Virology News

Northern hybridization results showed that the 5′ capped RNA3 segments are slightly smaller than the homologous vcRNA3 and are not polyadenylated. These data suggest that FMV generates 5′ capped mRNAs via cap-snatching, similar to strategies used by other negative-sense multipartite ssRNA viruses.

Nice one Bryce!!  Long, long time since I visited you in Davis....

Results Primary HPV screening was the preferred primary test over the age of 30 in many considered scenarios. Primary cytology screening was preferred only in scenarios with low costs of cytology and in scenarios with a high prevalence of HPV in combination with high costs of HPV testing.

Conclusions Most European countries should consider switching from primary cytology to HPV screening for cervical cancer. HPV screening must, however, only be implemented in situations where screening is well controlled.

Image by Russell Kightley Media

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (otcqb/otcbb:GOVX), an Atlanta – based biopharmaceutical firm developing vaccines to prevent and fight Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections, announced receipt of an “Allowed to Proceed” notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human clinical testing of its granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) -adjuvanted DNA/MVA vaccine. The Phase 1 trial is being sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, and will be conducted by the NIAID-funded HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) under protocol HVTN 094.

And they tell you all that, then don't actually say what the vaccine is.

In a new twist in the ongoing controversy over publication of two studies involving H5N1 viruses with increased transmissibility, there are indications that the Dutch government may consider using export regulations to prevent full publication of the study by Ron Fouchier, PhD, and colleagues.

In a Mar 7 letter to the Dutch parliament, the country's minister of public health, welfare, and sport, Dr. E. I. Schippers, said an export permit is required for dissemination of detailed information about the H5N1 virus outside the European Union. If such a permit is requested, the government will consider the health and safety risks of granting it, the minister said.

In addition, a Mar 9 report in a Dutch newspaper, the Amsterdam-based Volkskrant, said that Henk Bleker, the nation's secretary for agriculture and foreign trade, thinks that the government could prevent publication of the virus "recipe" by denying an export license.

Deities preserve us from stupid people....

Might some forms of neurological illness be caused at least partly by infectious agents?

Might some forms of neurological illness, such as multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia, be caused at least partly by bacteria, viruses or other parasites? A largely Danish team has recently published evidence of a strong association between multiple sclerosis and a retrovirus, together with hints that a gene called TRIM5, which is used by cells to fight viruses, is especially active in people with MS.

Held every 3 years, Options for the Control of Influenza is the largest international scientific conference exclusively devoted to influenza. Options VIII will showcase recent advances in the basic science and control and prevention of influenza. Whatever your domain of expertise – virology, veterinary medicine, human medicine, public health policy, industry or journalism – Options for the Control of Influenza VIII is the premier conference bringing together experts dedicated to all aspects of influenza. Presentation formats will include keynote addresses, invited lectures, scientific workshops, abstract presentations, satellite meetings and poster sessions.

The 2013 conference will allow delegates to experience the beauty and warm hospitality of Cape Town, South Africa. Delegates at Options VIII will experience an unforgettable mix of modern and traditional African ambience. Options VIII will highlight these characteristics along with cultural events strategically placed within the agenda. In addition, delegates will be provided an opportunity to participate in many pre-conference or post-conference tours on their own to encounter nature and history and create memories to treasure.

We'll be there...hopefully, reporting on our efforts to establish plant-based influenza vaccine manufacture in South Africa

Image by Russell Kightley Media

The key finding of the Blackman study is that the mechanism by which a type of white blood cell, called a CD8 T cell, controls the virus differs between the initial active phase of infection and long-term latent infection. These novel findings will accelerate efforts to develop therapies to control gamma-herpesvirus infections and prevent the development of virus-associated cancers.

Image from Russell Kightley Media

Scientists who have mutated an airborne version of the killer bird flu virus H5N1 say it's essential their research be published in order to find a cure, but opponents say this would produce a 'how to' manual for terrorists.

Nice set of interviews and balanced account - with Vincent Racaniello, Laurie Garrett, and Ron Fouchier

Image from Russell Kightley Media

Media release from University of SydneyYou might have heard of warming up for a football match, butresearchers from the University of Sydney are hoping that warmingup for a flu vaccine could imprve its effectiveness and reduce illness and death in the elderly.

Whatever next - yoga before HPV?

For the first 60 years of virus discovery, there was no system for classifying viruses. Consequently viruses were named haphazardly, a practice that continues today.

Ummmm...no, not if the ICTV can help it!  This would be a usewful guide:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Virus-Taxonomy-International-Committee-Viruses/dp/0122499514

HIV-positive youngsters who were infected before or at birth reveal their secret lives...

"A recent survey by the National Aids Trust found that one in five adults do not realise the disease can be transmitted through sex without a condom. Fewer than half believe it can be passed by sharing needles or syringes. Around 10% believe it can be transmitted through kissing and spitting – an increase of 100% since 2007.

The stigma that society places on HIV has another, even nastier knock-on effect: it means that children cannot be told of their diagnosis until they are judged to be able to keep it confidential.

The consequence of this is that unlike other childhood diseases, children born with HIV often learn of their diagnosis after they have already absorbed the fear and believed the lies about the disease that swill around society. The trauma can be deep and long-lasting."

The pandemic is 30-odd years old, and still rolling - and we have millions of people to look after, who will be with us for many years - thanks to ARVs and HAART.  In South Africa, ARV provision is rapidly becoming the single biggest health expense.  We need some other interventions NOW.