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  Am J Respir Crit Care Med EDDY RL, Sin DD Loss of Lung Function Led to Loss of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025. PubMed          Ann Intern Med JACOBS JW, Booth GS, Lewis-Newby M, Saifee NH, et al Medical, Societal, and Ethical Considerations for Directed Blood Donation in 2025. Ann Intern Med. 2025 May 13. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-00815. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ WISE J Covid-19: Attitudes shifted after politicians broke rules, report says. BMJ. 2025;389:r960. PubMed          Br J Anaesth COPLEY S, Carty S, Brown M, Mishra S, et al Bridging the GAP: a critical analysis of pain management services in the United Kingdom. Br J Anaesth. 2025;134:1597-1602. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis HAWKINS KL, Dandachi D, Verzani Z, Brannock MD, et al HIV Infection and Long COVID: ...

  Biochem Biophys Res Commun PERFILOVA KV, Matyuta IO, Minyaev ME, Boyko KM, et al High-resolution structure reveals enhanced 14-3-3 binding by a mutant SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein variant with improved replicative fitness. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;767:151915. PubMed           Abstract available J Gen Virol AHMED MN, Abu Habib US, Abdallah AM, Emara MM, et al The impact of pre-existing immunity on the emergence of within-host immune-escape mutations in Omicron lineages. J Gen Virol. 2025;106:002108. PubMed           Abstract available J Immunol NOURI HR, Schaunaman N, Kraft M, Numata M, et al Tollip deficiency enhances mitophagy and reduces STING activation in influenza A virus-infected mice. J Immunol. 2025 May 16:vkaf058. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis ZHU S, Quint J, Leon T, Sun M, et al Estimating Influenza Vaccine Effectiv...

  Source: Wikipedia,  https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotiva_FS_E.444 By Manfred Kopka - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0 ____

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been a global concern since its emergence in 1997, causing widespread outbreaks in birds and sporadic human infections . The clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 virus has rapidly expanded across continents, infecting numerous mammalian species . In 2024, it was detected in dairy cattle for the first time in the U.S., along with human cases following exposure . In Canada , the first human case of this avian influenza was reported in a critically ill adolescent in late 2024. No human-to-human transmission has been documented, but concerns persist regarding mutations associated with enhanced virulence and human adaptation . Although seasonal influenza vaccines are not directed against H5N1, studies suggest that pre-existing immunity from prior infections or vaccinations may provide partial protection against severe H5N1 infections through cross-reactive immune response . Given the ongoing circulation of avian influenza and the rise in human infec...

  The Official Veterinary Services (OVS) received a notification of acute mortality, neurological and digestive signs in a breeder farm . From the start of the OVS investigation, the premise was quarantined, including suspension of the movement of birds and products. Laboratory analysis identified H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b. OVS is conducting an epidemiological investigation of the event and implementing the restrictions and measures in accordance with the National Contingency Plan for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6484 ____

Sudden death of birds, clinical signs, non-commercial hobby flock of hens, products are used exclusively for own consumption in the same household. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6471 ____

Abstract In this work, we performed the genetic characterization of a new variant of orthohantavirus associated with a fatal case of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome , outside the known endemic region, in northwestern Argentina . We first confirmed an orthohantavirus infection by ELISA , testing for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies. Then, we extracted RNA from 100 microliters of serum, the only sample available, followed by RT-PCR. The amplicons were sequenced using Sanger and next-generation sequencing technology. We obtained partial sequences of 1253 bp, 799 bp and 1675 bp from the S-, M- and L-segments, respectively, showing low sequence identities with all the previously characterized hantaviruses (10.9%, 13.5% and 15.1% of the divergence, respectively). The phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus belongs to the Orthohantavirus andesense species (ANDV), and among the ANDV-like variants, it is more closely related to the Lechiguanas clade . Similar percentages of divergence...

{Summary} Situation at a glance From 29 December 2024 and as of 26 April 2025 (with data for Ecuador updated as of 2 May 2025), a total of 212 confirmed human cases of yellow fever , including 85 deaths , have been reported to WHO by five countries in the Region of the Americas ( case fatality rate (CFR) 40% ).  The cases have been reported in the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru .  The 212 confirmed yellow fever cases reported so far in 2025 represent a threefold increase compared to the 61 confirmed cases reported in 2024.  WHO is supporting affected countries in implementing coordinated actions to respond to the yellow fever cases and outbreaks.  This includes:  - enhancing preventive measures,  - strengthening surveillance and case management,  - improving risk communication and community engagement, and  - implementing immunization activities.  The current yellow fever situation in the Americas is driven...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: April 27, 2025 - May 03, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  8 sites ( 2.0% ) - No Detection :  402 sites ( 98.0% ) - No samples in last week :  67 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ____

Summary Background Molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir–ritonavir are oral antivirals that have shown efficacy in preventing disease progression in outpatients with COVID-19. We aimed to evaluate these treatments for patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia, for whom data on these antivirals are scarce. Methods The RECOVERY trial is a randomised, controlled, open-label, adaptive platform trial testing treatments for COVID-19 . In this study we report the molnupiravir and nirmatrelvir–ritonavir comparisons from the RECOVERY trial. In each comparison, participants aged 18 years and older were randomly allocated (1:1) to the relevant antiviral (5 days of molnupiravir 800 mg twice daily or 300 mg nirmatrelvir and 100 mg ritonavir twice daily) in addition to usual care, or to usual care alone. The molnupiravir comparison was conducted at 75 hospitals in the UK, two in Nepal, and two in Indonesia ; the nirmatrelvir–ritonavir comparison was conducted at 32 hospitals in the UK. Participants coul...

