Rapid detection of avian influenza virus based on CRISPR-Cas12a

AI SummaryAvian influenza is a viral disease that spreads among birds and other animals, originating from wild aquatic birds.Avian influenza (AI) is a disease caused by the avian influenza virus (AIV). These viruses spread naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and infect domestic poultry, other birds, and other animal species… Continue reading on BioMed Central

Dengue is spreading. Can new vaccines and antivirals halt its rise?

AI SummaryDengue virus cases are increasing globally, and there is a need for effective treatment and prevention methods. Scientists are working on developing vaccines, antiviral medications, and mosquito-control methods to combat the disease. Multi-layered efforts are required to control the spread of dengue. Particles of dengue virus (red; artificially coloured) infect a tissue specimen. Dengue… Continue reading Dengue is spreading. Can new vaccines and antivirals halt its rise?

Nutritional stress compromises mosquito fitness and antiviral immunity, while enhancing dengue virus infection susceptibility

Abstract Diet-induced nutritional stress can influence pathogen transmission potential in mosquitoes by impacting life history traits, infection susceptibility, and immunity. To investigate these effects, we manipulate mosquito diets at larval and adult stages, creating two nutritional levels (low and normal), and expose adults to dengue virus (DENV). We observe that egg number is reduced by… Continue reading Nutritional stress compromises mosquito fitness and antiviral immunity, while enhancing dengue virus infection susceptibility

Zika virus M protein latches and locks the E protein from transitioning to an immature state after prM cleavage

Abstract During flavivirus maturation, the structural proteins prM (pre-membrane) and E (envelope) undergo extensive low pH-mediated conformational changes, transitioning from spiky trimeric to smooth dimeric prM/E heterodimers which allow for furin cleavage of prM into pr and M and forms the irreversible mature conformation of smooth M/E heterodimers. The mechanisms of irreversible conformational changes to… Continue reading Zika virus M protein latches and locks the E protein from transitioning to an immature state after prM cleavage

Melatonin inhibits Japanese encephalitis virus replication and neurotoxicity via calcineurin-autophagy pathways

AI SummaryJapanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that affects the nervous system but has no specific treatment, only supportive care.Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that has no specific treatment except for supportive medical care. JEV is a neurotropic virus that affects the nervous system and triggers infla…

Identification of the flavivirus conserved residues in the envelope protein hinge region for the rational design of a candidate West Nile live-attenuated vaccine

Abstract The flavivirus envelope protein is a class II fusion protein that drives flavivirus-cell membrane fusion. The membrane fusion process is triggered by the conformational change of the E protein from dimer in the virion to trimer, which involves the rearrangement of three domains, EDI, EDII, and EDIII. The movement between EDI and EDII initiates… Continue reading Identification of the flavivirus conserved residues in the envelope protein hinge region for the rational design of a candidate West Nile live-attenuated vaccine

TWiV 1058: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses health worker–perceived working conditions and symptoms of poor mental health, Mpox neutralizing antibodies at 6 months from mpox infection or MVA-BN vaccination, newborn and early infant outcomes following maternal COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, duration of SARS-CoV-2 culturable virus shedding in children, prescribing outcomes in outpatients treated with… Continue reading TWiV 1058: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin