Outbreak of Western Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection Associated with Neurological Disease in Horses Following a Nearly 40-Year Intermission Period in Argentina.

Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus (genus , family ) that has re-emerged in South America in late 2023, causing severe disease in both horses and humans after a nearly 40-year intermission period. We here describe the virological, serological, pathological, and molecular features of WEEV infection in horses during the 2023-2024 outbreak in Argentina. WEEV-infected horses developed neurological signs with mild to severe encephalitis associated with minimal to abundant WEEV-infected cells, as demonstrated by WEEV-specific in situ hybridization.

H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b dynamics in experimentally infected calves and cows.

In March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.

Outcome of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus infection in calves and lactating cows.

In March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) clade 2.3.4.

Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) Are Resistant to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

It has been proposed that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that spread through human populations as a pandemic originated in Asian bats. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North American bats; therefore, the susceptibility of several North American bat species to the pandemic virus has been experimentally assessed. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were shown to be resistant to infection by SARS-CoV-2, whereas Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 d postinoculation.

Pigs are highly susceptible to but do not transmit mink-derived highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.

Rapid evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) is driven by antigenic drift but also by reassortment, which might result in robust replication in and transmission to mammals. Recently, spillover of clade 2.3.

Modulation of Equid Herpesvirus-1 Replication Dynamics Using CRISPR/Cas9-Assisted Genome Editing.

(1) Background: equid alphaherpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a highly contagious viral pathogen prevalent in most horse populations worldwide. Genome-editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 have become powerful tools for precise RNA-guided genome modifications; (2) Methods: we designed single guide RNAs (sgRNA) to target three essential (ORF30, ORF31, and ORF7) and one non-essential (ORF74) EHV-1 genes and determine their effect on viral replication dynamics ; (3) Results: we demonstrated that sgRNAs targeting essential lytic genes reduced EHV-1 replication, whereas those targeting ORF74 had a negligible effect. The sgRNAs targeting ORF30 showed the strongest effect on the suppression of EHV-1 replication, with a reduction in viral genomic copy numbers and infectious progeny virus output.

Development and validation of multiplex one-step qPCR/RT-qPCR assays for simultaneous detection of SARS-CoV-2 and pathogens associated with feline respiratory disease complex.

Feline respiratory disease complex (FRDC) is caused by a wide range of viral and bacterial pathogens. Both Influenza A virus (IAV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) also induce respiratory diseases in cats. Two one-step multiplex qPCR/RT-qPCR assays were developed and validated: FRA_1 (Feline respiratory assay 1) for the detection of four viral targets and FRA_2 for the detection of three bacteria associated with FRDC.

Coding-complete genome sequences of two strains of canine pneumovirus derived from dogs with upper respiratory disease in the United States.

Canine pneumovirus was detected by RT-qPCR in 2022 from nasal swabs collected from two dogs with upper respiratory disease in a shelter in Louisiana, United States. The genomes from the designated strains CPnV USA/LA/2022/124423 and USA/LA/2022/123696 were sequenced and show the closest similarity to the pneumonia virus of mice J3666.

Equine Rotavirus A under the One Health Lens: Potential Impacts on Public Health.

Group A rotaviruses are a well-known cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and children, as well as in many mammalian species and birds, affecting them at a young age. This group of viruses has a double-stranded, segmented RNA genome with high genetic diversity linked to point mutations, recombination, and, importantly, reassortment. While initial molecular investigations undertaken in the 1900s suggested host range restriction among group A rotaviruses based on the fact that different gene segments were distributed among different animal species, recent molecular surveillance and genome constellation genotyping studies conducted by the Rotavirus Classification Working Group (RCWG) have shown that animal rotaviruses serve as a source of diversification of human rotavirus A, highlighting their zoonotic potential.

ACE2 and TMPRSS2 distribution in the respiratory tract of different animal species and its correlation with SARS-CoV-2 tissue tropism.

A wide range of animal species show variable susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2; however, host factors associated with varied susceptibility remain to be defined. Here, we examined whether susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 and virus tropism in different animal species are dependent on the expression and distribution of the virus receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 () and the host cell factor transmembrane serine protease 2 (). We cataloged the upper and lower respiratory tract of multiple animal species and humans in a tissue-specific manner and quantitatively evaluated the distribution and abundance of and mRNA .

Phylogenomic assessment of 23 equid alphaherpesvirus 1 isolates obtained from USA-based equids.

Background: Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a global viral pathogen of domestic equids which causes reproductive, respiratory and neurological disease. Few isolates acquired from naturally infected USA-based hosts have been fully sequenced and analyzed to date. An ORF 30 (DNA polymerase) variant (A2254G) has previously been associated with neurological disease in host animals.

Experimental co-infection of calves with SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants of concern.

Since emerging in late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has repeatedly crossed the species barrier with natural infections reported in various domestic and wild animal species. The emergence and global spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) has expanded the range of susceptible host species. Previous experimental infection studies in cattle using Wuhan-like SARS-CoV-2 isolates suggested that cattle were not likely amplifying hosts for SARS-CoV-2.

