ETIDIOH - NEW

  ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a highly lethal respiratory infection for which no vaccines or antiviral therapeutics are currently available . Understanding the immune response is critical for designing effective therapeutics . Here, we comprehensively characterized the dynamics of B-cell responses in severely infected MERS-CoV patients and survivors with SARS-CoV-2 exposure history . Infected patients developed robust neutralizing antibody responses within 1 month of illness , with moderate-to-high cross-neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 . The enhanced neutralization activity coincided with an increased abundance of specific mutated, class-switched IgG clones. Notably, one such clone was detected at moderate prevalence in both patients, and its expansion was accompanied by high neutralization activity against both viruses . Conversely, MERS-CoV survivors demonstrated higher neutralization activity against MERS-CoV after vaccinati...

  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 ...

  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...

  Am J Respir Crit Care Med SARMA A, Christenson SA, Shoshana BZ, Oliveira AP, et al Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Molecular Phenotypes Have Distinct Lower Respiratory Tract Transcriptomes. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025;211:2352-2362. PubMed           Abstract available Ann Intern Med SOUMARE A, Kapfer T, Botrel T, Adda L, et al Systemic Corticosteroids, Mortality, and Infections in Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-03055. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ LOGAN M FDA claims 10 child deaths caused by covid-19 vaccine, vows to tighten vaccine approvals. BMJ. 2025;391:r2546. PubMed          Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol NEO YN, Martinez-Alvarez L, Davagnanam I, Girafa G, et al Treatment of post-vaccination optic neuritis: implications from the glob...

  ABSTRACT The secondary thrombotic/vascular clinical syndrome of COVID-19 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infects the endothelium ; however, robust in vitro infection of endothelial cells by various strains of SARS-CoV-2 remains to be demonstrated and continues to be debated. Here, we revisit the question of endothelial cell permissiveness to SARS-CoV-2 using isolated endothelial cells ( from the lung, aorta, and endothelial cell progenitors ), and additionally, to overcome limitations associated with cultured cells , using native endothelial cells within living precision cut human lung slices and single-cell RNA sequencing to track viral presence. Cellular infection in endothelial monocultures was determined using fluorescence imaging. Mediator release was measured by ELISA, and gene expression was assessed by RT-qPCR. Infection in lung slices was determined using single-cell RNA sequencing, capturing molecular identifiers that aligned to the SARS-CoV-2 viral genome (for lung slices). E...

{Summary} Context   Over five years since the detection of the first COVID-19 cases , SARS-CoV-2 continues to circulate globally, causing acute illness, hospitalization, and death , alongside prolonged negative impacts on individuals, health systems , and economies , including post-COVID-19 condition (PCC or Long COVID).  While global population-level immunity has increased significantly through both infection and vaccination, the virus continues to evolve, challenging control efforts and underscoring the need for long-term, sustainable disease management .  Confirming earlier warnings from MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-1 , SARS-CoV-2 has demonstrated the pandemic potential of coronaviruses , which remain one of the most consequential infectious disease threats of our time .  Purpose of the strategic plan   This plan sets out WHO’s strategic framework to support Member States in the sustained, integrated, evidence-based management of coronavirus disease threats , includ...

  BMJ Analysis of peer reviewers' response to invitations by gender and geographical region: cohort study of manuscripts reviewed at 19 biomedical journals before and during covid-19 pandemic. BMJ. 2025;391:r2507. PubMed          Clin Infect Dis NGUYEN VAN JC, Pilmis B, El Helali N, Azria E, et al Implementing POCT in infectious diseases. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 27:ciaf650. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available PANAGIOTOPOULOS AP, Anastassopoulou C, Tsakris A, Ioannidis JPA, et al Effective Antivirals in Pandemic Preparedness: Past Mistakes, Future Needs. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 25:ciaf648. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis HEMPEL H, Xue H, La Shu S, Jain S, et al Cancer and COVID-19: A review of Immune Insights and Partnerships to Inform Public Health Strategy. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 24:108252. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2...

