Thelonevirologist

Pre-existing cross-reactive immunity to highly pathogenic avian influenza 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) virus in the United States - Nature Communications Highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus has caused outbreaks in dairy cattle and cases in humans in the United States. Here, the authors assess levels of pre-existing cross-react...

Pre-existing cross-reactive immunity to highly pathogenic avian influenza 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) virus in the United States

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Molecular characterization of arenavirus defective viral genomes reveals sequence features associated with their formation | Journal of Virology Infection with diverse RNA viruses can generate defective viral genomes (DVGs) that, while unable to support productive virus infection on their own, appear to play a crucial role in determining infection outcome. In light of this apparent biological importance, there is an urgent need to better understand the sequence characteristics of individual DVGs and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their formation to study their biological functions. We have now characterized several DVGs that are highly enriched during infection with the arenavirus Tacaribe virus. Functional analysis of a subset of these DVGs showed length-dependent competition for the viral RNA synthesis machinery, while detailed sequence analysis revealed that DVG formation involves either regions of sequence identity within the genome or the presence of specific nucleotide sequences. Understanding these mechanisms opens up the possibility to leverage DVG generation in support of antiviral and/or vaccine attenuation approaches.

Molecular characterization of arenavirus defective viral genomes reveals sequence features associated with their formation journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Reactive oxygen species promotion drives auranofin’s antiviral activity against hepatitis E virus | Journal of Virology Hepatitis E virus (HEV) lacks approved virus-specific antiviral therapies, and off-label treatments with ribavirin and pegylated interferon are limited by toxicity and emerging resistance mutants. This study identifies reactive oxygen species (ROS) promotion mediated by the FDA-approved drug auranofin and D-amino acid oxidase as an effective antiviral strategy against multiple genotypes of HEV, including two globally relevant human-associated genotypes and a ribavirin treatment failure-associated HEV mutant. The observed synergistic anti-HEV activity in vitro for combined treatment with both auranofin and ribavirin suggests a potential clinically effective combinational therapeutic approach. ROS promotion through auranofin or other means represents an underexplored antiviral strategy with potential for broad-spectrum activity against a range of viral diseases.

Reactive oxygen species promotion drives auranofin’s antiviral activity against hepatitis E virus journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Microtubule detyrosination links inflammasome activation to apoptotic cell death in macrophages upon influenza A virus infection | Journal of Virology Programmed cell death is an essential host response to viral infection, but whether infected macrophages undergo inflammatory or non-inflammatory forms of death has important consequences for disease progression. In this study, we found that influenza A virus infection induces a modification of microtubules known as detyrosination, which stabilizes their structure. This change was driven by the host enzyme vasohibin-1 through activation of the inflammasome, a key signaling complex that normally promotes inflammatory cell death. Remarkably, enhanced detyrosination shifted dying cells away from inflammatory membrane rupture toward apoptosis, an immunologically silent cell death pathway that preserves membrane integrity. Our findings identify microtubule detyrosination as a stress-induced host response during influenza A virus infection, highlighting a novel mechanism by which cytoskeletal modification influences the outcome of infection.

Microtubule detyrosination links inflammasome activation to apoptotic cell death in macrophages upon influenza A virus infection journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Bovine viral diarrhea virus suppresses type I IFN production by inducing MAVS degradation via autophagy mediated by the ROS-endoplasmic reticulum stress axis | Journal of Virology Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), the causative agent of bovine viral diarrhea-mucosal disease, is a major global threat to cattle health. BVDV employs sophisticated strategies to evade host defense...

Bovine viral diarrhea virus suppresses type I IFN production by inducing MAVS degradation via autophagy mediated by the ROS-endoplasmic reticulum stress axis journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

South Carolina measles outbreak grows; new case identified in Colorado South Carolina officials report 8 new cases in the state's growing measles outbreak.

South Carolina measles outbreak grows; new case identified in Colorado www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/sout...

Persistent Attenuation of Lymphocyte Subsets After Mass SARS-CoV-2 Infection As of September 15, 2024, the COVID-19 pandemic had resulted in more than 776 million confirmed cases and seven million deaths worldwide [1]. While most patients recovered from the acute phase of COVI...

Persistent Attenuation of Lymphocyte Subsets After Mass SARS-CoV-2 Infection www.ijidonline.com/article/S120...

Antiviral drug abandoned by pharma shows promise against dengue A daily pill can prevent the crippling disease, but its maker won’t bring it to market

Antiviral drug abandoned by pharma shows promise against dengue www.science.org/content/arti...

Cross-herpesvirus immunity of the cytomegalovirus gB/MF59 vaccine response - npj Vaccines npj Vaccines - Cross-herpesvirus immunity of the cytomegalovirus gB/MF59 vaccine response

Cross-herpesvirus immunity of the cytomegalovirus gB/MF59 vaccine response

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Influenza A(H5N8) vaccine induces humoral and cell-mediated immunity against highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses in at-risk individuals - Nature Microbiology Vaccination of Finnish at-risk occupational groups with a clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 influenza vaccine induced robust antibody and T-cell responses, supporting its potential to provide protection against cur...

