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Showing posts from July 29, 2025

Genomic profiling of #cefotaxime-resistant #Haemophilus influenzae from #Norway and #Sweden reveals extensive expansion of virulent #MDR international clones

Abstract Cefotaxime-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (CRHI) are a global concern, but little is known about their molecular epidemiology . The goal of this study was to perform genomic profiling of 191 CRHI from Norway (n = 183) or Sweden (n = 8) (2006–2018) and assess clonal spread using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST)-based Life Identification Number (LIN) codes based on whole genome sequencing (Ion Torrent). Cefotaxime resistance was confirmed with broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), interpreted with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) breakpoints. 35.7% of isolates with cefotaxime gradient MIC of 0.25 mg/L were falsely resistant. All but two isolates (blood) were non-invasive, and all but two (serotype f) were non-typeable. Characterization included calling of resistance determinants, ftsI typing (penicillin-binding protein 3, PBP3), and classification of PBP3-mediated beta-lactam resistance (rPBP3), with a...

Experimental #infection of #alpacas (Vicugna pacos) with #Influenza C and D viruses results in subclinical upper respiratory tract disease

Abstract Influenza D virus (IDV), a new genus within the Orthomyxoviridae family, was initially detected in pigs and cattle . IDV is structurally similar to influenza C virus (ICV). Influenza A, C and D viruses all have non-human maintenance hosts and likely circulate in several mammalian species . Camelids , as a reservoir for zoonotic viruses, were not extensively studied until the emergence of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. Antibody responses to both ICV and IDV could be detected in dromedary camels from Kenya but not differentiated, owing to cross-reactivity. It was unclear whether these findings reflected a technical issue or suggested a role for camelids in ICV and IDV ecology . In the present study, therefore, alpacas (Vicugna pacos), a camelid species , were experimentally inoculated with ICV (C/Victoria/1/2011) or IDV (D/bovine/France/5920/2014) to assess susceptibility and assess the antibody response. We have demonstrated that alpacas ca...

#Cambodia reports 14th #human case of #H5N1 avian #influenza virus infection in 2025

PHNOM PENH, July 29 (Xinhua) -- A 26-year-old man from northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province has been confirmed for H5N1 human avian influenza, raising the number of the cases to 14 so far this year, the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Tuesday. "A laboratory result from the National Institute of Public Health showed on July 26 that the man was positive for H5N1 virus," the statement said. "The patient has the symptoms of fever, cough, sore throat, stomach ache , and breathing difficulty, and is currently being rescued by a team of doctors," it added. The victim lives in Kravann village of Siem Reap city. "Investigations revealed that there were dead chickens near the patient's house and he also culled and plucked chickens three days before he fell ill," the statement said. Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to p...

Chinese #Taipei - High pathogenicity avian #influenza #H5N1 viruses (#poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

This case indicates the recurrence of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 subtype (clade 2.3.4.4b) on a poultry farm in Taiwan . The owner of the poultry farm reported the situation to the local veterinary authority in Yunlin County , and samples were collected on July 10. These samples were sent to the National Reference Laboratory for diagnosis on July 11. Clinical signs included increased mortality rates, reduced appetite , and decreased egg production . On July 13, the outbreak was confirmed as HPAI. Subsequently, 2,616 geese were culled, and comprehensive cleaning and disinfection were conducted on July 21. Farms within a 3-kilometer radius of this location will undergo heightened surveillance and visits for the next 28 days. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6670 ____

#SARS-CoV-2 #Remdesivir Exposure Leads to Different Evolutionary Pathways That Converge in Moderate Levels of Drug #Resistance

Abstract Various SARS-CoV-2 remdesivir resistance-associated substitutions (RAS) have been reported, but a comprehensive comparison of their resistance levels is lacking . We identified novel RAS and performed head-to-head comparisons with known RAS in Vero E6 cells. A remdesivir escape polyclonal virus exhibited a 3.6-fold increase in remdesivir EC50 and mutations throughout the genome, including substitutions in nsp12 (E796D) and nsp14 (A255S). However, in reverse-genetics infectious assays, viruses harboring both these substitutions exhibited only a slight decrease in remdesivir susceptibility (1.3-fold increase in EC50). The nsp12-E796D substitution did not impair viral fitness (Vero E6 cells or Syrian hamsters) and was reported in a remdesivir-treated COVID-19 patient . In replication assays, a subgenomic replicon containing nsp12-E796D+nsp14-A255S led to a 16.1-fold increase in replication under remdesivir treatment . A comparison with known RAS showed that S759A, located in the ...

Potential #impacts of 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic #H5N1 avian #influenza virus #infection on Snow #Goose (Anser caerulescens) movement #ecology

Abstract While wild waterfowl are known reservoirs of avian influenza viruses and facilitate the movement of these viruses , there are notable differences in the response to infection across species. This study explored differential responses to infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Snow Geese (Anser caerulescens) located in the California Central Valley . Though H5 antibody prevalence was high across years among birds sampled in the winter (75% in both years via hemagglutination inhibition), these values were even higher among birds sampled in summer that failed to migrate (i.e., August 2023 = 100% and August 2024 = 93% via hemagglutination inhibition). Birds that failed to migrate were also generally lighter than birds sampled in the winter and presented notable damage to cerebrum and cerebellum . In December 2022, a single individual positive for infection with H5N1 at the time of sampling indicated reduced movement during the 14 days following sampling but completed s...

#Statement of the 42nd #meeting of #Polio #IHR #Emergency Committee (#WHO, July 29 '25)

{Excerpts} The Forty-second meeting of the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) on the international spread of poliovirus was convened by the WHO Director-General on 18 June 2025 with committee members and advisers meeting via video conference with affected countries, supported by the WHO Secretariat.   The Emergency Committee reviewed the data on wild poliovirus ( WPV1 ) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses ( cVDPV ) in the context of the global target of interruption and certification of WPV1 eradication by 2027 and interruption and certification of cVDPV2 elimination by 2029.  Technical updates were received about the situation in the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Nigeria, Pakistan , and Papua New Guinea . (...) Conclusion The Committee unanimously agreed that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) a...