ETIDIOH - NEW

Summary Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for COVID-19 was thoroughly assessed during the first pandemic wave , but data on subsequent waves are limited. We aimed to investigate in-hospital and 6-month survival of patients with COVID-19 supported with ECMO from the second pandemic wave (Sept 15, 2020) until the end of the pandemic (March 21, 2023, announced by WHO). Methods EuroECMO-COVID is a prospective, observational study including adults (aged ≥16 years) requiring ECMO respiratory support for COVID-19 from 98 centres in 21 countries. We compared patient characteristics and outcomes between in-hospital survivors and non-survivors. Mixed-effects multivariable logistic regressions were used to investigate factors linked to in-hospital mortality. 6-month survival and overall patient status were determined via patient contact or chart review. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04366921, and is complete. Findings We included 3860 patients (2687 [69·...

Abstract Antigenic variability among influenza virus strains poses a significant challenge to developing broadly protective , long-lasting vaccines . Current annual vaccines target specific strains, requiring accurate prediction for effective neutralization. Despite sequence diversity across phylogenetic groups, the hemagglutinin (HA) head domain's structure remains highly conserved. Utilizing this conservation, we designed cross-group chimeric HAs that combine antigenic surfaces from distant strains. By structure-guided transplantation of receptor-binding site (RBS) residues, we displayed an H3 RBS on an H1 HA scaffold . These chimeric immunogens elicit cross-group polyclonal responses capable of neutralizing both base and distal strains. Additionally, the chimeras integrate heterotrimeric immunogens, enhancing modular vaccine design. This approach enables the inclusion of diverse strain segments to generate broad polyclonal responses. In the future, such modular immunogens may se...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/jacques-louis-david/a-vestal-virgin-crowned-with-flowers ____

  Antiviral Res INOUE A, Ichikawa T, Wada D, Maruyama S, et al M49L and other drug resistance mutations emerging in individuals after administration of ensitrelvir in Japanese clinical settings. Antiviral Res. 2025;236:106118. PubMed           Abstract available ZIAN D, Iaconis D, Nenci S, Crusco A, et al The Efficiency of High-Throughput Screening (HTS) and in-silico data analysis during medical emergencies: identification of effective antiviral 3CLpro inhibitors. Antiviral Res. 2025 Feb 18:106119. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106119. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis LUETKEMEYER AF, Chew KW, Lacey S, Hughes MD, et al Ensitrelvir for the Treatment of Nonhospitalized Adults with COVID-19: Results from the SCORPIO-HR, Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 17:ciaf029. doi: 10.1093. PubMed       ...

  Antiviral Res SCHREIBER A, Ludwig S Host-targeted antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 in clinical development - Prospect or disappointment? Antiviral Res. 2025;235:106101. PubMed           Abstract available WU Q, Wu H, Hu Y, Zheng X, et al Immune evasion of Omicron variants JN.1, KP.2, and KP.3 to the polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies from COVID-19 convalescents and vaccine recipients. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 24:106092. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106092. PubMed           Abstract available XU M, Zhang Z, Sun Y, Mai H, et al IgA class switching enhances neutralizing potency against SARS-CoV-2 by increased antibody hinge flexibility. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jan 17:106082. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106082. PubMed           Abstract available Biochemistry LEE S, Yan S, Dey A, Laederach A, et al A Cascade of Conformational Switches in SARS-CoV-2 Frame...

Abstract Influenza viruses are highly capable of mutating and adapting in mammalian hosts . While these viruses have been extensively studied in birds, research on their presence in bats has been limited. However, influenza viruses circulating in bats have shown notable molecular divergence . The present study aimed to characterize the phylogenetic, evolutionary, and antigenic relationships of an influenza A virus detected in the fishing bat Noctilio albiventris . As part of a pathogen surveillance study of public health interest, 159 rectal samples were collected from bats in the Colombian Caribbean . The samples were sequenced using RNA-Seq. A genome (eight viral contigs) associated with the Orthomyxoviridae family was identified in a pool. Most segments showed approximately 90% similarity with H18N11, except for the neuraminidase. Analysis of the N protein shows that occupies a basal position relative to the N11 subtype, with its divergence date estimated to be approximately 50 year...

{Summary} 1 Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgency of ensuring that the world is prepared for the next major respiratory pathogen pandemic (1). Corresponding with World Health Assembly resolutions WHA58 .5 (2) and WHA74.7 (3), WHO is committed to supporting Member States with pandemic preparedness planning through the provision of guidance and technical assistance . Following on from the PRET Global Meeting in April 2023, WHO has finalized guidance on Preparedness and resilience for emerging threats (PRET) module (1): planning for respiratory pathogen pandemics. This module acknowledges that similar systems and capacities can be used to prevent, prepare for and respond to different respiratory pathogens. The module (4) has three overarching objectives: - to guide countries and partners in developing or updating their integrated approach to respiratory pathogen pandemic preparedness for equitable and robust response; - to focus attention on the actions needed to stre...

