Comparative efficacy of modified-live and inactivated vaccines in boosting responses to bovine respiratory syncytial virus, bovine parainfluenza virus Type 3, and bovine coronavirus following neonatal mucosal priming of beef calves.

Objective: This study compared clinical and immunological responses to coinfection challenge of beef calves mucosally primed and differentially boosted with commercial combination vaccines containing antigens against bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine parainfluenza virus Type 3 (BPIV3), and bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV). Animals: Nineteen commercial beef heifers. Procedure: At birth, calves were mucosally (IN) primed with modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, differentially boosted by injection of either combination MLV (IN-MLV) or inactivated virus (IN-KV) vaccines at a mean age of 44 d, and then challenged by coinfection with BCoV, BPIV3, and BRSV at weaning. Results: Both groups were similarly protected from clinical disease and had anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses to all 3 viruses. The IN-KV group shed more BCoV, and less BPIV3 and BRSV, than the IN-MLV group. Conclusion: These data indicated similar clinical and immunological protection between IN-MLV and IN-KV; however, shed of virus varied. Clinical relevance: Whereas boosting with KV or MLV appeared to have similar efficacy, viral shed differences may affect disease control.

Efficacité comparative des vaccins vivants modifiés et inactivés pour stimuler les réponses au virus respiratoire syncytial bovin, au virus parainfluenza bovin de type 3 et au coronavirus bovin après amorçage via la muqueuse de veaux de boucherie nouveau-nés. Objectif: Cette étude a comparé les réponses cliniques et immunologiques à une co-infection de veaux de boucherie amorcés par voie muqueuse et différentiellement stimulés avec des vaccins combinés commerciaux contenant des antigènes contre le coronavirus bovin (BCoV), le virus parainfluenza bovin de type 3 (BPIV3) et le virus respiratoire syncytial bovin (BRSV). Animaux: Dix-neuf génisses de boucherie commerciales. Procédure: À la naissance, les veaux ont été vaccinés au niveau des muqueuses (IN) avec des vaccins à virus vivants modifiés (MLV), stimulés de manière différentielle par l'injection de vaccins combinés MLV (IN-MLV) ou de virus inactivés (IN-KV) à un âge moyen de 44 jours. puis provoqué par une co-infection avec BCoV, BPIV3 et BRSV au sevrage. Résultats: Les deux groupes étaient protégés de la même manière contre la maladie clinique et présentaient des réponses anamnestiques en anticorps neutralisants contre les 3 virus. Le groupe IN-KV a excrété plus de BCoV et moins de BPIV3 et de BRSV que le groupe IN-MLV. Conclusion: Ces données indiquent une protection clinique et immunologique similaire entre IN-MLV et IN-KV; cependant, l'excrétion du virus variait. Pertinence clinique: Alors que le rappel avec KV ou MLV semble avoir une efficacité similaire, les différences d'excrétion virale peuvent affecter la limitation de la maladie.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Elevation of IL-8 secretion induced by PEDV infection via NF-κB signaling pathway.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is associated with severe enteritis, which contributes to high mortality in piglets. The aim of this study was to describe molecular mechanisms associated with proinflammatory cytokine(s) production during PEDV infection. We showed that infection of porcine intestine epithelial cell clone J2 (IPEC-J2) with PEDV induces a gradual increase in interleukin 8 (IL-8) production at different time points, as well as infection of Vero E6 with PEDV. The secretion of IL-8 in these two cell lines infected with PEDV is related to the activation of NF-κB. Furthermore, the cells expressing PEDV M or E protein can induce the upregulation of IL-8. These findings suggest that the IL-8 production can be the initiator of inflammatory response by the host cells upon PEDV infection.

Establishment and application of PDCoV antigen-specific DAS-ELISA detection method.

