ETIDIOH - NEW

  Abstract Background   Seasonal human influenza viruses can escape from antibody-mediated neutralization when amino acid changes occur in the hemagglutinin protein . Routine surveillance identified circulation of an A(H3N2) virus variant in the Netherlands with amino acid substitutions at hemagglutinin positions 158 and 189 . These amino acid positions were previously responsible for antigenic change of influenza A(H3N2) viruses and potentially lead to escape of this variant from vaccine-mediated immunity .  Aim   To characterize the emergence and antigenic properties of N158K and K189R double substitution virus variants .  Methods   We analyzed the geographical and temporal dynamics of the double-substitution variant using a phylogeographic approach and used hemagglutination inhibition assays and antigenic cartography methods to map its antigenic properties.  Results   A(H3N2) viruses carrying K189R were first detected in Guatemala in June 2024,...

  Antimicrob Agents Chemother LLORENTE J, Sempere J, Llamosi M, Perez-Garcia C, et al Emergence of antibiotic-resistant pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease in children, Spain. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2025 Dec 31:e0153025. doi: 10.1128/aac.01530. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis VILLAFUERTE D, Fall A, Akin E, Werner AP, et al Genomic Evolution of Influenza A Virus During the 2024-2025 Season, the Johns Hopkins Health System: Antigenic Drift Reduces Serum Neutralization. J Infect Dis. 2026 Feb 4:jiag069. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Pediatrics GAGO CM, Ruggiero CF, Gundewar A, Rose W, et al Parent Perspectives on the Interactive Role of Charitable and Federal Nutrition Assistance. Pediatrics. 2026 Jan 6:e2025072664. doi: 10.1542/peds.2025-072664. PubMed           Abstract available SALTHOUSE AL, Tann...

  Abstract Introduction Seasonal influenza causes significant global morbidity, mortality, and economic burden . Ongoing viral evolution can lead to vaccine mismatch and the emergence of antiviral resistance , highlighting the importance of genomic surveillance. The 2024–2025 influenza season was characterized by high incidence and increased hospitalizations. Methods We analyzed influenza A virus (IAV) genomes and clinical characteristics from the 2024–2025 season . Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 648 influenza A–positive clinical specimens collected between October 2024 and April 2025. Results Hemagglutinin (HA) sequences were recovered from 74.23% (481/648) of samples and used for subtyping and phylogenetic analysis. A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) viruses co-circulated , representing 55.5% and 44.5% of cases, respectively. Among A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, the HA1 substitution T120A , located near the Sa antigenic site , increased more than twofold compared with the prior season. Ci...

  {Summary} Recent headlines about influenza have reported a “super flu” causing a “record-breaking season” that is “overwhelming hospitals.” Although less dramatic, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal substantial influenza activity : the agency estimated that there were more than 20 million cases of influenza illness, 270,000 influenza-related hospitalizations , and 11,000 deaths from influenza in the United States through January 24, 2026. These numbers aren’t extraordinary as compared with those from previous seasons, but some indicators of influenza activity and severity have been remarkable. (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2600395?query=TOC ____

  Am J Med CHENG Y, Ling Y, Scholten J, Atkins D, et al Patterns and trends in prevalent central nervous system stimulant use in US veterans with traumatic brain injury. Am J Med. 2026;139:170-180. PubMed           Abstract available BMC Pediatr AKAR A Rare disease mimicking multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. BMC Pediatr. 2025;26:56. PubMed           Abstract available Cell PEKAR JE, Crespo-Bellido A, Lemey P, Bowman AS, et al Can H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle be contained in the US? Cell. 2026 Jan 23:S0092-8674(25)01483-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025. PubMed           Abstract available J Clin Microbiol XU X, Hull W, Plunkett D, Tu ZJ, et al Emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K in northeast Ohio in autumn 2025. J Clin Microbiol. 2026 Jan 27:e0181325. doi: 10.1128/jcm.01813. PubMed          J Infect Dis ZHONG...

