ETIDIOH - NEW

Abstract The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b, genotype B3.13) in dairy cattle presents substantial challenges to the agricultural sector and public health. Mechanistic studies of infection and transmission in cattle have proven difficult due to animal handling restrictions as well as limited availability of established cell culture models. Primary Bovine Embryonic Fibroblasts (BeEFs) were collected from a Montana cow and are investigated here as a model to study influenza A virus (IAV) infection dynamics . We compared sialylation profiles, infectious virus production, viral replication, and plaque morphology in both BeEFs and chicken DF-1 cells following infection with the bovine HPAI H5N1 and an earlier 2.3.4.4b genotype (B1.1) isolated in 2022. The data presented here show increased viral fitness of the bovine origin HPAI H5N1 strains across multiple species and bovine susceptibility to human seasonal IAV. This study highlights the ability o...

  Public Domain. Source: WikiArt,  https://www.wikiart.org/en/peter-paul-rubens/the-judgment-of-paris-1636 ____

ABSTRACT The ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has affected at least 989 dairy herds across 17 states in the United States (U.S.) and resulted in 70 confirmed human infections , underscoring the urgent need to understand the pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions of emerging H5N1 viruses. In this study, we modelled infection with a highly pathogenic recombinant human A/Texas/37/2024 H5N1 (rHPh-TX H5N1) strain using human airway organoids (HAO) to investigate viral replication, innate immune response , infection-induced fibrogenesis, and potential therapeutic interventions . rHPh-TX H5N1 replicated efficiently in HAO, eliciting a robust interferon (IFN) response and pro-inflammatory cytokine production . Prolonged infection led to the accumulation of fibroblast-like cells surrounding infected regions, marked by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), indicative ...

Abstract The structural instability of influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is related to its function in low pH-mediated membrane fusion , which requires prior cleavage of the premature HA0 by a host protease . The precise determinants underlying the stability and cleavability of HA remain to be fully understood and have implications for risk assessment of zoonotic influenza A viruses (IAV), viral transmissibility and vaccine production. To address this, we conducted random mutagenesis on early 2009 pandemic H1 HA, followed by selection of acid-stable viruses and detailed profiling of the mutant HAs. This resulted in identification of four mutations , which increase the acid-stability and decrease the fusion-promoting activity of H1 HA, without compromising viral entry and replication in cells. The newly recognized mutations are situated in the globular head , vestigial esterase and membrane-proximal part of H1 HA, in regions involved in the refolding of HA at low pH. A fifth mutation, D346N,...

Di Elio Cossetta - Ricordo quel binario, Alberto Cordara, Calosci-Cortona, Pubblico dominio,   https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34088072 Source: Wikipedia,  https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotiva_FS_E.333 ____

  Am J Respir Crit Care Med LAUTRETTE A, Cadoret M, Richard JC, Schwebel C, et al Impact of Visitation Restrictions in ICU on Psychological Symptoms in Family Members: Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2025 Jul 23. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202412-2470. PubMed           Abstract available Clin Infect Dis AKANDE ET, Fowotade AA, Odih EE, Oaikhena AO, et al Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Clin Infect Dis. 2025;80. PubMed           Abstract available STREINU-CERCEL A, Castagna A, Chang SC, Chen YS, et al Efficacy and Safety of Obeldesivir in High-Risk Nonhospitalized Patients with COVID-19 (BIRCH): a Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Jul 22:ciaf406. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available BOSCOLO-RIZZO P, Spinato G, De Colle R, Maniaci A, et al Five-Year...

  Biochem Biophys Res Commun KUSUMOTO T, Yotsukura M, Asakura T, Namkoong H, et al Induced lung epithelial-like cells derived by direct reprogramming rescue influenza virus-induced lung injury in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;778:152384. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect SAITO R, Chon I, Sato I, Kawashima T, et al Impact of polymerase acidic subunit (PA) substitutions on fever and symptoms in pediatric influenza A patients treated with baloxavir: A pooled four-season analysis. J Infect. 2025;91:106555. PubMed           Abstract available J Infect Dis SIMOES EAF, Suss RJ, Raje DV Human Metapneumovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Influenza Associated Pneumonia Hospitalizations in Colorado Adults Aged Over 50 Years: 2016-2023. J Infect Dis. 2025 Jul 21:jiaf381. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available J Virol MANNSVERK S, Villamil Gi...