BACKGROUND: Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a swine enteropathogenic coronavirus that affects young pigs, causing vomiting, acute diarrhea, dehydration, and even death. There is growing evidence that PDCoV can undergo cross-species as well as zoonotic transmissions. Due to the frequent outbreaks of this deadly virus, early detection is essential for effective prevention and control. Therefore, developing a more convenient and reliable method for PDCoV detection is the need of the hour. RESULTS: This study utilized a high-affinity monoclonal antibody as the capture antibody and a horseradish peroxidase labeled polyclonal antibody as the detection antibody to develop an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAS-ELSA) for PDCoV detection.Both antibodies target the PDCoV nucleocapsid (N) protein. The findings of this study revealed that DAS-ELISA was highly specific to PDCoV and did not cross-react with other viruses to cause swine diarrhea. The limit of detection of the virus titer using this method was 103 TCID50/mL of PDCoV particles. The results of a parallel analysis of 239 known pig samples revealed a coincidence rate of 97.07% (κ = 0.922) using DAS-ELISA and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The DAS-ELISA was used to measure the one-step growth curve of PDCoV in LLC-PK cells and the tissue distribution of PDCoV in infected piglets. The study found that the DAS-ELISA was comparable in accuracy to the TCID50 method while measuring the one-step growth curve. Furthermore, the tissue distribution measured by DAS-ELISA was also consistent with the qRT-PCR method. CONCLUSION: The developed DAS-ELISA method can be conveniently used for the early clinical detection of PDCoV infection in pigs, and it may also serve as an alternative method for laboratory testing of PDCoV.

Public perception on face mask wearing during COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia: A cross sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Since the emergence of COVID-19, the Malaysian government has made wearing a face mask in public mandatory since August 1, 2020, as an effort by the government to control the transmission of COVID-19. However, Malaysians' willingness to wear face masks in public is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Thus, this study aimed to evaluate their perception of face mask wearing during COVID-19 and its contributing factors. METHODOLOGY: A total of 1024 respondents, aged ≥ 18 years, participated in this online cross-sectional survey from October 2021 to December 2021. The Face Mask Perception Scale (FMPS) was used to measure their perceptions. RESULTS: Most of the respondents perceived wearing a face mask as uncomfortable. Our findings also revealed statistically significant differences and a small effect (f2 = 0.04) in which respondents who were concerned about being infected by the virus perceived face mask wearing appearance positively (B = - 0.09 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = - 0.15, - 0.04), whereas married respondents perceived it negatively (B = 0.07 units of log-transformed, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.09). There were no statistically significant differences in other domains of FMPS. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, discomfort was a major complaint. Marital status and fear of COVID-19 infection affected their perceptions. The public health implications of these findings highlight the importance of addressing discomfort and societal perceptions, particularly those influenced by factors such as marital status and COVID-19 experience, to promote widespread acceptance and consistent usage of face masks, which is crucial in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

The Interplay between Airway Cilia and Coronavirus Infection, Implications for Prevention and Control of Airway Viral Infections.

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a class of respiratory viruses with the potential to cause severe respiratory diseases by infecting cells of the upper respiratory tract, bronchial epithelium, and lung. The airway cilia are distributed on the surface of respiratory epithelial cells, forming the first point of contact between the host and the inhaled coronaviruses. The function of the airway cilia is to oscillate and sense, thereby defending against and removing pathogens to maintain the cleanliness and patency of the respiratory tract. Following infection of the respiratory tract, coronaviruses exploit the cilia to invade and replicate in epithelial cells while also damaging the cilia to facilitate the spread and exacerbation of respiratory diseases. It is therefore imperative to investigate the interactions between coronaviruses and respiratory cilia, as well as to elucidate the functional mechanism of respiratory cilia following coronavirus invasion, in order to develop effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of respiratory viral infections. This review commences with an overview of the fundamental characteristics of airway cilia, and then, based on the interplay between airway cilia and coronavirus infection, we propose that ciliary protection and restoration may represent potential therapeutic approaches in emerging and re-emerging coronavirus pandemics.

Promoting digital inclusion for enhanced resident wellbeing: an examination of aged residential care facility websites.

