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The #potential of #H5N1 viruses to adapt to #bovine cells varies throughout #evolution

  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...

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

  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 ...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

  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...

Maize Deity (Chicomecoatl), Aztec Art (c.1450 - c.1521)

  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/aztec-art/maize-deity-chicomecoatl ____

History of Mass Transportation: A Stadler DMU, ''the Yellow Train'' during a trial service

  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 ____

#Human monoclonal #antibodies that target clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 hemagglutinin

  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 ...

#SARS-CoV-2 within-host population expansion, diversification and #adaptation in #zoo #tigers, #lions and #hyenas

  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...

History of Mass Transportation: The Renault ABH Autorail in service with the Chemins de Fer de la Corse

  Par Didier Duforest — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12918351 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorail_Renault# ____

#Risk #assessment of #SARS-CoV-2 #infection from external #surfaces and biological samples of #COVID19 corpses

  Highlights •  Infectious SARS-CoV-2 were detected in nasopharynx and on the surface of corpses •  Viral load and symptom-to-discovery time are linked to viral infectivity •  Infectious viruses were not found in the body fluids •  Our findings highlight strict infection control for COVID-19 corpse handling Abstract Objectives The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide . However, the risk of transmission from COVID-19 corpses remain unclear, posing challenges for forensic medicine in establishing effective infection control measures during autopsies . This study aimed to investigate the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses and identify factors affecting viral infectivity. Methods External examinations of 76 corpses with COVID-19 were performed, and nasopharyngeal, perioral, hand swabs, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples were collected. Viral RNA was quantified by using digital PCR, and infectious viruses were as...

Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N1 Virus, #Argentina, 2025

  Abstract Genomic sequencing of reemerging highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected in Argentina in February 2025 revealed novel triple-reassortant viruses containing gene segments from Eurasian H5N1 and low pathogenicity viruses from South and North American lineages . Our findings highlight continued evolution and diversification of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the Americas. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/12/25-0783_article ____

#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (#US CDC, Dec. 12 '25)

  {Excerpt} Time Period: November 30, 2025 - December 06, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  2 site(s) ( 0.5% ) -- No Detection :  390 site(s) ( 99.5% ) -- No samples in last week :  54 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

Safety and immunogenicity of a #Nipah virus #vaccine (HeV-sG-V) in adults: a single-centre, randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study

  Summary Background First discovered in 1999 in Malaysia, Nipah virus (NiV) causes yearly outbreaks throughout south and southeast Asia with associated mortality rates of 40–75%. Due to the structural and sequence similarities between the NiV and Hendra virus (HeV) attachment G glycoproteins , and the extensive extant evidence of the ability of a recombinant soluble glycoprotein G (HeV-sG) to provide heterologous cross-protective immunity when used as vaccine (HeV-sG-V), this study aimed to evaluate HeV-sG-V for safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity against NiV. Methods We conducted a phase 1, single-centre, randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study . Eligible participants were aged 18–49 years, healthy, and not pregnant ; participants were ineligible if they were immunocompromised, had received blood products within 6 months of enrolment, had potential exposure to NiV or HeV, or had known allergies to components of the vaccine. Participants were randomly assigned in...

#Vaccine-induced #antigenic #drift of a #human-origin #H3N2 #Influenza A virus in swine alters glycan binding and sialic acid avidity

  Abstract I nterspecies transmission of human influenza A viruses (FLUAV) to swine occurs frequently, yet the molecular factors driving adaptation remain poorly understood . Here we investigated how vaccine-induced immunity shapes the evolution of a human-origin H3N2 virus in pigs using an in vivo sustained transmission model . Pigs (seeders) were vaccinated with a commercial inactivated swine vaccine and then infected with an antigenically distinct FLUAV containing human-origin HA/NA . Contact pigs were introduced two days later. After 3 days, seeder pigs were removed, and new contacts introduced. This was repeated for a total of 4 contacts. Sequencing of nasal swab samples showed the emergence of mutations clustered near the HA receptor binding site , enabling immune escape and abolishing binding to N-glycolylneuraminic acid. Mutant viruses recognized α2,6-sialosides with 3 N-acetyllactosamine repeats , which are rare in swine lungs, while the parental virus bound structures wit...

High pathogenicity avian #influenza virus #H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) drives mass #mortality in Eurasian #crane (Grus grus) populations in #Germany, 2025

  Abstract In autumn 2025, an unprecedented mass mortality event was observed among the western migrating subpopulation of Eurasian cranes (Grus grus) in Germany . Systemic infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 , clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype DI.2.1, was identified as the cause of acute death. The gregarious behavior of cranes at feeding and resting sites likely has contributed to the rapid and massive dissemination of viruses within the crane population. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funder Information Declared European Union, 101084171 Source:  Link:  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2025.12.08.692485v1 ____

Seasonal #influenza - #Global #situation (#WHO, Dec. 10 '25, excerpts)

  10 December 2025 Situation at a glance Seasonal influenza (‘the flu’) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate globally and year-round.  It can cause illness ranging from mild to severe , sometimes resulting in hospitalization or death.  Seasonal influenza activity has increased globally in recent months, with an increased proportion of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses being detected.  This rise coincides with the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and an increase in acute respiratory infections caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses typically observed at this time of year.  Although global activity remains within expected seasonal ranges , early increases and higher activity than typical at this time of year have been observed in some regions.  Seasonal influenza viruses, including A(H3N2) viruses, continually evolve over time.  Since August 2025, there has been a rapid increase of A(H3N2) J.2...