ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has become a critical threat to wildlife, shifting from a seasonal epizootic to a persistent, year-round panzootic with global consequences . Here, we summarize the origin, evolutionary mechanisms, and expanding host range of the current H5N1 virus (clade 2.3.4.4b) and assess its impact on wildlife . Over the past five years, HPAI has caused the deaths of millions of wild birds , causing dramatic population declines in several seabird species . However, comprehensive quantitative mortality data remain scarce, as existing records are often anecdotal, focus on localized mass die-offs, and thus represent only a fraction of the true magnitude of mortality. This gap in data limits the ability to predict outbreak dynamics and mitigate long-term consequences. Using the Northwestern European Sandwich Tern (Thalasseus sandvicensis) population as a case study, we demonstrate the value of integrating mortality data with ecological, serological and...

Summary Human metapneumovirus (hMPV), a respiratory pathogen identified in 2001, is a substantial cause of community-acquired respiratory infections across all age groups. This Review explores the impact of hMPV after the COVID-19 pandemic , emphasising its resurgence as a public health concern . Epidemiological shifts, as well as unusual seasonal patterns , increased co-infection rates, and altered age distributions, have been observed globally. Phylogenetic analysis has shown the variation across three distinct periods , especially before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of genotypic distribution. Clinical manifestations of hMPV infection range from asymptomatic to severe lower respiratory tract infections , particularly in vulnerable populations. Specific antivirals or vaccines are currently unavailable; consequently, treatment remains supportive. The development of monoclonal antibodies and vaccines leveraging cross-protective strategies against hMPV and related viruses is...

Abstract Since the first detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) in U.S. dairy cattle in early 2024, the virus has spread rapidly, posing a major public health concern as the number of human cases continues to rise. Although human-to-human transmission has not been confirmed, experimental data suggest that the bovine H5N1 virus can transmit via respiratory droplets in ferrets , highlighting its pandemic potential . With no vaccines currently available, antiviral drugs remain the only treatment option. Here, we investigate the efficacy of the polymerase inhibitor baloxavir marboxil (BXM) against this virus in mice. We find that early treatment post-infection is effective, but delayed treatment significantly reduces BXM efficacy and increases the risk of BXM resistance, underscoring the importance of timely BXM administration for effective treatment. Source: Nature Communications,  https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-60791-5 ____

Highlights •  Outbreaks of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in South America have challenged animal and public health. •  Outbreaks across South America affect poultry industry and wild species. •  Surveillance strategies with One Health approach for avian flu is needed Abstract The outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b in South America , which began in 2022, have had significant repercussions across the continent and have led to significant challenges in animal and public health . This review explores the virus's transmission across South America, highlighting the spread of this panzootic through migratory birds and its severe impact on the poultry industry and various wild species , including mammals . The underreporting of influenza cases in poultry underscores the need for enhanced national regulations and strategies to promote reporting within the productive sector. Additionally, the review emphasizes the necessity for active case finding and geno...

  PHNOM PENH, June 21 (Xinhua) -- A 52-year-old man from southeastern Cambodia's Svay Rieng province had died of H5N1 human avian influenza , becoming the fifth human death from the virus so far this year , the Ministry of Health said in a press statement on Saturday. "A laboratory result from the National Institute of Public Health showed on June 20 that the man was positive for H5N1 virus ," the statement said. Health authorities are looking into the source of the infection and are examining any suspected cases or people who have been in contact with the victim in order to prevent an outbreak in the community, it added. Tamiflu (oseltamivir), an antiviral drug to prevent the bird flu from spreading, was also given out to people who had direct contact with the patient, the statement said. The Southeast Asian country recorded a total of six human cases of H5N1 so far this year, with five deaths. Source: Xinhua,  https://english.news.cn/asiapacific/20250621/e94aafa92dbc446...

  A centrifuge manufacturing workshop has been hit in Esfahan, the third such facility that has been targeted in Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear-related sites over the past week, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today, citing information available to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The workshop – which made the machines used to enrich uranium – was previously under IAEA monitoring and verification as part of the Joint  Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), including with installed Agency cameras. “We know this facility well . There was no nuclear material at this site and therefore the attack on it will have no radiological consequences,” Director General Grossi said. It came a few days after the IAEA on 18 June reported that the Tehran Research Center , where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested, had been hit, as had a workshop in the city of Karaj where different centrifuge components were manufactured. There was no radiologica...