AIM: Digital inclusion has a positive impact on health and wellbeing through fostering connectivity and access to information. In Aotearoa New Zealand, 4% of older adults live in aged residential care (ARC) facilities and are vulnerable to social isolation. This study explored whether ARC facilities provide opportunities to socially connect online and whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the provision of these opportunities. METHOD: Information on technology and internet provision from 558 ARC facilities was extracted from facilities' own or related websites in 2019 and 2021. ARC facilities were categorised according to whether they provided digital devices, internet access and internet-based leisure activities, or made no reference to technology. RESULTS: In 2019, 392 (70%) of 558 ARC facilities publicised availability of internet-based technologies for residents; however, only 46 (8%) mentioned providing access to computer devices. In 2021 (during the pandemic), there was a small increase to 421 (76%) and 54 (10%) of facilities respectively. Facilities mentioning internet-based leisure activities were 63 (11%) in 2019 and 55 (10%) in 2021. Those not referring to technology had reduced from 166 (30%) in 2019 to 137 (24%) in 2021. CONCLUSION: Few ARC facilities enabled residents to fully access the digital world, even after periods of isolation due to COVID-19. Aged care providers could be more proactive by providing internet access and digital learning opportunities.

The readiness of the Asian research ethics committees in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-country survey.

Background: COVID-19 is a highly challenging infectious disease. Research ethics committees (RECs) have challenges reviewing research on this new pandemic disease under a tight timeline and public pressure. This study aimed to assess RECs' responses and review during the outbreak in seven Asian countries where the Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) networks are active. Methods: The online survey was conducted in seven Asian countries from April to August 2021. Two sets of online questionnaires were developed, one set for the chairs/secretaries and another set for the REC members.The REC profiles obtained from the REC members are descriptive in nature. Data from the chairs/secretaries were compared between the RECs with external quality assessment (SIDCER-Recognized RECs, SR-RECs) and non-external quality assessment (Non-SIDCER-Recognized RECs, NSR-RECs) and analyzed using a Chi-squared test. Results: A total of 688 REC members and 197 REC chairs/secretaries participated in the survey. Most RECs have standard operating procedures (SOPs), and have experience in reviewing all types of protocols, but 18.1% had no experience reviewing COVID-19 protocols. Most REC members need specific training on reviewing COVID-19 protocols (93%). In response to the outbreak, RECs used online reviews, increased meeting frequency and single/central REC. All SR-RECs had a member composition as required by the World Health Organisation ethics guidelines, while some NSR-RECs lacked non-affiliated and/or layperson members. SR-RECs reviewed more COVID-related product development protocols and indicated challenges in reviewing risk/benefit and vulnerability (0.010), informed consent form (0.002), and privacy and confidentiality (P = 0.020) than NSR-RECs. Conclusions: Surveyed RECs had a general knowledge of REC operation and played a significant role in reviewing COVID-19-related product development protocols. Having active networks of RECs across regions to share updated information and resources could be one of the strategies to promote readiness for future public health emergencies.

Cross-National Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation at the European Air Transport Command.

INTRODUCTION: The European Air Transport Command (EATC) is a seven-nation integrated command. One of its core capabilities is strategic aeromedical evacuation (AE). During the global COVID-19 pandemic and Ukrainian crisis, EATC proved that acting in concert is a valuable, effective, and reliable option.METHODS: By pooling and sharing aircraft and personnel, EATC has privileged access to a diverse fleet and pool of experts. Cooperation is based on a common set of rules and regulations, which ensures that EATC can address any problem with expertise.RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 1060 COVID-19-positive patients were transported in 198 missions, with neither death nor disease transmission reported during those strategic AE flights. EATC transferred 986 military cases, mostly routine priority (91.4%); the other 74 cases were civilians, who were transported in 17 missions, with 81.1% categorized as urgent. During the Ukrainian crisis, 251 patients were transported, 112 military and 139 civilians, including 30 children. Among the recorded injuries were cerebrocranial, abdominal, and chest injuries, as well as fractures (180) and amputations (48) of the extremities.DISCUSSION: EATC is recognized as a center of expertise within the AE community, where interoperability and harmonization of concepts are key to safety and success. Cross-national missions, where a patient is evacuated by an aircraft and medical crew provided by another nation, offer maximum flexibility. Complex situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis, have shown that multinational cooperation is not only achievable but also provides robust, effective, and reliable solutions for AE in particular.Fiorini A, Vermeltfoort R, Dulaurent E, Hove MG, Borsch M. Cross-national strategic aeromedical evacuation at the European Air Transport Command. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2024; 95(9):709-715.

Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the S genes of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus isolates from China from 2020 to 2023.

