Virology News

New findings from the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Researching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative suggest that infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, may be associated with an increase in the number of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome...

Coronaviruses (CoV) infect a wide variety of hosts, causing epidemics in humans, birds, and mammals over the years. Bats (order Chiroptera) are one of the natural hosts of the Coronaviridae family. They represent 40% of the total number of mammal species in the Pantanal, a biodiversity hotspot in...

Both postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and Long COVID are currently viewed as heterogeneous disorders with complex, multi-factorial and multi-systemic pathophysiology. POTS, one of the most common autonomic disorders, is a frequent sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background/Objectives: The endosomal escape of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) is crucial for efficient mRNA-based therapeutics. Here, we present a cationic polymeric micelle (cPM) as a safe and potent co-delivery system with enhanced endosomal escape capabilities.

Background: This study addresses a particular aspect of the biological behavior of the Spike subunit S1 of SARS-CoV-2. Researchers observed S1 acting freely in the human organism during and after COVID-19 and vaccination. One of its properties is that it interacts one-to-one with human proteins.

Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have shown that people 60 years or older with weakened immunity -; primarily organ transplant recipients who take immunosuppressive medications to reduce the risk of rejection and others with immune system disorders -; do not respond as strongly to vaccines...

Milestone: COVID-19 five years ago In-Depth Coverage World Health Organization 30 December 2024 Statement Five years ago on 31 December 2019, WHO's Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of 'viral pneumonia' in Wuhan, China. In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, COVID-19 came to shape our lives and our world. At WHO, we went to work immediately as the new year dawned. WHO employees activated emergency systems on 1 January 2020, and informed the world on 4 January. By 9-12 January, WHO had published its first set of comprehensive guidance for countries, and on 13 January, we brought together partners to publish the blueprint of the first SARS-CoV-2 laboratory test. All along, we convened experts and ministries of health from around the world, gathered and analysed data, and shared what was reported, what we learned and what it meant for people. Read about WHO's actions in this interactive timeline. As we mark this milestone, let's take a moment to honour the lives changed and lost, recognize those who are suffering from COVID-19 and long COVID, express gratitude to the health workers who sacrificed so much to care for us, and commit to learning from COVID-19 to build a healthier tomorrow. We continue to call on China to share data and access so we can understand the origins of COVID-19. This is a moral and scientific imperative. Without transparency, sharing, and cooperation among countries, the world cannot adequately prevent and prepare for future epidemics and pandemics. As we pose the question, "Is the world better prepared for the next pandemic than we were for COVID-19?" see WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus's response at a recent press conference: https://who.canto.global/b/SHEJL NEWSLETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

The present study aimed to evaluate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of different doses of an inactivated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine against Omicron BA.2.2 infection in Beijing, China, 2022.

Background: COVID-19 became a global health crisis in early 2020, and the way out of the crisis was the rapid development of vaccines by Sinopharm, Pfizer, and Sputnik, among others, which played a crucial role in controlling the pandemic.

Background/Objectives: Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) induces profound immunosuppression, significantly increasing susceptibility to severe infections. This review examines vaccinations’ necessity, timing, and efficacy post-HCT to reduce infection-related morbidity and mortality.

Now is the time to put to use the experience and wisdom we have gained during the COVID-19 era. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) continues to spread throughout domestic poultry and dairy cow, with occasional transmission to humans. Although human-to-human transmission has already been reported, the steps need to be taken to prepare should that occur. In Science Translational Medicine, Dr. Hatta et al. report preclinical testing of mRNA-based vaccines against HPAI. Dr. Hatta et al. demonstrated that the vaccines, which are based on A(H5) clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, conferred protection in ferrets subsequently challenged with A(H5N1). Just as vaccination with an mRNA-based vaccine has been shown to prevent severe symptoms caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is believed that an mRNA-based vaccine against HPAI viruses may also be effective in humans. However, in the United States and other countries, the spread of HPAI has been confirmed among dairy cows, as well as among cats and dogs living near cowsheds. Therefore, the effectiveness of mRNA-based HPAI vaccines must also be demonstrated in dairy cows, cats, and dogs. Compared with live vaccines, the antiviral antibody titers induced by administration of mRNA-based vaccines decrease rapidly within 2 to 3 months after vaccination, so booster administration of mRNA-based HPAI vaccines may be necessary. In addition, just like with the mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration, measures to prevent side effects such as pain at the injection site, fever, and general fatigue after vaccination will also be necessary. We have nothing to disclose. Dr. T. Hayashi and Dr. I Konishi National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center Competing interests: No competing interests

Recent decades have seen growing attention on viruses in the environment and their potential impacts as a result of global epidemics. Due to the diversity of viral species along with the complexity of environmental and host factors, virus extraction and detection methods have become key for the...

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to determine the percentage and duration of neutralizing antibodies against the Omicron variant in human milk after vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, considering the three different vaccine technologies approved in Brazil.

New report by WHO states that mystery disease affecting Kwango Province in the Congo probably caused by respiratory viruses exacerbated by malaria, malnutrition.

Background/Objectives: Intranasal vaccination enhances protection against respiratory viruses by providing stimuli to the immune system at the primary site of infection, promoting a balanced and effective response.

Scientists have has pioneered antivirals targeting viral methyltransferases, offering a new strategy for treating RNA and DNA viruses. This breakthrough could complement existing therapies, offering robust solutions against future pandemics.

Background: Recombinant avian influenza subunit vaccines often require adjuvants to enhance immune responses. This study aims to evaluate the immune-enhancing potential of seven combination adjuvants in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens.

Press Release - Vaccination remains an important public health countermeasure against COVID-19. As per the WHO Director General’s standing recommendations for COVID-19, Member States are recommended to continue to offer COVID-19 vaccination based on the recommendations of the WHO Strategic...