Viral Infections tagged posts

In a potentially game-changing development, scientists with the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC have revealed a new understanding of sometimes fatal viral infections that affect the heart.

Traditionally, the focus has been on heart inflammation known as myocarditis, which is often triggered by the body’s immune response to a viral infection.

However, a new study led by James Smyth, associate professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, sheds new light on this notion, revealing that the virus itself creates potentially dangerous conditions in the heart before inflammation sets in.

The discovery, now online and set to appear in the March 29 issue of Circulation Res...

McMaster University researchers have found not only how some viral infections cause severe tissue damage, but also how to reduce that damage.

They have discovered how Type I interferon (IFN) stops the immune system from “going rogue” and attacking the body’s own tissues when fighting viral infections, including COVID-19.

Their paper was published in the journal PLOS Pathogens.

Senior author Ali Ashkar said IFN is a well-known anti-viral signaling molecule, that when released by the body’s cells, can trigger a powerful immune response against harmful viruses.

“What we have found is that it is also critical to stop white blood cells from releasing protease enzymes, which can damage organ tissue...