ETIDIOH - NEW

ABSTRACT The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b has caused a human outbreak in North America since March 2024 . Here, we conducted a serosurveillance study to determine the risk of A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b (2024 cattle H5N1 ) to general population . In the initial screening of 180 serum specimens encompassing all age groups , 2.2% (4/180) had detectable neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers against 2024 cattle H5N1, with all collected from older adults aged ≥60 years old . Further screening showed that 5.0% (15/300) of adults aged ≥70 years old had detectable nAb titers against the 2024 cattle H5N1. All serum specimens with nAb titer of ≥40 had detectable HI titer, and there was a positive correlation between nAb titer and HA binding (r=0.3311, 95% confidence interval 0.2264 to 0.4283; P<0.0001). The nAb titer against seasonal H1N1 virus was 3.9-fold higher for patients with detectable H5N1 nAb than those without (geometric mean titer: 108.5 [95% CI 56.3-209.1...

Abstract The H9N2 subtype of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) is widely prevalent in poultry and wild birds globally , with occasional transmission to humans . In comparison to other H9N2 lineages, the BJ/94 lineage has raised more public health concerns; however, its evolutionary dynamics and transmission patterns remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that over three decades (1994–2023), BJ/94 lineage has undergone substantial expansion in its geographical distribution , interspecies transmission , and viral reassortment with other AIV subtypes, increasing associated public health risks . These changes were primarily driven by the emergence of a dominant genotype G57. In the first decade, G57 emerged in East China and rapidly adapted to chickens and spread across China . Since 2013, the G57 genotype has expanded beyond China into eight other countries and reassorted with various AIV subtypes to form new zoonotic reassortants . Chickens have played a key role in the gen...

 A poultry farm in Bayern Region. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6131 _____

Abstract Whole-genome analysis of the earliest-detected High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus (HPAIV) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b detected in Hannah Point, Antarctica (January 2024) reveals close relatedness to strains that circulated in pinnipeds and seabirds along the Atlantic coast of South America during the second half of 2023. Source: BioRxIV,  https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.12.29.630510v1?rss=1 _____

  Credits: Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/diego-velazquez/dona-antonia-de-ipenarrieta-y-galdos-and-her-son ______

ABSTRACT Several viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV), encode viral factors to hijack cellular RNA biogenesis processes to direct the degradation of host mRNAs, termed “host shutoff.” Host shutoff enables viruses to simultaneously reduce antiviral responses and provides preferential access for viral mRNAs to cellular translation machinery . IAV PA-X is one of these factors that selectively shuts off the global host genes. However, the specific role of PA-X host shutoff activity in viral fitness of IAV remains poorly understood. Herein, we successfully mapped PA-X 100 V as a novel site important for host shutoff of the H7N9 and H5N1 viruses . By analysing the polymorphism of this residue in various subtype viruses, we found that PA-X 100 was highly variable in H7N9 viruses. Structural analysis revealed that 100 V was generally close to the PA-X endonuclease active site , which may account for its host shutoff activity. By generating the corresponding mutant viruses derived from th...

 {Excerpt} DOVER, Del. (Dec. 28, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) announced today that laboratory testing conducted by the University of Delaware’s Allen Laboratory, part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, has returned presumptive positive findings of H5 avian influenza in sick and dead snow geese collected on December 27, 2024, in coastal Sussex County.   In response to the findings , the state of Delaware has established a Joint Information Center with DNREC, DDA, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). The detections mark the Delmarva region’s most recent confirmation of H5 avian influenza in wild birds since May 2022, when the virus was found through wildlife surveillance in black vultures in Harford County, Md. Avian influenza is known to be carried by wild birds, especially waterfowl, raptors, and ...

ABSTRACT Avian influenza viruses are ubiquitous in the Anatinae subfamily of aquatic birds and occasionally spill over to poultry . Infection with low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses generally leads to subclinical or mild clinical disease. In contrast, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses emerge from low pathogenic forms and can cause severe disease associated with extraordinarily high mortality rates. Here, we describe the natural history of avian influenza virus , with a focus on H5Nx and H7Nx subtypes , and the emergence of highly pathogenic forms; we review the biology of AIV; we examine cleavage of haemagglutinin by host cell enzymes with a particular emphasis on the biochemical properties of the proprotein convertases, and trypsin and trypsin-like proteases ; we describe mechanisms implicated in the functional evolution of the haemagglutinin cleavage site motif that leads to emergence of HPAIVs; and finally, we discuss the diversity of H5 and H7 haemagglutinin cleavage...