Multiplex One-Step RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Enteric Viruses of Dogs and Cats.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was transmitted from humans to dogs and cats (reverse zoonosis) during the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in fecal samples of infected dogs and cats, indicating potential fecal-oral transmission, environmental contamination, and zoonotic transmission (i.e.

Development and Validation of a Panel of One-Step Four-Plex qPCR/RT-qPCR Assays for Simultaneous Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Other Pathogens Associated with Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex.

Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) is the primary cause of respiratory disease in the canine population and is caused by a wide array of viruses and bacterial pathogens with coinfections being common. Since its recognition in late 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported to cause respiratory disease in dogs. Therefore, the rapid detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 from other common viral and bacterial agents is critical from a public health standpoint.

Quadruplex Real-Time TaqMan RT-qPCR Assay for Differentiation of Equine Group A and B Rotaviruses and Identification of Group A G3 and G14 Genotypes.

Equine rotavirus A (ERVA) is the leading cause of diarrhea in foals, with G3P[12] and G14P[12] genotypes being the most prevalent. Recently, equine G3-like RVA was recognized as an emerging infection in children, and a group B equine rotavirus (ERVB) was identified as an emergent cause of foal diarrhea in the US. Thus, there is a need to adapt molecular diagnostic tools for improved detection and surveillance to identify emerging strains, understand their molecular epidemiology, and inform future vaccine development.

Next-generation diagnostic test for dengue virus detection using an ultrafast plasmonic colorimetric RT-PCR strategy.

The current global COVID-19 pandemic once again highlighted the urgent need for a simple, cost-effective, and sensitive diagnostic platform that can be rapidly developed for distribution and easy access in resource-limited areas. Here, we present a simple and low-cost plasmonic photothermal (PPT)-reverse transcription-colorimetric polymerase chain reaction (RTcPCR) for molecular diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) infection. The assay can be completed within 54 min with an estimated detection limit of 1.

Hepatic proinflammatory myeloid phenotypes are a hallmark of Ebola virus Kikwit pathogenesis in rhesus monkeys.

The liver is an early systemic target of Ebola virus (EBOV), but characterization beyond routine histopathology and viral antigen distribution is limited. We hypothesized Ebola virus disease (EVD) systemic proinflammatory responses would be reflected in temporally altered liver myeloid phenotypes. We utilized multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC), multispectral whole slide imaging, and image analysis to quantify molecular phenotypes of myeloid cells in the liver of rhesus macaques ( = 21) infected with EBOV Kikwit.

Clinical evaluation of the Immulite® 1000 chemiluminescent immunoassay for measurement of equine serum insulin.

Introduction: Accurate quantitative analysis of equine insulin in blood samples is critical for assessing hyperinsulinemia in horses. Although there are various laboratory methods for evaluating equine serum insulin, different immunoassays show significant discrepancies between the determined insulin concentrations and are often not comparable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Immulite® 1000 chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) to establish independent laboratory and assay-specific cut values to provide an accurate diagnosis of hyperinsulinemia in horses.

Pathological Features and Genomic Characterization of an subsp. Bearing Unique Virulence-Associated Genes from an Adult Horse with Pleuropneumonia.

subsp. is the etiological agent of sleepy foal disease, an acute form of fatal septicemia in newborn foals. is commonly found in the mucous membranes of healthy horses' respiratory and alimentary tracts and rarely causes disease in adult horses.

Mouse-Adapted SARS-CoV-2 MA10 Strain Displays Differential Pulmonary Tropism and Accelerated Viral Replication, Neurodissemination, and Pulmonary Host Responses in K18-hACE2 Mice.

Several models were developed to study the pathogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as well as the efficacy of vaccines and therapeutics. Since wild-type mice are naturally resistant to infection by ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strains, several transgenic mouse models expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) were developed. An alternative approach has been to develop mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Experimental Infection of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats () with SARS-CoV-2.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is thought to have originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) live in large colonies in the southern United States, often in urban areas and, as such, could be exposed to the virus from infected humans. We experimentally challenged wild T.

Clinical, virological, imaging and pathological findings in a SARS CoV-2 antibody positive cat.

This paper reports a presumptive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in a cat. A cat with respiratory disease living with three individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 showed bilateral ground-glass opacities in the lung on X-ray and computed tomography. The clinical swabs were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, but the serum was positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Experimental infection of Mexican free-tailed bats ( with SARS-CoV-2.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus originated in wild bats from Asia, and as the resulting pandemic continues into its third year, concerns have been raised that the virus will expand its host range and infect North American wildlife species, including bats. Mexican free-tailed bats ( : TABR) live in large colonies in the southern United States, often in urban areas, and as such, could be exposed to the virus from infected humans. We experimentally challenged wild TABR with SARS-CoV-2 to determine the susceptibility, reservoir potential, and population impacts of infection in this species.