infection

‘Bacterial vampirism’: Deadly pathogens attracted to human blood, study finds – National

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Some of the world’s most deadly bacteria exhibit a peculiar craving for human blood, a discovery shedding new light on the mechanics of bloodstream infections and possible treatments. Termed “bacterial vampirism” by researchers, this phenomenon, detailed in a study published Tuesday in the journal eLife, found that certain bacteria are drawn to the liquid component … Read more

Man dies from mysterious ‘Alaskapox’ disease – first-ever victim of rare illness

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A virus first discovered in 2015 has just claimed its first victim near Alaska’s largest city. An unidentified immunocompromised man died from “Alaskapox” in late January. He lived in the woods of the Kenai Peninsula by himself, and it’s unclear how he contracted the virus. Alaskapox – from the same genus as smallpox and monkeypox … Read more