  ABSTRACT The evolution of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in antigenically distinct variants that challenge vaccine-induced immunity. The KP.2 monovalent mRNA vaccine was deployed in 2024 to address immune escape by emerging SARS-CoV-2 subvariants . We assessed neutralizing antibody responses in 56 adults with varied exposure histories following KP.2 vaccination against emerging variants including LP.8.1, LF.7.1, NB.1.8.1, XFG, and BA.3.2 . While KP.2 vaccination enhanced neutralization against homologous variants, substantial reductions in neutralizing activity were observed against emerging Omicron variants across all exposure groups. Exposure history showed some influence on neutralization breadth , with self-reported vaccination-only participants exhibiting better cross-neutralization compared to individuals with hybrid immunity . Antigenic cartography revealed substantial antigenic distances between KP.2 and emerging variants, highli...

  Abstract The membrane (M) protein of coronaviruses is essential for maintaining structural integrity during membrane virion budding and viral pathogenesis . Given its high conservation in lineages within the betacoronavirus genus , such as sarbecoviruses , the M protein presents as an attractive therapeutic target ; however, developing broad-spectrum antivirals targeting coronaviruses such as MERS-CoV is challenging due to lower sequence conservation and limited structural information available beyond that of the SARS-CoV-2 M protein . In this study, we report 3-3.2 Å resolution structures of MERS-CoV M protein, engineered with a SARS-CoV-2-like antibody interface, representing the first human merbecovirus M protein structure , and SARS-CoV M protein structures, with and without a previously identified SARS-CoV-2 M protein inhibitor, JNJ-9676. We highlight the structural differences between the MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 M proteins, and present insights into the conservati...

  Clin Infect Dis LIANG C, Judy J, Chilson EL, Kelly SP, et al Estimating Risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in US Medicare-Enrolled Older Adults Following Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease: A Self-Controlled Case Series Analysis. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 14:ciaf621. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available ZUGER A Home testing for contagious illness: Historical context and modern caveats. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 14:ciaf623. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis AHMAD WA, Wolff-Sagy Y, Battat E, Arbel R, et al Mortality following recovery from COVID-19 hospitalization: a long-term cohort study. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 13:108223. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108223. PubMed           Abstract available WANG C, Gao Y, Li W, Du J, et al Short-Term Risks of Influenza and COVID-19 Following Influenza Infection: A...

  {Summary} SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, with successive variants evading immunity established by previous infection or vaccination . In mid-2024, a vaccine tailored to the JN.1 variant was authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which boosted neutralising antibody responses and provided substantial protection against severe disease and hospitalisation.1–3 Around 6 months later, in January 2025, LP.8.1 (of the JN.1 lineage) was classified as a “ variant under monitoring ” by WHO, due to its epidemiological importance and enhanced transmission fitness relative to contemporaneous strains. After emerging in late 2024, LP.8.1 rapidly overtook the XEC variant, establishing dominance throughout the Americas and Europe by early 2025 . In the USA, LP.8.1 and its sublineages represented more than 50% of all sequences in May, 2025 (appendix p 9). Although vaccines adapted to JN.1 or its derivative KP.2 generated neutralising antibodies against LP.8.1, these titres were reduced ...

  Abstract SARS-CoV-2 Spike - the sole neutralization target, is highly resilient to the immune pressure driving genetic evolution . While potency and breadth of neutralization are widely studied, the incomplete neutralization - the mechanism of resistance without needing genetic change - remains unexplored . Several monoclonal antibodies , although potent, showed incomplete neutralization of genetically homogeneous pseudovirus suggesting the existence of distinct spike conformations . The residual infectivity at high antibody concentration indicates a viral fraction with intrinsic resistance to the antibody. Although the published studies on spike glycosylation, structure, and conformations provide evidence of spike heterogeneity the precise mechanism for the incomplete neutralization has not been established. In this study, we devise a method to separate the un-neutralized virion population , called as persistent fraction of infectivity (PF), and characterize the viral spike prot...

