Marked neurotropism and potential adaptation of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b virus in naturally infected domestic cats.

In April 2024, ten cats died in a rural South Dakota (SD) residence, showing respiratory and neurological symptoms. Necropsy and laboratory testing of two cats confirmed H5N1 clade 2.3.

Distinct Replication Kinetics, Cytopathogenicity, and Immune Gene Regulation in Human Microglia Cells Infected with Asian and African Lineages of Zika Virus.

Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is a significant global health concern due to its association with neurodevelopmental disorders such as congenital Zika syndrome (CZS). This study aimed to compare the replication kinetics, viral persistence, cytopathogenic effects, and immune gene expression in human microglia cells (CHME-3) infected with an Asian lineage ZIKV (PRVABC59, referred to as ZIKV-PRV) and an African lineage ZIKV (IBH30656, referred to as ZIKV-IBH). We found that ZIKV-PRV replicated more efficiently and persisted longer while inducing lower levels of cell death and inflammatory gene activation compared with ZIKV-IBH.

SARS-CoV-2 Protein Nanoparticle Vaccines Formed In Situ From Lyophilized Lipids.

The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) glycoprotein is an appealing immunogen, but associated vaccine approaches must overcome the hapten-like nature of the compact protein and adapt to emerging variants with evolving RBD sequences. Here, a vaccine manufacturing methodology is proposed comprising a sterile-filtered freeze-dried lipid cake formulation that can be reconstituted with liquid proteins to instantaneously form liposome-displayed protein nanoparticles. Mannitol is used as a bulking agent and a small amount of Tween-80 surfactant is required to achieve reconstituted submicron particles that do not precipitate prior to usage.

Zoonotic tuberculosis in a high bovine tuberculosis burden area of Ethiopia.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of ill health and one of the leading causes of death worldwide, caused by species of the complex (MTBC), with being the dominant pathogen in humans and in cattle. Zoonotic transmission of TB (zTB) to humans is frequent particularly where TB prevalence is high in cattle. In this study, we explored the prevalence of zTB in central Ethiopia, an area highly affected by bovine TB (bTB) in cattle.

SARS-CoV-2 Prevalence and Variant Surveillance among Cats in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infects many mammals, and SARS-CoV-2 circulation in nonhuman animals may increase the risk of novel variant emergence. Cats are highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and there were cases of virus transmission between cats and humans. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 variant infection of cats in an urban setting.

Little Brown Bats () Support the Binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike and Are Likely Susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), believed to have originated from a bat species, can infect a wide range of non-human hosts. Bats are known to harbor hundreds of coronaviruses capable of spillover into human populations. Recent studies have shown a significant variation in the susceptibility among bat species to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Bovine Coronavirus Isolated from a Goat in Pennsylvania, USA.

We report a complete genome sequence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV) isolated from a goat in the state of Pennsylvania in 2022. BCoV often causes calf scours and winter dysentery in cattle.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) Infection of Wild White-Tailed Deer in New York City.

There is mounting evidence of SARS-CoV-2 spillover from humans into many domestic, companion, and wild animal species. Research indicates that humans have infected white-tailed deer, and that deer-to-deer transmission has occurred, indicating that deer could be a wildlife reservoir and a source of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. We examined the hypothesis that the Omicron variant is actively and asymptomatically infecting the free-ranging deer of New York City.

Development and Validation of Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays for Detecting Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in Cattle, Swine, and Chicken.

Multiple domestic and wild animal species are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cattle and swine are susceptible to experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection. The unchecked transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in animal hosts could lead to virus adaptation and the emergence of novel variants.

Mitigating the Impact of Emerging Animal Infectious Disease Threats: First Emerging Animal Infectious Diseases Conference (EAIDC) Report.

From 29 November to 1 December 2021, an "emerging animal infectious disease conference (EAIDC)" was held at the Pennsylvania State University. This conference brought together distinguished thought leaders in animal health, veterinary diagnostics, epidemiology and disease surveillance, and agricultural economics. The conference's primary objective was to review the lessons learned from past experiences in dealing with high-consequence animal infectious diseases to inform an action plan to prepare for future epizootics and panzootics.

A CNN model for predicting binding affinity changes between SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD variants and ACE2 homologues.

The cellular entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) involves the association of its receptor binding domain (RBD) with human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) as the first crucial step. Efficient and reliable prediction of RBD-hACE2 binding affinity changes upon amino acid substitutions can be valuable for public health surveillance and monitoring potential spillover and adaptation into non-human species. Here, we introduce a convolutional neural network (CNN) model trained on protein sequence and structural features to predict experimental RBD-hACE2 binding affinities of 8,440 variants upon single and multiple amino acid substitutions in the RBD or ACE2.

