Infectious Diseases

March 25, 2025

C. diff uses toxic compound to fuel growth advantage

The findings of a new research study increase understanding of the molecular drivers of C. diff infection and point to novel therapeutic strategies aimed at a pathogen that causes about half a million infections in the U.S. each year.

By Leigh MacMillan
March 10, 2025

VUMC to develop AI technology for therapeutic antibody discovery

The approach will address “bottlenecks” that slow the traditional antibody discovery process, and it aims to make it possible to generate monoclonal antibody therapies against any target of interest.

By Leigh MacMillan
(iStock)
January 23, 2025

$20 million grant supports sweeping study of human viruses

Most of the more than 200 species of viruses known to reside in humans remain poorly understood, and new ones are being discovered every few months.

By Paul Govern
January 23, 2025

Eric Skaar wins National Academy of Sciences award

Skaar, who directs the Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology and Inflammation, is being recognized for “pioneering work at the intersection of nutrition and infectious diseases.”

By Leigh MacMillan
December 17, 2024

Immune-suppressing drug does not improve COVID-19 recovery: study

Previous studies suggested that fostamatinib may suppress inflammatory responses triggered by COVID-19 and mitigate ongoing lung injury, decreasing mortality and oxygen requirements.

By Bill Snyder
woman sneezing
December 13, 2024

Respiratory virus activity increasing in Middle Tennessee; important reminders from Infection Prevention

To reduce your risk of becoming ill and to create a safe environment for our coworkers and patients, a reminder of these essential infection prevention precautions

By VUMC Infection Prevention team
December 12, 2024

Go inside the lab as Maddie Wright, a CF warrior, ‘geeks out’ over the science of Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories 

A 17-year-old cystic fibrosis warrior and liver transplant recipient with antibiotic resistance got to see science in action at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories.
By Jessica Pasley and Erin O. Smith
December 11, 2024

Vanderbilt joins national effort to develop alphavirus vaccines

The project aims to design computational “tool kits” that can speed development of multi-virus vaccines targeting some of the greatest infectious threats to human health.
By Bill Snyder and Herschel Pollard
November 15, 2024

Zinc deficiency promotes Acinetobacter lung infection: study

The study findings point to the potential of interleukin-13 antibodies — approved for use in humans — as a treatment to protect against bacterial pneumonia in patients with zinc deficiency.
By Leigh MacMillan
November 6, 2024

Number of whooping cough cases on rise nationally

While it has been difficult to pinpoint the reason for the rise in cases, waning immunity and vaccine hesitancy may be the likely culprits.
By Jessica Pasley
October 25, 2024

Asthma drug does not speed COVID-19 recovery: study

The study, a randomized and controlled clinical trial, tested the effectiveness of montelukast in 1,250 outpatients with acute post-COVID-19 symptoms.
By Bill Snyder and Shantell Kirkendoll
October 21, 2024

Anna Person honored for teaching by Infectious Diseases Society of America

Person, an award citation reads in part, “has been a champion for empathy and equity in caring for patients. ... She models for her learners how to compassionately care.”
By Paul Govern
October 16, 2024

Study of severe drug reactions finds skin cells activate their own assassins

Single-cell analysis reveals the inner workings of the life-threatening adverse drug reactions Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
By Paul Govern
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