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is an enteric coronavirus that has been the main cause of diarrhea in piglets since 2010 in China. The aim of this study was to investigate sequence variation and recombination events in the spike (S) gene of PEDV isolates from China. Thirty complete S gene sequences were obtained from PEDV-positive samples collected in six provinces in China from 2020 to 2023. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 10% (3/30) belonged to subtype GII-a, 6.67% (2/30) were categorized as subtype GII-b, 66.67% (20/30) were categorized as subtype GII-c, and 16.66% (5/30) were clustered with the S-INDEL strains. Amino acid sequence alignments showed that, when compared to strains of other subtypes, the GII-c strains had two characteristic amino acid substitutions (N139D and I289M). Five S-INDEL subtype strains had a single amino acid deletion (139N) and four amino acid substitutions (N118G, T137S, A138S, and D141G). Recombination analysis allowed six putative recombination events to be identified, one involving recombination between GII-c strains, two involving GII-c and GII-b strains, two involving GII-c and GI-a strains, and one involving GII-a and GI-b strains. These results suggest that recombination between PEDV strains has been common and complex in recent years and is one of the main reasons for the continuous variation of PEDV strains.

COVID-19 in a rural intensive care unit in Northern British Columbia: Descriptive analysis of outcomes and demands on rural resources.

INTRODUCTION: This descriptive study reviews clinical outcomes of individuals admitted to a northern Canadian, rural intensive care unit (ICU) with severe COVID-19. It reports our site-specific data that is part of an ongoing global effort to gather data and guide therapy; the aims of this study were to describe participants admitted to our ICU with COVID-19 and illuminate challenges faced by rural and remote centres. METHODS: This retrospective study examined data from participants admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 pneumonia between 24th November 2020 and 28th February 2022. Using data from electronic and hardcopy health records, data were obtained according to standardised forms developed for the Short Period Incidence Study of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection. RESULTS: Eighty-five adult participants were admitted to our ICU with COVID-19. The median age of participants was 57 years old (range: 23-83 years); 49.4% were males and 50.6% were females. Of our cohort, 58.9% required mechanical ventilation at some point during their stay and the median duration of stay in our ICU was 5 days (range: 1-36 days). Amongst individuals included, 25.9% were discharged alive from our hospital on their index admission, 57.6% were transferred to another facility and 16.5% died in our facility. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 significantly strained our local ICU resources, necessitating high numbers of patient transfers. However, despite limited resources, patients at our site received contemporary guideline-based care for COVID-19 pneumonia. Future pandemic and surge capacity planning must ensure that rural and remote communities receive adequate additional resources to meet the anticipated needs of their local populations. INTRODUCTION: Cette étude descriptive examine les résultats cliniques des personnes admises dans une unité de soins intensifs rurale du nord du Canada avec une COVID-19 sévère. Elle rapporte des données spécifiques à notre site qui font partie d'un effort global en cours pour rassembler des données et guider la thérapie. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de décrire les participants admis dans notre unité de soins intensifs avec la COVID-19 et d'éclairer les défis auxquels sont confrontés les centres ruraux et éloignés. MTHODES: Cette étude rétrospective a examiné les données des participants admis à l'unité de soins intensifs pour une pneumonie due à la COIVD-19 entre le 24 novembre 2020 et le 28 février 2022. Les données ont été obtenues à partir de dossiers médicaux électroniques et papier, selon des formulaires standardisés développés pour l'étude d'incidence à court terme des infections respiratoires aiguës sévères (SPRINT-SARI). RSULTATS: 85 participants adultes ont été admis dans notre unité de soins intensifs avec la COVID-19. L'âge médian des participants était de 57 ans (intervalle: 23-83 ans); 49,4% étaient des hommes et 50,6% des femmes. Dans notre cohorte, 58,9% ont eu besoin d'une ventilation mécanique à un moment ou à un autre de leur séjour et la durée médiane du séjour dans notre unité de soins intensifs était de 5 jours (intervalle: 1-36 jours). Parmi les personnes incluses, 25,9% sont sorties vivantes de notre hôpital lors de leur admission initiale, 57,6% ont été transférées dans un autre établissement et 16,5% sont décédées dans notre établissement. CONCLUSION: La COVID-19 a mis à rude épreuve les ressources de notre unité locale de soins intensifs, nécessitant un grand nombre de transferts de patients. Cependant, malgré des ressources limitées, les patients de notre site ont reçu des soins fondés sur des lignes directrices contemporaines pour la pneumonie due à la COVID-19. À l'avenir, la planification de la pandémie et de la capacité de pointe doit garantir que les communautés rurales et éloignées reçoivent des ressources supplémentaires adéquates pour répondre aux besoins anticipés de leurs populations locales.

