Effect of Diabetes and Obesity on Influenza Outcomes

by Gertrud U. Rey Flu season is in full swing, and hospitalizations related to influenza virus infection are on the rise. During the 2009 “swine flu” pandemic it became evident that diabetes and obesity increase one’s risk for severe influenza disease, a correlation that was also later observed in the context of COVID-19. A series… Continue reading Effect of Diabetes and Obesity on Influenza Outcomes

Human ANP32A/B are SUMOylated and utilized by avian influenza virus NS2 protein to overcome species-specific restriction

Abstract Human ANP32A/B (huANP32A/B) poorly support the polymerase activity of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), thereby limiting interspecies transmission of AIVs from birds to humans. The SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) within NS2 promotes the adaptation of AIV polymerase to huANP32A/B via a yet undisclosed mechanism. Here we show that huANP32A/B are SUMOylated by the E3 SUMO ligase… Continue reading Human ANP32A/B are SUMOylated and utilized by avian influenza virus NS2 protein to overcome species-specific restriction

Zoonotic transmission of novel Influenza A variant viruses detected in Brazil during 2020 to 2023

Abstract Zoonotic infections (swine-human) caused by influenza A viruses (IAVs) have been reported and linked to close contact between these species. Here, we describe eight human IAV variant infections (6 mild and 2 severe cases, including 1 death) detected in Paraná, Brazil, during 2020–2023. Genomes recovered were closely related to Brazilian swIAVs of three major… Continue reading Zoonotic transmission of novel Influenza A variant viruses detected in Brazil during 2020 to 2023

TWiV 1178: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin deep dives into the whooping cough epidemic and bird flu in big cats, and in conjunction with your host Vincent Racaniello discusses the recent case of paralytic poliomyelitis in Israel, measles outbreaks and HHS campaign for vaccine safety campaign before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the… Continue reading TWiV 1178: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

TWiV 1177: Going to school for flu

At the School for Influenza in Brisbane, TWiV speaks with Kirsty, Erik and Rebecca about their careers and their research. Host: Vincent Racaniello Guests: Kirsty Short, Erik Karlsson, and Rebecca Cox Click arrow to playDownload TWiV 1177 (120 MB .mp3, 84 min) Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV… Continue reading TWiV 1177: Going to school for flu

TWiV 1176: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin continues his discussion of whether the mysterious respiratory illness in the Congo is malaria, and in conjunction with your host Vincent Racaniello discusses how routine childhood immunizations especially that against poliovirus are threatened by Robert F Kennedy Jr and Aaron Siri, the origin of the SAR-CoV-2 virus and… Continue reading TWiV 1176: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

New design could make seasonal influenza vaccinations more broadly effective

Stanford Medicine scientists have designed a way to make our seasonal influenza vaccinations more broadly effective and possibly to protect us from new flu variants with pandemic potential. In a study set to publish Dec. 20 in Science, they’ve shown in cultured human tonsil tissue that the method works. Flu season is upon us, and… Continue reading New design could make seasonal influenza vaccinations more broadly effective