  ABSTRACT With the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron XBB.1.9 subvariants circulating worldwide, two XBB.1.9 variants, EG.5.1 and HK.3 , spread rapidly and became dominant in mid-2023. However, the spike features, pathogenicity, and transmissibility of HK.3 are largely unknown. Here, we performed multiscale investigations to reveal the virological features of XBB.1.9 subvariants , including the newly emerging HK.3 . HK.3 revealed high replication efficiency and enhanced TMPRSS2 utilization in vitro. The HK.3 spike exhibited enhanced processing, although its infectivity, fusogenicity, and human ACE2 (hACE2) binding affinity were comparable to those of the EG.5 and XBB.1 spikes. All XBB.1.9.1, EG.5.1, and HK.3 strains demonstrated efficient transmission in hamsters , although XBB.1.9.1 exhibited stronger fitness in the upper airways . XBB.1.9.1, EG.5.1, and HK.3 exhibited greater pathogenicity than BA.2 in H11-K18-hACE2 hamsters. Our studies provide insights into the newly emerging pathogens EG.5.1...

  Int J Infect Dis SILVA CAC, Bomfim AP, Medeiros JD, Silva JJ, et al Nasal Microbiota and Clinical Features in Acute Flu-Like Illness: COVID-19 Status and Long COVID Follow-Up. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 11:108196. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108196. PubMed           Abstract available SONG J, Jeong S, Chun AY, Jung J, et al Incidence of Respiratory Infections after the COVID-19 Pandemic (2023-2024) and Its Association of Vaccination Among Entire Populations in Korea. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 7:108194. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108194. PubMed           Abstract available VERGORI A, Matusali G, Lepri AC, Cimini E, et al Supporting equitable booster strategies: one-year real-world immunogenicity data in people with HIV (PWH) receiving different variant-adapted COVID-19 vaccines. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Nov 7:108189. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108189. PubMed           Ab...

  {Excerpt} The constant emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has driven the COVID-19 pandemic and sustains the current endemic . Saltation variants , such as BA.2.86 ,1 encode highly mutated spike (S) proteins that efficiently evade neutralising antibodies . In November, 2024, a potential saltation variant, BA.3.2 , was detected in South Africa but its spread remained uncertain. Early studies on BA.3.2 did not include comparisons among its subvariants or with dominant variants NB.1.8.1 and XFG.2 ,3 Moreover, the effect of the often overlooked S protein insertion of Ala-Ser-Asp-Thr at position 214 remained unexamined. In this Correspondence, we provide an epidemiological and virological update on BA.3.2, with the use of BA.3 (parental lineage) and NB.1.8.1 and XFG (currently prevalent) as references. (...) Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases,  https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(25)00658-9/fulltext?rss=yes ____

  Acad Emerg Med OHLE R, Roy D, Baraku E, Patel K, et al A Prospective Multi-Center Implementation Study to Improve the Diagnosis and Treatment of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. Acad Emerg Med. 2025 Nov 3. doi: 10.1111/acem.70177. PubMed           Abstract available Am J Obstet Gynecol YE Y, Mahati S, Aihemaiti W, Lu G, et al A postpartum-adapted algorithm for safe management of suspected pulmonary embolism: a retrospective cohort study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Nov 1:S0002-9378(25)00813. PubMed           Abstract available Antiviral Res DENG X, Zou J, Liang Z, Ren P, et al A Dual-Reporter HCoV-OC43 for Coronavirus Biology and Countermeasure Development. Antiviral Res. 2025 Nov 3:106306. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106306. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ WISE J Covid-19: Major study compares myocarditis risk in children after vaccination or infec...

  Clin Infect Dis CALABRESE C, Wang Y, Duggal A, Huang S, et al Effectiveness of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir or Molnupiravir Use in Immunocompromised Patients on B-Cell-Depleting Therapy With COVID-19: A Target Trial Emulation Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 24:ciaf521. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available FONG Y, Huang Y, Huang Y, Woo W, et al Analysis of antibody markers as immune correlates of risk of severe COVID-19 in the PREVENT-19 efficacy trial of the NVX-CoV2373 recombinant protein vaccine. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 25:ciaf558. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available KABORE JL, Laffont B, Diop M, Tardif MR, et al Real-World Effectiveness of Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Preventing Coronavirus Disease 2019-Associated Hospitalization: A Population-Based Cohort Study in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Oct 29:ciaf145. doi: 10.1093. PubMed    ...