Influenza A(H5N8) vaccine induces humoral and cell-mediated immunity against highly pathogenic avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses in at-risk individuals

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Emerging and underrecognized viral triggers of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease flares - Nature Reviews Rheumatology In this Review, the authors summarize the potential role of emerging viruses in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs). They describe the association between viruses and AIRD flare ups, the putative me...

Emerging and underrecognized viral triggers of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease flares

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The proteomics of the giant cedratvirus particles reveals unique and shared features with pitho-like viruses | Journal of Virology There are still only a few studies on the proteomics of giant viruses. Research published to date has revealed the presence of several proteins involved in processes such as transcription (including RNA polymerase subunits, helicases, and transcription factors), DNA topology regulation (e.g., topoisomerases), and metabolic pathways (e.g., enzymes that help the virus cope with host oxidative stress). Proteomic studies of giant viruses are important, as understanding the role of these proteins can provide information about viral biology, host-virus interactions, and viral evolution. Here, we present, for the first time to our knowledge, a proteomic analysis of a cedratvirus, highlighting unique and shared features with pithovirus, a relative.

The proteomics of the giant cedratvirus particles reveals unique and shared features with pitho-like viruses journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Local and introduced lineages drive MERS-CoV recombination in Egyptian camels | Journal of Virology This study highlights the importance of monitoring Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in dromedary camels, which are the main animal source of this virus that can occasionally inf...

Local and introduced lineages drive MERS-CoV recombination in Egyptian camels journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Resistance of endothelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro | Journal of Virology SARS-CoV-2 is recognized not only for its acute effects and links with cardiovascular events but also for its ability to cause long COVID syndrome, which is now a major concern particularly since its ...

Resistance of endothelial cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Spanish West Nile virus isolates of lineages 1 and 2 elicit different patterns of infection in red-legged partridges During the summer of 2020, West Nile virus (WNV) caused an important outbreak in south-western Spain, with the highest impact on humans in the country up to that time, resulting in 77 clinical cases (...

Spanish West Nile virus isolates of lineages 1 and 2 elicit different patterns of infection in red-legged partridges

www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/jour...

How did I end up with only four chess pieces left ?

Experts fear for US childhood vaccine schedule after hepatitis B guideline change Pediatricians say panel’s decision will create confusion and access issues, and condemn ‘parody of public health’

Experts fear for US childhood vaccine schedule after hepatitis B guideline change

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2...

Fewer people are being vaccinated against respiratory diseases

Fewer people are being vaccinated against respiratory diseases www.cidrap.umn.edu/adult-non-fl...

8yo:”I did this while the other kids did their math. It was a lot but not difficult at all.”

An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns

An End to Hepatitis B Shots for All Newborns www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/h...

Flaviviridae RdRp exploits NSUN2-driven m5C methylation to establish persistent infection Author summary Flaviviridae viruses—including JEV, CSFV, and HCV—deploy intricate molecular strategies to subvert host innate immune surveillance and establish chronic infections, representing signifi...

Flaviviridae RdRp exploits NSUN2-driven m5C methylation to establish persistent infection

journals.plos.org/plospathogen...

“Make America Healthy Again” will make the world sicker - EMBO Reports EMBO Reports - The “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement are ascendent in the USA, led by Secretary for Health Robert F Kennedy Jr. But despite a superficially laudable intent,...

“Make America Healthy Again” will make the world sicker

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Exploring influenza A virus receptor distribution in the lactating mammary gland of domesticated livestock and in human breast tissue The spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in dairy cattle, particularly affecting the mammary glands, highlights the adaptability of influenza A viruses (IAV) to infect non...

Exploring influenza A virus receptor distribution in the lactating mammary gland of domesticated livestock and in human breast tissue www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S002...

France reports MERS in 2 travelers who had been to Middle East No secondary transmission chains have been identified in France.

France reports MERS in 2 travelers who had been to Middle East

www.cidrap.umn.edu/france-repor...

Kennedy’s Methodical 2-Decade Quest to Dismantle Vaccine Policy

Kennedy’s Methodical 2-Decade Quest to Dismantle Vaccine Policy

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/04/u...

CDC advisers delay vote on restricting infant hepatitis B vaccinations in tense meeting From 1990 to 2019, reported cases of acute hepatitis B among kids declined by 99% due to infant immunization

CDC advisers delay vote on restricting infant hepatitis B vaccinations in tense meeting

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Aluminium is crucial to vaccines — and safe. Why are US advisers debating it? RFK Jr’s vaccine advisory panel will be discussing the inclusion of adjuvants in childhood vaccinations this week. Here’s what’s at stake.

Aluminium is crucial to vaccines — and safe. Why are US advisers debating it? www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Molecular insights into species-specific ACE2 recognition of coronavirus HKU5 - Nature Communications This study reveals how the bat coronavirus HKU5 recognizes ACE2 receptors across mammals and birds, uncovering a cross-class receptor usage in coronaviruses and highlighting its potential for interspe...

Molecular insights into species-specific ACE2 recognition of coronavirus HKU5

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Paramyxovirus matrix protein redirects METTL3 for dual regulation of viral replication and immune evasion Author summary In this study, we have identified a sophisticated strategy employed by paramyxoviruses to manipulate host epitranscriptomic RNA modification machinery during infection. Our research sho...

Paramyxovirus matrix protein redirects METTL3 for dual regulation of viral replication and immune evasion

journals.plos.org/plospathogen...