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Efficacy of ProC6C-AlOH/Matrix-M against #Plasmodium falciparum #infection and #mosquito #transmission: a phase 2, randomised, controlled human malaria infection study

By G.M.
  Summary Background An investigational multistage malaria vaccine, ProC6C, based on distinct Plasmodium falciparum epitopes from the sporozoite stage (P falciparum circumsporozoite protein [PfCSP]) and the transmission stages (Pfs230 and Pfs48/45), adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide (AlOH) and adjuvanted with Matrix-M adjuvant (ProC6C-AlOH/MM), has previously shown safety and immunogenicity in phase 1 studies. We aimed to study vaccine efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity in African adults with lifelong malaria exposure. Methods This randomised controlled double-blind vaccination and controlled human malaria infection (CHMI) study was conducted in Sotuba, a peri-urban setting in Mali . Healthy adults (aged 18–50 years), who were malaria experienced and met eligibility criteria, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive three intramuscular injections of ProC6C-AlOH/MM (100 μg ProC6C and 50 μg Matrix-M adjuvant) or Verorab rabies vaccine (control) 4 weeks apart. Randomisation was done in...
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Immunological and virological #questions for #H5N1 #pandemic emergence

By G.M.
  Abstract Zoonotic spillover of influenza A viruses into humans has repeatedly triggered pandemics throughout history. Since their emergence in the 1990s, H5N1 influenza viruses have significantly expanded their geographical range and host species , raising global concern about the potential for sustained human-to-human transmission . In this review , we examine the virological characteristics of currently circulating H5N1 strains, key molecular barriers limiting their spread among humans, and critical areas of future research to mitigate the ongoing H5N1 panzootic and prevent future pandemics. Source:  Link:  https://academic.oup.com/immunohorizons/article/9/SI/vlaf062/8381786 ____
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Mass #mortality at #penguin mega-colonies due to avian cholera confounds #H5N1 HPAIV #surveillance in #Antarctica

By G.M.
  Abstract In the austral summer 2023/2024, H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) was reported for the first time in Antarctica . Concerns of HPAIV causing high mortality of seabirds and mammals prompted immediate efforts to track its spread and impact on endemic wildlife. In March 2024, we visited the Danger Islands archipelago , that hosts two mega-colonies of Adélie penguins , and observed an unusual mortality estimated in thousands of Adélie penguins and other species . Swabs and tissues were collected for molecular detection of infectious agents from 49 carcasses, and additional tissues for histology from a selection of 9 carcasses. We unexpectedly detected Pasteurella multocida DNA in 46 of 49 individuals, and diagnosed avian cholera , and not HPAI , as the cause of death of most of these animals. By metagenomics, we retrieved the genomic sequences of the Pasteurella multocida strain which caused the epizootic, and the phylogenetic analysis showed a close rela...
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New {seasonal} #influenza {#H3N2} #variant is surging, but #vaccination still our best bet: #WHO (#UN, Dec. 17 '25)

By G.M.
  16 December 2025  Amid an early start to the Northern Hemisphere influenza season a new variant of the virus is rapidly gaining ground - but vaccination remains the “most effective defence”, the UN health agency said on Tuesday. Influenza and other respiratory viruses are surging, Dr Wenqing Zhang, Unit Head for Global Respiratory Threats at the Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Threats Management of the World Health Organization (WHO) told reporters in Geneva, and this year is marked by “the emergence and the rapid expansion of a new AH3N2 virus subclade ”. The new variant - called J.2.4.1 or subclade K - was first noted in August in Australia and New Zealand and has since been detected in over 30 countries, she said. “Current epidemiological data do not indicate an increase in disease severity , although this genetic shift makes a notable evolution in the virus,” Dr Zhang said. Influenza viruses are constantly evolving , she explained, which is why the influenza vaccine ...
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Dynamics of B-cell response in #MERS-CoV #patients and survivors with hybrid #immunity

By G.M.
  ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a highly lethal respiratory infection for which no vaccines or antiviral therapeutics are currently available . Understanding the immune response is critical for designing effective therapeutics . Here, we comprehensively characterized the dynamics of B-cell responses in severely infected MERS-CoV patients and survivors with SARS-CoV-2 exposure history . Infected patients developed robust neutralizing antibody responses within 1 month of illness , with moderate-to-high cross-neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 . The enhanced neutralization activity coincided with an increased abundance of specific mutated, class-switched IgG clones. Notably, one such clone was detected at moderate prevalence in both patients, and its expansion was accompanied by high neutralization activity against both viruses . Conversely, MERS-CoV survivors demonstrated higher neutralization activity against MERS-CoV after vaccinati...
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#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  A mute swan in Mazowieckie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7123 ____
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Chinese #Taipei - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
Samples from Qieding District, Kaohsiung City and Annan District, Tainan City were sent to the National Laboratory, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), for diagnosis. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 subtype were confirmed by VRI. The sampling spots were disinfected. Surrounding poultry farms within 3 km radius of the sampling spot are under intensified surveillance for 28 days. By Cp9asngf - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27358997 A dead black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) was found in Sicao, Annan District, Tainan City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on December 7. ___ By Photo by Laitche, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46904763 A dead Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) was found in Qieding District, Kaohsiung City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed...
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#Global burden of lower respiratory #infections and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

