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Researchers have discovered a key mechanism used by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), to induce cancer. The research points to effective new treatment options for KSHV-associated cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease. "Our findings have significant implications: viruses cause between 10% to 20% of cancers worldwide. Treating virus-induced cancers with standard cancer therapies can help shrink tumors that are already there, but it doesn't fix the underlying problem of the virus," said Jun Zhao, Ph.D. The study reveals that KSHV manipulates two human enzymes called CDK6 and CAD...

Alzheimer’s disease could be caused by viruses like herpes, a group of renowned dementia experts have warned, as they call for urgent investigation into the link. The worldwide team of 31 senior scientists and clinicians, which include specialists from Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Manchester Universities and Imperial College, have written an editorial which suggests that microbes are the major cause of dementia. The herpes virus - the type which causes cold sores - and chlamydia bacteria are named as the major culprits, as well as a type of corkscrew-shaped bacteria called spirochaete. “There is incontrovertible evidence that Alzheimer’s Disease has...

Northwestern Medicine scientists have identified a component of the herpesvirus that "hijacks" machinery inside human cells, allowing the virus to rapidly and successfully invade the nervous system upon initial exposure. Led by Gregory Smith, associate professor in immunology and microbiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, researchers found that viral protein 1-2, or VP1/2, allows the herpesvirus to interact with cellular motors, known as dynein. Once the protein has overtaken this motor, the virus can speed along intercellular highways, or microtubules, to move unobstructed from the tips of nerves in skin to the nuclei of neurons within the nervous...

At present, while there is no cause known for this condition, patients with MS seem to have genetic vulnerability to certain environmental factors that could trigger this condition, such as the Epstein-Barr virus. Scientists at the University of Granada have found a relation between the Epstein-Barr virus –which belongs to the herpesviruses family–and the development of this conditionThe Epstein-Barr (EVB) virus –belonging to the herpesviruses family, which also includes the herpes simplex virus and the cytomegalovirus– is one of the environmental factors that might cause multiple sclerosis, a condition affecting the central nervous system, which causes are unknown. This has...

The St. Louis Zoo is grappling with a second case of a potentially deadly strain of herpes that first struck an elephant calf more than a week ago. Tests show Maliha, 2, has the same elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, or EEHV, that was diagnosed earlier this month in her half sister Jade. Jade's stable condition is almost as surprising as Maliha's diagnosis. There is no cure or vaccine for EEHV

Friday, November 14, 2008; Page E04 A 2-year-old filly that showed signs of neurological distress Wednesday at Laurel Park has tested positive for equine herpesvirus, the Maryland Department of Agriculture reported yesterday. The announcement put the racing industry throughout the mid-Atlantic on high alert, with racetracks in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia barring any horses based at Laurel or the Bowie Training Center until the agriculture department gives clearance, according to Georganne Hale, racing secretary for the Maryland Jockey Club.