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EPIDEMICS
Human movement critical in dengue spread

HIV vaccine research takes new direction
Durham, N.C. (UPI) Nov 11, 2009 - U.S. scientists seeking a vaccine for the human immunodeficiency virus say a study of HIV antibodies is leading them in a new direction. The Duke University Medical Center-led researchers said that new direction came from a detailed study of how the most robust antibodies work to block the HIV as it seeks entry into healthy cells. "Our study clearly showed that we've been overlooking a very important component of antibody function," said S. Munir Alam, associate professor of medicine and lead author of the study.

Alam and Harvard Medical School Assistant Professor Bing Chen said they studied two potentially powerful antibodies against HIV, 2F5 and 4E10. Both of are rare, broadly neutralizing antibodies, meaning they can block a number of strains of HIV, the scientists said. The researchers found successful docking of the antibody to the HIV outer coat membrane region required antibody attachment to the virus's membrane, which contains lipid. "This two-step mechanism, not previously appreciated, might extend to antibodies that protect against other viruses," said study co-author Stephen Harrison of Harvard Medical School. The researchers said they are now designing a vaccine that incorporates a lipid component and design trials are now being conducted on animals. The findings are detailed in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
by Staff Writers
 Rio De Janeiro (UPI) Nov 11, 2009
Brazilian researchers say they've determined population movement is a key factor in the spread of the dengue virus in Rio de Janeiro.

Scientists at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation said their finding is based on data from a severe 2007-2008 dengue epidemic and contributes a new understanding of the dynamics of dengue fever, a major public health problem in many tropical regions.

The disease, transmitted most often by the mosquito Aedes aegypti, is prevalent in tropical areas of Asia and the Americas, with up to 100 million estimated cases occurring annually.

The new study combines data on dengue fever seroprevalence -- a test for the disease based on blood serum -- and recent dengue infection and vector density in three neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro, specifically urban, suburban and slum areas. Blood serum surveys were conducted before and during the epidemic period, with weekly collections of A. aegypti eggs and adults from traps.

The scientists said their findings, that suggest significantly higher risk within areas of intense people traffic, might provide a basis for new studies that could further identify the higher risk areas and help to develop dengue-control programs.

The research is detailed in the journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

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EPIDEMICS
Nine hajj flu cases so far: Saudi health minister
 Riyadh (AFP) Nov 11, 2009
 Nine people out of more than half a million who have arrived for the annual hajj pilgrimage have been diagnosed with swine flu, Saudi Health Minister Dr Abdullah al-Rabeeah said on Wednesday. "The situation from the point of health, we are very happy. Out of the 600,000 arriving so far, we have only seen nine suspected cases of A(H1N1), and only two of those are in the hospital," Rabeeah ... read more






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