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#Lanka virus, a #Mus booduga-borne #orthohantavirus #infection-associated febrile illness in #SriLanka

Abstract Background In Sri Lanka, a high seroprevalence of antibodies against hantaviruses was reported in communities affected by chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu). Recently, two rodent-borne hantaviruses , Lanka virus and Anjozorobe virus , were identified in these areas. However, it is unclear which virus is the source of infection in humans, and its pathogenicity is unknown. Methodology/principal findings A total of 181 sera from febrile patients from two CKDu-endemic regions , Girandurukotte and Polonnaruwa, were examined and Lanka virus genome was detected in two IgM-positive febrile patients . Of 76 serum samples from patients with fever of unknown etiology collected during 2016 examined to identify hantavirus genomes, antibodies, and serotypes, 10 were IgG-positive with five of them having IgM also. They were all without clinical features of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome , but three patients required treatment in the intensive care unit. A serotyping str...

Evaluation of #country #preparedness for #Nipah and avian #influenza #zoonotic viral #threats in #Bangladesh

Highlights •  Systematic and routine monitoring antigenic drift and shift of AIV in wild birds and poultry is needed. •  Community-based surveillance is key for improving NiV case detection. •  Integrated surveillance across One Health sectors is required. •  Lab upgrades to BSL-3 are needed for enhanced biosafety and diagnostics. Abstract Nipah and avian influenza viruses (NiV and AIV) are priority zoonotic pathogens in Bangladesh and are also important globally because of their pandemic potential . To understand current strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities to enhance preparedness for NiV and AIV in Bangladesh, as part of the USAID STOP Spillover program , 47 relevant stakeholders were surveyed, and two country leads of the primary surveillance systems were interviewed. Data was collected focusing on four different areas: research projects, surveillance systems, laboratories, and outbreak risk management systems. Despite progress in recent years, our ...

Promising Effects of #Duck #Vaccination against Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza, #France 2023–2024

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza causes substantial poultry losses and zoonotic concerns globally . Duck vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza began in France in October 2023. Our assessment predicted that 314–756 outbreaks were averted in 2023–2024, representing a 96%–99% reduction in epizootic size, likely attributable to vaccination. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/7/24-1445_article ____

Anti #Matrix Protein 1 Monoclonal #Antibody Neutralizes #Influenza A Virus Subtypes

Abstract Background :  Research on monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting conserved internal proteins of influenza is limited.The matrix protein 1 (M1), the most abundant and conserved internal protein, serves as an endoskeleton bridging cytoplasmic tails of envelope glycoproteins haemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and matrix protein 2 (M2) with viral ribonucleoprotein particles (vRNPs). Clinical studies reveal significant M1 antibody responses post-infection and vaccination, with demonstrated B and T cell recognition . Our study examines 2B-B10-G9, our lab-synthesized mAb targeting conserved linear epitope of M1 at the C-terminal domain (CTD).  Methods :  Binding of 2B-B10-G9 to the purified influenza A viruses (IAV) and influenza B viruses (IBV) were assessed using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with Image J analysis. Purified viruses included IAV (H1N1, Pandemic ( H1N1 ) 2009 (H1N1pdm09), and H3N2 subtypes) and IBV which was first isolated in 1940 (B/Lee/40), and B/...

#Oseltamivir #Treatment vs Supportive Care for Seasonal #Influenza Requiring #Hospitalization

Key Points -- Question:   In adults with influenza requiring admission to hospital, is oseltamivir treatment within the first 2 days of admission, when compared with supportive care without oseltamivir, associated with a decreased risk of death in hospital? -- Findings:  In this cohort study of 11 073 patients hospitalized with influenza, oseltamivir treatment was associated with an adjusted risk reduction of 1.8% for in-hospital mortality when compared with supportive care. -- Meaning:  The findings of this study support current guidelines that recommend oseltamivir treatment for patients admitted to hospital with influenza; clinical trials should be conducted to generate better quality evidence. Abstract Importance    Current guidelines recommend oseltamivir treatment for all patients hospitalized with influenza, but this guidance is based on suboptimal evidence. Objective    To evaluate outcomes associated with oseltamivir treatment when compared wi...

Monotherapy with #antibody 1C3 partially protects #Ebola virus-exposed #macaques

ABSTRACT A cocktail of human monoclonal antibodies 1C3 and 1C11 previously protected macaques from a lethal exposure to either Ebola virus (EBOV) or Sudan virus (SUDV). 1C3 is of particular interest because its paratope strongly binds with unique stoichiometry to the glycoprotein head of several orthoebolaviruses , resulting in neutralization of EBOV and SUDV . Therefore, we evaluated the protective activity of 1C3 as a standalone therapeutic in macaques exposed to either EBOV or SUDV. Two doses of 1C3 monotherapy, administered 4 and 7 days post-exposure, did not protect SUDV-exposed macaques and partially protected EBOV-exposed macaques . Notably, in a macaque that succumbed to EBOV infection, we identified two mutually exclusive escape mutations that emerged immediately after the first dose and resulted in two amino acid changes at the 1C3 binding site . We also detected a subconsensus treatment-emergent mutation likely affecting the 1C3 binding site in all three deceased SUDV-expose...