  Abstract Limited information is available on the impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and immune debt on influenza during COVID-19 . This retrospective population-based research examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) cases and influenza positive cases in Sichuan Province . Interrupted time series analysis (ITS) was conducted using data gathered from surveillance hospitals throughout 21 cities , including information on patients diagnosed with ILI and positive nucleic acid testing. Subsequent to the implementation of NPIs, there was a notable temporary reduction in both the incidence of ILI cases and confirmed influenza cases, decreasing by 94.7% and 98.0%, respectively (P<0.001). The weekly trend in influenza-positive cases was notable (+4.1%/week, P=0.001). Following the execution of the second-phase intervention, the fluctuations in the transient changes of ILI patients and influenza-positive cases varied ;...

  Abstract We examined whether the recent emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K, associated with an unusually early influenza season in the Northern hemisphere, was accompanied by a reduction in human population immunity . Using virus neutralisation assays on pre-epidemic human sera collected in May 2025, we found evidence of moderate antigenic drift . Further, vaccines used in the 2024/2025 season induced cross-neutralising immunity . These findings provide timely insight for interpreting recent influenza epidemiology and informing vaccine strain selection. Competing Interest Statement The following authors declare no conflict of interests: KD, RI, LM, SR, HC, GGA, MSA, VS, ZW, SKW, JZ, BJW, DLR, JH, OML, JG, CJRI. PRM receives funding for research work for MSD. EH has received an honorarium for advisory board work for Seqirus. ET has received funding from Novavax and Astra Zeneca. Funding Statement This work was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) to the MRC-Universi...

  Ann Intern Med SACKS HS In older adults, RSV prefusion F vaccine reduced hospitalization for RSV-related respiratory tract disease vs. no vaccine. Ann Intern Med. 2026 Jan 6. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-05113. PubMed           Abstract available 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 Arch Virol LAI QR, Chen W, Yu GF, Guo YJ, et al Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of human adenovirus in children in Hangzhou (2022-2023). Arch Virol. 2026;171:60. PubMed           Abstract available Biochem Biophys Res Commun WU X, Bhatt V, Liu JJ, Hong L, et al Single-cell RNA sequencing data analysis reveals differential expr...

  ABSTRACT The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian H5 influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b in cattle has spread across the United States . Mice with pre-existing immunity to H1N1 virus or with a live-attenuated influenza vaccine showed protection against a lethal bovine-derived HPAI H5N1 viral challenge . Notably, ferrets with mixed immunity also demonstrated protection against a feline-derived H5N1 virus, independent of cross-reactive neutralization titers , but antibodies to whole virus were observed. To investigate protective factors, we conducted T cell epitope mapping using published H1N1 viral sequences and found high conservation of key T cell epitopes in the bovine HPAI H5N1 strain . Depletion of T cells in mice prior to and during primary H1N1 infection impacted cross-protective antibodies to H5N1 virus, with CD4 depletion increasing mortality and CD8 depletion mildly impacting morbidity upon H5N1 viral challenge. This underscores the need to investigate memory T cell responses...

  Abstract Objective :  This systematic review aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety profile of baloxavir marboxil for managing influenza in pediatric populations . Methods :  This review has been registered on the INPLASY platform (INPLASY2025110063). Designed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched four major biomedical databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) covering publications from January 1, 2015, to January 30, 2025 . Eligibility criteria encompassed both randomized controlled trials and observational cohort studies evaluating this antiviral agent in children with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Methodological rigor was appraised using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias instrument for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for cohort studies. Statistical synthesis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software (Version 5.3.5) with metafor package implementation. ...

  Antiviral Res LEEKHA A, Reichel K, Hurst B, Varadarajan N, et al Therapeutic intranasal delivery of NanoSTING provides broad protection against seasonal and highly pathogenic influenza strains. Antiviral Res. 2026 Jan 14:106342. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2026.106342. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ MARTIN DS, Doidge JC, Gould D, Shahid T, et al The impact of skin tone on performance of pulse oximeters used by NHS England COVID Oximetry @home scheme: measurement and diagnostic accuracy study. BMJ. 2026;392:e085535. PubMed           Abstract available Drug Saf PALMER M, Seekins D, Avigan M, Marcinak J, et al The Impact of COVID-19 and COVID-19 Vaccination on Detection, Assessment, and Management of Suspected Acute Drug-Induced Liver Injury Occurring during Clinical Trials: Consensus Recommendations from the IQ DILI Initiative. Drug Saf. 2026;49:9-25. PubMed        ...