  Ann Intern Med Annals Video Summary - Anticoagulation Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Dec 24:e2403257VS. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-03257. PubMed          VALE CL, Godolphin PJ, Fisher DJ, Higgins JPT, et al Anticoagulation Among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19 : A Systematic Review and Prospective Meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Dec 24. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-00800. PubMed           Abstract available SHAPPELL CN, Anesi GL Anticoagulation for COVID-19: Seeking Clarity and Finding Yet More Gray. Ann Intern Med. 2024 Dec 24. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-03244. PubMed          Clin Chem FALAK S, O'Sullivan DM, Cleveland MH, Cowen S, et al The Application of Digital PCR as a Reference Measurement Procedure to Support the Accuracy of Quality Assurance for Infectious Disease Molecular Diagnostic Testing. Clin Chem. 2024 Dec 26:hvae187...

  Antiviral Res WANG B, Xia H, Peng BH, Choi EJ, et al Pellino-1, a therapeutic target for control of SARS-CoV-2 infection and disease severity. Antiviral Res. 2024;233:106059. PubMed           Abstract available SCHRELL L, Fuchs HL, Dickmanns A, Scheibner D, et al Inhibitors of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase synergize with the broad antiviral activity of 4'-fluorouridine. Antiviral Res. 2024 Dec 3:106046. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2024.106046. PubMed           Abstract available Epidemiol Infect SUTER J, Devos I, Matthes KL, Staub K, et al The health and demographic impacts of the "Russian flu" pandemic in Switzerland in 1889/1890 and in the years thereafter. Epidemiol Infect. 2024;152:e174. PubMed           Abstract available JAMA ANDERER S CDC Calls Attention to Underuse of Antiviral Treatment in Higher-Risk Youth With Influenza. JAMA. 2024 Dec 27. ...

Abstract XEC and KP.3.1.1 have surpassed KP.3 to become the globally dominant lineages due to their unique NTD mutations. However, several emerging JN.1 sublineages , such as LF.7.2.1, MC.10.1, NP.1 , and, especially, LP.8.1, have demonstrated superior growth advantages compared to XEC . It is critical to access the virological and antigenic characteristics of these emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we found that LF.7.2.1 is significantly more immune invasive than XEC, primarily due to the A475V mutation, which enabled the evasion of Class 1 neutralizing antibodies . However, LF.7.2.1's weak ACE2 binding affinity substantially impaired its fitness . Likewise, MC.10.1 and NP.1 exhibited strong antibody immune evasion due to the A435S mutation, but their limited ACE2 engagement efficiency restricted their growth advantage , suggesting that A435S may regulate the Spike conformation, similar to the NTD glycosylation mutations found in KP.3.1.1 and XEC . Most importantly, we found tha...

 {Excerpt} Exposure Source [ State - Exposure Associated with Commercial Agriculture and Related Operations: Dairy Herds (Cattle), Poultry Farms and Culling Operations - Other Animal Exposure† - Exposure Source Unknown‡ -  State Total ] 1) California -  36 - 0 - 0 - 1 -  37 {+1} 2) Colorado -  1 - 9 - 0 - 0 -  10 3) Iowa -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 4) Louisiana -  0 - 0 - 1 - 0 -  1 5) Michigan -  2 - 0 - 0 - 0 -  2 6) Missouri -  0 - 0 - 0 - 1 -  1 7) Oregon -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 8) Texas -  1 - 0 - 0 - 0 -  1 9) Washington -  0 - 11 - 0 - 0 -  11 10) Wisconsin -  0 - 1 - 0 - 0 -  1 -- Source Total -  40 - 23 - 1 - 2 -  66 {+1} NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry work...

{Excerpts} 27 December 2024 Situation at a glance This is an update to the Disease Outbreak News on Undiagnosed disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo published on 8 December 2024 (now named acute respiratory infections complicated by malaria).  It includes updated epidemiological investigation information and preliminary laboratory results.  On 29 November, an alert was raised by local health zone authorities of Panzi health zone in Kwango province after an increase in deaths , particularly among children under five years of age , following febrile illness .  Enhanced epidemiological surveillance was rapidly implemented, which in the absence of a clear diagnosis was based on the detection of syndromic cases of febrile illnesses with cough, body weakness, with one of a number of other symptoms compatible with acute respiratory and febrile illnesses.  This resulted in a rapid increase in the number of cases meeting the definition, with a total of 891 cases re...

{Excerpts} -- Five confirmed cases of influenza A(H5) were reported to CDC this week .  -- To date, human-to-human transmission of influenza A(H5) virus has not been identified in the United States . Three of these cases were reported by the California Department of Public Health. The cases occurred in workers aged ≥18 years at commercial dairy cattle farms in an area where highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses had been detected in cows. The individuals had mild symptoms , which they reported to local health department officials. There have now been 37 total confirmed cases and one probable case in California during the 2024-2025 influenza season. One case was reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health. This case occurred in an individual aged ≥18 years who worked at a poultry facility where HPAI A(H5N1) virus had been identified in birds. This individual developed respiratory symptoms during Week 50 . Specimens were collected from the individual and initiall...

