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  Am J Respir Crit Care Med MICHELS EHA, Peters-Sengers H, de Brabander J, Schuurman AR, et al The Plasma Proteome in Community-acquired Pneumonia: Pathophysiology, Outcome and 10-Year Risk. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Jul 2. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202502-0325. PubMed           Abstract available Ann Intern Med CROSLEY E, Martin GS In COVID-19 acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, awake prone positioning vs. supine positioning increases survival without intubation. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-02004. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ COOPER N, Agius S, Freeman K, Church H, et al Impact of physician assistants on quality of care: rapid review. BMJ. 2025;390:e086358. PubMed           Abstract available KIRKLAND A, Greer SL The antivaccine movement threatens health in the US and worldwide. BMJ. 2025;390:r1383. PubMed     ...

  Biochemistry (Mosc) KAZAKOVA AA, Leonova EI, Sopova JV, Chirinskaite AV, et al Progress in CRISPR/CAS13-Mediated Suppression of Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 Virus Infection in in vitro and in vivo Models. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2025;90:786-803. PubMed           Abstract available BMC Pediatr XIANG L, Wang Q, Xu Y, Tong Y, et al Paxlovid for the treatment of severe or critical COVID-19 in children. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:493. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ CHEN C, Zhou W, Cui Y, Cao K, et al Global, regional, and national characteristics of the main causes of increased disease burden due to the covid-19 pandemic: time-series modelling analysis of global burden of disease study 2021. BMJ. 2025;390:e083868. PubMed           Abstract available J Clin Microbiol ROBBINS EM, Bertuzis R, Chiu H-C, Miller L, et al A multicenter study to assess the performance of the p...

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13 in U.S. dairy cattle marks a significant shift in the virus' host range and epidemiological profile. Infected cattle typically exhibit mild clinical signs, such as reduced milk production, mastitis and fever, with morbidity generally below 20% and mortality averaging 2%. Transmission within farms is primarily driven by contaminated milk and milking procedures , while farm‐to‐farm spread is mainly linked to cattle movement and shared equipment . The virus demonstrates high replication in mammary glands , with infected cows shedding large quantities of virus in milk for up to 3 weeks, even in the absence of clinical signs. Shedding through other routes appears limited. Infected cattle develop virus‐specific antibodies within 7–10 days , offering short‐term protection, though the duration and robustness of immunity remain unclear. Between March 2024 and May 2025, the virus was co...

Abstract On 08 December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of Disease X in the Panzi Health Zone, Kwango province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This unknown pathogen , with 406 cases and 31 deaths at the time of its declaration, predominantly affects children under 5 years. Disease X, hypothesised to be a zoonotic ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus , poses significant challenges because of limited healthcare infrastructure, gaps in risk communication and ineffective community engagement . This opinion article aims to explore these challenges and advocate for the urgent need for culturally tailored, inclusive communication strategies that foster trust and empower local communities in responding to outbreaks. Key approaches highlighted include mobilising local leaders, utilising mobile laboratories for decentralised diagnostics and improving sample collection techniques. Drawing on lessons from previous epidemics, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, this article ...

Summary Background Clade I monkeypox virus is endemic in DR Congo. We aim to describe the epidemiological trends of the cocirculating subclades Ia and Ib mpox outbreaks in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Methods This retrospective observational study included suspected and laboratory-confirmed mpox cases reported between Jan 1, 2023, and Oct 31, 2024, in Kinshasa. Skin lesion swabs or blood samples were collected as part of a routine countrywide mpox surveillance programme. To confirm the diagnosis of mpox, all samples were tested at the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) using real-time PCR. Whole-genome sequencing was conducted for phylogenomic analysis and assessment of APOBEC3 type mutations. Samples that remained unassigned to subclade Ia or Ib after whole-genome sequencing and real-time PCR were labelled as an unknown subclade. Findings As part of routine disease surveillance, 1479 suspected mpox cases were reported in Kinshasa. Samples were collected from 1314 suspected mpox ...

