Nature reviews. Microbiology
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Nat. Rev. Microbiol. · Dec 2013
Historical ArticlePast, present and future: 30 years of HIV research.
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the publication of the study that first reported the isolation of HIV-1. In this Timeline article, we provide a historical perspective of some of the major milestones in HIV science, highlighting how translational research has affected treatment and prevention of HIV. Finally, we discuss some of the current research directions and the scientific challenges ahead, in particular in the search for a cure for HIV.
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Nat. Rev. Microbiol. · Apr 2013
'Blooming' in the gut: how dysbiosis might contribute to pathogen evolution.
Hundreds of bacterial species make up the mammalian intestinal microbiota. Following perturbations by antibiotics, diet, immune deficiency or infection, this ecosystem can shift to a state of dysbiosis. This can involve overgrowth (blooming) of otherwise under-represented or potentially harmful bacteria (for example, pathobionts). Here, we present evidence suggesting that dysbiosis fuels horizontal gene transfer between members of this ecosystem, facilitating the transfer of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes and thereby promoting pathogen evolution.
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This month's Genome Watch highlights the power of palaeomicrobiology in extracting detailed information about the genomes of ancient microorganisms.
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Recent outbreaks involving multidrug-resistant bacteria have prompted governments to alter the regulations governing antibiotic sales. By combining the new regulations with calls for new drug development and dispensing regimes, can antibiotic resistance be managed?
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Nat. Rev. Microbiol. · May 2009
ReviewCorrelates of protective immunity for Ebola vaccines: implications for regulatory approval by the animal rule.
Ebola virus infection is a highly lethal disease for which there are no effective therapeutic or preventive treatments. Several vaccines have provided immune protection in laboratory animals, but because outbreaks occur unpredictably and sporadically, vaccine efficacy cannot be proven in human trials, which is required for traditional regulatory approval. ⋯ In this Review, we describe immune correlates of vaccine protection against Ebola virus in animals. This research provides a basis for bridging the gap from basic research to human vaccine responses in support of the licensing of vaccines through the animal rule.