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Dynamics of B-cell response in #MERS-CoV #patients and survivors with hybrid #immunity

  ABSTRACT Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a highly lethal respiratory infection for which no vaccines or antiviral therapeutics are currently available . Understanding the immune response is critical for designing effective therapeutics . Here, we comprehensively characterized the dynamics of B-cell responses in severely infected MERS-CoV patients and survivors with SARS-CoV-2 exposure history . Infected patients developed robust neutralizing antibody responses within 1 month of illness , with moderate-to-high cross-neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 . The enhanced neutralization activity coincided with an increased abundance of specific mutated, class-switched IgG clones. Notably, one such clone was detected at moderate prevalence in both patients, and its expansion was accompanied by high neutralization activity against both viruses . Conversely, MERS-CoV survivors demonstrated higher neutralization activity against MERS-CoV after vaccinati...

#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

  A mute swan in Mazowieckie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7123 ____

Chinese #Taipei - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

Samples from Qieding District, Kaohsiung City and Annan District, Tainan City were sent to the National Laboratory, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), for diagnosis. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 subtype were confirmed by VRI. The sampling spots were disinfected. Surrounding poultry farms within 3 km radius of the sampling spot are under intensified surveillance for 28 days. By Cp9asngf - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27358997 A dead black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) was found in Sicao, Annan District, Tainan City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on December 7. ___ By Photo by Laitche, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46904763 A dead Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope) was found in Qieding District, Kaohsiung City. The specimen was sent to National Reference Laboratory for testing. It was confirmed...

#Global burden of lower respiratory #infections and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023

  Summary Background Lower respiratory infections (LRIs) remain the world's leading infectious cause of death. This analysis from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 provides global, regional, and national estimates of LRI incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with attribution to 26 pathogens , including 11 newly modelled pathogens, across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023. With new data and revised modelling techniques, these estimates serve as an update and expansion to GBD 2021. Through these estimates, we also aimed to assess progress towards the 2025 Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) target for pneumonia mortality in children younger than 5 years. Methods Mortality from LRIs, defined as physician-diagnosed pneumonia or bronchiolitis, was estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model with data from vital registration, verbal autopsy, surveillan...

#Poland - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

A wild Greylag Goose in Podlaskie Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7096 ____

#Namibia - #Influenza A #H5N1 viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Immediate notification

  By MPF - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=102468449 Approximately 30 wild birds on an island near Lüderitz were observed exhibiting clinical signs consistent with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Enhanced and continuous surveillance activities are ongoing to assess the extent of infection and monitor potential spread. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7120 ____

The #potential of #H5N1 viruses to adapt to #bovine cells varies throughout #evolution

  Abstract Avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses caused a global panzootic and, unexpectedly, widespread outbreaks in dairy cattle , therefore representing a pandemic threat . To inform control strategies, it is critical to determine whether the potential to adapt to bovine cells is a general feature of H5N1 viruses , is specific to viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b, or narrowly restricted to some genotypes within this clade. Using a large panel of recombinant viruses representing >60 years of H5N1 history and other IAVs for comparison, we demonstrate replicative fitness in bovine cells is: (i) highly variable across 2.3.4.4b genotypes, (ii) limited in viruses predating the global expansion of this clade , (iii) determined by the internal gene cassette, and (iv) not restricted to udder epithelial cells. Mutations in the PB2 polymerase subunit emerge as key determinants of adaptation , although their phenotypic effects are context dependent. Bovine B3.13 and some avian genotypes ex...

#Coronavirus Disease Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

  Clin Infect Dis BIEBELBERG B, Chen T, McKenna C, Kanjilal S, et al Associations between antibiotic use and outcomes in patients hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and positive respiratory viral assays. Clin Infect Dis. 2025 Dec 11:ciaf687. doi: 10.1093. PubMed           Abstract available Emerg Infect Dis BRAUNFELD JB, Traub E, Chiou H, Amoon AT, et al Community-Driven, Text Message-Based COVID-19 Surveillance System, Los Angeles County, California, USA, 2020-2024. Emerg Infect Dis. 2025;31:2109-2117. PubMed           Abstract available Int J Infect Dis LI H, LiuPhD J, Fang Q, Li Z, et al Pathogen-specific immunity debt in children after prolonged nonpharmaceutical interventions: a cross-sectional study in China. Int J Infect Dis. 2025 Dec 3:108278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.108278. PubMed           Abstract available JIANG Z, Shan T, Li Y, Han F, et ...

#Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Research #References (by AMEDEO, Dec. 15 '25)

  Biochem Biophys Res Commun HU J, Li J, You W, Liu L, et al Disruption of the local vRNA structure at the end of HA encoding region interferes with the selective packaging of influenza A virus genome. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;795:153082. PubMed           Abstract available BANGARU MLY, Raghavendra NK Helix alpha1 of human ACE2 mimics dsDNA and Spike of SARS-CoV-2 binds DNA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2025;793:153020. PubMed           Abstract available Cell WASDIN PT, Johnson NV, Janke AK, Held S, et al Generation of antigen-specific paired-chain antibodies using large language models. Cell. 2025;188:7206-7221. PubMed           Abstract available YAN L, Huang Y, Liu Y, Ge J, et al Structural basis for the concurrence of template recycling and RNA capping in SARS-CoV-2. Cell. 2025;188:7194-7205. PubMed           Abs...