Long-term serial passaging of #SARS-CoV-2 reveals #signatures of convergent #evolution

ABSTRACT Understanding viral evolutionary dynamics is crucial to pandemic responses, prediction of virus adaptation over time , and virus surveillance for public health strategies. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has enabled fine-grained studies of virus evolution in the human population . Serial passaging in vitro offers a complementary controlled environment to investigate the emergence and persistence of genetic variants that may confer selective advantage . In this study, nine virus lineages , including four “ variants of concern ” and three former “ variants under investigation ,” were sampled over ≥33 serial passages (range 33–100) in Vero E6 cells . WGS was used to examine virus evolutionary dynamics and identify key mutations with implications for fitness and/or transmissibility. Viruses accumulated mutations regularly during serial passaging. Many low-frequency variants were lost , but others became fixed, suggestin...

Multiple introductions of #equine #influenza virus into the #UK resulted in widespread #outbreaks and #lineage #replacement

Abstract Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are prime examples of emerging viruses in humans and animals. IAV circulation in domestic animals poses a pandemic risk as it provides new opportunities for zoonotic infections. The recent emergence of H5N1 IAV in cows and subsequent spread over multiple states within the USA, together with reports of spillover infections in humans, cats and mice highlight this issue. The horse is a domestic animal in which an avian-origin IAV lineage has been circulating for >60 years . In 2018/19, a Florida Clade 1 (FC1) virus triggered one of the largest epizootics recorded in the UK , which led to the replacement of the Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) Florida Clade 2 (FC2) lineage that had been circulating in the country since 2003. We integrated geographical, epidemiological, and virus genetic data to determine the virological and ecological factors leading to this epizootic. By combining newly-sequenced EIV complete genomes derived from UK outbreaks with existi...

4th #meeting of #IHR (2005) Emergency #Committee regarding upsurge of #mpox 2024 – Temporary #recommendations (#WHO, June 9 '25)

Fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 – Temporary recommendations The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), following the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR)   Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024 , held on 5 June 2025, from 12:00 to 17:00 CEST, concurs with its advice that the event continues to meet the criteria of a public health emergency of international concern and, considering the advice of the Committee, he is hereby issuing a revised set of temporary recommendations. The WHO Director-General expresses his most sincere gratitude to the Chair, Members, and Advisors of the Committee. The proceeding of the fourth meeting of the Committee will be shared with States Parties to the IHR and published in the coming days. Temporary recommendations These temporary recommendations   are issued to  States Parties   experienci...

E627V #mutation in #PB2 protein promotes the #mammalian #adaptation of novel #H10N3 avian #influenza virus

Abstract Since 2021, the novel H10N3 has caused four cases of human infection in China, the most recent of which occurred in December 2024 , posing a potential threat to public health. Our previous studies indicated that several avian H10N3 strains are highly pathogenic in mice and can be transmitted between mammals via respiratory droplets without prior adaptation. By analyzing the genome sequence , we found that these H10N3 viruses carry the PB2-E627V mutation , which is becoming increasingly common in several subtypes of avian influenza viruses (AIV); however, its mechanism in mammalian adaptation remains unclear. Using a reverse genetics system , we investigated the role of PB2-E627V in the adaptation of H10N3 to mammals and poultry. Our findings demonstrate that the PB2-E627V mutation is critical for the high pathogenicity of novel H10N3 in mice and its ability to be transmitted through the air among mammals . Additionally, we found that the role of PB2-627 V in promoting AIV adap...

Death of Actaeon, Titian (1559 - 1575)

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/titian/death-of-actaeon-1562 ____

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, June 7 '25)

  Ann Intern Med MARCUCCI M, Chan MTV, Painter TW, Efremov S, et al Effects of a Hypotension-Avoidance Versus a Hypertension-Avoidance Strategy on Neurocognitive Outcomes After Noncardiac Surgery. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-02841. PubMed           Abstract available GOLDMAN JM, Moyer DV Flying the Plane While Building It: Lessons From the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Jun 3. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-02436. PubMed          Antiviral Res MALUNE P, Esposito F, Tramontano E Unveiling SARS-CoV-2's heart: role, structure and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Antiviral Res. 2025 Jun 3:106208. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106208. PubMed           Abstract available BMJ MURPHY F Covid-19: New variant spreading across Asia is found in UK. BMJ. 2025;389:r1161. PubMed          LOOI MK Trump wa...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, June 7 '25)

  BMC Pediatr ALRASHED R, Almeshawi I, Alshammari A, Alhamoud W, et al Burden of bronchiolitis post-COVID-19 pandemic in children less than 2 years old in 2021-2024: experience from a tertiary center in Saudi Arabia. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:453. PubMed           Abstract available BIGLARI HN, Ahmadi A, Alidousti K, Pouredalati M, et al Growth in the first two years in children born to mothers infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy: a cohort study. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:448. PubMed           Abstract available CHENG J, Wu Y, Ma H, Tang M, et al C-reactive protein and serum amyloid A protein as complementary biomarkers in differentiating viral and bacterial community-acquired pneumonia in children. BMC Pediatr. 2025;25:445. PubMed           Abstract available J Gen Virol CAPELASTEGUI F, Goldhill DH H5N1 2.3.4.4b: a review of mammalian adaptations and risk of pandemic e...

History of Mass Transportation: The FS ALn 772 Autorail

  By Kabelleger / David Gubler (http://www.bahnbilder.ch) -  http://www.bahnbilder.ch/pictures/medium/8253.jpg , CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16836731 Source: Wikipedia,  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FS_Class_ALn_772 ____