  Di Bernhard Studer - Opera propria, Pubblico dominio,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18132189 Source: Wikipedia,  https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram_ATAC:_motrici_Stanga ____

  Am J Obstet Gynecol KOENIG LR, Raymond EG, Upadhyay UD, Frye LJ, et al Effectiveness and safety of medication abortion with vs. without screening ultrasonography or pelvic exam. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2025 Jun 11:S0002-9378(25)00387. PubMed           Abstract available J Med Virol YIN L, He H, Zhang H, Shang Y, et al Revolution of AAV in Drug Discovery: From Delivery System to Clinical Application. J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70447. PubMed           Abstract available TANG X, Zhou Y, Sun Y, Ding T, et al Proteomics and Phosphoproteomics Characteristics of the Rhesus Macaque Lung Infected With Original SARS-CoV-2, Delta, and Omicron Variants. J Med Virol. 2025;97:e70446. PubMed           Abstract available WU F, Zhang Z, Lun Q, Hong X, et al Papain-Like Protease of SARS-CoV-2 Induces Intestinal Inflammation via the ISG15 Pathway: Identification of Natural Compound Inhibi...

  Ann Intern Med BILINSKI A, Emanuel N, Ciaranello A Sins of Omission: Model-Based Estimates of the Health Effects of Excluding Pregnant Participants From Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-00689. PubMed           Abstract available YEK C, Mancera AG, Diao G, Walker M, et al Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Antibiotic Resistant Infection Burden in U.S. Hospitals : Retrospective Cohort Study of Trends and Risk Factors. Ann Intern Med. 2025 Apr 29. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-24-03078. PubMed           Abstract available Cell PEKAR JE, Lytras S, Ghafari M, Magee AF, et al The recency and geographical origins of the bat viruses ancestral to SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Cell. 2025;188:3167-3183. PubMed           Abstract available Drug Saf ABATE A, Poncato E, Barbieri MA, Powell G, et al Off-the-Shelf Large Language Models for Caus...

Abstract Although influenza A viruses (IAV) are notorious respiratory pathogens, some IAV strains can reach and replicate in the central nervous system (CNS) in vivo. In particular, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) pose a threat for future pandemics and are linked to greater neurotropic potential . Moreover, neurotropic IAV strains have shown a more significant impact on the onset and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). However, despite its clinical relevance , the dynamics and cellular tropism of IAV infection in the CNS are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the replication of HPAIV H7N7 in vitro using a primary murine triple co-culture system comprising neurons, astrocytes, and microglia . We found that microglia become highly infected early on and induce a strong pro-inflammatory response before undergoing apoptosis . Using fluorescence microscopy with automated single-cell profiling, we found that, in contrast to non-neurotropic H3N2, th...

  Attacks on nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic of Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security in Iran. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur . The International Atomic Energy Agency has been monitoring closely the situation at Iran’s nuclear sites since Israel began its attacks a week ago. As part of its mission, the IAEA is the global nerve centre for information on nuclear and radiological safety, and we can respond to any nuclear or radiological emergency. Based on information available to the IAEA , the following is the current situation at Iran’s nuclear sites. Which I offer as a follow up to my most recent report to this Security Council. The Natanz enrichment site contains two facilities . The first is the main Fuel Enrichment Plant . Initial attacks on the 13th of June targeted and destroyed electricity infrastructure at the facility, including an electrical sub-station ...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: June 01, 2025 - June 07, 2025 - H5 Detection :  4 sites ( 1.1% ) - No Detection :  370 sites ( 98.9% ) - No samples in last week :  73 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/h5-monitoring/index.html ____

Summary A recently described cestode genus, Versteria, has been implicated in disseminated human disease in North America . We report the first known case of infection with a recently reported species, Versteria rafei , localised to the liver with attempted surgical resection . Through review of other patients known to be infected with this parasite , we established that this is a rare zoonotic infection involving contact with minks and mustelids . Although Versteria belongs to the same family as Echinococcus , there are several important differences. Known Versteria infections in humans typically are symptomatic, quickly involve multiple organs without treatment, and occur in immunosuppressed hosts. Furthermore, albendazole appears to be at least parasitostatic , with a reduction but not a resolution of the lesions under treatment and development of calcifications analogous to changes seen with treatment for alveolar echinococcosis. Source: Lancet Infectious Diseases,  https://www...

Abstract Highly pathogenic henipaviruses (Nipah and Hendra viruses) and parahenipaviruses (Langya virus) have demonstrated significant zoonotic potential . We aimed to identify Henipavirus or Parahenipavirus species in rodents and shrews in South Korea to underline the potential zoonotic transmission risk. Kidney and lung tissues from 285 rodents and shrews were screened for Henipavirus and Parahenipavirus using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) targeting the Gamak virus and Daeryong virus (DARV) sequences. Based on the qRT-PCR results, 75 out of the 285 individuals tested positive , with the highest viral loads in the kidneys of Apodemus agrarius, Crocidura lasiura , and Crocidura shantungensis . A kidney sample from C. shantungensis that exhibited the lowest Ct value was further analyzed using PCR, Sanger sequencing, and metagenomic analysis, yielding a near-complete genome of a novel Parahenipavirus, designated Parahenipavirus_GH (PHNV-...