Abstract As of 20 May, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in more than 173.1 million birds since the outbreak began in January 2022. The secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., has suggested allowing the unmitigated spread of HPAI in turkeys and chickens to identify surviving birds—a sentiment supported by Brooke Rollins, secretary of the USDA , which, along with state-level departments of agriculture, has jurisdiction over animal disease outbreaks (1). This approach would be dangerous and unethical . Allowing a highly lethal, rapidly evolving, and contagious virus to run a natural course of infection in poultry would lead to unnecessary suffering of poultry and put other susceptible animals on and near affected farms at risk . It would prolong exposure for farmworkers , which could increase viral adaptation and transmission risks for poultry, other peridomestic animals, and humans. Sou...

Abstract Background Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by the influenza A virus, which can infect a variety of domestic,wild birds and even cross the species barrier and infect humans.To understand the contamination of avian influenza virus in the external environment of poultry in Huzhou City from 2017 to 2023 and to assess the risk of human infection with avian influenza. Methods A total of 3,400 environmental specimens from five types of venues in Huzhou City were collected and tested for influenza A virus nucleic acid using fluorescent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results From 2017 to 2023, with 15.44% overall positive rate of influenza A virus . The predominant subtype of avian influenza virus was H9 (accounting for 54.67%). The peak of positive influenza virus detection rates occurred in winter and spring seasons every year. The venue with highest positive rate was poultry slaughtering and processing plants (41.83%), followed by ...

Summary -- What is already known about this topic? - Parvovirus B19 (B19) is a respiratory virus that can cause adverse fetal outcomes in pregnant women and persons who are immunocompromised or have chronic hemolytic blood disorders . After relatively low rates during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2021–2023, B19 activity in 2024 exceeded that of prepandemic years. -- What is added by this report? - Data from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program indicated that the proportion of sera specimens positive for B19 antibodies during January–May 10, 2025, was higher than during the same period in 2024 , suggesting a sustained increase in B19 transmission. -- What are the implications for public health practice? - Health care providers should have a heightened suspicion of and consider providing testing for B19 infection among groups at high risk for severe outcomes, including pregnant women with compatible symptoms or exposure to B19. Among pregnant women, health care providers should ...

Abstract Background From 1918 to 1920, the largest influenza A virus (IAV) pandemic known to date spread globally causing between 20 to 100 million deaths . Historical records have captured critical aspects of the disease dynamics , such as the occurrence and severity of the pandemic waves . Yet, other important pieces of information such as the mutations that allowed the virus to adapt to its new host can only be obtained from IAV genomes. The analysis of specimens collected during the pandemic and still preserved in historical pathology collections can significantly contribute to a better understanding of its course. However, efficient RNA processing protocols are required to work with such specimens. Results Here, we describe an alternative protocol for efficient ancient RNA sequencing and evaluate its performance on historical samples, including a published positive control. The phenol/chloroform-free protocol efficiently recovers ancient viral RNA , especially small fragments , an...

Abstract H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) is a globally prevalent pathogen that causes economic losses in poultry and poses zoonotic threats . Due to antigenic drift and shift, traditional inactivated vaccines often show reduced efficacy . This study presents a novel subunit vaccine based on a conserved HA6 scaffold derived from the hemagglutinin stem domain and coupled with a fusion peptide epitope (fPE) via Snoopligase-mediated ligation. The HA6 protein was validated by its binding to the broad-spectrum antibody CR6261, and the fPE-HA6 fusion construct incorporated T- and B-cell epitopes. Immunization trials in a chicken demonstrated that fPE-HA6 induced stronger humoral and cellular immune responses than individual immunogens. Upon challenge with H9N2 strains YZ4 and SN, the fusion vaccine significantly reduced viral shedding, demonstrating broad-spectrum protection. These findings highlight the potential of HA6 as a modular scaffold for influenza vaccines and the utility of Snoopli...

Abstract Avian influenza A(H5N1) poses a public health risk due to its pandemic potential should the virus mutate to become human-to-human transmissible . To date, reported influenza A(H5N1) human cases have typically occurred in the lower respiratory tract with a high case fatality rate . There is prior evidence of some influenza A(H5N1) strains being a small number of amino acid mutations away from achieving droplet transmissibility , possibly allowing them to be spread between humans. We present a mechanistic within-host influenza A(H5N1) infection model , novel for its explicit consideration of the biological differences between the upper and lower respiratory tracts . We then estimate a distribution of viral lifespans and effective replication rates in human H5N1 influenza cases. By combining our within-host model with a viral mutation model, we determine the probability of an infected individual generating a droplet transmissible strain of influenza A(H5N1) through mutation. For ...

Abstract H5N1, a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, presents pandemic risks due to its ability to adapt and spread among mammalian species . Vaccination may control its spread, but the effectiveness of existing H5N1 vaccines against circulating strains, especially clade 2.3.4.4b, remains uncertain . In this study, we assess neutralizing antibody responses to global circulating H5N1 strains, using sera from individuals vaccinated with an inactivated H5N1 vaccine (NCT00535665). Neutralization is measured against 17 pseudoviruses, representing circulating and vaccine H5 strains. Our results indicate that broad protective effects are observed only when high antibody titers are achieved by vaccination. Correlation analysis estimates that a pseudovirus-based neutralization titer of at least 1:980 is required to achieve a cross-protection rate above 60%. The findings suggest that the current H5N1 vaccine can elicit cross-neutralization of circulating H5N1 strains , if high antibody tite...

Abstract Zoonotic diseases pose global public health threats, prompting various interventions to limit their emergence and spread . One increasingly common response by governments has been to ban wildlife hunting , trade and consumption. However, there is limited evidence of the effectiveness of wildlife trade bans . Here we assess compliance with Nigeria’s wildlife trade ban—enacted to curb the spread of mpox (formerly monkeypox)—by analysing approximately 4.5 years of wild meat sales data from 19 vendors in southeast Nigeria (988 vendor-months) alongside interviews with vendors and law enforcement officials. After matching the sales data by time of year, we found no significant differences before and after the ban in the number of vendors selling wild meat per week, the weekly mass of wild meat sold, or the weekly price per kilogram of wild meat; however, the total weekly sales price was higher post-ban. These findings, supported by interview insights, indicate widespread non-complia...

Abstract Avian H15 influenza viruses are closely related to H7 viruses, but feature a unique 9-amino acid insertion in their hemagglutinin head domain , creating an additional site for antigenic variation . Here, we characterized a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against the A/wedge-tailed shearwater/Western Australia/2576/1979 ancestral strain , and a human mAb isolated from an H7N9 vaccinee . We found differences in binding and neutralization profiles against the ancestral strain and drifted strains of H15 isolated after 2008. MAbs that have hemagglutination inhibition activity against the ancestral strain do not show binding to drifted strains , hinting at antigenic differences in the receptor binding site . We show that the mAbs protect in vivo and elucidate mAb-antigen interactions using negative stain and cryo-electron microscopy. The characterization of H15 antigenicity and mechanisms of antibody-mediated neutralization expands our knowledge of this rare avian...

Abstract Viral pandemics such as COVID-19 have demonstrated long-term neurological consequences , including memory impairment and depression , emphasizing the importance of understanding virus-brain interactions [1]. Similar concerns have been raised for Influenza A virus (IAV), which has been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders [2, 3]. In this study, we investigated the neuropathological effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and H5N8 strains in a mouse model . Although viral RNA was detected in the brain post-infection, no viral proteins were found, suggesting limited or transient brain replication . Despite this, infected brains showed significant neuronal damage , including axonal loss and nuclear condensation , as evidenced by immunofluorescence and Nissl staining. We also observed pathological changes in TDP-43, including conformational alterations and increased phosphorylation, which required antigen retrieval for detection, features reminiscent of those ...

