The emergence of novel avian influenza reassortants in wild birds in recent years is a public health concern. However, the viruses that circulate in migratory birds are not fully understood. In this study, we summarized and categorized global H11 avian influenza viruses and reported that waterfowl and shorebirds are the major reservoirs of the identified H11 viruses. The surveillance data of the 35

The 2017/18 influenza season was characterized by unusual high numbers of severe infections and hospitalizations. Instead of influenza A viruses, this season was dominated by infections with influenza B viruses of the Yamagata lineage. While this IBV/Yam dominance was associated with a vaccine mismatch, a contribution of virus intrinsic features to the clinical severity of the infections was speculated

Background Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) is a globally prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in women. Currently, there is no prophylactic vaccine. Methods This study examined T cell immunity in a cohort of women recently infected with CT. Participants were screened against peptides spanning 33 of 894 possible CT

HLA-B*58:01 and HLA-B*57 are protective alleles against HIV-1 subtype B or C infection whereas these HLA alleles have not been reported as protective in HIV-1 subtype AE infection. Although HLA-B*58:01-restricted and HLA-B*57-restricted HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells have been thoroughly analyzed in subtype B or C infection, they have only been partially analyzed in subtype AE infection. We identified

Evaluating the adaptive immune responses to natural infection with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus (CCHFV) in human survivors is critical to the development of medical countermeasures. However, the correlates of protection are unknown. As the most prevalent tick-borne human hemorrhagic fever virus with case fatality rates of 5%–30% and worldwide distribution, there is an urgent need to

Background Few investigations have assessed contributions of both vaginal bacteria and proinflammatory immune mediators to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition risk in a prospective cohort. Methods We conducted a nested case-control study of African women who participated in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of daily oral versus vaginal tenofovir-based preexposure prophylaxis for HIV

The causes of diarrhea after ten years of rotavirus vaccination in Rwanda were investigated in 496 children with and 298 without diarrhea using a real-time PCR. Rotavirus was detected in 11% of children with diarrhea (OR 2.48, P=0.002). Comparison of population attributable fractions (PAF) show that Shigella (PAF=11%) and ETEC-eltB (PAF=12%) have replaced rotavirus as the main causative agents. The

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus was detected in dead seals on Tyuleniy Island in eastern Russia, in the Sea of Okhotsk. Viruses isolated from dead northern fur seals belong to clade 2.3.4.4b and are closely related to viruses detected predominantly in the Russian Far East and Japan in 2022–2023.

The prevalence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) viruses has increased in wild birds and poultry worldwide, and concomitant outbreaks in mammals have occurred. During 2023, outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 virus infections were reported in cats in South Korea. The H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses isolated from 2 cats harbored mutations in the polymerase basic protein 2 gene encoding single amino

Vaccines based on mRNA technology have been tremendously successful, but their properties are not necessarily ideal for all pathogens. There is a risk that concentration on that technology alone for new vaccine development will ignore older technologies that have properties giving broader and more persistent protection.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Ahead of Print.

Increased CD4 + GNLY+ T cells have been confirmed to be inversely associated with CD4+ T cell count in immunological non-responders (INRs), however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of CD4 + GNLY+ T cells and their relationship with immune restoration. Single-cell RNA sequencing, single-cell TCR sequencing, and flow cytometry were used to analyze

The global rate of Amphotericin B (AmB) resistance in Candida auris has surpassed 12%. However, there is limited data on available clinical treatments and microevolutionary analyses concerning reduced AmB sensitivity. In this study, we collected 18 C. auris isolates from five patients between 2019 and 2022. We employed clinical data mining, genomic, and transcriptomic analyses to identify genetic evolutionary

BACKGROUND The eastern European and central Asian (EECA) region has the fastest growing HIV epidemic globally. We aimed to identify how HIV resources could be allocated for maximum health impact. METHODS Between Aug 1 and Dec 23, 2022, allocative efficiency analyses were undertaken for 12 countries in the EECA region (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova

Background An accurate, rapid, non-sputum-based triage test for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB) is needed. Methods A prospective evaluation of the Xpert-MTB-HR cartridge, a prototype blood-based host-response mRNA signature assay, among individuals presenting with TB-like symptoms was performed in Pakistan and results were compared to three reference standards: Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra, bacteriological confirmation

Background Corticosteroids appears to be beneficial for severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children but data in adults are limited. This study investigated effects of adjunctive corticosteroids in hypoxemic adults with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. Methods Adults admitted 2013-2017 with verified M. pneumoniae pneumonia and hypoxemia (SpO2<93% or oxygen treatment) were included in a cohort. Treatment