{Summary} -- During the Week 17-23 July 2025, Italy reported twenty-seven new cases of human infection with West Nile Virus. -- Since the beginning of the epidemic season, thirty-two confirmed human WNV infection cases have been reportede (there were five cases in the last update), of these: - twenty-three were West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease (WNND): 2 in Piedmont, 2 in Veneto, 1 Emilia-Romagna, 15 Latium, 3 Campania), - one asymptomatic case was detected in a blood donor (Veneto), - six cases of West Nile Fever have been reported (2 in Veneto, 4 Latium), and two asymptomatic cases (Latium), - among the cases, there were two fatalities (1 in Piedmont, 1 in Latium). -- The first confirmed case of the season was detected in Piedmont Region on March 20 2025 (sporadic case), then in Novara Province (July 3rd). -- No confirmed cases of Usutu Virus infection have been detected so far. (...) Source: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Teramo,  https://westnile.izs.it/j6_wnd/home ____...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: July 13, 2025 - July 19, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  2 sites ( 0.5% ) -- No Detection :  380 sites ( 99.5% ) -- No samples in last week :  47 sites (...) Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

Abstract Identifying receptors for bat coronaviruses is critical for spillover risk assessment, countermeasure development, and pandemic preparedness . While Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus ( MERS-CoV ) uses DPP4 for entry , the receptors of many MERS-related betacoronaviruses remain unknown . The bat merbecovirus HKU5 was previously shown to have an entry restriction in human cells . Using both pseudotyped and full-length virus, we show that HKU5 uses Pipistrellus abramus bat ACE2 but not human ACE2 or DPP4 as a receptor. Cryo-electron microscopy analysis of the virus-receptor complex and structure-guided mutagenesis reveal a spike and ACE2 interaction that is distinct from other ACE2-using coronaviruses. MERS-CoV vaccine sera poorly neutralize HKU5 informing pan-merbecovirus vaccine design. Notably, HKU5 can also engage American mink and stoat ACE2 , revealing mustelids as potential intermediate hosts. These findings highlight the versatility of merbecovirus receptor use...

Abstract Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds , with occasional spillover to mammals , including humans. As of June 2025, 117 H5N1 infections in humans have been reported worldwide since 2020. Given the ability of the virus to infect mammals, there is a growing concern about its potential for human-to-human transmission . Currently, contact tracing and self-isolation are used in the UK to manage contacts of confirmed human cases of avian influenza. In this study, we aimed to estimate potential outbreak sizes and evaluate the effectiveness of contact tracing and self-isolation in managing avian influenza spillover events. We used a novel dataset from the Avian Contact Study to analyse contact patterns within an agricultural population at high risk of avian influenza exposure through contact with birds. We modelled outbreak sizes using a stochastic branching process model with measured contact data. Most simulations resulted in sm...

  {Summary} Situation at a glance On 17 May 2025, the Timor-Leste government reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) a fatal human case of rabies from Ermera Municipality.  Between May and mid-June 2025, Timor-Leste confirmed four human rabies deaths in the municipalities of Bobonaro (n=2), Ermera (n=1) and Oecusse (n=1).  All cases involved individuals exposed to dogs' bites months prior to symptom onset, with rabies virus confirmed via Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing.  Since March 2024, a total of 106 animal rabies cases —mostly in dogs—have been reported, and over 1400 dog bites or scratches have occurred, with a total of six fatalities .  Access to and completion of post-exposure prophylaxis remains limited.  The spread of rabies into non-border areas like Ermera signals a growing public health concern.  The public health response is ongoing and includes vaccination of dogs , risk communication, training of ...

Abstract Previous research efforts on highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI) suggest that different avian species exhibit a varied severity of clinical signs after infection. Waterfowl, such as ducks or geese , can be asymptomatic and act as silent carriers of H5N1, making detection harder and increasing the risk of further transmission, potentially leading to significant economic losses. For backyard hobby farmers , passive reporting is a common HPAI detection strategy. We aim to quantify the effectiveness of this strategy by simulating the spread of H5N1 in a mixed-species, small-population backyard flock. Quantities such as detection time and undetected burden of infection in various scenarios are compared. Our results indicate that the presence of ducks can lead to a higher risk of an outbreak and a higher burden of infection . If most ducks within a flock are resistant to H5N1, detection can be significantly delayed. We find that within-flock infection dynamics can heavily ...

By Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden - Larus canus 2203, CC BY 2.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49877446 Wild birds {Herring Gulls} found dead through SAGIR network. Source: WOAH,  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/6672 ____

Highlights •  High seropositivity in dogs to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 virus in the Netherlands during HPAI H5 endemicity in wild birds. •  HPAI H5-seropositivity higher in hunting -training dogs than companion dogs.  •  HPAI H5-seropositivity in hunting-training dogs associated with recent bird contact in/near water. •  High seropositivity in dogs to human H1N1pdm2009 influenza A virus (IAV). •  H1N1pdm2009-seropositivity higher in companion dogs than hunting-training dogs. Abstract Dogs are susceptible to the currently circulating highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 and human H1N1pdm2009 (pandemic H1N1) viruses, yet little is known about the extent to which dogs are exposed to both these viruses. Here we investigated HPAI H5 and human H1N1pdm2009 virus exposure in domestic dogs–including dogs that participated in hunting-training– and investigated lifestyle factors associated with HPAI H5 virus exposure. We screened sera from 538...

Abstract Outbreaks of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses (HPAIVs) in animals pose a threat to humans immunologically naïve to avian influenza viruses. However, annual vaccination, such as for seasonal influenza is not planned because the number of human patients infected with H5 HPAIVs is small, and the possibility of human-to-human transmission of H5 HPAIVs is low at present. However, various clades of H5 HPAIVs have emerged continuously . Therefore, a vaccine that confers long-term and cross-clade immunity is required. To examine the long-term effectiveness and cross-clade reactivity of an H5 influenza virus vaccine, cynomolgus macaques were infected with an H5N1 HPAIV 5 years after two subcutaneous vaccinations with inactivated H5N1 whole-virus particles (H5 clade classical/outlier), which showed higher immunogenicity than did split vaccines in our previous studies. Neutralization titers against the vaccine strain were maintained for 5 years , and a recall immune respons...

Editor’s summary The vast majority of the human population has immunity to influenza A virus (IAV) by prior infection, vaccination, or both . However, protection is generally subtype-specific , and it is not clear whether prior infection against one subtype could confer protection against clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 IAVs , which are currently circulating in birds and dairy cows . Here, Restori et al. demonstrated that prior infection with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 IAV was protective against subsequent direct infection with H5N1 IAV in ferrets. Moreover, prior immunity reduced susceptibility to infection by transmission from an infected donor ferret. These data suggest that prior immunity to IAV, especially to the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, may offer a degree of protection against H5N1 infection. —Courtney Malo Abstract Zoonotic infections with emerging influenza viruses occur in the context of population-wide immunity to seasonal strains . Because of the worldwide spread of highly pathogenic clade...

Abstract Sudan virus (SUDV) causes highly lethal outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease throughout Africa , but there has yet to be an approved vaccine or therapeutic to combat this public health threat. The most common route of natural exposure to filoviruses is through mucosal contact which greatly impacts initial viral replication. Historically, SUDV animal models used an intramuscular infection route . Here, we sought to further characterize an animal model using mucosal challenge routes and compared the impact that intramuscular, intranasal, or aerosol exposure had on SUDV pathogenicity in a ferret model . We determined that the route of infection did not significantly impact overall SUDV pathogenicity; only subtle changes were detected in magnitude of viremia and oral viral shedding. Additionally, we sought to determine if preexisting Lloviu virus (LLOV) immunity could protect ferrets from lethal SUDV infection. We found that the previous immunity elicited by LLOV infection was not suf...

Abstract Avian influenza viruses undergo frequent genetic reassortment, which can coincide with phenotypic changes in transmission, pathogenicity, and host species niche . Since 2020, clade 2.3.4.4b H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) have driven a global panzootic , causing mass mortality in wild birds, poultry , and, for the first time, repeated spillover infections in a variety of mammalian species . This resurgence of H5 HPAIV has coincided with a dramatic increase in the number of circulating reassortant strains ; however, the scale, impact and drivers of these reassortants remain unknown. Here, we combined statistical and phylodynamic modelling to reconstruct the global evolutionary dynamics of H5Nx viruses across four epizootic seasons (2020-2024). We identified 209 genetically distinct reassortants , stratified into three transmission categories based on their phylogenetic and epidemiological profiles. Accounting for sampling depth and HPAIV incidence, we est...

Abstract Mpox was first identified against the backdrop of the smallpox eradication campaign. Monkeypox virus (MPXV), the causative agent of mpox, has been maintained in animal reservoirs in the forested regions of West and Central Africa as 2 distinct clades ; clade I has historically caused more severe infection in Central Africa than clade II , historically found in West Africa . However, rapid reemergence and spread of both MPXV clades through novel routes of transmission have challenged the known characteristics of mpox. We summarize mpox demographic distribution , clinical severity , and case-fatality rates attributed to genetically distinct MPXV subclades and focus on MPXV clade Ib, the more recently identified subclade. Broad worldwide assistance will be necessary to halt the spread of both MPXV clades within mpox endemic and nonendemic regions to prevent future outbreaks. Source: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/8/24-1551...