Infection and Immunity nieuws
Feb 19: Antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands under control
Contamination with resistant bacteria in patients admitted to Dutch hospitals does not result in higher mortality than contamination by non-resistant bacteria. Although the problem of antibiotic resistance in the Netherlands currently seems manageable, it is important to remain vigilant in view of the ever-changing epidemiology of resistant bacteria, according to Wouter Rottier, who will be awarded a PhD in Utrecht on February 19.
Read moreFeb 15: Three grants for translational research on rheumatic diseases
Three investigators from the Laboratory for Translational Immunology (LTI) at UMC Utrecht have received a grant from the Dutch arthritis foundation (ReumaNederland). The research projects focus on better understanding and improving the lives of patients with rheumatic diseases.
Read moreFeb 14: Genetic volume buttons affect autoimmune diseases
In patients with autoimmune diseases such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the immune system starts to act against the body's own cells. Investigator Janneke Peeters at UMC Utrecht has now discovered that this happens because the 'volume buttons' of certain genes in the immune cells are too high. Also, the recycling process of broken parts in immune cells in people with an autoimmune disease is too fast. Medications that slow down these processes may offer a solution in the long term.
Read moreFeb 4: European project "Vaccines and Infectious Diseases in the Aging population" kicks off
Recently, the EU-sponsored Vaccines and InfecTious diseases in the Ageing popuLation (VITAL) project was launched. VITAL will address - in a public-private consortium - the challenges of infections in the elderly and the potential of infection prevention by vaccination.
Read moreFeb 1: New European Network for Infection Research
Physician/microbiologist Marc Bonten is working on a network for clinical scientific research into bacterial infections. “When it comes to European clinical research into infectious diseases, the Netherlands is a leading country.”
Read moreJan 15: Four grants for research on tumor immunology at UMC Utrecht
Last December, four primary investigators from the Tumor Immunology section of the Laboratory for Translational Immunology (LTI) at the UMC Utrecht received substantial research grants from the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF).
Read moreJan 11: No increased risk of colon cancer in IBD patients with speudopolyps
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where pseudopolyps have been found during a screening of colon (colonoscopy), appear to have no increased risk of developing colon cancer, contrary to what was previously thought.
Read moreDec 20: Grant for development new immunotherapy against cancer
The Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) has awarded dr. Niels Bovenschen (UMC Utrecht) a grant that will enable him to investigate a new form of immunotherapy over the next two years. Immunotherapy against cancer aims to strengthen and activate the own immune system to attack and kill cancer cells.
Read moreDec 17: Connective tissue cells regulate joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis
Specific cells in the joints play a role in chronic inflammation and any joint damage that occurs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. These effects must be taken into account when developing new drugs against chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints, says Pawel Kabala in his doctoral research.
Read moreDec 14: Nutrient fibers may be useful in the treatment of peanut allergy
Non-digestible nutrient fibers, such as those in many types of vegetables, may be helpful to people with food allergies. Research indicates that some nutrient fibers are capable of restoring a disrupted immune system. Therefore, such fibers could possibly contribute as an additive in the treatment of, for example, peanut allergy, says Simone puts Hayen in her PhD research.
Read more