Molecular Characterization of Strain Isolated from Yellow Mealworms, , in The Netherlands.

Insect culture has developed rapidly worldwide; it faces important security and safety control issues, including animal infections and disease development. In the Netherlands, in 2021, a ~30% mortality of mealworms, , occurred at one farm, where over-humid sites in the substrate were observed. Bacterial cultures from both the external and internal partsof fry and larger mealworms were identified by MALDI-TOF to predominantly and .

Predictive Value of Precision-Cut Lung Slices for the Susceptibility of Three Animal Species for SARS-CoV-2 and Validation in a Refined Hamster Model.

In assessing species susceptibility for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and in the search for an appropriate animal model, multiple research groups around the world inoculated a broad range of animal species using various SARS-CoV-2 strains, doses and administration routes. Although in silico analyses based on receptor binding and diverse in vitro cell cultures were valuable, exact prediction of species susceptibility based on these tools proved challenging. Here, we assessed whether precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) could facilitate the selection of animal models, thereby reducing animal experimentation.

Reproducing the Rift Valley fever virus mosquito-lamb-mosquito transmission cycle.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus that is pathogenic to ruminants and humans. The virus is endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula where outbreaks are characterized by abortion storms and mortality of newborns, particularly in sheep herds. Vector competence experiments in laboratory settings have suggested that over 50 mosquito species are capable of transmitting RVFV.

Reverse Genetics System for Shuni Virus, an Emerging Orthobunyavirus with Zoonotic Potential.

The genus (family , order ) comprises over 170 named mosquito- and midge-borne viruses, several of which cause severe disease in animals or humans. Their three-segmented genomes enable reassortment with related viruses, which may result in novel viruses with altered host or tissue tropism and virulence. One such reassortant, Schmallenberg virus (SBV), emerged in north-western Europe in 2011.

Transmission of Rift Valley fever virus from European-breed lambs to Culex pipiens mosquitoes.

Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne bunyavirus of the genus Phlebovirus that is highly pathogenic to ruminants and humans. The disease is currently confined to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, but globalization and climate change may facilitate introductions of the virus into currently unaffected areas via infected animals or mosquitoes. The consequences of such an introduction will depend on environmental factors, the availability of susceptible ruminants and the capacity of local mosquitoes to transmit the virus.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Subunit Vaccines Induce High Levels of Neutralizing Antibodies But No Protection in STAT1 Knockout Mice.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus is a tick-borne bunyavirus of the Nairovirus genus that causes hemorrhagic fever in humans with high case fatality. Here, we report the development of subunit vaccines and their efficacy in signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) knockout mice. Ectodomains of the structural glycoproteins Gn and Gc were produced using a Drosophila insect cell-based expression system.

Nonspreading Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection of Human Dendritic Cells Results in Downregulation of CD83 and Full Maturation of Bystander Cells.

Vaccines based on nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus (NSR) induce strong humoral and robust cellular immune responses with pronounced Th1 polarisation. The present work was aimed to gain insight into the molecular basis of NSR-mediated immunity. Recent studies have demonstrated that wild-type Rift Valley fever virus efficiently targets and replicates in dendritic cells (DCs).

European ring trial to evaluate ELISAs for the diagnosis of infection with Rift Valley fever virus.

A ring trial was organized to evaluate Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) ELISAs by European laboratories. A total of five ELISAs, two of which specific for IgM antibodies, were evaluated by six participants. Sera were derived from cattle or sheep and originated from either a RVFV endemic area, a RVFV-free area or from experimental infection studies.

Creation of a nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus.

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic bunyavirus of the genus Phlebovirus and a serious human and veterinary pathogen. RVFV contains a three-segmented RNA genome, which is comprised of the large (L), medium (M), and small (S) segments. The proteins that are essential for genome replication are encoded by the L and S segments, whereas the structural glycoproteins are encoded by the M segment.

The macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 functions as an innate immune sensor for bacteria.

The plasma membrane glycoprotein receptor CD163 is a member of the scavenger receptor cystein-rich (SRCR) superfamily class B that is highly expressed on resident tissue macrophages in vivo. Previously, the molecule has been shown to act as a receptor for hemoglobin-haptoglobin complexes and to mediate cell-cell interactions between macrophages and developing erythroblasts in erythroblastic islands. Here, we provide evidence for a potential role for CD163 in host defense.

Homogeneity of active demyelinating lesions in established multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Four different patterns of demyelination have been described in active demyelinating lesions of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients that were biopsied shortly after disease onset. These patterns were suggested to represent heterogeneity of the underlying pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether lesion heterogeneity also exists in an unselected collection of autopsy material from patients with established MS.

Proteolytic shedding of the macrophage scavenger receptor CD163 in multiple sclerosis.

The scavenger receptor CD163 is selectively expressed on tissue macrophages and human monocytes. CD163 has been implicated to play a role in the clearance of hemoglobin and in the regulation of cytokine production by macrophages. Membrane CD163 can be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) resulting in soluble CD163 (sCD163).

The macrophage CD163 surface glycoprotein is an erythroblast adhesion receptor.

Erythropoiesis occurs in erythroblastic islands, where developing erythroblasts closely interact with macrophages. The adhesion molecules that govern macrophage-erythroblast contact have only been partially defined. Our previous work has implicated the rat ED2 antigen, which is highly expressed on the surface of macrophages in erythroblastic islands, in erythroblast binding.

The FcRgamma chain is not essential for induction of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) or anti-myelin antibody-mediated exacerbation of EAE.

Macrophages are considered essential mediators in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis, presumably through myelin phagocytosis and release of inflammatory mediators. Macrophages and microglia express activating Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII), which depend on the FcRgamma chain for surface expression and signaling. In MS lesions, crosslinking of FcgammaR by immunoglobulins (IgG) directed against myelin may enhance myelin phagocytosis and inflammation.

Androgen receptors in the embryonic zebra finch hindbrain suggest a function for maternal androgens in perihatching survival.

Bird embryos are exposed to maternal androgens deposited in the egg, but the role of these hormones in embryonic development and hatchling survival is unclear. To identify possible target organs, we used in situ hybridization to study the distribution of androgen receptor (AR) RNA in the developing zebra finch brain. The first brain expression domain of AR mRNA is in the hindbrain.