ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus that causes acute respiratory disease after transmission via close contact with camels . In contrast to the incidence of MERS-CoV human infections in the Middle East , MERS-CoV infections in the Horn of Africa have been rarely reported despite the high number of camels and common camel–human interactions in the area. Whether passive cross-sectional sampling misses active human cases is a significant gap in our understanding of MERS-CoV epidemiology and its impact in the Horn of Africa. To address this gap, we conducted a prospective cross-sectional study at Laisamis Catholic Hospital in northern Kenya’s camel pastoralist community . A total of 942 patients with acute respiratory symptoms were enrolled over 18 months (August 2022–February 2024); 54% of these individuals reported frequent contact with camels and consumption of camel products. Testing via reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction ...

ABSTRACT Betacoronaviruses, which have caused three human outbreaks within the last two decades, are thought to originate from bats , raising the concern that bat coronaviruses could cause a novel human outbreak in the future. To determine whether the bat merbecovirus EjCoV-3 strain , previously detected in Eptesicus japonensis in Japan , has the potential to infect humans, we analyzed its cellular entry mechanism. Cellular entry of EjCoV-3 via the spike protein requires protease treatment and is mediated by an unknown receptor, other than DPP4 or ACE2 . We generated cultivable recombinant EjCoV-3 using bacterial artificial chromosome-based reverse genetics and found that it efficiently replicated in human respiratory and intestinal cell cultures as well as nasal ciliated epithelium in hamsters. These findings suggest that bat merbecovirus with ACE2- and DPP4-independent cell entry has the potential to cause human infections , highlighting the importance of extensive bat surveillance f...

Abstract Background :  The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has differed across continents. We hypothesized that regional differences in SARS-CoV-2 immunity might explain this observation. We therefore established the WWW Consortium in Ghana , W Africa; Jamaica , W Indies ; and W London . Here, we describe the extent to which antibody immunity differs between these geographic locations.  Methods :  The WWW Consortium harmonises across the HERITAGE (Accra, Ghana), WINDFall (Kingston, Jamaica) and Legacy (London, UK) studies, establishing sharing frameworks for samples , metadata, and data; related permissions and oversight; and associated physical and cloud infrastructure. With centralised testing, we performed serological assessments across all three locations at two snapshots in 2024 (April 1st - August 18th; August 19th - December 31st) using high-throughput live virus neutralization and anti-nucleocapsid IgG, including n=763 individuals.  Findings :  We fo...

  Antiviral Res CHANG CW, Oswal N, Murugan M, Goldgirsh K, et al A novel cellular tool for screening human pan-coronavirus antivirals. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jun 10:106212. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106212. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis LEE R, Kim N, Kim WB, Im KI, et al Effectiveness and safety of Autologous Virus-Specific T Cell Therapy for Persistent COVID-19 in People with Immunocompromise: A Clinical Trial Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jun 10:ciaf302. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available SUDNIK P, Walsh EE, Branche AR, Islam M, et al Comprehensive Analysis of Cardiovascular Events and Risk Factors in Patients Hospitalized with RSV. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jun 12:ciaf310. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis WEE LE, Ho RWL, Lim JT, Chiew CJ, et al Long-term multi-systemic sequelae post-hospitalizat...

Highlights •  Acute COVID-19 usually causes mild illness even in young and immunosuppressed children •  Nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with more severe disease •  Concurrent serious bacterial infection is rare in children admitted with acute COVID-19. ABSTRACT Background Management and outcomes of children hospitalised with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection may differ throughout the pandemic or with admission type (clinical COVID-19, incidental COVID-19 or nosocomial infection). Objectives Describe the severity, management and outcomes of hospitalised children with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in Australia across the first 4 years of the pandemic and compare between admission types, SARS-CoV-2 variants, age groups and immune status. Study design A multi-centre prospective cohort study of 6,009 children aged 0-16 years between January 2020 to June 2023. Results Most children (84.3%) did not receive respiratory support , 33.4% received antibiotics and 8% were admitted...

ABSTRACT Understanding viral evolutionary dynamics is crucial to pandemic responses, prediction of virus adaptation over time , and virus surveillance for public health strategies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has enabled fine-grained studies of virus evolution in the human population . Serial passaging in vitro offers a complementary controlled environment to investigate the emergence and persistence of genetic variants that may confer selective advantage . In this study, nine virus lineages , including four “ variants of concern ” and three former “ variants under investigation ,” were sampled over ≥33 serial passages (range 33–100) in Vero E6 cells . WGS was used to examine virus evolutionary dynamics and identify key mutations with implications for fitness and/or transmissibility. Viruses accumulated mutations regularly during serial passaging. Many low-frequency variants were lost , but others became fixed, suggestin...

  Ann Intern Med MARCUCCI M, Chan MTV, Painter TW, Efremov S, et al Effects of a Hypotension-Avoidance Versus a Hypertension-Avoidance Strategy on Neurocognitive Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-02841. PubMed           Abstract available GOLDMAN JM, Moyer DV Flying the Plane While Building It: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-02436. PubMed          Antiviral Res MALUNE P, Esposito F, Tramontano E Unveiling SARS-CoV-2's heart: role, structure and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jun 3:106208. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106208. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ MURPHY F Covid-19: New variant spreading across Asia is found in UK. BMJ. 2025;389:r1161. PubMed          LOOI MK Trump wa...