Background Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (InSTI)-based antiretroviral therapies have been associated with greater weight gain in people living with HIV versus on protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens. The DEFINE study investigated whether switching from an InSTI- to a PI-based regimen could mitigate/reverse weight gain. Methods DEFINE (NCT04442737) was a randomized, 48-week, open-label, prospective

We identified a novel human circovirus in an immunocompromised 66-year-old woman with sudden onset of self-limiting hepatitis. We detected human circovirus 1 (HCirV-1) transcripts in hepatocytes and the HCirV-1 genome long-term in the patient’s blood, stool, and urine. HCirV-1 is an emerging human pathogen that persists in susceptible patients.

BACKGROUND The global burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) poses a challenge in the context of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) programmes. We aimed to explore factors associated with prevalent, incident, and recurrent STIs in men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women on PrEP in Brazil, Mexico, and Peru. METHODS ImPrEP was a prospective, single-arm, open-label, multicentre

In 2022, the monkeypox virus (mpox virus, MPXV) exhibited global dissemination across six continents, representing a notable challenge owing to the scarcity of targeted antiviral interventions. Passive immunotherapy, such as the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and bispecific antibodies (bsAbs), has emerged as a promising option for antiviral regimens. Here, we generated several mAbs against M1R

ABSTRACTAfrican swine fever (ASF), caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), is a devastating infectious disease of domestic pigs and wild boar, which threatens the global pig industry. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a multifunctional signaling organelle in eukaryotic cells that is involved in protein synthesis, processing, posttranslational modification and quality control. As intracellular parasitic

Background Reducing the number of active compounds for lifelong human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment is of interest, especially to reduce potential long-term side effects. So far, available data assessing viral control support the robustness and safety of 2DR (2-drug regimen) antiretroviral therapy compared to 3DR. However, further in-depth investigations of the viral reservoirs are mandatory

Multiple genetic variants of H1 and H3 influenza A viruses (IAVs) circulate concurrently in US swine farms. Understanding the spatial transmission patterns of IAVs among these farms is crucial for ...

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines reduce severe disease and mortality and may lessen transmission, measured by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral load (VL). Evaluating vaccine associations in VL at COVID-19 diagnosis in 4 phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled vaccine trials, July 2020 to July 2021, VL reductions were 2.78 log10 copies/mL (95% confidence interval

Babesiosis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Babesia, is an emerging tick-borne disease of significance for both human and animal health. Babesia parasites infect erythrocytes of vertebra...

ABSTRACTPorcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is an emerging pathogen that can cause severe diarrhea and high mortality in suckling piglets. Moreover, evidence of PDCoV infection in humans has raised concerns regarding potential public health risks. To identify potential therapeutic targets for PDCoV, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 library screening to find key host factors important to PDCoV infection

AbstractThe vast majority of data obtained from sequence analysis of influenza A viruses (IAVs) have revealed that nonstructural 1 (NS1) proteins from H1N1 swine, H3N8 equine, H3N2 avian and the correspondent subtypes from dogs have a conserved four C-terminal amino acid motif when independent cross-species transmission occurs between these species. To test the influence of the C-terminal amino acid

Multiple genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses have caused epizootics in wild birds and poultry. The HPAI H5N1 genotype C virus caused a modest epizootic, whereas the occurrence of the HPAI H5N1 genotype AB virus in 2021 resulted in the largest avian influenza epizootic in Europe to date. Here we studied the pathogenicity of two HPAI H5N1 viruses by experimentally

The rising prevalence of Lyme disease (LD) in North America and Europe has emerged as a pressing public health concern. Despite the availability of veterinary LD vaccines, no vaccine is currently available for human use. Outer surface protein C (OspC) found on the outer membrane of the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, has been identified as a promising target for LD vaccine development due to

OBJECTIVE Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have been associated with adverse changes in lipid and glucose profiles compared with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based ART, but data in pregnancy is limited. We evaluated metabolic markers in pregnant women with HIV after starting TAF- vs TDF-based ART. METHODS We analyzed data within the IMPAACT 2010/VESTED

Mortality from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated tuberculosis (TB) is high, particularly among hospitalized patients. In 433 people with HIV hospitalized with symptoms of TB, we investigated plasma matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and matrix-derived biomarkers in relation to TB diagnosis, mortality, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) bloodstream infection (BSI). Compared to other diagnoses

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has declined more slowly in rural than urban areas in China, and data on the patterns of transmission and the high-risk populations in rural areas remains scarce....

