Transfer of genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to naturally-occurring ones were seen in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes were released from June 2013 to September 2015. Contrary to claims made, genes from genetically-modified Aedes aegypti mosquito were found to have been transferred to naturally-occurring A. aegypti mosquito population in three areas in Brazil where transgenic mosquitoes … Continue reading Transgenic mosquitoes transfer genes to native mosquito species
Dengue
Siddha drug nilavembu kudineer kills dengue virus, protects from chikungunya
ICGEB researchers have found that the Siddha medicine nilavembu kudineer provides protection against chikungunya virus and treats dengue infection. The nilavembu kudineer formulation was found t be safe for use in humans. Safety, efficacy and mode of action of the formulation will be studied using mice models. Under in vitro conditions, nilavembu kudineer (a Siddha medicine) … Continue reading Siddha drug nilavembu kudineer kills dengue virus, protects from chikungunya
Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
Dr. Manu Prakash is once again at his best — solving complex problems in an extraordinarily simple fashion. Using wingbeat sound, location and time of recording, Dr. Prakash and his team from Standford University hope to make real-time global maps of mosquito distributions, which could help design better strategies to control mosquitoes and combat mosquito-borne diseases. … Continue reading Manu Prakash makes mosquito surveillance using mobile phones possible
A rapid diagnostic test for Zika, dengue viruses developed
A low-cost, easy-to-use, rapid diagnostic test for diagnosing Zika and dengue viruses and differentiate between the four serotypes of dengue virus has been developed. It has high sensitivity and specificity for both dengue and Zika viruses. An international team, including researchers from India, has developed a low-cost, easy-to-use, rapid diagnostic test for diagnosing Zika and … Continue reading A rapid diagnostic test for Zika, dengue viruses developed
Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune signed an agreement for testing phytopharmaceutical, biologic and chemical entities developed by Sun Pharma against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. Sun Pharma will provide drug molecules to NIV for testing against Zika, chikungunya and dengue viruses. “A couple of interesting phytopharmaceutical candidates against … Continue reading Sun Pharma, NIV to jointly test drugs for Zika, chikungunya and dengue
Prior infection with dengue does not increase Zika disease severity
Dengue virus has four serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4) and while infection by one serotype results in lifelong immunity against that specific serotype, infection by a different dengue serotype results in increased infectivity and more severe clinical manifestations such as dengue haemorrhagic fever and dengue-shock syndrome. This kind of aggravation of the infection when … Continue reading Prior infection with dengue does not increase Zika disease severity
India begins caged trials of GM mosquitoes to control dengue, chikungunya
Outdoor caged trials to demonstrate the efficiency of genetically modified mosquitoes to suppress wild female Aedes aegypti mosquito populations that causes dengue, chinkungunya and Zika were launched on January 23 in Dawalwadi, Badnapur in Maharashtra's Jalna district. Based on the results of the caged trials, which use the Release of Insects carrying Dominant Lethal genes … Continue reading India begins caged trials of GM mosquitoes to control dengue, chikungunya
ICGEB researchers identify distinct biomarkers for dengue, chikungunya
Researchers at Delhi’s International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have identified specific metabolites that can potentially be used as biomarkers for distinguishing dengue and chikungunya infections and co-infection by these two viruses. The results were published in the journal Scientific Reports. Both the infections exhibit similar and overlapping symptoms in patients so making … Continue reading ICGEB researchers identify distinct biomarkers for dengue, chikungunya
IIT Madras develops a cheaper, lab-on-a-chip diagnostic device
A simple, self-powered, lab-on-a-chip device that could enable diagnoses of several diseases, which is both affordable and accessible even in resource-constrained settings, has successfully passed preclinical trials, thanks to research done by a team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). The results were published on September 22 in the journal Biomicrofluidics. A team led … Continue reading IIT Madras develops a cheaper, lab-on-a-chip diagnostic device
Potential drug target identified for Zika virus
At a time when no vaccines or therapeutic drugs are available against Zika and other diseases caused by flaviviruses, researchers have successfully found that disabling or silencing one single gene can effectively leave the flaviviruses unable to leave the cell that has been infected, thereby preventing the spread of infection. Unlike bacteria, viruses must necessarily … Continue reading Potential drug target identified for Zika virus
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