To better understand the significant variability displayed by influenza viruses, we need to be aware not only of its genetic characteristics, but also of the effect this genetic makeup has on proteins associated with viral replication and antigenicity. The origin of such diversity is due first and foremost to its segmented genome that allows segment reassortment (antigenic shift) and second to the error prone viral polymerase (antigenic drift) responsible of copying the genes enclosed in these segments. These two combined mechanisms confer a genetic plasticity that often leads to the emergence of new influenza viruses in nature.
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Unlabelled: Zoonotic viruses are an omnipresent threat to global health. Influenza A virus (IAV) transmits between birds, livestock, and humans. Proviral host factors involved in the cross-species interface are well known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince late 2021, a panzootic of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has driven significant morbidity and mortality in wild birds, domestic poultry, and mammals. In North America, infections in novel avian and mammalian species suggest the potential for changing ecology and establishment of new animal reservoirs. Outbreaks among domestic birds have persisted despite aggressive culling, necessitating a re-examination of how these outbreaks were sparked and maintained.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArch Virol
January 2025
Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
The I38T substitution in the influenza virus polymerase-acidic (PA) subunit is a resistance marker of concern for treatment with the antiviral baloxavir marboxil (BXM). Thus, monitoring PA/I38T mutations is of clinical importance. Here, we developed three rapid and sensitive assays for the detection and monitoring of the PA/I38T mutation.
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January 2025
CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology & Immunology, Institutional Center for Shared Technologies and Facilities, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Platform, Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yueyang Road 320, Shanghai, 200031, China.
To battle seasonal outbreaks of influenza B virus infection, which continue to pose a major threat to world health, new and improved vaccines are urgently needed. In this article, we discuss the current state of next-generation influenza B vaccine development, including both advancements and challenges. This review covers the shortcomings of existing influenza vaccines and stresses the need for more-effective and broadly protective vaccines and more-easily scalable manufacturing processes.
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January 2025
Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
The seasonality and epidemiology of viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs) have changed since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, molecular-based ARI surveillance has not been conducted in Japan. We developed a regional surveillance program to define the local epidemiology of ARIs.
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