Posts by GVN
Flu Vaccines: What Does the Future Hold?
Omicron spinoffs, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza (flu) viruses have formed a sort of unholy trinity of respiratory infections. Covid vaccines were initially highly effective against infection, hospitalization, and death, but with the multiplication of new variants, only strong protection against hospitalization and death remains. In a previous Perspective (https://gvn.org/respiratory-syncytial-virus-newly-resurgent/), we noted that the…
Read MoreGVN Statement on SARS-CoV-2 Variant BF7
SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to appear worldwide. There is some concern about the variant BF7, shorthand for BA.5.2.1.7, which reportedly is spreading in China. BA.5.2.1.7 is part of the Omicron lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and had been indicated as a potential variant of concern. Recent data from the US CDC and other agencies in other countries, however, show…
Read MoreGlobal Virus Network (GVN) Announces 2022 Elected Members Of Rising Star Mentorship Program
The eleven awardees will receive training and mentorship to help support and propel their rising careers in virology BALTIMORE, MD, December 6, 2022: The Global Virus Network (GVN), a coalition comprised of human and animal virologists from 68 Centers of Excellence and 11 Affiliates in 39 countries, today announced eleven members of the 2022 GVN…
Read MoreLassa fever vaccine development: Where are we?
Joseph Anejo-Okopi, PhD1,2. 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo, Nigeria. 2AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria Email Address: [email protected], [email protected], December 5, 2022 Introduction Lassa virus (LASV) causes acute viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) called Lassa fever (LF) that is endemic to West Africa (Nigeria,…
Read MoreRespiratory Syncytial Virus: Newly Resurgent
December 5, 2022 Introduction We seem to be in a sort of Golden Age of respiratory viruses, including flu, SARS-CoV2 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is an enveloped negative strand RNA virus with a genome of approximately 15,000 nucleotides encoding 11 proteins. There are two serotypes, A and B, which can be discriminated by…
Read MoreVaccine and Post-Infection Immunity
Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is acquired in two ways, infection and vaccination. How do they differ? Which is “better”? In comparisons, consideration must be given to rates of infection, transmission, hospitalization, death, and long COVID as well as innate, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The only correlate of protection that is currently considered robust is the…
Read MoreGlobal Virus Network (GVN) Adds Thailand’s Mahidol University as Newest Member to Combat Viral Threats
Baltimore, Maryland, USA, October 26, 2022: The Global Virus Network (GVN), representing 68 Centers of Excellence and 11 Affiliates in 39 countries comprising foremost experts in every class of virus causing disease in humans, and the Mahidol University in Thailand announced the addition of the Mahidol Virus Network as GVN’s newest Center of Excellence. “We…
Read MoreAided by GVN and IHV, Kerala, India Celebrates Major Milestones to Advance Virus Research
Aided by GVN and IHV, Kerala, India Celebrates Major Milestones to Advance Virus Research October 6, 2022 During a conference attended by thousands, Dr. Gallo’s Malayalam Language Edition of “Virus Hunting” Was Released Thousands of students listened to Dr. Robert Gallo’s virtual lecture, “General Reflections on Pandemics and the Importance of the Global Virus Network…
Read MoreCovid Alteration of the Gut Microbiome: A Factor in Long Covid?
October 6, 2022 In a previous Perspective we considered the relationship between Covid pathology and the gut microbiome. Since then, new studies have shed additional light on the topic. We will consider these new findings, including whether dysregulation of the microbiome might be related to long Covid. INTRODUCTION As we pointed out previously, there is…
Read MoreIs Infection of Astrocytes a Causative Factor in COVID Brain Fog?
September 12, 2022 INTRODUCTION One of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19, especially long COVID, is called “brain fog”, which includes deficits in attention and concentration, memory, and executive function. This raises the question of the cause. One possibility is that it is only an indirect effect from dysregulated immune activity and/or inflammation. A second possibility is that it is due to direct infection of cell populations within the…
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