Maize Deity (Chicomecoatl), Aztec Art (c.1450 - c.1521)

  Public Domain. Source:  Link:  https://www.wikiart.org/en/aztec-art/maize-deity-chicomecoatl ____

History of Mass Transportation: A Stadler DMU, ''the Yellow Train'' during a trial service

  Par fr:User:Cargocap — fr:Fichier:DSC00218.JPG, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4114677 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stadler_Rail ____

#Human monoclonal #antibodies that target clade 2.3.4.4b #H5N1 hemagglutinin

  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, as well as in mammals , which underscores its potential to cause a pandemic . Here, we generate a panel of anti-hemagglutinin (HA) human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the H5 protein of clade 2.3.4.4b. To develop human chimeric antibodies , H2L2 Harbor 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. Through hybridoma technology, sixteen fully human mAbs are generated, most of which show cross-reactivity against H5 proteins from different clade 2.3.4.4 virus variants . Fourteen out of the sixteen mAbs neutralize the virus in vitro . The mAbs with the strongest hemagglutination inhibition activity also demonstrate greater neutralizing capacity and show increased protective effects ...

#SARS-CoV-2 within-host population expansion, diversification and #adaptation in #zoo #tigers, #lions and #hyenas

  Abstract SARS-CoV-2 rapidly adapts to new hosts following cross-species transmission; this is highly relevant as unique within-host variants have emerged following infection of susceptible wild and domestic animal species . Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 transmission from animals (e.g., white-tailed deer, mink, domestic cats, and others) back to humans has been observed , documenting the potential of animal-derived variants to infect humans. Here, we investigate SARS-CoV-2 evolution and host-specific adaptation during an outbreak in Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica), African lions (Panthera leo), and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) at Denver Zoo in 2021 . SARS-CoV-2 genomes from longitudinal samples from 16 individuals are evaluated for within-host variation and genomic signatures of selection, and we determine that the outbreak was likely initiated by a single spillover of a rare Delta sublineage . Within-host virus populations rapidly expand and diversify, and we detect signature...

History of Mass Transportation: The Renault ABH Autorail in service with the Chemins de Fer de la Corse

  Par Didier Duforest — Travail personnel, CC BY-SA 3.0,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12918351 Source:  Link:  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autorail_Renault# ____

#Risk #assessment of #SARS-CoV-2 #infection from external #surfaces and biological samples of #COVID19 corpses

  Highlights •  Infectious SARS-CoV-2 were detected in nasopharynx and on the surface of corpses •  Viral load and symptom-to-discovery time are linked to viral infectivity •  Infectious viruses were not found in the body fluids •  Our findings highlight strict infection control for COVID-19 corpse handling Abstract Objectives The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths worldwide . However, the risk of transmission from COVID-19 corpses remain unclear, posing challenges for forensic medicine in establishing effective infection control measures during autopsies . This study aimed to investigate the presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses and identify factors affecting viral infectivity. Methods External examinations of 76 corpses with COVID-19 were performed, and nasopharyngeal, perioral, hand swabs, serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and urine samples were collected. Viral RNA was quantified by using digital PCR, and infectious viruses were as...

Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian #Influenza #H5N1 Virus, #Argentina, 2025

  Abstract Genomic sequencing of reemerging highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected in Argentina in February 2025 revealed novel triple-reassortant viruses containing gene segments from Eurasian H5N1 and low pathogenicity viruses from South and North American lineages . Our findings highlight continued evolution and diversification of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in the Americas. Source:  Link:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/31/12/25-0783_article ____

#USA, #Wastewater Data for Avian #Influenza #H5 (#US CDC, Dec. 12 '25)

  {Excerpt} Time Period: November 30, 2025 - December 06, 2025 -- H5 Detection :  2 site(s) ( 0.5% ) -- No Detection :  390 site(s) ( 99.5% ) -- No samples in last week :  54 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

Safety and immunogenicity of a #Nipah virus #vaccine (HeV-sG-V) in adults: a single-centre, randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 study

  Summary Background First discovered in 1999 in Malaysia, Nipah virus (NiV) causes yearly outbreaks throughout south and southeast Asia with associated mortality rates of 40–75%. Due to the structural and sequence similarities between the NiV and Hendra virus (HeV) attachment G glycoproteins , and the extensive extant evidence of the ability of a recombinant soluble glycoprotein G (HeV-sG) to provide heterologous cross-protective immunity when used as vaccine (HeV-sG-V), this study aimed to evaluate HeV-sG-V for safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity against NiV. Methods We conducted a phase 1, single-centre, randomised, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study . Eligible participants were aged 18–49 years, healthy, and not pregnant ; participants were ineligible if they were immunocompromised, had received blood products within 6 months of enrolment, had potential exposure to NiV or HeV, or had known allergies to components of the vaccine. Participants were randomly assigned in...