Influenza C and D viral load in cattle correlates with bovine respiratory disease (BRD): Emerging role of orthomyxoviruses in the pathogenesis of BRD.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the costliest disease affecting the cattle industry globally. Orthomyxoviruses, influenza C virus (ICV) and influenza D virus (IDV) have recently been implicated to play a role in BRD. However, there are contradicting reports about the association of IDV and ICV to BRD.

NLRC5 Serves as a Pro-viral Factor During Influenza Virus Infection in Chicken Macrophages.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) cause major economic losses to the global poultry industry. Many host factors have been identified that act as regulators of the inflammatory response and virus replication in influenza A virus (IAV) infected cells including nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD) like receptor (NLR) family proteins. Evidence is emerging that NLRC5, the largest NLR member, is a regulator of host immune responses against invading pathogens including viruses; however, its role in the avian immune system and AIV pathogenesis has not been fully explored.

Iminosugars With Endoplasmic Reticulum α-Glucosidase Inhibitor Activity Inhibit ZIKV Replication and Reverse Cytopathogenicity .

Zika virus (ZIKV), a vector-borne virus of the family , continues to spread and remains a significant global public health threat. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or antivirals against ZIKV. We investigated the anti-ZIKV ability of three iminosugars with endoplasmic reticulum α-glucosidase inhibitor (ER-AGI) activity, namely deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), castanospermine, and celgosivir.

Whole-genome sequence analysis reveals unique SNP profiles to distinguish vaccine and wild-type strains of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1).

Bovine herpesvirus-1 (BoHV-1) is a major pathogen affecting cattle worldwide causing primarily respiratory illness referred to as infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), along with reproductive disorders including abortion and infertility in cattle. While modified live vaccines (MLVs) effectively induce immune response against BoHV-1, they are implicated in disease outbreaks in cattle. Current diagnostic methods cannot distinguish between MLVs and field strains of BoHV-1.

Complete Genome Sequences of Three Related Avian Avulavirus 1 Isolates from Poultry Farmers in Pakistan.

Avian avulavirus 1 infects multiple avian hosts, and rare reports of human infection have been noted throughout the last century. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of three isolates of avulavirus 1 collected from poultry farmers in Pakistan exhibiting mild respiratory signs.

Whole-Genome Sequence of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis Virus Isolated from Farmed Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) in Pennsylvania.

Infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is an acute contagious systemic disease affecting several fish species and a critical disease in the salmonid fish farming industry. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of IPN virus (IPNV) RNA segments A and B, isolated from a farmed brook trout in Pennsylvania.

Whole-Genome Sequences of 18 Bovine Alphaherpesvirus 1 Field Isolates from Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BHV-1), a member of the family, causes respiratory and reproductive tract infections in cattle. Here, we report complete genome sequences of 18 field isolates of BHV-1 from Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

An immuno-chromatographic lateral flow assay (LFA) for rapid on-the-farm detection of classical swine fever virus (CSFV).

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease of domestic pigs. Classical swine fever is routinely diagnosed by clinical signs, serology, detection of CSF virus (CSFV) nucleic acid by PCR and virus isolation. Most of the current CSF diagnostic methods are expensive and have an extended turnaround time.

Avian and human influenza virus compatible sialic acid receptors in little brown bats.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to threaten animal and human health globally. Bats are asymptomatic reservoirs for many zoonotic viruses. Recent reports of two novel IAVs in fruit bats and serological evidence of avian influenza virus (AIV) H9 infection in frugivorous bats raise questions about the role of bats in IAV epidemiology.

Co-expression of sialic acid receptors compatible with avian and human influenza virus binding in emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) continue to threaten animal and human health with constant emergence of novel variants. While aquatic birds are a major reservoir of most IAVs, the role of other terrestrial birds in the evolution of IAVs is becoming increasingly evident. Since 2006, several reports of IAV isolations from emus have surfaced and avian influenza infection of emus can lead to the selection of mammalian like PB2-E627K and PB2-D701N mutants.

Innovative modifications to Rose Bengal plate test enhance its specificity, sensitivity and predictive value in the diagnosis of brucellosis.

Current agglutination tests occasionally yield false results. Superagglutination test reduced false results, had higher sensitivity (95.88%) and negative predictive value (95.