Self-directed learning among general practitioners in the German-speaking part of Switzerland: a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews.

AIMS OF THE STUDY: This research aimed to investigate the self-directed learning (SDL) habits of Swiss general practitioners from the German-speaking part of Switzerland, understanding how they acquire new knowledge, exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these habits and identifying optimisation strategies for their future self-directed learning. METHODS: We employed a qualitative study design, conducting semi-structured interviews with 16 general practitioners from 30 May 2022 to 06 July 2022. Thematic analysis based on a mixed deductive/inductive approach was used to gain insight into the learning activities and self-directed learning practices of the practitioners. RESULTS: The interviewed general practitioners demonstrated a versatile approach to self-directed learning, where peer communication emerged as the most predominant learning method. It is noteworthy that the younger generation in particular showed a strong inclination for peer learning and is well prepared for the integration of advanced digital solutions for peer communication. Furthermore, a significant shift was observed in media-based self-directed learning, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. Digital platforms and repositories for practical learning were mentioned as educational mainstays by many interviewees, reflecting a profound technological shift observed over the past 25 years and especially since the pandemic. The primary motivation for pursuing new knowledge remains patient care, although personal development and staying up-to-date with medical and technological advancements are also key motivators. Although the pandemic has undeniably accelerated the transition towards digital learning, it has also brought with it challenges such as information overload and technical difficulties. There was an evident decline in formal learning venues and physical presence during the pandemic, yet the reported value of in-person interactions remains high. Suggestions for optimising self-directed learning included enhancing digital offerings, fostering stronger peer networks and integrating more practical content. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has catalysed a transformation in the self-directed learning practices of general practitioners in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, underlining the importance of a balanced approach between digital and traditional learning methods. As the digital realm of self-directed learning grows, it is essential to address existing challenges and capitalise on potential advantages. Both individual networking efforts like general practitioner quality circles and initiatives from official authorities like informal self-test opportunities can play pivotal roles in refining self-directed learning practices. The findings from this study offer valuable insights for enhancing learning resources and environments that align with general practitioners' needs and preferences. Future research should investigate the ongoing impact of advanced digital technologies on self-directed learning to understand the evolving landscape in a post-pandemic world.

Diversifying selection identified in immune epitopes of bovine coronavirus isolates from Irish cattle.

Bovine betacoronavirus (BoCoV) is a pneumoenteric pathogen of cattle that is closely related to human coronavirus OC43. Vaccines are administered to protect against diseases caused by BoCoV, but knowledge gaps exist with regard to correlates of protection and the effect of immune evasion on driving evolution. In this study, immune epitopes were mapped onto BoCoV structural proteins, including spike and haemagglutinin esterase (HE), and then supported with targeted gene sequencing of Irish clinical isolates and selective pressure analysis. Increased prevalence of diversifying selection and amino acid changes in some mapped immune epitopes suggests that immune escape is selecting for non-synonymous mutations arising in these regions. Selection analysis and sequencing provided increased support for neutralising antibody (nAb) epitopes compared to others, suggesting that nAbs are an important arm of the immune response to BoCoV. Phylogenetic analysis of spike and HE sequences showed that Irish isolates from this study were in the European clade, except for one HE sequence that sat in the Asian/American clade, while the spike gene of this sample was in the European clade. Recombination between a European and an Asian/American isolate would give rise to such a sequence. This study has gathered evidence suggesting that pressure to evade the nAb response is contributing to BoCoV evolution.

The host protease KLK5 primes and activates spike proteins to promote human betacoronavirus replication and lung inflammation.

