Animal diseases - current developments

The health of domesticated animals and wild animals is frequently threatened by animal illnesses. It typically receives less attention and information than illnesses that also impact humans, including the Corona virus. To be able to respond quickly, it is crucial to understand the epidemic's progression and transmission vectors. Numerous new diseases have been reported in the news over the past 20 years, the majority of which having an animal source (zoonoses). Examples from recent times include the West Nile virus, SARS, avian influenza, and monkeypox. Some developing diseases impact both humans and animals, whereas others only affect either animals or humans. All of these emerging or reemerging illnesses, however, have societal repercussions that are frequently connected to regional and global economy. Understanding the effects of newly emerging animal diseases is crucial, as is promoting closer veterinarian and medical professional collaboration, particularly in rural regions. The index cases for newly developing diseases may be illnesses that affect agricultural laborers.

Special Issue: Honor of Dr. Mike Bray on his retirement as the editor-in-chief of antiviral research. (Special Issue: Honor of Dr. Mike Bray on his retirement as the editor-in-chief of antiviral research.)

This special issue contains 23 articles that discuss various aspects of antiviral research, focusing on the contributions and legacy of Dr. Mike Bray, the retiring Editor-in-Chief of Antiviral Research. The articles cover a range of topics, including the underappreciated mouse model for Ebola virus disease, the history and impact of the mouse-adapted Ebola virus model, and the characterisation of CD-1 mice infected with different strains of Ebola virus. Other articles delve into transplacental vertical transmission of flaviviruses, the development of reverse genetic systems for SARS-CoV-2, and the mechanisms of action and drug resistance of nucleotide analogues against the virus. The special issue also explores therapeutics for flaviviral infections, alternative splicing in RNA virus infections, and targeted protein degradation as an antiviral approach.

Emerging Pandemic Infectious Disease Threats

Pandemic infectious diseases are caused by pathogens that have adapted well to growth and reproduction within the human host and that through unique environmental, socioeconomic, and cultural circumstances are able to rapidly spread across national boundaries and even globally. Although uncommon and caused by relatively few pathogens, the extraordinary human, economic, and societal losses caused by pandemic diseases as exemplified by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) make pandemic diseases of unique importance to clinicians, immunologists, and many other scientists and healthcare professionals. The pathogenesis of pandemic diseases is complex and unique to each pathogen, but common to all is widespread immunologic naïveté within the host population. In this chapter, we consider the pathogens of greatest concern for their pandemic potential. Most of these organisms are viruses, including betacoronaviruses, alpha influenza virus, Ebola virus, and the flaviviruses, but numerous bacteria are also emerging with pandemic disease potential. For each organism, we consider the factors, especially immunologic, that lead to pandemic spread and prospects for effective therapy and prevention. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Virological Investigation in Synanthropic Rodents in North Italy

Intro: Several rodents, including mice and the brown rat, are synanthropic animals usually found in rural and urban environments in contact with other animals and humans. Rodents are natural reservoirs of infectious agents and could harbour a plethora of zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. Taking advantage of a parallel study on presence and distribution of Hantaviruses, we aimed to investigate the occurrence in mice of other viruses with zoonotic or economic impact. Method(s): From May to July 2022, 41 mice (Mus domesticus) were captured and killed by using baited snap traps in 13 selected cattle, goat and poultry farms located in the Piedmont region. Gut and lung samples were homogenised and tested by PCR methods for pan-Coronavirus (CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, pan-Pestivirus, Mammalian orthoreoviruses, Canine Distemper virus (CDV), Flaviviruses, Influenza A (IAV) and D (IDV) viruses. Finding(s): All captured animals did not present at necropsy lesions related to infectious diseases. Virological investigations detected the presence of CoV in six mice. By sequencing Rodent CoVs was identified in two samples (four more pending). Mammalian orthoreovirus was detected in nine animals and typing and characterization are in progress. One mouse, captured in a bovine farm, tested slightly positive for IDV and confirmation of positivity is in progress by complete sequencing with NGS approach. All samples were negative for Flaviviruses, IAV, CDV, pan-Pestivirus and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): Rodents are well adapted to a wide range of habitats, including peri-urban and rural environments, where they benefit from human activities. These results, although preliminary, underline the importance of enhancing surveillance in rodents in anthropized areas to better assess the presence of zoonotic agents and the potential risk of transmission.Copyright © 2023

Accelerating antiviral discovery by combining machine learning with structural biology

