Latest news with #AmericanSocietyforMicrobiology
Hans India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Hans India
Airborne fungal spores may help predict Covid, flu surge: Study
New Delhi: Monitoring fungal spores in the outdoor air can predict surges in flu and Covid-19 infections, according to a study. Researchers from Lynn University in Florida, US, discovered that airborne concentrations of fungal spores -- but not pollen -- were strongly linked to increases in flu and Covid-19 cases. When airborne concentrations of fungal spores rose, the scientists often saw a jump in infections within a few days. The study models were able to predict flu and Covid-19 surges with high accuracy, particularly in the fall season. However, pollen didn't show the same connection or prediction. 'The findings from our study suggest that monitoring airborne fungal spore levels could help predict short-term outbreaks (spikes) of flu and Covid-19, giving public health systems an early warning signal,' said Felix E. Rivera-Mariani, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Lynn. 'Our findings also highlight the potential role of environmental factors -- not just person-to-person spread -- in contributing to the incidence of respiratory viral infections. That could open new doors for targeted public health alerts, especially in areas with high outdoor airborne fungi," Rivera-Mariani added. In the study, the team examined daily data from 2022 to 2024, in two major health regions in Puerto Rico—San Juan and Caguas. The data included the daily incidence of people diagnosed with Covid-19 and flu, and the concentrations of airborne fungal spores and pollen recorded on the same days. The scientists then implemented statistical and machine learning models to see if high levels of these environmental exposures could predict spikes in flu and Covid-19 cases within the same week or the following week (called lag-effect). 'The findings may help inform environmental risk alerts, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with asthma and allergic rhinitis,' Rivera-Mariani said. The study was presented at ASM Microbe 2025 in Los Angeles, the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What viruses make up a red tide bloom?
TAMPA – A study led by researchers at the University of South Florida has for the first time identified viruses associated with the organism Karenia brevis, which often leads to bouts of red tide. In the study recently published in the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSphere, researchers said an examination of water samples from off of Southwest Florida found several viruses percolating in red tide blooms. The viruses are largely not harmful to humans in the traditional sense, but they can help researchers gain insights into the development of blooms that can plague coastlines for weeks, months, or even years at a time. "We know that viruses play an important role in the dynamics of harmful algal blooms, but we haven't known what viruses might be associated with Karenia brevis blooms," Jean Lim, the study's lead author and researcher at the USF College of Marine Science, said in a statement. "Now that we've identified several viruses in red tide blooms, we can work to determine which viruses might have an influence on these events." The study's findings were heavily based on water samples collected off Southwest Florida during what was considered a severe bloom in 2021. The red tide event was the worst in recent memory along Florida's Gulf Coast, with widespread reports of fish die-offs and respiratory irritations, from Sarasota to Naples. The extensive bloom even impacted the manatee population, resulting in hundreds of deaths of the giant sea cows. Red Tide Triggers Health Alerts Along Florida's Gulf Coast Following Active Hurricane Season Using a technique called viral metagenomics, researchers identified multiple viral species, including one previously unknown virus, among the algae. Most of the viruses belonged to the order Picornavirales and the family Marnaviridae, which are considered important in regulating marine ecosystems. By better understanding the viruses, researchers may hold a potential key to controlling the growth of blooms and triggering their decline. "There may be a correlation between viral abundances and bloom dynamics," Lim stated. "For example, an increase in the number of viruses found in a sample might suggest that a red tide bloom is about to begin or is near its end. Researchers could use information about viral abundances to help predict bloom cycles." Additionally, by understanding what makes a bloom grow, there theoretically could be advanced alerts before an event impacts a coastal region. Traditionally, marine experts have relied on satellite images and ocean circulation models to track the movement of blooms, but by understanding the viral dynamics, researchers may be able to identify certain patterns and predict the onset or decline of a red tide event. Mexico Unveils Plan To Tackle Caribbean Seaweed Invasion At Popular Beaches In 2024, satellites detected significant levels of chlorophyll in the Gulf, which can sometimes signal the onset of a red tide event. The bloom gradually began to affect coastal regions across Southwest Florida in early 2025, prompting health alerts for several communities. Rather unexpectedly, during the spring, samples started to show fewer traces of Karenia brevis, suggesting that the bloom might be in its waning stages. The recent event is one that university researchers may be able to develop a timeline for once viruses and their impacts on microscopic algae are better understood. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, blooms are most commonly found in the Sunshine State during late summer and fall, but they can occur year-round and be detrimental to marine life and the tourism article source: What viruses make up a red tide bloom?
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
New USF study identifies virus that causes red tide
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Researchers at the University of South Florida led a new study that is the first to identify viruses associated with the organism, karenia brevis, that causes red tide. The study, published in the American Society for Microbiology's journal mSphere, involved researchers testing water samples from red tide blooms off southwest Florida in which they found several viruses, including a new species that is present in red tide blooms. This discovery shines a light on the environmental factors that cause red tide blooms to grow and marks an important step towards better understanding the virus. 'We know that viruses play an important role in the dynamics of harmful algal blooms, but we haven't known what viruses might be associated with Karenia brevis blooms,' said Jean Lim, the study's lead author and a postdoctoral researcher at the USF College of Marine Science (CMS). 'Now that we've identified several viruses in red tide blooms, we can work to determine which viruses might have an influence on these events.' Racers excited to hit the track for NASCAR at Homestead-Miami Red tide blooms are a naturally occurring event driven by various factors such as ocean circulation, nutrient concentration, and climate change. Karenia Brevis, the single-celled organism responsible for red tide blooms, can not only kill marine life but also cause respiratory issues ultimately impacting coastal economies that predominantly rely on tourism and fishing. The findings of this study could not only help predict bloom cycles but perhaps even provide environmentally-friendly ways to manage red tide blooms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Can measles wipe out body's memory, immunity to other infections?