Coronaviruses rely on host proteases to activate the viral spike protein, which facilitates fusion with the host cell membrane and the release of viral genomic RNAs into the host cell cytoplasm. The distribution of specific host proteases in the host determines the host, tissue, and cellular tropism of these viruses. Here, we identified the kallikrein (KLK) family member KLK5 as a major host protease secreted by human airway cells and exploited by multiple human betacoronaviruses. KLK5 cleaved both the priming (S1/S2) and activation (S2') sites of spike proteins from various human betacoronaviruses in vitro. In contrast, KLK12 and KLK13 displayed preferences for either the S2' or S1/S2 site, respectively. Whereas KLK12 and KLK13 worked in concert to activate SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV spike proteins, KLK5 by itself efficiently activated spike proteins from several human betacoronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Infection of differentiated human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) with human betacoronaviruses induced an increase in KLK5 that promoted virus replication. Furthermore, ursolic acid and other related plant-derived triterpenoids that inhibit KLK5 effectively suppressed the replication of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in HBECs and mitigated lung inflammation in mice infected with MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2. We propose that KLK5 is a pancoronavirus host factor and a promising therapeutic target for current and future coronavirus-induced diseases.

The Role of Coronavirus Spike Protein in Inducing Optic Neuritis in Mice: Parallels to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus.

BACKGROUND: Optic neuritis (ON), one of the clinical manifestations of the human neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS), was also reported in patients with COVID-19 infection, highlighting one potential neurological manifestation of SARS-CoV-2. However, the mechanism of ON in these patients is poorly understood. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Insight may be gained by studying the neurotropic mouse hepatitis virus (MHV-A59), a ß-coronavirus that belongs to the same family as SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: Mouse hepatitis virus-A59, or its isogenic spike protein recombinant strains, inoculation in mice provides an important experimental model to understand underpinning mechanisms of neuroinflammatory demyelination in association with acute stage optic nerve inflammation and chronic stage optic nerve demyelination concurrent with axonal loss. Spike is a surface protein that mediates viral binding and entry into host cells, as well as cell-cell fusion and viral spread. Studies have implicated spike-mediated mechanisms of virus-induced neuroinflammatory demyelination by comparing naturally occurring demyelinating (DM) and nondemyelinating (NDM) MHV strains. CONCLUSIONS: Here, we summarize findings in MHV-induced experimental ON and myelitis, using natural DM and NDM strains as well as engineered recombinant strains of MHV to understand the role of spike protein in inducing ON and demyelinating disease pathology. Potential parallels in human coronavirus-mediated ON and demyelination, and insight into potential therapeutic strategies, are discussed.

A survey of the representativeness and usefulness of wastewater-based surveillance systems in 10 countries across Europe in 2023.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has become a widespread method to monitor transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other human pathogens in Europe. We conducted a survey about WBS systems' objectives, approaches, representativeness and usefulness in 10 invited European countries in 2023, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway. All countries completed the study questionnaire about their SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems, and shared information about WBS of other pathogens as deemed relevant. SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems primarily monitored national and subnational trends (population coverage: 25-99%), and a majority (8/10) also tracked variant distribution. Nine of 10 countries reported that their SARS-CoV-2 WBS systems were representative of their population and all countries remarked that the findings were valuable for public health decision-making. Results were shared with relevant public health authorities and published via dedicated websites and/or dashboards. WBS systems of other pathogens were mostly in the early stages, with some countries implementing pilots. Notable exceptions were the well-established poliovirus surveillance systems in Finland, Italy and the Netherlands. This study brings understanding the diverse landscape of WBS in Europe, offering insights for future developments and collaborations. Furthermore, it highlights the need for further integration of WBS into other European surveillance systems.

Evaluation of different heterologous-homologous vaccine regimens against challenge with GI-23 lineage infectious bronchitis virus.

This study assesses different IBV vaccination regimens in broiler chickens using commercially available live attenuated GI-23 (Egyptian-VAR2) and GI-1 (H120) vaccines. Vaccines were administered at 1, 14 days of age, or both. The ciliostasis test, following wild-type VAR2 challenge at 28 days of age, indicated that classic H120+VAR2 at one day old followed by the VAR2 vaccine at 14 days of age provided the highest level of protection (89.58%). Similarly, administering VAR2 at 1 day of age and classic H120 at 14 days of age demonstrated substantial protection (85.42%). Conversely, administering only classic H120 and VAR2 at one day old resulted in the lowest protection level (54.17%). Tracheal virus shedding quantification and assessment of trachea and kidney degenerative changes were significantly lower in vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated-challenged group. In conclusion, a carefully planned vaccination regimen based on homologous vaccination offers the most effective clinical protection in broiler chickens.