COVID Moonshot is an international open science consortium aiming to discover oral antiviral against SARS-CoV-2, targeting the main protease. Launched in Feb 2020, Moonshot went from fragment hits to development candidates which are now under preclinical evaluation. In my talk, I will discuss Moonshot's journey, specifically how the combination of machine learning and structural biology has accelerated our design-make-test cycle. I will also discuss our vision for pandemic preparedness, and early results from AI-driven Structure Enabled Antiviral Platform (ASAP). ASAP is a NIH-funded antiviral drug discovery center which builds on COVID Moonshot's approach to target flaviviruses, enteroviruses, and coronaviruses. We are applying machine learning to generate potent chemical matter from crystallographic fragment hits, and leveraging high throughput library synthesis guided by models to rapidly expand on promising hits. Aiming to achieve pandemic preparedness, I will also discuss our approaches to preempting resistance, and how these strategic considerations impact drug-hunting.Copyright © 2023 The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

A Perspective on Current Flavivirus Vaccine Development: A Brief Review.

The flavivirus genus contains several clinically important pathogens that account for tremendous global suffering. Primarily transmitted by mosquitos or ticks, these viruses can cause severe and potentially fatal diseases ranging from hemorrhagic fevers to encephalitis. The extensive global burden is predominantly caused by six flaviviruses: dengue, Zika, West Nile, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis. Several vaccines have been developed, and many more are currently being tested in clinical trials. However, flavivirus vaccine development is still confronted with many shortcomings and challenges. With the use of the existing literature, we have studied these hurdles as well as the signs of progress made in flavivirus vaccinology in the context of future development strategies. Moreover, all current licensed and phase-trial flavivirus vaccines have been gathered and discussed based on their vaccine type. Furthermore, potentially relevant vaccine types without any candidates in clinical testing are explored in this review as well. Over the past decades, several modern vaccine types have expanded the field of vaccinology, potentially providing alternative solutions for flavivirus vaccines. These vaccine types offer different development strategies as opposed to traditional vaccines. The included vaccine types were live-attenuated, inactivated, subunit, VLPs, viral vector-based, epitope-based, DNA and mRNA vaccines. Each vaccine type offers different advantages, some more suitable for flaviviruses than others. Additional studies are needed to overcome the barriers currently faced by flavivirus vaccine development, but many potential solutions are currently being explored.

Hyperkinetic movement disorder following Covid-19 Temporal correlation or Coincidental

Objective: Hypokinetic movement disorder and parkinsonian picture has been well described in literature following covid-19 but hyperkinetic MDS are very in global literatures. To investigate the epidemiology,clinical picture,the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in patients hyperkinetic MDS in this context and to know the time schedule of the onset of the MDS with exploring the possible pathogenesis Background: Infections are up to 20% of movement disorders.The most frequent agents are beta-hemolytic streptococcus,and flavivirus causing Japanese encephalitisThe role of the viral stimulation of microglial activation in neuroinflammation has regained attention in the context of covid19 Methods: Patients of MDS attended the clinic from 31st march 2020 to March 2022,with recent onset of hyperkinetic movements were screened. Subjects had medical history either prior to the study or medical history reviewed by physicians suggestive of covid.PCR +VE or Presence of covid antibody in blood or csf in patients with recent onset hyperkinetic MDS within 6-12 weeks of onset of symptoms except.Ventilatory cases Other markers were used to rule out other viral infections causing MDS.MRI brain and EEG as a routine in all Immune markers in very selected cases in suspected immuomediated MDSThe attempted treatment were symptomatic and immunotherapy Results: In last 2 years 50 cases of new onset Hyperkinetic MDS are recorded, out of which only 9 cases were directly or indirectly linked to Covid,Nystagmus, orofacial dyskinesia and segmental or generalized myoclonus and ataxic gait associated delirium,tremors and ocular movement disorders along with epileptic seizures are also seen.Positive EEG findings are in the form of diffused bihemispheric slowing or periodic complexes with polyspikes at irregular interval and delta brush in few cases .MRI findings varied between non-specific changes to bitemporoparietal hyperintensities in flair and T2 both cortical and subcortical or bilateral basal ganglia. Treatment response in all the cases are statisfactory Conclusion(s): observational study revealed MDS in covid do happen Myoclonus is the most Frequent movement disorder associated with COVID-19 followed by dystonia and tremors .pathophysiology included neuro inflammation, autoimmune mechanisms and small vessels thrombosis hence not be co-incidental , response to steroid also s/o immune mediated.

