disrupts and reduces endothelial tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 in association with inflammasome activation.

spp. cause life-threatening diseases in humans. The fundamental pathophysiological changes in fatal rickettsial diseases are disrupted endothelial barrier and increased microvascular permeability.

Viral Infections, Are They a Trigger and Risk Factor of Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive and debilitating condition, is reported to be the most common type of dementia, with at least 55 million people believed to be currently affected. Many causation hypotheses of AD exist, yet the intriguing link between viral infection and its possible contribution to the known etiology of AD has become an attractive focal point of research for the field and a challenging study task. In this review, we will explore the historical perspective and milestones that led the field to investigate the viral connection to AD.

DNA Reference Reagents for Genotyping RH Variants.

Patients who carry Rhesus (RH) blood group variants may develop Rh alloantibodies requiring matched red blood cell transfusions. Serologic reagents for Rh variants often fail to specifically identify variant Rh antigens and are in limited supply. Therefore, red blood cell genotyping assays are essential for managing transfusions in patients with clinically relevant Rh variants.

Dengue Virus-2 Infection Affects Fecundity and Elicits Specific Transcriptional Changes in the Ovaries of Mosquitoes.

Dengue fever (DF), caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is the most burdensome arboviral disease in the world, with an estimated 400 million infections each year. The mosquito is the main vector of DENV and transmits several other human pathogens, including Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses. Previous studies have shown that the pathogen infection of mosquitoes can alter reproductive fitness, revealing specific vector-pathogen interactions that are key determinants of vector competence.

Blood Meals With Active and Heat-Inactivated Serum Modifies the Gene Expression and Microbiome of .

The Asian "tiger mosquito" is currently the most widely distributed disease-transmitting mosquito in the world. Its geographical expansion has also allowed the expansion of multiple arboviruses like dengue, Zika, and chikungunya, to higher latitudes. Due to the enormous risk to global public health caused by mosquitoes species vectors of human disease, and the challenges in slowing their expansion, it is necessary to develop new and environmentally friendly vector control strategies.

Vertebrate Responses against Arthropod Salivary Proteins and Their Therapeutic Potential.

The saliva of hematophagous arthropods contains a group of active proteins to counteract host responses against injury and to facilitate the success of a bloodmeal. These salivary proteins have significant impacts on modulating pathogen transmission, immunogenicity expression, the establishment of infection, and even disease severity. Recent studies have shown that several salivary proteins are immunogenic and antibodies against them may block infection, thereby suggesting potential vaccine candidates.

What came first, the virus or the egg: Innate immunity during viral coinfections.

Infections with any pathogen can be severe and present with numerous complications caused by the pathogen or the host immune response to the invading microbe. However, coinfections, also called polymicrobial infections or secondary infections, can further exacerbate disease. Coinfections are more common than is often appreciated.

Common Differences: The Ability of Inflammasomes to Distinguish Between Self and Pathogen Nucleic Acids During Infection.

The innate immune system detects the presence of pathogens based on detection of non-self. In other words, most pathogens possess intrinsic differences that can distinguish them from host cells. For example, bacteria and fungi have cell walls comprised of peptidoglycan and carbohydrates (like mannans), respectively.