A recent study from researchers at the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recently identified that rotavirus, one of the most common childhood viral infections, travel in clumps causing more severe infections than a solo virus. Typically associated with GI issues, such as vomiting and diarrhea, the researchers found that mice with these viruses shed the viruses in clusters in their feces. It was already known that the virus was shed in stool, but the vesicles add a new spin on our understanding.
Getting the virus is bad enough, but the researchers showed that when clustered into these vesicles, the probability of infection was even greater; even when accounting for the number of viruses present without the vesicles. This means that this extra membrane around the virus is potentially improving the virus’ stability outside the body or its ability to infect host organisms.
This can change the way we target viruses. Similar to our battle with biofilms, this may be another protective layer that needs to be targeted in our infection prevention and disinfection strategy. While this study was only performed in mice in a controlled laboratory setting, it is feasible that this could extend outside of the lab into our hospitals and public spaces.
I am the co-founder of The Infection Prevention Strategy (TIPS), a non-profit organization that recently announced $1,000,000 in Scientific Impact in its first 24 months of operation. I am devoted to advancing information and science to address the myriad issues relating to infection prevention and global health. My focus is driven by the firm belief that we should not have to wait years for promising technology, ideas and processes to be implemented and accepted. Over the past 24 months I have created a model of information sharing that makes the process of vetting new technologies, implementing successful programs and inspiring innovation, more efficient, more accessible, more global and more collaborative. I believe that my most notable achievement to date is the TIPS online journal, www.IC.tips, a Pan-Access, worldwide collective that extends globally and touches locally. I lead teams around the world to develop trials and pilot studies to aid in the discovery of successful research-to-market technological advancements. These global teams includes engagers and implementers. Currently represented in over 30 countries, and well-established as the world’s largest engagement network, the TIPS motto is: Join. Contribute. Make A Difference.
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