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Showing posts from June 6, 2025

#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza A(#H5) (CDC, June 6 '25)

  {Excerpt} Time Period: May 25, 2025 - May 31, 2025 - H5 Detection :  10 sites ( 2.5% ) - No Detection :  389 sites ( 97.5% ) - No samples in last week :  52 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

#Antigenic and #virological characteristics of #SARS-CoV-2 #variants BA.3.2, #XFG, and #NB181

{Excerpt} The SARS-CoV-2 saltation variant BA.3.2 , harbouring over 50 mutations relative to its ancestral BA.3 lineage , has recently drawn global attention (figure A). Notably, BA.3.2 exhibits 44 mutations distinct from the currently dominant LP.8.1/LP.8.1.1 variant (appendix p 4), raising speculation about its potential to drive an outbreak similar to BA.2.86 /JN.1, particularly following its first detection outside South Africa in the Netherlands on April 2, 2025.1–5 A critical evaluation of its antigenic profile and infectivity is essential to establish its likelihood of prevailing. (...) Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases,  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00308-1/fulltext?rss=yes ____

#Serological insights into #MERS-CoV dynamics of #antibody responses during acute and convalescent phases and their clinical relevance for #diagnostics and immunity

Abstract Introduction Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a zoonotic viral respiratory disease caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), associated with severe clinical outcomes and high mortality. Objectives Our study examined the kinetics of anti-MERS-CoV IgM and IgG antibodies during the acute and convalescent phases of infection, focusing on their correlations with clinical variables such as age and viral load. Methods Serum samples were collected from PCR-confirmed MERS-CoV patients (n = 23) during both phases and compared to healthy controls (n = 23) using validated ELISA-based assays. Results IgM levels peaked in the acute phase and declined significantly in the convalescent phase , while IgG levels were sustained and markedly higher during recovery . Correlation analyses revealed positive relationships between antibody levels and patient age (acute IgM: r = 0.56, p < 0.01; convalescent IgG: r = 0.59, p < 0.01) and viral loads (acute IgM...

Immediate #PB2-E627K amino acid #substitution after single #infection of highly pathogenic avian #influenza #H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in mice

Abstract The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has rapidly disseminated globally , with mammalian infections reported in multiple species. Recent evidence of mammal-to-mammal transmission has heightened concerns about the virus’s potential adaptation to mammals . The polymerase basic 2 (PB2) protein E627K mutation appears to be of key importance for mammalian adaptation. We isolated an HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus from wild birds in Korea with 96% E and 4% K at amino acid position 627 of PB2 . To investigate the genomic characteristics of this clade regarding mammalian adaptation, we studied the replication and transmission of the H5N1 virus in mice. Two experiments with different challenge-to-contact ratios were conducted to assess transmission dynamics and mutation development . In experiment 1, a 4:1 challenge-to-contact ratio resulted in 100% transmission among direct-contact mice , with all mice succumbing to the infection. In experiment 2, a 1:...

Chimeric #hemagglutinin and #M2 #mRNA #vaccine for broad #influenza subtype protection

Abstract Since multiple and unpredicted influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and even high-risk pandemics , developing a universal influenza vaccine is essential to provide broad protection against various influenza subtypes. Combined with the mRNA lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated (mRNA-LNP) vaccine platform and chimeric immunogen strategy , we developed a novel cocktail mRNA vaccine encoding chimeric HAs (cH5/1-BV, cH7/3) and intact M2 (termed Fluaxe), which confers broad protection against major circulating IAVs and IBVs , as well as highly pathogenic avian influenza . Two-dose intramuscular immunization of Fluaxe in mice elicited cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies , T cell responses, and long-lived immunity, resulting in robust protection against multiple lethal influenza virus infections and severe acute lung injuries . In particular, intramuscular administration stimulated systemic immunity together with a prominent lung tropism of memory cells . Moreover, Fluaxe immuniza...