Changes and correlation of dengue fever epidemic and Aedes albopictus density in Haizhu district, Guangzhou before and after the COVID-19 pandemic

To analyze the population density, seasonal fluctuation of Aedes albopictus in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide a scientific basis for the monitoring and prevention and control of mosquito vector density of dengue fever. The data of dengue fever cases and Aedes surveillance data in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021 were collected, and the data of 2017-2019 and 2020-2021 were grouped to compare and analyze the characteristics of dengue epidemic and the density fluctuation of Aedes mosquitoes. A total of 517 dengue cases were reported in Haizhu District, Guangzhou from 2017 to 2021, of which only 7 cases were reported from 2020 to 2021, and the peak period of reported cases every year was August to November. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a positive correlation between the number of local cases and the number of imported cases(rs=0.63, P<0.05) and BI(rs=0.73, P<0.05). The peak density of Aedes was from May to October, and the differences of mean BI(X~2=1 143.40,P<0.001), MOI(X~2=188.30,P<0.001), and SSI(X~2=4 499.43,P<0.001)before and after the COVID-19 pandemic were statistically significant. In general, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the density of Aedes in high-risk areas was higher than that in low-risk areas. After COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported cases and the density of Aedes in Haizhu District decreased, but the density of Aedes in the high-risk area was still higher than that in low-risk areas, and a certain risk of outbreak still existed, so the government should continue to take more precise measures to strictly prevent dengue epidemic.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in January 2023

In January 2023, a total of 64 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 235 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were COVID-19 (235), monkeypox (110), dengue fever (31), measles (27) and cholera (15). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Nipah virus disease (62.5%), Ebola virus disease (47.0%), Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (37.5%), Lassa fever (15.1%) and West Nile fever (7.6%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, cholera, measles and dengue fever. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19, cholera and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, malaria and monkeypox, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, cholera, monkeypox, dengue fever and chikungunya fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19, monkeypox and invasive group A streptococcus infection.

Title- to study the clinical profile of patients infected with dengue in a tertiary care center in COVID pandemic era

Dengue infection has always been a major challenge to the public health and in the absence of specific treatment and availability of effective vaccine, this infection has been able to cause repeated outbreaks in different parts of the world for the past many years. This study was planned to analyse the symptoms and complications of dengue positive patients in the backdrop of Covid -19 pandemic. METHODS- A retrospective observational analysis was done on 87 patients presenting to a tertiary care center in northern India by taking into account of their presenting symptoms, haematological parameters and complications. RESULTS- Out of 87 patients 59 (67%) were males and 28 (32%) were females with maximum (36%) belonging to the age group of 18-30 years. 69% patients were from village areas. Fever, headache were the most common symptoms and thrombocytopenia (99%) was the most common haematological complication followed by liver dysfunction (88%). Respiratory symptoms were seen in 18% and skin manifestations were seen in 12% patients. CONCLUSION- Dengue infection continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of the world. The early recognition of symptoms and signs is imperative to the successful management of disease. With the existence of Covid 19 infection it becomes more important to carefully observe and differentiate between the two viral illnesses as both can have overlapping symptoms.

Summary of global surveillance data of infectious diseases in December 2022

In December 2022, a total of 68 infectious diseases were reported globally, affecting 235 countries and regions. Except for influenza, the top five infectious diseases affecting greatest number of countries and regions were COVID-19 (235), monkeypox (110), dengue fever (28), measles (27) and cholera (14). The top five infectious diseases with highest case fatality rates were Ebola virus disease (47.0%), Rift Valley fever (44.2%), Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (40.0%), Lassa fever (17.6%) and West Nile fever (7.6%). The top five infectious diseases with greatest number of deaths were COVID-19, malaria, cholera, dengue fever and measles. The prevalent infectious diseases in Asia were COVID-19, cholera and dengue fever, the prevalent infectious diseases in Africa were COVID-19, cholera, yellow fever, Lassa fever, monkeypox, malaria and measles, the prevalent infectious diseases in America were COVID-19, cholera, monkeypox, dengue fever and chikungunya fever, the prevalent infectious disease in Europe were COVID-19, monkeypox and invasive group A streptococcus infection.

