ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype has shown recent unprecedented expansion in its geographic and host range , increasing the pandemic threat . The younger age of H5N1 versus H7N9 avian influenza in humans has previously been attributed to imprinted pre-immunity to hemagglutinin stalk (HA2) epitopes shared with group 1 ( H1N1, H2N2 ) versus group 2 ( H3N2 ) influenza A subtypes predominating in the human population before versus after 1968, respectively. Here we review the complex immuno-epidemiological interactions underpinning influenza risk assessment and extend the imprinting hypothesis to include a potential role for cross-protective neuraminidase (NA) imprinting . We compare H5N1 distributions and case fatality ratios by age and birth cohort (as proxy for HA2 and/or NA imprinting epoch) not only to H7N9 but also H5N6 and H9N2 avian influenza, representing more varied conditions of zoonotic influenza relatedness to human subtypes of the past century. We...

  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 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 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...

  Antimicrob Agents Chemother MENG X, Zhang C, Wang X, Shi J, et al A branched peptide targets virus and host to block influenza virus and rhinovirus entry. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2025 Jun 25:e0002425. doi: 10.1128/aac.00024. PubMed           Abstract available Antiviral Res HUSSAIN S, Meijer A, Govorkova EA, Dapat C, et al Global update on the susceptibilities of influenza viruses to neuraminidase inhibitors and the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor baloxavir, 2020-2023. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jun 24:106217. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106217. PubMed           Abstract available Biochemistry PANKRATOVA Y, Hong M Side Chain Structures of the Proton-Selective Histidine and Gating Tryptophan in Influenza BM2 Reveal Both Conservation and Variation of the Proton Conduction Mechanism. Biochemistry. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00242. PubMed          ...

Abstract Background/Objectives : H5N1 influenza viruses are spreading worldwide and threaten global public health. Preparedness is necessary to mitigate the worst-case scenario should an H5N1 influenza pandemic occur and justify the development of vaccines against circulating H5N1 viruses of concern.  Methods :  The production and characterization of egg-based split and inactivated H5Nx of three distinct monovalent antigens from clades 2.3.4.4b, 2.3.2.1c, and 2.3.4 were performed at an industrial scale. These antigens were formulated and their immune responses, when combined or not with IB160 squalene-based oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant in a rat model, were evaluated in a one- or two-dose immunization schedule. IgG antibodies, hemagglutination inhibitions, and microneutralization titers were measured for vaccine-induced immunity and cross-reactivity.  Results :  Three monovalent vaccines from clades 2.3.4.4b, 2.3.2.1c, and 2.3.4 were produced at an industrial scale ...

Simple Summary The present commentary deals with the pandemic risk brought about by the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus . Such a pandemic alarm is justified, among others, by the progressively and rapidly expanding range of virus-susceptible hosts , including humans alongside a significant number of domestic and wild avian and mammalian species , several of which appear to be geographically and phylogenetically distant from each other. Despite its well-established zoonotic potential , no clear-cut evidence of a sustained and efficient HPAI A(H5N1) virus interhuman transmission has thus far been reported. Should this happen in a more or less near future, it could pave the way for a new pandemic. Based upon the above, a “ One Health, One Earth, One Ocean ”-focused, holistic approach would be the necessary prerequisite to deal in an appropriate way with the HPAI A(H5N1) virus-associated zoonotic and pandemic risk. Abstract The focus of this commentary is represented...

  Ann Intern Med BILINSKI A, Emanuel N, Ciaranello A Sins of Omission: Model-Based Estimates of the Health Effects of Excluding Pregnant Participants From Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-00689. PubMed           Abstract available YEK C, Mancera AG, Diao G, Walker M, et al Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Resistant Infection Burden in U.S. Hospitals : Retrospective Cohort Study of Trends and Risk Factors. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-03078. PubMed           Abstract available Cell PEKAR JE, Lytras S, Ghafari M, Magee AF, et al The recency and geographical origins of the bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Cell. 2025;188:3167-3183. PubMed           Abstract available Drug Saf ABATE A, Poncato E, Barbieri MA, Powell G, et al Off-the-Shelf Large Language Models for Caus...

  Antiviral Res MARTINEZ-GZEGOZEWSKA Y, Rasmussen L, Nebane NM, McKellip S, et al High-throughput screening for identification of Influenza A inhibitors using a cell-based immunofluorescence assay. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jun 6:106209. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106209. PubMed           Abstract available Arch Virol LU Y, Ni J, Huang S, Guo Y, et al Epidemiological characteristics of human parainfluenza virus infections and phylogenetic analysis of human parainfluenza virus type 3 isolated from children with respiratory tract infections from 2020 to 2022 in Zhejiang, China. Arch Virol. 2025;170:157. PubMed           Abstract available JIN H, Cho YR, Jung YT Single-particle quantification of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles using flow virometry. Arch Virol. 2025;170:149. PubMed           Abstract available Cell STEVENS J, Culberson E, Kinder J, Ramiriqui A, et al Mic...

Abstract Previous studies investigating the 1918–1920 influenza pandemic have provided a comprehensive overview of the spread of the pandemic and possible explanations for high mortality rates in Alaska, USA . Our understanding of the role of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is limited, however. To gain an overview of various agencies’ efforts to protect communities during the pandemic, we conducted a mixed-method assessment of a large pool of digitized historical newspapers and archival materials covering Alaska’s local and territorial responses to the pandemic. The study encompassed 14 local units of Alaska that implemented NPIs during October 1918–January 1919 . Analyses indicated that 8 local units avoided the outbreak by implementing NPIs and that the other 6 units controlled the spread of influenza by implementing NPIs after the virus was introduced. In addition, some Indigenous communities escaped the pandemic by implementing mandatory and voluntary restrictions . Informat...

  BMC Pediatr ALRASHED R, Almeshawi I, Alshammari A, Alhamoud W, et al Burden of bronchiolitis post-COVID-19 pandemic in children less than 2 years old in 2021-2024: experience from a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:453. PubMed           Abstract available BIGLARI HN, Ahmadi A, Alidousti K, Pouredalati M, et al Growth in the first two years in children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy: a cohort study. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:448. PubMed           Abstract available CHENG J, Wu Y, Ma H, Tang M, et al C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A protein as complementary biomarkers in differentiating viral and bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in children. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:445. PubMed           Abstract available J Gen Virol CAPELASTEGUI F, Goldhill DH H5N1 2.3.4.4b: a review of mammalian adaptations and risk of pandemic e...