A protein essential for chikungunya virus replication identified

Chikungunya is an infectious disease caused by a mosquito-borne virus transmitted to humans. It is characterized by high fever and intense joint and muscle pain that can last for several months. The mechanisms of infection of human cells with the virus remain very poorly understood. Researchers have now identified a protein that is crucial in order for the virus to replicate within its target cells. This research opens up therapeutic avenues in the fight against chikungunya.

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New fungus-derived antibiotic: Relief in sight for immunocompromised people

Infections that are treatable in healthy people can often be fatal in immunocompromised individuals (people with a weak immune system), and hence, they require specialized treatment. Eushearilide is already known to be active against a wide range of pathogenic fungi and yeasts, but its antibacterial properties have not been explored. Now, scientists have derived a new compound from eushearilide and demonstrated its antibacterial and antifungal properties. It can be used to treat lung infections, meningitis, and encephalitis.

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Unravelling an alternative mechanism of airway mucosal immunity

Researchers have identified two key proteins, ASC and NLRP3, in the maintenance of the innate immune homeostasis in the airway. These proteins do so by a caspase-1-independent mechanism, suggesting that there may be multiple mechanisms involved in protection against microbial infections.

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For hospitalized patients with fungal infections, specialists save lives

Fungal bloodstream infections are responsible for the deaths of more than 10,000 people every year. New research shows that the death rate can be reduced by 20% if infectious disease specialists oversee care of such patients.

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Breakthrough in understanding enzymes that make antibiotic for drug-resistant pathogen

One of the WHO's 3 critical priority pathogens, Acinetobacter baumannii, for which new antibiotics are urgently needed is one step closer to being tackled, as researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the enzymes that assemble the antibiotic enacyloxin.

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