The NIa-Pro protein of Turnip mosaic virus improves growth and reproduction of the aphid vector, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid).

Many plant viruses depend on aphids and other phloem-feeding insects for transmission within and among host plants. Thus, viruses may promote their own transmission by manipulating plant physiology to attract aphids and increase aphid reproduction. Consistent with this hypothesis, Myzus persicae (green peach aphids) prefer to settle on Nicotiana benthamiana infected with Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) and fecundity on virus-infected N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) is higher than on uninfected controls. TuMV infection suppresses callose deposition, an important plant defense, and increases the amount of free amino acids, the major source of nitrogen for aphids. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon, 10 TuMV genes were over-expressed in plants to determine their effects on aphid reproduction. Production of a single TuMV protein, nuclear inclusion a-protease domain (NIa-Pro), increased M. persicae reproduction on both N. benthamiana and Arabidopsis. Similar to the effects that are observed during TuMV infection, NIa-Pro expression alone increased aphid arrestment, suppressed callose deposition and increased the abundance of free amino acids. Together, these results suggest a function for the TuMV NIa-Pro protein in manipulating the physiology of host plants. By attracting aphid vectors and promoting their reproduction, TuMV may influence plant-aphid interactions to promote its own transmission.

Case Report: A Fatal Case of Latent Melioidosis Activated by COVID-19.

Melioidosis, endemic in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia, is an uncommon but frequently fatal opportunistic infection caused by the Gram-negative saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei. We describe the first reported case of activation of latent melioidosis concurrent with COVID-19-associated lymphopenia and neutropenia in the setting of poorly controlled diabetes. A 43-year-old HIV-positive, diabetic man presented to the emergency department with persistent chills and progressive dyspnea. He was admitted for hypoxia. Chest X-ray showed bilateral parenchymal infiltrates suspicious for COVID-19. Shortly after admission, he became acutely encephalopathic, had a generalized seizure, and was transferred to the intensive care unit after intubation. Further workup showed severe neutropenia and lymphopenia. The patient received empiric antimicrobial coverage and was found to be severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive. He deteriorated rapidly with refractory shock and persistent hypoxemia, and died 40 hours after admission. Blood cultures and sputum cultures obtained via bronchoalveolar lavage returned positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. Given confirmed compliance with antiretrovirals, stable CD4 counts, and no recent foreign travel, the patient likely contracted the B. pseudomallei infection from travel to Southeast Asia many years prior and only became symptomatic after succumbing to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. This case highlights the importance of considering activation of latent opportunistic infections by COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients.