Genes Key to Staph Disease Severity, Drug Resistance Found Hitchhiking Together

Staphylococcus bacteria have been found to contain and transfer genes that determine the virulence of the bacteria with regards to the disease it causes. These bacteria are also capable of becoming drug resistant via horizontal gene transfer of the resistance genes. It was thought that these processes of exchanging virulence genes and resistance genes occurred separately, but in recent research using strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, it was discovered that these two genes are often bundled together and transferred to other bacteria as a package. The two bacteria used in the study, both of which commonly infect and reside on skin, have become progressively more virulent and resistant, making them good candidates for this research. Resistance genes and virulence genes each are associated with specific toxins and what specifically linked the two genes together was a new toxin found in the bundles of these genes called PSM-mec. Linking these genes together with the toxin provides a new pathway for further research in preventing, controlling or treating staph infections and especially drug resistant strains such as MRSA.

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/staphgenes.htm

Antigenic Drift and Shift

Influenza virus is one of the most changeable of viruses. These changes maybe small or large and are abrupt.
Small changes happen in type A and B influenza as the virus makes copies of itself. This process is known as antignic drift. The drifting is frequent enough to make strains of virus the human immune system cant recognize. That is the reason new flu vaccines have to be produced each year to combat that years new strain. Type A influenza also undergoes sudden changes, know as antigenic shift. This shift occurs when two different flu strains infect the same cell and exchange genetic mateial. The assorment of HA or NA proteins in a shifted virus creates a new influenza A subtype. Because people have no immune to new subtype, their appearance tends to coincide with severe flu epidemic or pandemic.

H1N1 Treatment (Antiviral Drugs)

H1N1 is described as "swine flu" and is a new influenza virus. The illness is treated by antivirals. During the 2009-2010 flu season antivirals are going to be used to treat as well as prevent (chemoprophylaxis) of influenza. These prescription drugs decrease the ability of flu viruses to reproduce, which can make the body recover faster and help to prevent serious complications. Antivirals are being prescribed to those with serious conditions including those being hospitalized and those who are more likely to suffer from influenza related-complications. Clinicians are told to prescribe antivirals only to those with the greatest risk. This will limit antiviral resistance, which is a growing worry. Those with confirmed illness, children younger than 2 years, adults older than 65, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions will be given precedence to the drugs. However, most individuals with the illness will recover without the use of drugs. Pre-exposure is recommended for health care and public health workers and those working under H1N1 outbreak conditions. Those found to have influenza are give the antivirals oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza). Treament is most effective if given within 48 hours of onset, yet improvement has been seen in cases when the treatment starts later than 48 hours. The duration is usually 5 days, but can be longer. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm

Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection

http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2009/herpesHIV.htm


With herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) being the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world the chance of getting HIV is increased by 2 to 3 times when an individual already has HSV-2. Why? A study was conducted to find out why having HSV-2 increased the chance of contracting HIV. Biopsies where taken from genital area of non HSV-2 individuals, and well as that of individuals with HSV-2. The test was conducted in different phases making sure to capture HSV-2 prior, during and post outbreak. The study concluded even though the people with HSV-2 had been given acyclovir (herpes medication) there weren’t a significant differences of those infected vs. unaffected who had taken the medication. The HSV-2 biopsies showed an increased risk of contracting HIV when the virus was introduced by 2-37 % increased risk than that of unaffected genital skin. More importantly finding the immune cell environment of HSV-2 biopsies where to a large extent more conductive to HIV infection. Dr. Corey stated “We hypothesized that sores and breaks in the skin from HSV-2 are associated with a long-lasting immune response at those locations, and that the response consists of an influx of cells that are a perfect storm for HIV infection,” which is alarming but a step in the right direction in understanding HIV and how it effects immune response. Developing a vaccine for HSV would possibly benefit in a decrease the risk of people contracting HIV.

Initial Results Show Pregnant Women Mount Strong Immune Response To One Dose of 2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine

There has been a clinical trial sponsored by the National Institutes of Health for pregnant women and the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. It has been found that healthy pregnant women are having a great immune response to the vaccine. Pregnant women are said to be one of the most vulnerable againt the H1N1 Flu. There has been many cases of hospitalization, as well as death in pregnant women with H1N1. However, since the vaccination has been available it has showed a great amount of protection againt the flu. The trial consisted of two different doses, a 15 microgram dose and 30 microgram doese. The results from the trial showed protection for 23 of 25 pregnant women who received the 15 microgram dose of vaccine and protection for 24 of 25 pregnant women who received a 30 microgram dose of vaccine. The H1N1 flu vaccines given to these pregnant women contains a purified portion of the killed virus which prevents infection. It does not contain preservative thimerosal or an immune boosting substance. So far, the vaccine appears to be well tolerated by the pregnant women.

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/11/20091102a.html

2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and Feeding your Baby: What Parents Should Know

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/infantfeeding.htm

Diagnosing the Flu

Doctors find it hard to diagnose a person with the flu because it could be the flu or other possible viruses. If a person thinks they have the flu within 2 to 3 days a doctor can run test to determine if the person has the flu. People that are at high risk are pregnant women, young children and people that have chronic diseases. If a person falls under these categoriesthey need to see their doctor right away. Seeing a doctor immediately is very important since Swine flu can be deadly.