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HIGHLIGHTS •  PeV-A5 was the predominant PeV-A genotype detected from CSF/blood in 2024 at CM-KC. •  CM-KC PeV-A5 sequences resemble PeV-A5 sequences reported in Sapporo City, Japan, in 2018. •  The highest number of PeV-A5 detections within a single year in the USA. ABSTRACT Background Parechovirus-A5 (PeV-A5) blood and central nervous system (CNS) infections are rare in the United States of America (USA) and globally. We report an emergence of PeV-A5 infections among infants in Kansas City, Missouri, in 2024. Methods Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from infants were tested for Parechovirus (PeV-A) in 2024 as a part of standard of care at Children's Mercy Kansas City (CM-KC). PeV-A testing included a two-step reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and genotyping was conducted using Sanger sequencing. We analyzed the amino acid sequences and phylogeny of the 2024 PeV-A viruses and described the clinical characteristics of PeV-A infected infants. Resu...

Abstract A reemergence of parvovirus B19 infections in Spain in early 2024 prompted a 10-year review of the virus at a tertiary center. We identified 8 case-patients with neurologic manifestations who had parvovirus B19 in cerebrospinal fluid . Early recognition and management of parvovirus B19–associated neurologic conditions will help yield favorable outcomes. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/8/25-0278_article ____

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 ...

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 Although influenza A viruses (IAV) are notorious respiratory pathogens, some IAV strains can reach and replicate in the central nervous system (CNS) in vivo. In particular, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) pose a threat for future pandemics and are linked to greater neurotropic potential . Moreover, neurotropic IAV strains have shown a more significant impact on the onset and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). However, despite its clinical relevance , the dynamics and cellular tropism of IAV infection in the CNS are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the replication of HPAIV H7N7 in vitro using a primary murine triple co-culture system comprising neurons, astrocytes, and microglia . We found that microglia become highly infected early on and induce a strong pro-inflammatory response before undergoing apoptosis . Using fluorescence microscopy with automated single-cell profiling, we found that, in contrast to non-neurotropic H3N2, th...

{Excerpt} A novel reassortant Oropouche virus (OROV) lineage (with medium [M], large [L], and small [S] RNA segments : M1L2S2) has driven Brazil's largest and most geographically widespread OROV epidemic , expanding beyond the endemic Amazon basin to establish local transmission across multiple Brazilian states and other previously unaffected Latin American countries . The rapid spread of this lineage underscores its evolutionary potential and reinforces its significance as a public health threat .1 Similar to chikungunya and Zika viruses, expanding arboviruses can exhibit unexpected clinical and epidemiological shifts , including vertical transmissions , neuroinvasive effects, and potentially fatal outcomes.2–4 Although OROV typically causes self-limited febrile illness, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests neurotropic potential .5 This Correspondence describes the first confirmed case of neuroinvasive OROV infection caused by the emergent M1L2S2 lineage in ext...

Abstract In 2023, an unprecedented outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 resulted in the death of thousands of pinnipeds along the Argentinean coast , raising concerns about its ecological and epidemiological impact . Here, we present clinical, pathological, and molecular findings associated with HPAI H5N1 infection in pinnipeds from Chubut, Argentina . Necropsies were conducted on three South American Sea Lions (SASLs) (Otaria flavescens) and one Southern Elephant Seal (SES) (Mirounga leonina), followed by histopathological, immunohistochemical and RT-sqPCR analyses. Neurological clinical signs were observed in two SASLs, with one also exhibiting respiratory distress . Neuropathological findings included lymphoneutrophilic meningoencephalomyelitis and choroiditis, neuronal necrosis , gliosis, hemorrhages , and perivascular cuffing. Viral antigen was localized in neurons, glial cells, choroid plexus epithelial cells, ependymal cells, and the neuropil. Systemic manif...

Abstract Central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by SARS-CoV-2 are uncommon. This case report describes the clinical progression of a 92-year-old female who developed a persistent neuroinfection associated with SARS-CoV-2. The patient initially presented with progressive fatigue , catarrhal symptoms , and a fever (38.6 °C). Initial laboratory findings revealed hypoxemia (O2 saturation 79.8%), acidosis (pH 7.3), an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 14.8 mg/L, and a high D-dimer level (2.15 µg/mL). Nasopharyngeal (NP) antigen and RT-PCR tests confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and an NP swab also detected penicillin- and ampicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . She was admitted for conservative management , including oxygen supplementation , IV fluids, and prophylactic anticoagulation. Subsequently, she developed neurological symptoms — lethargy, discoordination, and impaired communication —without signs of meningism . Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis identified SARS-C...