A little-known potential side effect of measles called 'immune amnesia' is getting attention amid the outbreak of the viral illness. As of March 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports a total of 222 measles cases in 12 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington. That's considerably more than was reported the week before. But one of the possible consequences of measles hasn't received as much attention as public health officials would like. The name says it all. 'Immune amnesia' is damage to the immune system that causes it to forget someone has previously had other illnesses. That raises the risk of being reinfected with something to which the body should actually have antibodies. As the American Society for Microbiology reports, 'Without memory of past infections, the immune system is less able to fight off pathogens. The problem is that sometimes pathogens are responsible for the immune amnesia. Measles virus — an incredibly contagious virus that is currently spreading in the U.S. and other regions — can trigger immune amnesia." Researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital found several years ago that measles can wipe out between 11% and 73% of a person's antibodies. Those are protective when it comes to getting the same illness again. Or, as BBC put it, 'Scientists have known for years that measles can alter the immune system — but the latest evidence suggests it's less of a mild tweaking and more of a total reset." Measles is a resurging worldwide issue. The BBC reported that the number of measles cases reported in Europe in 2023, for instance, was 45 times higher than in 2022. The viral illness is very contagious. People can be infected two hours after someone who has the illness leaves the area after coughing or sneezing or contaminating surfaces. Symptoms range from high fever, runny eyes and nose and general misery to serious complications and even death. The CDC says 20% of those in the U.S. who get infected need to be hospitalized. And lasting consequences, 'including brain damage and vision and hearing loss,' among others, are possible. The public health agency said that there have now been two deaths believed to be connected to measles. One case of a child in Texas has been directly linked to measles and the other, in New Mexico, is being investigated, though it is known that the individual tested positive for measles. Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, told 'CBS Mornings' that the ability of measles to block the immune system's memory can last months to a couple of years. 'It really does set a child back,' she said. 'Before kids were being vaccinated for measles, it's estimated that half of the deaths were actually from other infections they got later because of that weakened immune system.' While measles infection eventually loses its power to wipe immune memory, the lost memory is simply gone. Colds, flu, COVID-19 and even vaccinations you've had before contracting measles may disappear. Per the BBC, 'The loss is near-total and permanent. Once the measles infection is over, current evidence suggests your body has to re-learn what's good and what's bad almost from scratch.' 'In a way, infection of the measles virus basically sets the immune system to default mode,' Mansour Haeryfar, a professor of immunology at Western University, Canada, said in the article, 'as if it has never encountered any microbes in the past.' Research says measles does not wipe out memory of its own visit, however. Harvard researchers explained how the memory wipe works: 'If a person had 100 different antibodies against chicken pox before contracting measles, they might emerge from having measles with only 50, cutting their chicken pox protection in half. That protection could dip even lower if some of the antibodies lost are potent defenses known as neutralizing antibodies.' One of the Harvard scientists, Michael Mina, an assistant professor of epidemiology, created an analogy to explain the effect. Picture immunity from pathogens as a book full of photos of criminals you'd like to locate. But someone punched holes in those pictures. 'It would then be much harder to recognize that criminal if you saw them, especially if the holes are punched over important features for recognition, like the eyes or mouth,' he said. Immune amnesia is of global concern. For instance, last August, Sri Lanka's Epidemiology Unit in the Ministry of Health called it a form of 'extended immunosuppression.' Per that bulletin, measles virus primarily targets alveolar macrophages in the lungs and a type of receptor that makes it easier for the virus to get into cells, where it releases viral genetic material into the cell. The infection is carried to the lymph nodes where it infects and destroys T-cells and B-cells to obliterate memory of preexisting immunity to illness. For two or three years, that memory-suppressing work continues, creating risk for infections. The article said that after a child is infected with measles and recovers, routine childhood vaccines should be done over to be sure that they will protect the child. The Sri Lanka bulletin's conclusion contains a plea: 'The fight against measles is not merely a battle against a single disease; it is a fight to maintain the integrity of our immune systems and, by extension, the health of future generations.' Health experts are urging people to be vaccinated against measles if they are not already. The World Health Organization reports that measles killed an average of 2.6 million people each year before a vaccine was created. Even now, amid a decrease in access worldwide and lower uptake in some communities, 7 million people are infected and more than 100,000 die worldwide. Utah is among states that have no case of measles this year, but both Utah state and Salt Lake County health officials have issued news releases encouraging people to take precautions against measles, including ensuring that children are current on their mumps, measles and rubella vaccination. Utah is among states that allow exemptions. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services reports that Utah kindergartners are below the 95% vaccination rate needed to confer herd immunity and make it harder for the virus to spread to those who are not vaccinated.