Abstract Henipaviruses, such as Hendra and Nipah viruses, are major zoonotic pathogens that cause encephalitis and respiratory infections in humans and animals . The recent emergence of Langya virus in China highlights the need to understand henipavirus host diversity and geographic spread to prevent future outbreaks. Our analysis of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Virus and VIRION databases revealed ≈1,117 henipavirus sequences and 142 complete genomes. Bats (64.7%) and shrews (11.7%) dominated the host species record, and the genera Pteropus and Crocidura contained key henipavirus hosts in Asia, Australia, and Africa . Henipaviruses found in the Eidolon bat genus exhibited the highest within-host genetic distance. Phylogenetic analysis revealed batborne and rodent- or shrew-derived henipaviruses diverged ≈11,000 years ago and the first known lineage originating in Eidolon genus bats ≈9,900 years ago. Pathogenic henipaviruses diverged from their ancestors 2,800–1,200...

Abstract Reports of human infections with an influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b virus associated with outbreaks in dairy cows in the United States underscore the need to assess the potential cross-protection conferred by existing influenza immunity . We serologically evaluated ferrets previously infected with an influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus for cross-reactive antibodies and then challenged 3 months later with either highly pathogenic H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b or low pathogenicity H7N9 virus . Our results showed that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection more effectively reduced the replication and transmission of the H5N1 virus than did the H7N9 virus, a finding supported by the presence of group 1 hemagglutinin stalk and N1 neuraminidase antibodies in preimmune ferrets. Our findings suggest that prior influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection may confer some level of protection against influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b virus. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  htt...

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in dairy cattle herds across the United States in 2024 caused several human infections . Understanding the risk for spillover infections into humans is crucial for protecting public health. We investigated whether immunity from influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (pH1N1) virus would provide protection from death and severe clinical disease among ferrets intranasally infected with H5N1 virus from dairy cows from the 2024 outbreak. We observed differential tissue tropism among pH1N1-immune ferrets. pH1N1-immune ferrets also had little H5N1 viral dissemination to organs outside the respiratory tract and much less H5N1 virus in nasal secretions and the respiratory tract than naive ferrets. In addition, ferrets with pH1N1 immunity produced antibodies that cross-reacted with H5N1 neuraminidase protein. Taken together, our results suggest that humans with immunity to human seasonal influenza viruses may experience milder disease fro...

Abstract We detected neutralizing antibodies, viral RNA, and sialic acid receptors for Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae in urban coatis (Nasua nasua) in Brazil , suggesting exposure and susceptibility. We used hemagglutination inhibition, reverse transcription qualitative PCR, and immunohistochemistry for detection. Increased epidemiologic wildlife surveillance would improve influenza A emergency event response. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/3/23-1640_article ____

Abstract In April 2024, Vietnam confirmed its first human case of influenza A(H9N2) in a 37-year-old man , marking a critical point in regional infectious disease monitoring and response. This case underscores the importance of robust surveillance systems and One Health collaboration in managing emerging zoonotic threats. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/2/24-1146_article ____

{Excerpt} Situation at a glance As of 20 February 2025, a total of nine confirmed cases of Sudan virus disease, including one death have been reported from Uganda , since the outbreak was declared on 30 January 2025. Eight cases received care at treatment centres in the capital Kampala and in Mbale and were discharged on 18 February after two negative tests 72 hours apart.  As of 20 February 2025, 58 contacts that have been identified are still under follow up in designated quarantine facilities located in Jinja, Kampala,and Mbale .  Sudan virus disease belongs to the same family as Ebola virus disease . It is caused by Sudan virus (SUDV). It is a severe disease with high case fatality ranging from 41% to 70% in past outbreaks. In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high. Early detection, diagnosis, and optimized supportive care may increase the chance of survival. Desc...

Abstract The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has been spreading globally since 2022, causing mortality and morbidity in domestic and wild birds and mammals , including infection in humans , raising concerns about its pandemic potential . We aimed to generate a panel of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the H5 protein of clade 2.3.4.4b. H2L2 Harbour Mice, which express human immunoglobulin germline genes, were immunized with H5 and N1 recombinant proteins from A/mallard/New York/22-008760-007-original/2022 H5N1 virus, enabling the generation of human chimeric antibodies . Through hybridoma technology, sixteen full human mAbs were generated, most of which showed cross-reactivity against H5 proteins from different virus variants . The functionality of the sixteen mAbs was assessed in vitro using hemagglutination inhibition and microneutralization assays with viruses containing a clade 2.3.4.4b HA. Fourteen out of the sixteen mAb...

{Excerpt} [ Confirmed cases : State , Dairy  Herds, Poultry Farms and Culling Operations, Other Animal Exposure, Exposure Source Unknown, State Total ] -- National , 41, 24, 2, 3, 70 {+1} 1) California , 36, 0, 0, 2, 38 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) Nevada , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 8) Ohio , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 {+1} 9) Oregon , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 10) Texas , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 11) Washington , 0, 11, 0, 0, 11 12) Wisconsin , 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 13) Wyoming , 0, 0, 1, 0, 1 [ Probable Cases :   States , Dairy   Herds, Poultry   Farms   and   Culling   Operations, Other   Animal   Exposure, Exposure   Source   Unknown, State   Total ] -- National , 1, 5, 0, 1, 7 {-1} 1) Arizona , 0, 2, 0, 0, 2 2) California , 1, 0, 0, 0, 1 3) Delaware , 0, 0, 0, 1, 1 4) Washington , 0, 3, 0, 0, 3 NOTE : One additional case was previously detected in a poultry worker in ...