Association between stress depression anxiety and coping styles among Indian university students during COVID-19 outbreak

Introduction: Psychiatric illnesses such as Depression and Anxiety can have a substantial impact on one's mental health. Depression is the most common psychiatric condition diagnosed among students. Objectives: To find out the association of factors which are linked to Stress, Depression, Anxiety and coping styles among Indian University students during COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic, DASS-21 and Brief-COPE inventory were used. Results: The study comprised a total of 201 University students ranging in age from 17 to 36 years old. Female students (n=150) were the most common responses, followed by male students (n=51). Depression, anxiety and stress correlated with active coping, planning, positive reframing, acceptance, humor, emotional support, instrumental support, self-distraction, denial, venting, substance use, behavioral disengagement, selfblame and religion. Conclusion: Venting, behavioural disengagement and self-blame are all examples of maladaptive coping techniques that have a significant impact on University students' Stress, Anxiety and Depression levels. This research will provide a better understanding of the underlying influence of coping methods on Stress, Depression, and Anxiety among university students during the COVID-19 outbreak, enabling for early intervention and improved outcomes.

Enhancing vaccination of key populations: lessons and actions

Vaccination is effective in preventing the increase of disease, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and it is particularly important for people in close contact with infected sources and susceptible populations who are at increased risk of getting infectious diseases due to behavior, occupation or health. Despite targeted vaccination guidelines, inadequate vaccination of the key populations fails to receive widespread attention, resulting in a high-risk transition of disease from key populations to general populations. Strengthening the vaccination of the susceptible groups can effectively block the spread of pathogens to general populations, and reduce the consumption of medical resources in universal vaccination, which has significant economic value. In this review, we describe the prevalence of EIDs, analyze the experience and lessons of infectious disease vaccination in key populations through several cases, and further explore the causes for the decline in vaccination rates of key populations. According to the trends of EIDs, a plan to strengthen the vaccination of key populations is proposed to effectively prevent the transition of EIDs from key populations to general populations.

Summary of national data of class A, B and C communicable diseases in China, December 2022

In December 2022 (from 00: 00, 1 December to 24: 00, 31 December), except COVID-19, a total of 278 907 cases of notifiable communicable diseases, including 2 384 deaths, were reported in China (except Hong Kong, Macao Special Administrative Regions and Taiwan Province, the same below). In communicable diseases in class A, no cases and no deaths were reported. In communicable diseases in class B, no cases and no deaths of severe acute respiratory syndrome, poliomyelitis, human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, diphtheria and human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus were reported. For the remaining 21 communicable diseases except COVID-19 in class B, a total of 148 573 cases were reported, a decrease of 29% compared with last month (210 178 cases) and a decrease of 46% compared with the same period in 2021 (273 361 cases). The first 5 diseases in terms of reported case number were viral hepatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS, accounting for 96% of the total reported cases in class B. A total of 2 384 deaths were reported, an increase of 28% (521 deaths) compared with last month (1 863 deaths) and a decrease of 14% compared with the same period in 2021 (2 763 deaths). In class C communicable diseases, a total of 130 334 cases were reported, a decrease of 33% compared with last month (195 072 cases) and a decrease of 69% compared with the same period in 2021 (420 015 cases). The first 3 diseases in terms of reported case number were influenza, other infectious diarrhea, and hand foot and mouth disease (HFMD), accounting for 96% of the total reported cases in class C. Compared with last month, except filariasis which had no incidence, the reported case number of leprosy was same, and the disease with reported case increase was echinococcosis (47 cases, 48%), the reported cases of other diseases all decreased, the first 3 diseases with reported case decreases were HFMD (22 886 cases, 45%), other infectious diarrhea (21 962 cases, 43%) and influenza (14 775 cases, 18%). Compared with the same period in 2021, except filariasis which had no incidence, the reported cases of other diseases all decreased, the first 3 diseases with reported case decreases were influenza (181 158 cases, 73%), other infectious diarrhea (53 502 cases, 65%) and HFMD (46 674 cases, 63%). No death caused by class C communicable disease was reported, same to last month and a decrease of 7 deaths compared with the same period in 2021 (7 deaths).

XXI ExpoPPGIm Annual Meeting of the Graduate Program in Immunology, Online, 1-3 September 2021

These proceedings contains 30 articles that covered various topics related to immunology and related fields. The conference papers presented focused on investigating the role of genetics, microbiome, and immunological pathways in disease pathogenesis and treatment. Studies presented at the conference explored the genetic factors associated with obesity in Brazilian children, the role of flavonoids in reprogramming microglia towards a neuroprotective inflammatory profile, the gut microbiome in asthmatic individuals, and the involvement of the MTOR gene and its variants in the severity of COVID-19. Other studies evaluated the immunodiagnostic potential of a protein exclusive to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, genetic markers associated with alcohol dependence and asthma, and the effects of nicotine on glial cells in Parkinson's disease. The conference also presented research on the molecular mechanisms associated with the anti-glioma and immunomodulatory effects of flavonoids, the influence of Trypanosoma cruzi co-infection on the immune response and clinical outcome of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the association of metalloproteinase gene variants with periodontitis. Furthermore, the papers presented discussed the production of Zika virus singular peptide for the development of serological immunassays, and the role of genetic polymorphisms in the IL1B and IL6 genes in periodontitis. Lastly, the conference included research on the immunological response of broiler chickens fed with diet supplemented with zinc, and the modulatory effects of Agatis flavone on the glial response in an ex vivo model of brain trauma.