The top 50 most-cited articles about COVID-19 and the complications of COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: This bibliometric analysis examines the top 50 most-cited articles on COVID-19 complications, offering insights into the multifaceted impact of the virus. Since its emergence in Wuhan in December 2019, COVID-19 has evolved into a global health crisis, with over 770 million confirmed cases and 6.9 million deaths as of September 2023. Initially recognized as a respiratory illness causing pneumonia and ARDS, its diverse complications extend to cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, renal, hematological, neurological, endocrinological, ophthalmological, hepatobiliary, and dermatological systems. Methods: Identifying the top 50 articles from a pool of 5940 in Scopus, the analysis spans November 2019 to July 2021, employing terms related to COVID-19 and complications. Rigorous review criteria excluded non-relevant studies, basic science research, and animal models. The authors independently reviewed articles, considering factors like title, citations, publication year, journal, impact factor, authors, study details, and patient demographics. Results: The focus is primarily on 2020 publications (96%), with all articles being open access. Leading journals include The Lancet, NEJM, and JAMA, with prominent contributions from Internal Medicine (46.9%) and Pulmonary Medicine (14.5%). China played a major role (34.9%), followed by France and Belgium. Clinical features were the primary study topic (68%), often utilizing retrospective designs (24%). Among 22,477 patients analyzed, 54.8% were male, with the most common age group being 26-65 years (63.2%). Complications of COVID-19 affected 13.9% of patients, with a recovery rate of 57.8%. Conclusion: Analyzing these top-cited articles offers clinicians and researchers a comprehensive, timely understanding of influential COVID-19 literature. This approach uncovers attributes contributing to high citations and provides authors with valuable insights for crafting impactful research. As a strategic tool, this analysis facilitates staying updated and making meaningful contributions to the dynamic field of COVID-19 research.

Structure defining of ultrapotent neutralizing nanobodies against MERS-CoV with novel epitopes on receptor binding domain.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes severe and fatal acute respiratory disease in humans. High fatality rates and continued infectiousness remain a pressing concern for global health preparedness. Antibodies targeted at the receptor-binding domain (RBD) are major countermeasures against human viral infection. Here, we report four potent nanobodies against MERS-CoV, which are isolated from alpaca, and especially the potency of Nb14 is highest in the pseudotyped virus assay. Structural studies show that Nb14 framework regions (FRs) are mainly involved in interactions targeting a novel epitope, which is entirely distinct from all previously reported antibodies, and disrupt the protein-carbohydrate interaction between residue W535 of RBD and hDPP4 N229-linked carbohydrate moiety (hDPP4-N229-glycan). Different from Nb14, Nb9 targets the cryptic face of RBD, which is distinctive from the hDPP4 binding site and the Nb14 epitope, and it induces the ß5-ß6 loop to inflect towards a shallow groove of the RBD and dampens the accommodation of a short helix of hDPP4. The particularly striking epitopes endow the two Nbs administrate synergistically in the pseudotyped MERS-CoV assays. These results not only character unprecedented epitopes for antibody recognition but also provide promising agents for prophylaxis and therapy of MERS-CoV infection.

NK cells modulate in vivo control of SARS-CoV-2 replication and suppression of lung damage.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in virus control. However, it has remained largely unclear whether NK cell mobilization in SARS-CoV-2 infections is beneficial or pathologic. To address this deficit, we employed a validated experimental NK cell depletion non-human primate (NHP) model with SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant B.1.617.2 challenge. Viral loads (VL), NK cell numbers, activation, proliferation, and functional measures were evaluated in blood and tissues. In non-depleted (control) animals, infection rapidly induced NK cell expansion, activation, and increased tissue trafficking associated with VL. Strikingly, we report that experimental NK cell depletion leads to higher VL, longer duration of viral shedding, significantly increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs, and overt lung damage. Overall, we find the first significant and conclusive evidence for NK cell-mediated control of SARS-CoV-2 virus replication and disease pathology. These data indicate that adjunct therapies for infection could largely benefit from NK cell-targeted approaches.