Abstract Background :  The detection of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in lactating dairy cattle in the United States , with high viral titers in raw milk, has raised concerns about potential zoonotic transmission through the consumption of unpasteurized milk and raw-milk dairy products. While inactivation studies exist for pasteurized milk, data on virus persistence during the manufacture of raw-milk cheeses remain scarce .  Aim :  To evaluate the survival and inactivation of avian influenza viruses (AIV), including both low pathogenic (LPAIV, H1N1) and highly pathogenic (HPAIV, H5N1) strains, during the production and ripening of Grana-type hard cheeses made from raw bovine milk.  Methods :  Experimental cheesemaking was conducted using raw milk artificially contaminated with A-Duck-Italy-281904-2-06 (H1N1; 10 7,75 EID50 per mL) or A-Duck-Italy-326224-2-22 (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b; 10 6,75 EID50 per mL). Cheeses were produced in accordance wi...

Abstract Since its emergence in 1996, the H5 avian influenza virus (AIV) A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 (Gs/GD) haemagglutinin (HA) has evolved into over 30 genetically and antigenically distinct clades , including the widespread clade 2.3.4.4b. Vaccination is widely used in endemic regions to reduce poultry losses and zoonotic risk . However, the evolving antigenic diversity and global co-circulation of multiple clades challenges protective efficacy of poultry vaccines with poor antigenic matching to field strains, resulting in immune escape and vaccine failure. This study aimed to improve vaccine seed selection by identifying HA epitopes contributing to inter-clade antigenic differences. Recombinant clade-representative viruses were generated using HA genes from circulating H5 AIVs via reverse genetics with A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) internal and neuraminidase genes. Antigenic relationships were assessed using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assays with homologous and heterologous chicke...

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of H5 and H7 subtypes has emerged as one of the most important zoonotic pathogens in the 21st century with significant economic consequences . The recent outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza (AI) in dairy cattle highlighted the importance of early detection in managing and mitigating HPAIV outbreaks. A successful high-speed diagnostic response requires rapid site and specimen access, minimal time for test protocols, and prompt communication of the diagnostic results to government officials. A new diagnostic paradigm that consists of miniaturized extractor and qPCR instruments (EZextractor and EZcycler MiniQ), designed for mobile, on-site testing has been compared with a platform of benchtop instruments (QIAGEN RNeasy and QuantStudio 5) for detecting inactivated H5 avian influenza virus (AIV) spiked in raw milk samples. Two sets of experiments were performed: 1) 15 raw milk samples , obtained from 15 different farms, diluted with phos...

Abstract Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic virus that causes acute respiratory disease after transmission via close contact with camels . In contrast to the incidence of MERS-CoV human infections in the Middle East , MERS-CoV infections in the Horn of Africa have been rarely reported despite the high number of camels and common camel–human interactions in the area. Whether passive cross-sectional sampling misses active human cases is a significant gap in our understanding of MERS-CoV epidemiology and its impact in the Horn of Africa. To address this gap, we conducted a prospective cross-sectional study at Laisamis Catholic Hospital in northern Kenya’s camel pastoralist community . A total of 942 patients with acute respiratory symptoms were enrolled over 18 months (August 2022–February 2024); 54% of these individuals reported frequent contact with camels and consumption of camel products. Testing via reverse transcriptase – polymerase chain reaction ...

ABSTRACT Betacoronaviruses, which have caused three human outbreaks within the last two decades, are thought to originate from bats , raising the concern that bat coronaviruses could cause a novel human outbreak in the future. To determine whether the bat merbecovirus EjCoV-3 strain , previously detected in Eptesicus japonensis in Japan , has the potential to infect humans, we analyzed its cellular entry mechanism. Cellular entry of EjCoV-3 via the spike protein requires protease treatment and is mediated by an unknown receptor, other than DPP4 or ACE2 . We generated cultivable recombinant EjCoV-3 using bacterial artificial chromosome-based reverse genetics and found that it efficiently replicated in human respiratory and intestinal cell cultures as well as nasal ciliated epithelium in hamsters. These findings suggest that bat merbecovirus with ACE2- and DPP4-independent cell entry has the potential to cause human infections , highlighting the importance of extensive bat surveillance f...

Summary Background The number of older people in need of long-term care is increasing, and health-care-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality for residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). This study, organised by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), provided data on the incidence of HAIs and related adverse outcomes in LTCFs in European countries, supplementing the available estimates from repeated point prevalence surveys conducted by the ECDC. Methods In this longitudinal, prospective cohort study, we analysed all HAIs collected in a convenience sample of residents from 65 LTCFs (including general nursing homes, residential homes, and mixed facilities) in nine EU or European Economic Area (EEA) countries ( Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland , and Spain ) over 12 months. Eligible residents were those expected to stay in the LTCF for at least the entire study period. Data wer...