Weekly epidemiological record

Yellow fever transmission in Africa included outbreaks and cases in countries with a history of YF mass vaccination campaigns (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana), escalating the concern raised by the re-emergence of outbreaks in West Africa in 2020. In 2021, those outbreaks affected populations that had not been reached by immunization services, including people living in areas with compromised security and people missed in large-scale campaigns. The resurgence of intense viral transmission highlights the importance of achieving and maintaining equitable, high vaccination coverage of all at-risk populations. COVID-19 continued to impact YF control in 2021. The type of effect changed as countries prioritized vaccination against COVID-19, which led to postponement or de-prioritization of YF vaccination in some countries and affected vaccine acceptance. Despite the challenges, priority countries made good progress in implementing the Eliminate Yellow fever Epidemics (EYE) strategy in 2021, with >48 million people reached through reactive, catch-up and preventive YF vaccination campaigns in Africa.

Genome-Scale CRISPR Screening Reveals Host Factors Required for Ribosome Formation and Viral Replication.

Viruses are known to co-opt host machinery for translation initiation, but less is known about which host factors are required for the formation of ribosomes used to synthesize viral proteins. Using a loss-of-function CRISPR screen, we show that synthesis of a flavivirus-encoded fluorescent reporter depends on multiple host factors, including several 60S ribosome biogenesis proteins. Viral phenotyping revealed that two of these factors, SBDS, a known ribosome biogenesis factor, and the relatively uncharacterized protein SPATA5, were broadly required for replication of flaviviruses, coronaviruses, alphaviruses, paramyxoviruses, an enterovirus, and a poxvirus. Mechanistic studies revealed that loss of SPATA5 caused defects in rRNA processing and ribosome assembly, suggesting that this human protein may be a functional ortholog of yeast Drg1. These studies implicate specific ribosome biogenesis proteins as viral host dependency factors that are required for synthesis of virally encoded protein and accordingly, optimal viral replication. IMPORTANCE Viruses are well known for their ability to co-opt host ribosomes to synthesize viral proteins. The specific factors involved in translation of viral RNAs are not fully described. In this study, we implemented a unique genome-scale CRISPR screen to identify previously uncharacterized host factors that are important for the synthesis of virally encoded protein. We found that multiple genes involved in 60S ribosome biogenesis were required for viral RNA translation. Loss of these factors severely impaired viral replication. Mechanistic studies on the AAA ATPase SPATA5 indicate that this host factor is required for a late step in ribosome formation. These findings reveal insight into the identity and function of specific ribosome biogenesis proteins that are critical for viral infections.

Acute neurologic emerging flaviviruses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed light on the challenges we face as a global society in preventing and containing emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Multiple intersecting factors, including environmental changes, host immunological factors, and pathogen dynamics, are intimately connected to the emergence and re-emergence of communicable diseases. There is a large and expanding list of communicable diseases that can cause neurological damage, either through direct or indirect routes. Novel pathogens of neurotropic potential have been identified through advanced diagnostic techniques, including metagenomic next-generation sequencing, but there are also known pathogens which have expanded their geographic distribution to infect non-immune individuals. Factors including population growth, climate change, the increase in animal and human interface, and an increase in international travel and trade are contributing to the expansion of emerging and re-emerging pathogens. Challenges exist around antimicrobial misuse giving rise to antimicrobial-resistant infectious neurotropic organisms and increased susceptibility to infection related to the expanded use of immunomodulatory treatments. In this article, we will review key concepts around emerging and re-emerging pathogens and discuss factors associated with neurotropism and neuroinvasion. We highlight several neurotropic pathogens of interest, including West Nile virus (WNV), Zika Virus, Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV), and Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus (TBEV). We emphasize neuroinfectious diseases which impact the central nervous system (CNS) and focus on flaviviruses, a group of vector-borne pathogens that have expanded globally in recent years and have proven capable of widespread outbreak.