Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Pathologist
  • Explore Pathology

    Explore

    • Latest
    • Insights
    • Case Studies
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Research & Innovations
    • Product Profiles

    Featured Topics

    • Molecular Pathology
    • Infectious Disease
    • Digital Pathology

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Subspecialties
    • Oncology
    • Histology
    • Cytology
    • Hematology
    • Endocrinology
    • Neurology
    • Microbiology & Immunology
    • Forensics
    • Pathologists' Assistants
  • Training & Education

    Career Development

    • Professional Development
    • Career Pathways
    • Workforce Trends

    Educational Resources

    • Guidelines & Recommendations
    • App Notes

    Events

    • Webinars
    • Live Events
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Profiles & Community

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Multimedia
    • Video
    • Podcasts
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Pathologist / Issues / 2023 / May / What’s New in Infectious Disease? (1)
Technology and innovation Screening and monitoring Infectious Disease

What’s New in Infectious Disease?

From environmental bacteriophages to cap snatching viruses, we bring you the latest news in infectious disease

By Georgia Hulme 05/16/2023 News 1 min read

Share

Flipping the script. A study that assessed the ecological and human health profiles of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) – a frequently used antimicrobial – has found multiple areas of concern. Researchers discovered that exposure not only has chronic toxicological effects for vulnerable aquatic organisms, but also has a number of respiratory, immunological, and dermal implications for humans (1).

Making a splash. A group of researchers have conducted Typhi-specific bacteriophage surveillance in surface water bodies to identify typhoid endemic settings. The low cost tool proved there was a strong link between the presence of Typhi-specific phages in the environment and the burden of typhoid fever. The team hopes that environmental bacteriophages can be leveraged for the future collection of data on disease burden (2).

Credit: Image sourced from Unsplash.com

In it for the long run. Measuring neutralizing antibody (nAB) durability after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is critical to understand the level of protection given by the vaccine. New evidence reveals that mRNA vaccines initially produce higher nAb responses compared with the adenovirus-vectored vaccine, Ad26.COV2.S. However, after a period of six months, follow-up investigations revealed that patients who received the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine showed an increase in neutralization and, overall, had more nABs (3).  

Breathe in, breathe out. Cavity-enhanced direct frequency comb spectroscopy – a novel laser-based technique – has successfully detected SARS-CoV-2 in real-time by identifying volatile molecules in exhaled breath. The researchers hope that the non-invasive method can identify other medical conditions – particularly those with respiratory, gastrointestinal, or metabolic origin (4).

No cap. Researchers have discovered that the enzyme MTr1 is essential for influenza A and B replication. In a process called “cap snatching,” the virus hijacks the cellular RNA molecules of MTr1 for its own replication. The team also found that trifluoromethyl-tubercidin (TFMT) successfully inhibits MTr1 in human lung explants, providing a potential molecule for the treatment of influenza (5).

Newsletters

Receive the latest pathology news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. W A Arnold et al., Environ Sci Technol, [Online ahead of print]. PMID: 37157132
  2. S Shrestha et al., medRxiv, [Preprint] (2023).
  3.  A A Prather et al., Sci Rep, 13 (2023). PMID: 37160978
  4.  Q Liang et al., J Breath Res, 17 (2023). PMID: 37016829
  5.  Y Tsukamoto et al., Science, 379, 586 (2023). PMID: 36758070

About the Author(s)

Georgia Hulme

Associate Editor for the Pathologist

More Articles by Georgia Hulme

Explore More in Pathology

Dive deeper into the world of pathology. Explore the latest articles, case studies, expert insights, and groundbreaking research.

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

Related Content

The Viral Frontier
Infectious Disease
The Viral Frontier

January 23, 2024

1 min read

The latest on the UK COVID-19 inquiry

What’s New in Infectious Disease? (December 2021)
Infectious Disease
What’s New in Infectious Disease?

December 23, 2021

1 min read

The latest research and news on COVID-19 and the infectious disease landscape

Immunology Insights
Infectious Disease
Immunology Insights

January 13, 2022

1 min read

The latest research in pathology and laboratory medicine

Pneumocystis Mysteries
Infectious Disease
Pneumocystis Mysteries

January 21, 2022

1 min read

What is the correct name for this pneumonia-causing pathogen?

False

The Pathologist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.