Published studies on outdoor air pollution and tuberculosis risk have shown heterogeneous results. Discrepancies in prior studies may be partially explained by the limited geographic scope, diverse...

The continual emergence of tick-borne rickettsioses has garnered widespread global attention. Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae (Candidatus R. barbariae), which emerged in Italy in 2008, has been det...

BACKGROUND Currently, real-world data on doravirine are scarce. In a national prospective cohort, we assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of switching to doravirine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people with HIV. METHODS We did a nationwide, matched, prospective cohort study of people with HIV without previous virological failure and stable for at least 12 months on non-doravirine-containing

We assessed the spatiotemporal dynamics of Oropouche fever in Brazil during 2015–2024. We found the number of cases substantially increased during that period, particularly in the Amazon region. Our findings underscore the need for improved surveillance and public health measures in response to the disease’s potential spread beyond endemic areas.

In a commercial claims database analysis, <0.5% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis developed an IFI within one year of initiating TNF-alpha therapy. Histoplasmosis was the most common IFI type. Overall IFI incidence varied based on region, underlying conditions, and use of certain immunosuppressive medications.

We linked 4 mpox cases in South Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to transboundary transmission from Central African Republic. Viral genome sequencing demonstrated that the monkeypox virus sequences belonged to distinct clusters of subclade Ia. This finding demonstrates the borderless nature of mpox and highlights the need for vigilant regional surveillance.

We detected highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in wild rats collected from a rural area in Giza, Egypt, near poultry farms, markets, and backyard flocks. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the virus from the rats belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b, which has been the predominant virus genotype circulating in Egypt and worldwide since 2021-2022. Active surveillance of avian influenza

Background The 2019 ATS/IDSA community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) guidelines recommend that clinicians prescribe empiric antibiotics for MRSA or P. aeruginosa only if locally validated risk factors (or 2 generic risk factors if local validation is not feasible) are present. It remains unknown how implementation of this recommendation would influence care. Methods This cross-sectional study included adults

In allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT)-recipients, prophylactic management strategies are essential for preventing CMV-reactivation and associated disease. We report on a 63-year-old male patient with a D-/R+ CMV-serostatus, who showed ongoing low-level CMV-replication post-HCT despite receiving letermovir prophylaxis. Sanger-sequencing failed to detect drug resistance mutations (DRM) until

AbstractHigh pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 first emerged in Bangladesh in 2007. Despite the use of vaccines in chickens since 2012 to control HPAI, HPAI H5Nx viruses have continued to infect poultry, and wild birds, resulting in notable mass mortalities in house crows (Corvus splendens). The first HPAI H5Nx viruses in Bangladesh belonged to clade 2.2.2, followed by clade 2.3.4.2 and

Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a spore-forming, toxin-producing, anaerobic bacterium infecting the human gastrointestinal tract, causing diarrhea and life-threatening colitis. C. difficile epidemiology continues to evolve, and it is recognized as a major community-associated pathogen in addition to its established role in causing healthcare-associated infection. While current surveillance

Background We aimed to compare the non-AIDS events (nADE) risk between normal progressors using ART (NP-ART) and people with HIV (PWH) that naturally control HIV infection (HIV controllers), as well as the outcomes after ART in HIV controllers on nADE. Methods The primary endpoint was major nADE defined as the composite of cardiovascular disease, non-AIDS malignancy or all-cause mortality, whichever

Background Lenacapavir is a long-acting HIV-1 capsid inhibitor for treatment of HIV-1 infection. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of lenacapavir in combination with an investigator-selected optimized background regimen (OBR) after 104 weeks in adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. Methods This ongoing, international, Phase 2/3 trial at 42 sites included 72 adults living with multidrug-resistant

BACKGROUND Shenzhen, a city with a substantial mobile population, was identified as the first discovered region of HIV-1 CRF55_01B and epicenter of its severe epidemic. During the implementation of venue-based behavioral interventions and the "treat-all" policy, discerning the spread patterns and transmission hotspots of CRF55_01B is imperative. METHODS In this study, 1,450 partial pol sequences, with

Background Australia introduced a national HPV vaccination program for girls in 2007 and boys in 2013, achieving high coverage in both populations. We assessed HPV prevalence among men who have sex with women (MSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) aged 18–35 years and examined program effects by vaccination status. Methods Men recruited between 2015–2018 self-collected a penile or intra-anal swab