apparently scratched by two cats in school weeks before the onset of the symptoms. Of all the cats tested, none came back positive for rabies. Nevertheless, precautions were taken and 27 people that came in contact with the girl were given post exposure prophylaxis.
-Angela Cesena
Source:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6104a1.htm?s_cid=mm6104a1_w
Suing over STDs
Just had to share this funny story with you all, though it's a month old. It's about Michael Brown, a high-profile surgeon who went to court for beating his wives and paying ridiculous amounts of money for strippers among other things. The first line of this article reads: "Like herpes, Michael Brown is the gift that keeps on giving. And apparently one of those gifts is...herpes."
Basically, he gave one of his ex-girlfriends vaginal and anal herpes and lied about his STD status. Bad luck in terms of virus shedding and generally poor manners, but what's the problem?
Apparently, it's actually a misdemeanor in New York (also in other states, including CA) to knowingly withhold information from a partner and/or intentionally spread an infectious disease such as an STD. This is based in the person's right to know and the harm done to them, and constitutes a form of assault/battery. Plus, if the person's rich and already in a ton of trouble, you can sue for emotional damages and add fire to the scandal.
It seems to me that this could make fights about who-gave-who-what and taking revenge messier, but I think it's cool that the courts have this kind of protection for those who were taken advantage of and contracted a life-long, stigmatizing, and limiting disease. I'm trying to imagine living with herpes—its painful outbreaks and the constant risk you'd put a sexual partner in even if they consented. Not fun. So, I hope people who have it know about this law!
-Annelise
Basically, he gave one of his ex-girlfriends vaginal and anal herpes and lied about his STD status. Bad luck in terms of virus shedding and generally poor manners, but what's the problem?
Apparently, it's actually a misdemeanor in New York (also in other states, including CA) to knowingly withhold information from a partner and/or intentionally spread an infectious disease such as an STD. This is based in the person's right to know and the harm done to them, and constitutes a form of assault/battery. Plus, if the person's rich and already in a ton of trouble, you can sue for emotional damages and add fire to the scandal.
It seems to me that this could make fights about who-gave-who-what and taking revenge messier, but I think it's cool that the courts have this kind of protection for those who were taken advantage of and contracted a life-long, stigmatizing, and limiting disease. I'm trying to imagine living with herpes—its painful outbreaks and the constant risk you'd put a sexual partner in even if they consented. Not fun. So, I hope people who have it know about this law!
-Annelise
Viruses on Cruise Ships!
In Fort Everglades, Florida, 2 cruise ships (of Princess Cruises) were forced to return to port after experiencing gastrointestinal sickness outbreaks among passengers and staff. The Crown Princess had nearly 150 sick people aboard when it returned to port, and the Ruby Princess had 92 infected passengers and 13 infected crew members.
A spokesperson for the cruise line said that the two outbreaks were unrelated, but let's be honest: the food may have very well been contaminated. Proper steps were taken once reports of gastrointestinal illness became common: disinfection of surfaces (railings, door handles, elevator buttons), encouraged hand-washing, and placement of hand sanitizer around the ship.
I was simply entertained by the fact that these simultaneous "cruise ship illnesses" occurred directly following our Humans&Viruses journey into the world of norovirus and diarrhea. It reminded me of my own experiences at Stanford Sierra Camp (where I worked 2 summers) and the constant dread of a norovirus outbreak among staffers there. I'll never forget the phrase "no noro" that would be uttered before sharing drinks or similar... probably not the overall best virus prevention...
Article: http://www.local10.com/news/Passengers-become-sick-on-2-Princess-cruise-ships/-/1717324/8595618/-/15hew72/-/
- Elena Higuchi
A spokesperson for the cruise line said that the two outbreaks were unrelated, but let's be honest: the food may have very well been contaminated. Proper steps were taken once reports of gastrointestinal illness became common: disinfection of surfaces (railings, door handles, elevator buttons), encouraged hand-washing, and placement of hand sanitizer around the ship.
I was simply entertained by the fact that these simultaneous "cruise ship illnesses" occurred directly following our Humans&Viruses journey into the world of norovirus and diarrhea. It reminded me of my own experiences at Stanford Sierra Camp (where I worked 2 summers) and the constant dread of a norovirus outbreak among staffers there. I'll never forget the phrase "no noro" that would be uttered before sharing drinks or similar... probably not the overall best virus prevention...
Article: http://www.local10.com/news/Passengers-become-sick-on-2-Princess-cruise-ships/-/1717324/8595618/-/15hew72/-/
- Elena Higuchi
Saturday, February 4, 2012
The New Official Recommendations for Vaccinating Boys Against HPV Are Finally Here
Recently there has been a new wave of studies on oral HPV. Just last week, the New York Times reported on a study which found that there are actually now more men with oral HPV than Women. In fact Pooja even posted about it.
Historically the HPV vaccine has been recommended for girls and only encouraged for boys. This was because it was thought that boys were not nearly as susceptible to disease from HPV as girls. Of course it was encouraged to prevent genital warts and certain cancers however it was usually thought that the cancers were rare and could be somewhat looked over.
However, with the recent concern over oral HPV and its link to throat cancer the CDC has published a brand new recommendation. A footnote has been added to the HPV schedule which includes a “recommendation of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV4) vaccine for males aged 11 or 12 years and catch-up vaccination for males 13 to 21 years of age. Males aged 22 to 26 years may be vaccinated with HPV4 vaccine.” (Annals of Internal Medicine).
From Human and Viruses we of course know that this is an important step in reducing the disease prevalence within society. While the fact that men are also susceptible to cancer from HPV not good news, a push to get everyone (male or female) vaccinated will be an important step to reducing overall infection.
Which reminds me, I suppose it’s time for me to get my vaccine.
--Elena Jordan
The original article Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule: United States, 2012 found in Annals of Internal Medicine can be viewed at http://www.annals.org/content/early/2012/01/30/0003-4819-156-3-201202070-00388.full
The New York times article can be viewed at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/new-vaccine-recommendations-hpv-for-boys-hepatitis-b-for-diabetics/?ref=health
Historically the HPV vaccine has been recommended for girls and only encouraged for boys. This was because it was thought that boys were not nearly as susceptible to disease from HPV as girls. Of course it was encouraged to prevent genital warts and certain cancers however it was usually thought that the cancers were rare and could be somewhat looked over.
However, with the recent concern over oral HPV and its link to throat cancer the CDC has published a brand new recommendation. A footnote has been added to the HPV schedule which includes a “recommendation of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV4) vaccine for males aged 11 or 12 years and catch-up vaccination for males 13 to 21 years of age. Males aged 22 to 26 years may be vaccinated with HPV4 vaccine.” (Annals of Internal Medicine).
From Human and Viruses we of course know that this is an important step in reducing the disease prevalence within society. While the fact that men are also susceptible to cancer from HPV not good news, a push to get everyone (male or female) vaccinated will be an important step to reducing overall infection.
Which reminds me, I suppose it’s time for me to get my vaccine.
--Elena Jordan
The original article Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule: United States, 2012 found in Annals of Internal Medicine can be viewed at http://www.annals.org/content/early/2012/01/30/0003-4819-156-3-201202070-00388.full
The New York times article can be viewed at http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/new-vaccine-recommendations-hpv-for-boys-hepatitis-b-for-diabetics/?ref=health
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