immunity

(The Wistar Institute) How does our remarkable immune system retain the ability to defend against viruses previously encountered?

While antibodies persist in our blood for only a few short weeks, our bodies retain the cells that make specific, successful antibodies for decades.

Researchers at The Wistar Institute have determined the protein signals that keep the memory of old viruses alive, findings that may aid in creating better, more effective vaccines.

(Cell Press) Now, a new study published by Cell Press online on June 30 in the journal Immunity identifies a key virus-sensing mechanism that is necessary for a successful immune response against infection with this particularly deadly type of virus.

(BioMed Central) Loss of muscle mass is not only associated with disease, such as HIV and cancer, but also with the normal aging process.

New research, published in BioMed Central's open-access journal Immunity and Aging, shows that nine proteins, isolated from blood of men, alter with age but that the profile of only some of these proteins can be reversed by testosterone treatment.

People who recover from swine flu may be left with an extraordinary natural ability to fight off flu viruses, scientists say

(MedPage Today) -- The changing pattern of whooping cough has been laid at the door of genetics, waning immunity, and better surveillance.

But it all comes down to a single factor -- kids tend to play with kids.

(MedPage Today) -- In a split vote, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that a booster dose of meningococcal vaccine be given at age 16 to address declining immunity in adolescents.

(MedPage Today) -- The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus will likely disappear unless it mutates to avoid high global immunity, researchers speculated.

(University College London) New research has found that a genetic variant which reduces the chance of contracting diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy is more prevalent in populations with long histories of urban living.

Health officials' recommendations notwithstanding, a single dose of vaccine may be enough to provide children and infants with immunity against pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza, according to a randomized trial.

Reports from the U.S., China, and Hungary have confirmed that single doses of pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccines are adequate for adults, but that children under 9 should receive two doses for adequate immunity.