Viruses Beyond the Villains: The Incredible World of Beneficial Viruses 

Scientists have estimated the presence of a staggering 10 nonillion (10^31) viruses on our planet, a number that surpasses stars in the universe by a factor of 100 million. While viruses are often synonymous with illness and harm, their immense diversity hints at a much more complex narrative. Yes, viruses possess the extraordinary capability to… Continue reading Viruses Beyond the Villains: The Incredible World of Beneficial Viruses 

Pitavastatin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in HIV Infection

The risk of cardiovascular disease is increased among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, so data regarding primary prevention strategies in this population are needed.METHODSIn this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned 7769 participants with HIV infection with a low-to-moderate risk of cardiovascular disease who were receiving antiretroviral therapy to receive daily pitavastatin calcium… Continue reading Pitavastatin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in HIV Infection

Increased emergency cardiovascular events among under-40 population in Israel during vaccine rollout and third COVID-19 wave

Cardiovascular adverse conditions are caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections and reported as side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccines. Enriching current vaccine safety surveillance systems with additional data sources may improve the understanding of COVID-19 vaccine safety. Using a unique dataset from Israel National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from 2019 to 2021, the study aims… Continue reading Increased emergency cardiovascular events among under-40 population in Israel during vaccine rollout and third COVID-19 wave

Controlled Hookworm Infection for Medication-free Maintenance in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot, Double-blind, Randomized Control Trial

BackgroundHuman hookworm has been proposed as a treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC). This pilot study assessed the feasibility of a full-scale randomized control trial examining hookworm to maintain clinical remission in patients with UC.MethodsTwenty patients with UC in disease remission (Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index [SCCAI] ≤4 and fecal calprotectin (fCal) <100 ug/g) and only… Continue reading Controlled Hookworm Infection for Medication-free Maintenance in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: A Pilot, Double-blind, Randomized Control Trial

IgG4 Antibodies Induced by Repeated Vaccination May Generate Immune Tolerance to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

Less than a year after the global emergence of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, a novel vaccine platform based on mRNA technology was introduced to the market. Globally, around 13.38 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses of diverse platforms have been administered. To date, 72.3% of the total population has been injected at least once with a COVID-19 vaccine.… Continue reading IgG4 Antibodies Induced by Repeated Vaccination May Generate Immune Tolerance to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein

Myocarditis Cases Reported After mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccination in the US From December 2020 to August 2021

Vaccination against COVID-19 provides clear public health benefits, but vaccination also carries potential risks. The risks and outcomes of myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination are unclear.Objective  To describe reports of myocarditis and the reporting rates after mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination in the US.Design, Setting, and Participants  Descriptive study of reports of myocarditis to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System… Continue reading Myocarditis Cases Reported After mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccination in the US From December 2020 to August 2021

Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections

Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), which inhibit the adherence of p‐fimbriated Escherichia coli to the urothelial cells lining the bladder. Cranberry products have been used widely for several decades to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). This is the fifth update of a review first published in 1998 and updated in 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2012.ObjectivesTo assess… Continue reading Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections

Early Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin: A ‘Real-Life’ Monocentric Retrospective Cohort Study of 30,423 COVID-19 Patients

AbstractObjective To estimate the comparative effectiveness of combination therapy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and azithromycin for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)- related death based on a large monocentric cohort independent of investigators’ putative biases in a real-world setting.Design Retrospective monocentric cohort study, with comprehensive data collection authenticated by an external bailiff and death reports from a national… Continue reading Early Treatment with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin: A ‘Real-Life’ Monocentric Retrospective Cohort Study of 30,423 COVID-19 Patients

Using source-associated mobile genetic elements to identify zoonotic extraintestinal E. coli infections

Highlights•Meat may be an important vehicle for human exposure to extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strains from food animals.•We present a novel approach for predicting the origins of clinical E. coli isolates.•Approximately 8% of the clinical E. coli isolates in our population appeared to be foodborne zoonotic strains.•Foodborne zoonotic E. coli strains were associated with asymptomatic… Continue reading Using source-associated mobile genetic elements to identify zoonotic extraintestinal E. coli infections