Infectious Disease

Reported cases of the infectious disease have surpassed pre-pandemic levels in Missouri.

St. Louis has the highest rates of syphilis infection in the state. Local health officials want to slow the spread in parts of the city where resources are scarce.

Scientists at SLU think they can use an existing immunization to test how well people respond to tuberculosis vaccines in development. Scientists are on the hunt for a more effective vaccine to protect people from the bacterial infection, which kills more than 1 million people a year globally.

The patented device can analyze various chemicals in people’s breath, compare them to a database, and be an initial screening for ailments including diabetes and kidney disease.

Wash U researchers have developed a microwave-size box that uses electrodes and a “wet cyclone” to detect coronavirus particles in the air within five minutes. The scientists say the prototype could be fitted to detect other pathogens and bacteria, as well.

Millions received the COVID-19 vaccine, which was the first widely used immunization to use mRNA technology. Washington University researchers hope they can use the same method to make an mRNA flu shot.

Monkeypox is not spreading widely in St. Louis, but demand for the vaccine far outpaces the limited supply. To get the vaccine to the highest-risk people, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health will oversee distribution in St. Louis and in St. Charles, Jefferson and St. Louis counties.

St. Louis health officials have reported the city’s first probable case of monkeypox. The case has not been confirmed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But the CDC has recently confirmed three cases of monkeypox in Missouri.

As seasons become warmer due to climate change, more ticks survive, thrive and multiply, latching onto animals and humans and spreading diseases including Lyme disease and Heartland virus. A recent study by University of Missouri researchers found ticks are active eight months out of the year, from early spring through late fall. The extended season mean more ticks spread potentially fatal diseases.

An increase of COVID-19 cases in the region has caused the St. Louis Sports Medicine COVID-19 Task Force, the St. Louis County Department of Public Health and the City of St. Louis Department of Health to initiate a hold on all youth sport games and scrimmages. The move has some pediatricians frustrated that the focus has been on youth sports, rather than congregations in bars and restaurants.