Deciphering bat influenza H18N11 infection dynamics in male Jamaican fruit bats on a single-cell level.

Jamaican fruit bats (Artibeus jamaicensis) naturally harbor a wide range of viruses of human relevance. These infections are typically mild in bats, suggesting unique features of their immune system. To better understand the immune response to viral infections in bats, we infected male Jamaican fruit bats with the bat-derived influenza A virus (IAV) H18N11. Using comparative single-cell RNA sequencing, we generated single-cell atlases of the Jamaican fruit bat intestine and mesentery. Gene expression profiling showed that H18N11 infection resulted in a moderate induction of interferon-stimulated genes and transcriptional activation of immune cells. H18N11 infection was predominant in various leukocytes, including macrophages, B cells, and NK/T cells. Confirming these findings, human leukocytes, particularly macrophages, were also susceptible to H18N11, highlighting the zoonotic potential of this bat-derived IAV. Our study provides insight into a natural virus-host relationship and thus serves as a fundamental resource for future in-depth characterization of bat immunology.

Culicoides Biting Midges-Underestimated Vectors for Arboviruses of Public Health and Veterinary Importance.

Culicoides biting midges, small hematophagous dipterans, are the demonstrated or putative vectors of multiple arboviruses of veterinary and public health importance. Despite its relevance in disease spread, the ceratopogonid genus Culicoides is still a largely neglected group of species, predominantly because the major human-affecting arboviruses are considered to be transmitted by mosquitoes. However, when a pathogen is detected in a certain vector species, a thorough search for further vectors often remains undone and, therefore, the relevant vector species may remain unknown. Furthermore, for many hematophagous arthropods, true vector competence is often merely suspected and not experimentally proven. Therefore, we aim to illuminate the general impact of Culicoides biting midges and to summarize the knowledge about biting midge-borne disease agents using the order Bunyavirales, the largest and most diverse group of RNA viruses, as an example. When considering only viruses evidentially transmitted by Culicoides midges, the Simbu serogroup (genus Orthobunyavirus) is presumably the most important group within the virus order. Its members are of great veterinary importance, as a variety of simbuviruses, e.g., the species Akabane orthobunyavirus or Schmallenberg orthobunyavirus, induces severe congenital infections in pregnant animals. The major zoonotic representative of this serogroup occurs in South and Central America and causes the so-called Oropouche fever, an acute febrile illness in humans.

[Clinical presentation of cowpox virus infection in South American camelids - A review]. / Klinisches Erscheinungsbild der Kuhpockenvirus-infektion bei Neuweltkameliden.

Cowpox virus (CPXV) infection is a reportable and potentially zoonotic disease that occurs sporadically in a variety of animals. During the past six decades, CPXV infection has been extensively researched and described in both domestic (cat, dog, horse, cattle) and zoo animals (e. g. elephant, rhinoceros, okapi). Of note, a review of the literature produced only three reports of CPXV in individual or small groups of South American camelids. The goal of this review was to describe the current knowledge as it relates to clinical features of CPXV infection in South American camelids and to compare the clinical manifestations with those described in other animal species. In alpacas and llamas, virus transmission occurs via direct contact with infected animals or oronasal infection through microlesions in the skin and mucous membranes. In its mild form, the disease is limited to certain regions of the body (head, neck, extremities or perineal region) and characterised by pustules or crusts. CPXV infection can also cause generalised and frequently lethal disease with multifocal to diffuse skin lesions (papules, pustules, crusts, ulcers) accompanied by virus replication in other organs. Conjunctivitis, stomatitis and rhinitis are seen commonly together with nonspecific clinical signs, including anorexia, listlessness and fever. As in other poxvirus infections, factors leading to an immunosuppression may contribute to the development of the clinical ma -nifestation of CPXV infection. There appear to be no specific manifestations of CPXV infection in South American camelids. More research is needed to fully understand the pathogenesis and epidemio logy of CPXV infection, particularly in South American camelids.