{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 ____

Abstract Free-ranging white-tailed deer (WTD) are highly susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 virus . Through an opportunistic sampling of WTD in northeast Ohio, USA , during January–March 2023 , we identified 6 SARS-CoV-2 lineages from 36 sequences using the pangolin lineages tool, including the B.1.1.7 lineage (Alpha variant) and BQ.1.1, BQ.1.1.63, BQ.1.1.67, BQ.1.23, and XBB.1.5.35 lineages ( Omicron variant ). The Alpha variant, introduced by a single human-to-deer transmission event , was detected in 5 WTD in January 2023, more than 1 year after the most recent detection of the Alpha variant in humans in Ohio (August 2021). A genetically similar B.1.1.7 lineage virus from WTD in a nearby county in Pennsylvania was positioned with our Ohio deer transmission cluster, suggesting deer-to-deer transmission . The persistence of the Alpha variant in WTD in Ohio warrants continued surveillance to monitor if WTD can become a reservoir for displaced SARS-CoV-2 variants. Source: US Centers for Dise...

{Excerpt} The World Health Organization (WHO) had recently announced on May 12 , 2025, the reporting of nine new laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Saudi Arabia [1]. This announcement is a sobering reminder that while the global community remains focused on emergent threats like avian influenza or post-pandemic resilience, endemic zoonotic diseases like MERS-CoV may continue to circulate, evolve, and exploit gaps in infection prevention. (...) Source: Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health,  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44197-025-00426-6 ____

  Am J Respir Crit Care Med KRISHNAN JA, Cao B, Chotirmall SH, Ely EW, et al Using the 2024 NASEM Definition of Long COVID: Implications for Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025. PubMed          BMJ IBRAHIM S, Siemieniuk RAC, Oliveros MJ, Islam N, et al Drug treatments for mild or moderate covid-19: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. 2025;389:e081165. PubMed           Abstract available BOSAEED M, Alraddadi BM Navigating the complexities of mild and moderate covid-19 treatment. BMJ. 2025;389:r1016. PubMed          TANNE JH US no longer recommends covid-19 vaccinations for pregnant women or children. BMJ. 2025;389:r1104. PubMed          O'DOWD A, Iacobucci G Covid-19: Early call to test healthcare staff was ignored, inquiry hears. BMJ. 2025;389:r1092. PubMed       ...

  Summary -- What is already known about this topic? - Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus transmitted sporadically from camels to humans , with limited subsequent human-to-human transmission . Most reported human cases of MERS have occurred in or near the Arabian Peninsula . Standardized clinical and epidemiologic criteria are used to determine who in the United States should be tested for MERS-CoV. In the United States , the last identified and confirmed MERS cases occurred in 2014 . -- What is added by this report? - Global reported MERS cases have declined substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Numbers of travelers entering the United States from in or near the Arabian Peninsula declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now have returned to prepandemic levels. U.S. MERS-CoV testing declined during 2017–2023 and remains low relative to prepandemic years. Clinical and epidemiologic criteria to guide U.S. testing were updated in ...

Highlights •  Large study on the contribution of HCoV to childhood deaths •  Supports vigilance or further investigations into HCoV pathogenesis •  Potential information for the role Covid-19 will play during severe childhood disease •  Highlights the importance of polymicrobial infection during severe disease episodes Abstract Background Endemic human coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43) are common causes of mild or asymptomatic respiratory infections in children but are considered rare causes of death. Methods We evaluated paediatric deaths from January 2017 through December 2022 . A panel of experts determined the cause of death (CoD) by reviewing available data, including pathological and molecular findings from minimally invasive tissue sampling (lung tissues, blood, CSF, and nasopharyngeal swabs), clinical records, and verbal autopsies. Results Endemic HCoV were detected in the respiratory samples of 3% (n=86/3357) of enrolled decedents: 1% (n=12/204...

  Situation at a glance Since mid-February 2025, according to data available from sentinel sites, global SARS-CoV-2 activity has been increasing, with the test positivity rate reaching 11%, levels that have not been observed since July 2024.  This rise is primarily observed in countries in the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific regions .  Since early 2025 , global SARS-CoV-2 variant trends have slightly shifted. Circulation of LP.8.1 has been declining, and reporting of NB.1.8.1, a Variant Under Monitoring (VUM), is increasing , reaching 10.7% of global sequences reported as of mid-May.  Recent increases in SARS-CoV-2 activity are broadly consistent with levels observed during the same period last year, however, there still lacks a clear seasonality in SARS-CoV-2 circulation, and surveillance is limited.  Continued monitoring is essential . WHO advises all Member States to continue applying a risk-based, integrated approach to managing C...

  AJR Am J Roentgenol SCHMITT JE, Smerconish S Beyond the AJR: Demystifying COVID-19-Related Brain Fog With Perfusion MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2025 May 21. doi: 10.2214/AJR.25.32998. PubMed          Br J Anaesth WELLER JM, Long J, Moore M, Henderson K, et al Effects of a national team training intervention for operating theatre teams on patient and staff outcomes: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial and mixed-methods study. Br J Anaesth. 2025 May 16:S0007-0912(25)00230-2. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis NADIG N, Bhimraj A, Cawcutt K, Chiotos K, et al 2025 Clinical Practice Guideline Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America on the Treatment and Management of COVID-19: Vilobelimab. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 May 22:ciaf235. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis HUANG Q, Kang L, Wei X, ...