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Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is a severe, potentially deadly infection spread by mosquitos. CDC scientists have identified vitronectin as an important biomarker of DHF. They have shown vitronectin is significantly reduced in DHF and severe dengue infections when compared to dengue non-hemorrhagic fever patients. Presently, DHF is established by assessing antibody concentrations and other rule-of-thumb criteria, but often these assays can be difficult to interpret and lead to false conclusions.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the cause of dengue illness (dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome). CDC researchers have developed a RT-PCR multiplex assay that, prior to sero-conversion, selectively detects dengue virus in biological or other fluid media, such as whole blood, plasma, or serum. The primers and probes from this assay are sufficiently specific to amplify and detect all four DENV serotypes. This FDA-approved technology may provide an improved method for rapid and accurate serotyping of dengue virus in clinical and research settings.

The uses for human anti-HIV monoclonal antibody 10E8 and its variants include passive immunization, therapeutic vaccination, and the development of vaccine immunogens. 10E8 is one of the most potent HIV-neutralizing antibodies isolated and it neutralizes up to 98% of diverse HIV-1 strains. 10E8 is specific to the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV envelope protein gp41 and 10E8 is orthogonal to other anti-HIV antibodies. In combination with other antibodies 10E8 may provide an antibody response that neutralizes nearly all strains of HIV-1.

This invention involves the use of inhibitors of alpha-4 beta-7 (a4b7) integrin to inhibit HIV transmission/infection, as a prophylactic to inhibit onset of the acute stage of HIV infection or to treat HIV infection. The a4b7 integrin inhibitors were previously developed for use in other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or inflammatory bowel disease.