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) epizootics have caused repeated mass mortality events among wild birds . The effect of the infection is potentially detrimental for a variety of bird species, including the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). The numbers of wintering and breeding Peregrine Falcons in the Netherlands have recently declined . We investigated the changes in population trends in relation to HPAI H5 virus outbreaks. For this purpose, we analyzed variations in annual numbers of wintering and breeding birds, the virology of reported dead birds, and the presence of the HPAI H5 virus in unhatched eggs. We showed that significant mortalities of Peregrine Falcons had occurred in 2016–2017 and 2020–2023 , years of major HPAI H5 virus outbreaks. In particular, the highest rates of bird mortality and HPAI virus infection were reported in 2023 . In this year, over 80% (28/32) of the tested birds were positive for HPAI H5 virus. No HPAI H5 virus was present in the egg...

{Excerpt} Time Period: December 15 - December 21, 2024 -- H5 Detection : 52 sites (17.4%) -- No Detection :  246 sites (82.6%) -- No samples in last week :  87 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html _____

Abstract The H3 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV) stands out as one of the most prevalent subtypes, posing a significant threat to public health . In this study, a novel triple-reassortant H3N3 AIV designated A/chicken/China/16/2023 (H3N3), was isolated from a sick chicken in northern China . The complete genome of the isolate was determined using next-generation sequencing, and the AIV-like particles were confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses revealed that HA and NA genes of the H3N3 isolate clustered within the Eurasian lineage of AIVs, exhibiting the closest genetic relationship with other H3N3 AIVs identified in China during 2023. Interestingly, the HA and NA genes of the nove H3N3 isolate were originated from H3N8 and H10N3 AIVs , respectively, and the six internal genes originated from prevalent H9N2 AIVs. These findings indicated the novel H3N3 isolate possesses a complex genetic constellation , likely arising from multiple reassor...

Abstract Clade 2.3.2.1 of the H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) evolved into several subclades. However, the effect of glycosylation on the biological characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) and/or neuraminidase (NA) from H5N1 AIVs remains unclear. Here, we determined that the global prevalence of clade 2.3.2.1 H5N1 AIVs with deglycosylated residue 158 on HA (HA158-) and glycosylated residue 88 on NA (NA88+) were predominant via multiple sequence analysis. The deglycosylation of residue on NA 88 (NA88-) was observed in clade 2.3.2.1a (new) and clade 2.3.2.1e H5N1 AIVs. Interestingly, NA88- was coupled with the acquisition of 158 glycosylation sites on HA (HA158+) in clade 2.3.2.1e H5N1 AIVs from China , and clade 2.3.2.1a (new) H5N1 AIVs exhibiting the HA158-NA88- pattern were predominant in Bangladesh . Meanwhile, the temporal distribution of strain HA158+ NA88- was highly consistent with the implementation of Re-6 vaccine in China . The recombinant H5N1 AIVs constructed using a reverse ...

The flu caused by the Influenza virus, associated with malaria on a ground of malnutrition, is the unknown disease that has been decimating the population in the health zone of Panzi, in the province of Kwango, for more than a month. This is what the diagnosis made by the INRB reveals after in-depth analyses.  The governor of Kwango province , Willy Bitwisila, officially declared on Wednesday night, December 5, this epidemic which has caused around thirty deaths and more than 400 cases in this part of the Kasongolunda territory. "This is the epidemic that is causing deaths in the previously unidentified Panzi health zone.  '' After a rigorous investigation , the results from the INRB laboratory have just confirmed that it is influenza caused by the Influenza AH1N1 virus, {rhinovirus, SARS-CoV-2, edited, in the article the terms are unreadable }, associated with malaria on the ground of malnutrition .  '' An epidemic that I am now officially declaring . I would ther...

Abstract As an avian influenza virus (AIV) panzootic is underway , the threat of a human pandemic is emerging . Infections among mammalian species in frequent contact with humans should be closely monitored. One mammalian family, the Felidae , is of particular concern. Domestic cats are susceptible to AIV infection and provide a potential pathway for zoonotic spillover to humans . Here, we provide a systematic review of the scientific literature to describe the epidemiology and global distribution of AIV infections in felines reported from 2004 – 2024. We identified 607 AIV infections in felines , including 302 associated deaths , comprising 18 countries and 12 felid species . We observed a drastic flux in the number of AIV infections among domestic cats in 2023 and 2024 , commensurate with the emergence of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b. We estimate that this phenomenon is underreported in the scientific literature and argue that increased surveillance among domestic cats is urgently needed. Sou...