By Linda on Dec 16, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
Traditional Chinese medicine commands a unique position among all traditional medicines because of its 5000 years of history. Our own interest in natural products from traditional Chinese medicine was triggered in the 1990s, by artemisinin‐type sesquiterpene lactones from Artemisia annua L. As demonstrated in recent years, this class of compounds has activity against malaria, cancer cells, and schistosomiasis. Interestingly, the bioactivity of artemisinin and its semisynthetic derivative artesunate is even broader and includes the inhibition of certain viruses, such as human cytomegalovirus and other members of the Herpesviridae family (e.g., herpes simplex virus type 1 and Epstein‐Barr virus), hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus. Analysis of the complete profile of the pharmacological activities and molecular modes of action of artemisinin and artesunate and their performance in clinical trials will further elucidate the full antimicrobial potential of these versatile pharmacological tools from nature. Continued
By Linda on Nov 22, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
On the Trail of a Vaccine for Lyme Disease: Yale Researchers Target Tick Saliva
Published: November 18, 2009
New Haven, Conn. — A protein found in the saliva of ticks helps protect mice from developing Lyme disease, Yale researchers have discovered. The findings, published in the November 19 issue of Cell Host & Microbe, may spur development of a new vaccine against infection from Lyme disease, which is spread through tick bites. Continued
By Linda on Nov 16, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
DEHLI (Reuters Health) - Diagnosis of malaria by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of saliva is non-invasive and comparable to the current gold standard blood smear examination, a multicenter group of researchers reports.
A rapid test for malaria that has a high sensitivity and specificity “could potentially avert more than 100,000 malaria-related deaths each year and save nearly $200 million that is spent on unnecessary treatments annually,” Dr. Davis C. Nwakanma from the Medical Research Council, Fajara, Banjul, Gambia and his team and colleagues estimate. Continued
By Linda on Nov 16, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Jul 29 - New research indicates that artemisinin resistance among Plasmodium falciparum isolates is common in western Cambodia and that in vitro testing may give false results.
Findings from another study indicate that inoculation of intact sporozoites can induce protection against malaria challenge. Both studies are reported in The New England Journal of Medicine for July 30. Continued
