GemPharmatech’s Post

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) coupled with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection can be deadly for immunocompromised individuals, making fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment critical. However, COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) can be difficult to diagnose, due to shared clinical features of IA and COVID-19. PCR as a complement to traditional microbiological invasive fungal diseases tests can improve diagnostic accuracy, helping clinicians implement appropriate therapies faster and reducing the risk of antifungal resistance. Learn more by reading our App Note: https://lnkd.in/gyYW2TvS #BrukerMID #Aspergillus #covid19 #WorldAspergillosisDay #PCR #MolecularDiagnostics #fungi #FungalPathogen #aspergilliosis

https://lnkd.in/dcV6snwq ⚫️ Adjunctive N-Acetylcysteine and Lung Function in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Many patients with cured tuberculosis have permanent lung injury. This trial tested whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) had beneficial antimicrobial effects and an impact on posttreatment lung function. A total of 140 adults with moderate or far-advanced tuberculosis were assigned 1:1 to standard therapy with or without oral NAC. Although glutathione levels increased with NAC treatment, thus showing biologic activity, there was no impact on microbiologic cure. In a secondary analysis, NAC-treated patients had improved recovery of lung function. @The_NEJM

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report, the number of lives lost due to viral hepatitis is increasing. The disease is the second leading infectious cause of death globally -- with 1.3 million deaths per year, the same as tuberculosis, a top infectious killer. Good news! Significant progress in Hepatitis C treatment is on the horizon. A recent study led by Associate Professor Seungbong Han from Korea University College of Medicine explores the impact of Direct Acting Antiviral agents (DAAs) on the fibrotic disease burden in chronic HCV patients. With an impressive 90% effective response rate, DAAs are transforming the treatment approach. This research underscores the critical importance of early intervention and evidence-based healthcare resource allocation. The findings could drive nationwide screening efforts, ultimately reducing healthcare costs associated with advanced liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer. How do you think early intervention strategies can further improve healthcare outcomes and resource efficiency? #HepatitisC #PublicHealth #LiverDisease #EarlyIntervention #SustainableHealthcare

Inflammatix, Inc. has secured $57 million in new funding as it awaits FDA review for its innovative infectious disease blood test. This financing will support the commercial rollout of their TriVerity test, which rapidly profiles the body’s immune response to differentiate between bacterial and viral infections and assess sepsis risk. With results available in just 30 minutes, this test aims to help clinicians make critical decisions on antibiotic use and patient care. For more insights, read the full article on Fierce Biotech. #MedicalTechnology #InfectiousDisease #FDAApproval #Innovation

The relationship between hepatitis B and COVID-19 "It is not yet fully understood how COVID-19 infection, without using an immunosuppressant, directly affects the pathophysiology of HBVr because of a lack of data. Reportedly, 33%–96% of patients with COVID-19 experience lymphopenia, which could potentially lead to an increase in viral load and ultimately cause HBVr.14 More research is required to understand the relationship between COVID-19 and HBVr."

The study highlights age-specific differences in the response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in nasal epithelial cells. While children rarely progress to respiratory failure, older adults face a higher risk of mortality. The research found distinct cellular responses across age groups, with pediatric cells showing an inflammatory response and altered viral replication, and older adult cells facilitating viral spread and exhibiting changes in epithelial repair pathways. Understanding these age-related differences can help tailor interventions and treatments for COVID-19. #COVID19 #AgeSpecificResponse #NasalEpithelialCells 🧬👩🔬👴👶

A new paper published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases found that interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN), an endogenous anti-inflammatory protein, modulates the severity of COVID-19 via endogenous anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The study also showed that carriers of a certain IL-1RN variant were less likely to develop severe COVID-19, and male carriers specifically were ~80% less likely to die from it.   This is just one piece of research in the evolving quest to understand and treat COVID-19, and one that comes as cases of long COVID become more common and continue to impair quality of life for millions of people. As #inflammation is increasingly recognized as a direct cause of the “brain fog” experienced by many with long COVID, these findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting anti-inflammatory molecules as potential treatments for conditions resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection. #AcademicResearch #LifeSciencesIndustry #HealthcareCommunications

What are the recent updates in the testing for anti-SS-A/Ro antibodies in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases? Listen to our latest "Hot Topic" to learn more. https://bit.ly/3ToqFbQ

A drug to prevent flu-induced lung injury Infection with the influenza virus leads to lung injury through inflammation over-activation that causes collateral damage to cells required for breathing. Such damage can be life-threatening, but scientists have a new preventative treatment. A research team created a drug that can prevent flu-induced lung injury. In a mouse model, the drug achieves a novel balance between shutting down runaway inflammation and allowing the immune system to stop the virus. In a series of experiments, the drug UH15-38 protected against lethal influenza. Results showed that the drug protected mouse models from similar amounts of influenza that humans experience, even at low doses. Additionally, the team found that a high drug dose could fully protect against an infection with a substantial amount of virus, which would usually be deadly. The models were protected even if they received the dose days after infection, a difficult achievement for an influenza therapeutic. The collaborating scientists achieved a Goldilocks amount of inflammation using clever chemistry. Their new drug inhibited one part of a major inflammation protein in immune cells: Receptor-Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3). RIPK3 controls two cell death pathways in response to infection: apoptosis and necroptosis. Necroptosis is highly inflammatory, but apoptosis is not. Both pathways are used in the antiviral response. UH15-38 was designed to prevent RIPK3 from starting necroptosis while maintaining its pro-apoptotic properties. #ScienceMission #sciencenewshighlights https://lnkd.in/gkC5PqWU

Epstein–Barr Viral Load Monitoring Strategy and the Risk for Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disease in Adult Liver