Capacitive Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Avian (H5N1) Influenza and in Aerosols.

Airborne transmission via aerosols is a dominant route for the transmission of respiratory pathogens, including avian H5N1 influenza A virus and bacteria. Rapid and direct detection of respiratory pathogen aerosols has been a long-standing technical challenge. Herein, we develop a novel label-free capacitive biosensor using an interlocked Prussian blue (PB)/graphene oxide (GO) network on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) for direct detection of avian H5N1 and .

Serosurveillance Identifies Bourbon Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies in Bobcats, Coyotes, and Red Foxes in Missouri.

Bourbon virus (BRBV) is an emerging pathogen that can cause severe and fatal disease in humans. BRBV is vectored by (lone star ticks), which are widely distributed across the central, southern, and eastern United States. Wildlife species are potentially important for the maintenance and transmission of BRBV, but little is known about which species are involved, and what other factors play a role in their exposure to BRBV.

Molecular determinants of cross-strain influenza A virus recognition by αβ T cell receptors.

Cross-reactive αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing multiple peptide variants can provide effective control of rapidly evolving viruses yet remain understudied. By screening 12 naturally occurring influenza-derived HLA-B*35:01-restricted nucleoprotein (NP) epitopes (B*35:01-NP) that emerged since 1918 within influenza A viruses, including 2024 A/H5N1 viruses, we identified functional broadly cross-reactive T cells universally recognizing NP variants. Binding studies demonstrated that TCR cross-reactivity was concomitant with diminished antigen sensitivity.

Barcoded SARS-CoV-2 viruses define the impact of duration and route of exposure on the transmission bottleneck in a hamster model.

The transmission bottleneck, defined as the number of viruses shed from one host to infect another, is an important determinant of the rate of virus evolution and the level of immunity required to protect against virus transmission. Despite its importance, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission bottleneck remains poorly characterized. We adapted a SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics system to generate a pool of >200 isogenic SARS-CoV-2 viruses harboring specific 6-nucleotide barcodes, infected donor hamsters with this pool, and exposed contact hamsters to paired infected donors, varying the duration and route of exposure.

Defining a highly conserved B cell epitope in the receptor binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines induce robust and persistent germinal centre (GC) B cell responses in humans. It remains unclear how the continuous evolution of the virus impacts the breadth of the induced GC B cell response. Using ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration, we examined draining lymph nodes of nine healthy adults following bivalent booster immunization.