By G.M.
  Summary Background Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) remain the world's leading infectious cause of death. This analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 provides global, regional, and national estimates of LRI incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with attribution to 26 pathogens , including 11 newly modelled pathogens, across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. With new data and revised modelling techniques, these estimates serve as an update and expansion to GBD 2021. Through these estimates, we also aimed to assess progress towards the 2025 Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) target for pneumonia mortality in children younger than 5 years. Methods Mortality from LRIs, defined as physician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis, was estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model with data from vital registration, verbal autopsy, surveillan...
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#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
A wild Greylag Goose in Podlaskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7096 ____
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#Namibia - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

By G.M.
  By MPF - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=102468449 Approximately 30 wild birds on an island near Lüderitz were observed exhibiting clinical signs consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Enhanced and continuous surveillance activities are ongoing to assess the extent of infection and monitor potential spread. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7120 ____
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The #potential of #H5N1 viruses to adapt to #bovine cells varies throughout #evolution

By G.M.
  Abstract Avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses caused a global panzootic and, unexpectedly, widespread outbreaks in dairy cattle , therefore representing a pandemic threat . To inform control strategies, it is critical to determine whether the potential to adapt to bovine cells is a general feature of H5N1 viruses , is specific to viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, or narrowly restricted to some genotypes within this clade. Using a large panel of recombinant viruses representing >60 years of H5N1 history and other IAVs for comparison, we demonstrate replicative fitness in bovine cells is: (i) highly variable across 2.3.4.4b genotypes, (ii) limited in viruses predating the global expansion of this clade , (iii) determined by the internal gene cassette, and (iv) not restricted to udder epithelial cells. Mutations in the PB2 polymerase subunit emerge as key determinants of adaptation , although their phenotypic effects are context dependent. Bovine B3.13 and some avian genotypes ex...
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#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

By G.M.
  Clin Infect Dis BIEBELBERG B, Chen T, McKenna C, Kanjilal S, et al Associations between antibiotic use and outcomes in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and positive respiratory viral assays. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Dec 11:ciaf687. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Emerg Infect Dis BRAUNFELD JB, Traub E, Chiou H, Amoon AT, et al Community-Driven, Text Message-Based COVID-19 Surveillance System, Los Angeles County, California, USA, 2020-2024. Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31:2109-2117. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis LI H, LiuPhD J, Fang Q, Li Z, et al Pathogen-specific immunity debt in children after prolonged nonpharmaceutical interventions: a cross-sectional study in China. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Dec 3:108278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108278. PubMed           Abstract available JIANG Z, Shan T, Li Y, Han F, et ...
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#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

By G.M.
  Biochem Biophys Res Commun HU J, Li J, You W, Liu L, et al Disruption of the local vRNA structure at the end of HA encoding region interferes with the selective packaging of influenza A virus genome. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;795:153082. PubMed           Abstract available BANGARU MLY, Raghavendra NK Helix alpha1 of human ACE2 mimics dsDNA and Spike of SARS-CoV-2 binds DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;793:153020. PubMed           Abstract available Cell WASDIN PT, Johnson NV, Janke AK, Held S, et al Generation of antigen-specific paired-chain antibodies using large language models. Cell. 2025;188:7206-7221. PubMed           Abstract available YAN L, Huang Y, Liu Y, Ge J, et al Structural basis for the concurrence of template recycling and RNA capping in SARS-CoV-2. Cell. 2025;188:7194-7205. PubMed           Abs...
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Maize Deity (Chicomecoatl), Aztec Art (c.1450 - c.1521)

By G.M.
  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/aztec-art/maize-deity-chicomecoatl ____
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History of Mass Transportation: A Stadler DMU, ''the Yellow Train'' during a trial service

By G.M.
  Par fr:User:Cargocap — fr:Fichier:DSC00218.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4114677 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Rail ____
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#Human monoclonal #antibodies that target clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 hemagglutinin

By G.M.
  Abstract The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has been spreading globally since 2022 , causing mortality and morbidity in domestic and wild birds, as well as in mammals , which underscores its potential to cause a pandemic . Here, we generate a panel of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the H5 protein of clade 2.3.4.4b. To develop human chimeric antibodies , H2L2 Harbor Mice®, which express human immunoglobulin germline genes, were immunized with H5 and N1 recombinant proteins from A/mallard/New York/22-008760-007- original/2022 H5N1 virus. Through hybridoma technology, sixteen fully human mAbs are generated, most of which show cross-reactivity against H5 proteins from different clade 2.3.4.4 virus variants . Fourteen out of the sixteen mAbs neutralize the virus in vitro . The mAbs with the strongest hemagglutination inhibition activity also demonstrate greater neutralizing capacity and show increased protective effects ...
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#SARS-CoV-2 within-host population expansion, diversification and #adaptation in #zoo #tigers, #lions and #hyenas

By G.M.
  Abstract SARS-CoV-2 rapidly adapts to new hosts following cross-species transmission; this is highly relevant as unique within-host variants have emerged following infection of susceptible wild and domestic animal species . Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals (e.g., white-tailed deer, mink, domestic cats, and others) back to humans has been observed , documenting the potential of animal-derived variants to infect humans. Here, we investigate SARS-CoV-2 evolution and host-specific adaptation during an outbreak in Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), African lions (Panthera leo), and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) at Denver Zoo in 2021 . SARS-CoV-2 genomes from longitudinal samples from 16 individuals are evaluated for within-host variation and genomic signatures of selection, and we determine that the outbreak was likely initiated by a single spillover of a rare Delta sublineage . Within-host virus populations rapidly expand and diversify, and we detect signature...
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