Abstract The SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) is a cysteine protease that cleaves viral polyproteins and antagonizes the host immune response during viral replication. Jun12682 and PF-07957472 are the first-in-class PLpro inhibitors showing potent in vivo antiviral efficacy in mouse models . In this study, we characterize naturally occurring mutations at residues located at the drug-binding site of Jun12682. The results reveal several PLpro mutants showing significant drug resistance while maintaining comparable enzymatic activity as the wild-type PLpro. The physiological relevance of the identified drug-resistant mutants, including E167G and Q269H, is validated through independent serial viral passage experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations and perturbative free energy calculations show that drug-resistant PLpro mutants weaken hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions. Collectively, this study identifies E167, Y268, and Q269 as drug-resistant hotspots for PLpro inhibit...

Abstract Influenza viruses replicate and transcribe their genome in the context of a conserved ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex . By integrating cryo–electron microscopy single-particle analysis and cryo–electron tomography , we define the influenza RNP as a right-handed, antiparallel double helix with the viral RNA encapsidated in the minor groove . Individual nucleoprotein subunits are connected by a flexible tail loop that inserts into a conserved pocket in its neighbor. We visualize the viral polymerase in RNP at different functional states , revealing how it accesses the RNA template while maintaining the double-helical architecture of RNP by strand sliding. Targeting the tail loop binding interface, we identify lead compounds as potential anti-influenza inhibitors . These findings elucidate the molecular determinants underpinning influenza virus replication and highlight a promising target for antiviral development. Source: Science,  https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science...

  Key points -- Vaccination remains an important public health countermeasure against COVID-19 . As per the WHO Director General’s standing recommendations for COVID-19, Member States are recommended to continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination based on the recommendations of the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE). -- SARS-CoV-2 continues to undergo sustained evolution since its emergence in humans, with important genetic and antigenic changes in the spike protein. -- The objective of an update to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition is to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. -- The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) advises manufacturers that monovalent JN.1 or KP.2 vaccines remain appropriate vaccine antigens ; monovalent LP.8.1 is a suitable alternative vaccine antigen . -- In accordance with WHO SAGE policy, vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vacci...

Abstract Thousands of outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in birds and an increasing number of mammal infections are registered annually. In 2023, multiple avian influenza outbreaks were registered among wild birds, poultry and seals in Russia . The genetic characterization of seventy-seven avian viruses and three viruses from seals showed that they belonged to the 2.3.4.4b clade and represented four distinct reassortant genotypes . The majority of viruses represented genotype BB , which was widespread in Europe in 2023. Viruses from seals and four viruses from birds , isolated from outbreaks in the Far East region , belonged to the G1 (A3) genotype and had the amino acid substitution N319K in the NP protein , previously associated with an increased virulence for mammals . In addition, one virus of the G10 genotype and two viruses, representing a previously undescribed genotype (designated as Ru-23-G4) were identified. The viruses analyzed showed normal inh...

Abstract We tested cross-neutralization against highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in adults vaccinated with 2021–2023 seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine in the United Kingdom. Seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccines are unlikely to protect vulnerable persons against severe H5N1 disease during widespread transmission. Enhanced measures are needed to protect vulnerable people from H5N1 virus infection. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/6/24-1796_article ____

ABSTRACT The recent emergence of the H5N1 influenza virus in dairy cattle has raised significant public health concerns . Using a previously established pseudovirus-based neutralization assay , we evaluated the impact of emerging hemagglutinin (HA) mutations on the efficacy of current candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs). Neutralization analysis revealed that the cow-derived H5N1 virus showed up to a 2.2-fold reduction in sensitivity compared to the CVV homologous neutralization titers. Among the 1,453 HA sequences analyzed from cow-derived H5N1 viruses, we identified four major mutations (E2K, D104G, V147M, and S336N) that emerged after the initial isolation, with 134 isolates (9.22%) harboring all four mutations . These multi-mutation variants exhibited up to a 3.3-fold reduction compared with the CVV homologous neutralization titers. Single-mutation analysis demonstrated that the D104G mutation , present in 47.8% of sequences, markedly contributed to antibody escape . Our findings highl...

Summary Background Evidence from randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors —compared with usual care or placebo—in adults treated in hospital for COVID-19 is conflicting. We aimed to evaluate the benefits and harms of JAK inhibitors compared with placebo or usual care and whether treatment effects differed between prespecified participant subgroups. Methods For this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA), we searched Medline via Ovid, Embase via Elsevier, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials , the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register, and the COVID-19 L·OVE Platform, including backward and forward citation searching (last search Nov 28, 2024), for RCTs (unpublished or published in any format and any language) that randomly assigned adults (aged ≥16 years) admitted to a hospital due to COVID-19 to receive either a JAK inhibitor (any type) or no JAK inhibitor (ie, received site-specific standard of care with or without p...