Highlights •  In a landscape of a very narrow arsenal of influenza antivirals, resistance mutations are a significant threat. •  Resistance mutations were present in 0.5-5% in A and B influenza viruses during the last 15 years. •  However, S247N resistance mutation in the NA gene sharply increased during 2023-2024 season. •  While this mutation does not confer strong resistance by itself, their fixation could increase the risk of resistance in the future if other resistance mutations appears or get fixed together with it. Abstract The therapeutic arsenal against influenza is extremely limited and resistance often arises due to the emergence of mutations , especially in the neuraminidase (NA) gene. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of NA mutations over 15 years in Spain . To do so, we used the GISAID database from which we downloaded a total of 11,125 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2), B/Victoria and B/Yamagata NA virus sequences , and analyzed the resistance m...

ABSTRACT The threat to global health security posed by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and emerging MERS-like coronaviruses highlights the need to develop safe and efficient vaccines. Viral vector vaccines have been shown to be effective and are widely used to prevent various viral diseases because they mimic natural infection and induce a more comprehensive immune response. Herein, we developed a novel bat influenza A virus-based vaccine vector by replacing the open reading frame of either bat influenza hemagglutinin or neuraminidase with that of the hemagglutinin-esterase-fusion gene from influenza D virus , which can infect multiple species, including humans and camels . We then generated a temperature-sensitive, cold-adapted, and attenuated MERS vaccine candidate expressing the clade A MERS-CoV spike S1, referred to as Len_S1, using the developed bat influenza vector and demonstrated its safety and immunogenicity. A single-dose intranasal immunization with L...

ABSTRACT The unprecedented global spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in wild birds, poultry, and mammalian species has challenged our control efforts. Alternative approaches to limit avian influenza viruses (AIV) include the development of resilient or resistant chickens . Genetically resilient birds may become infected but can overcome disease, whereas resistant birds prevent virus attachment or entry and do not become infected. The most intensively studied host gene is myxovirus-resistance (Mx), which is expressed via the interferon pathway . Both sensitive and resistant chicken Mx genotypes have been described, but this only provides limited resilience . Acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A (ANP32A) has been demonstrated as a host cofactor for AIV replication via interaction with the polymerase. Small nucleotide changes within this gene have demonstrated some promise for the establishment of disease resilience. Certain MHC-defined genetic chicke...

Abstract In 2022-23, the world witnessed the largest recorded outbreak of monkeypox virus (MPXV). Neurological manifestations were reported alongside the detection of MPXV DNA and MPXV-specific antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients. Here, we analyze the susceptibility of neural tissue to MPXV using human neural organoids (hNOs) exposed to a clade IIb isolate . We report susceptibility of several cell types to the virus, including neural progenitor cells and neurons . The virus efficiently replicates in hNOs, as indicated by the exponential increase of infectious viral titers and establishment of viral factories . Our findings reveal focal enrichment of viral antigen alongside accumulation of cell-associated infectious virus , suggesting viral cell-to-cell spread . Using an mNeonGreen-expressing recombinant MPXV, we confirm cell-associated virus transmission . We furthermore show the formation of beads in infected neurites, a phenomenon associated with neurodegenerative diso...

Abstract The H5N1 avian influenza virus continues to evolve into genetically diverse and highly pathogenic clades with increased potential for cross-species transmission . Recent scientific advances have included the development of next-generation vaccine platforms , promising antiviral compounds , and more sensitive diagnostic tools , alongside strengthened surveillance systems in both animals and humans. However, persistent structural challenges hinder global readiness. Vaccine production is heavily concentrated in high-income countries, limiting equitable access during potential pandemics. Economic and logistical barriers complicate the implementation of control strategies such as vaccination, culling, and compensation schemes. Gaps in international coordination , public communication, and standardization of protocols further exacerbate vulnerabilities. Although sustained human-to-human transmission has not been documented, the severity of confirmed infections and the rapid global s...