Article
Microbiology
Angela R. Harrison, Shawn Todd, Megan Dearnley, Cassandra T. David, Diane Green, Stephen M. Rawlinson, Gough G. Au, Glenn A. Marsh, Gregory W. Moseley
Summary: EBOV effectively inhibits STAT3 responses to interleukin-6 family cytokines through the interferon-antagonist VP24, employing a unique strategy that reveals distinct mechanisms of nuclear trafficking for STAT3 complexes.
Article
Mathematics
Danielle Burton, Suzanne Lenhart, Christina J. Edholm, Benjamin Levy, Michael L. Washington, Bradford R. Greening, K. A. Jane White, Edward Lungu, Obias Chimbola, Moatlhodi Kgosimore, Faraimunashe Chirove, Marilyn Ronoh, M. Helen Machingauta
Summary: Contact tracing plays a vital role in controlling and ending Ebola virus outbreaks, and modeling this process can help improve tracking efforts and highlight its importance. Results indicate that implementing a larger scale contact tracing program could reduce the death toll of outbreaks.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dongming Zhao, Encheng Sun, Lianyu Huang, Leilei Ding, Yuanmao Zhu, Jiwen Zhang, Dongdong Shen, Xianfeng Zhang, Zhenjiang Zhang, Tao Ren, Wan Wang, Fang Li, Xijun He, Zhigao Bu
Summary: This study reports the detection of three recombinants of genotype I and II African swine fever virus (ASFV) in pigs in China. These recombinants are highly lethal and transmissible in pigs, and the deletion of virulence-related genes derived from virulent genotype II virus attenuates their virulence. The live attenuated vaccine derived from genotype II ASFV is not effective against challenge from the recombinant virus. These naturally occurring recombinants have the potential to pose a challenge to the global pig industry.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lioba A. Hirsch
Summary: This paper examines how international health responders navigated the risks in Ebola Treatment Centers during the West African Ebola epidemic, emphasizing the need for a race-conscious analysis of spatial strategies of risk aversion. Interviews with responders in Liberia and Sierra Leone revealed that the spatial organization of ETCs perpetuated inequalities between Black and white lives, contributing to the normalization of Black suffering and death.
Article
Environmental Studies
Monique Mitchell Turner, Skylar Lisse, Rajiv Rimal, Tamah Kamlem, Hina Shaikh, Nilakshi Biswas
Summary: During the Ebola epidemic in Liberia, there was a widespread misunderstanding of the virus and proliferation of rumors among citizens. To reduce public's fears about the disease, a tracking system was developed to detect and control rumors through SMS text messaging. The study found that more rumors appeared in newspapers, but they were more likely to be identified as such on the radio. The tracking system accurately predicted rumors before they appeared in newspapers or on the radio, demonstrating its usefulness in future health epidemics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohamed Henriques, Jose Pedro Granadeiro, Theunis Piersma, Seco Leao, Samuel Pontes, Teresa Catry
Summary: The study found no evidence that mangrove carbon sustains intertidal food webs, despite sediment organic matter being significantly more depleted in 13C in mangrove sites. Mangrove leaves had the lowest relative contribution to the diet of macrozoobenthos, while macroalgae, benthic microalgae, and particulate organic matter showed relevant contributions. However, at a smaller scale, mangrove carbon was detectable in sediment organic matter and in most macrozoobenthos, particularly within 50 meters of the mangrove edge.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Encheng Sun, Lianyu Huang, Xianfeng Zhang, Jiwen Zhang, Dongdong Shen, Zhenjiang Zhang, Zilong Wang, Hong Huo, Wenqing Wang, Haoyue Huangfu, Wan Wang, Fang Li, Renqiang Liu, Jianhong Sun, Zhijun Tian, Wei Xia, Yuntao Guan, Xijun He, Yuanmao Zhu, Dongming Zhao, Zhigao Bu
Summary: Recently, genotype I ASFVs have emerged in China, with SD/DY-I/21 showing low virulence, high transmissibility, mild infection onset, and chronic disease in pigs, along with causing necrotic skin lesions and joint swelling. The emergence of genotype I ASFVs presents more challenges for the control and prevention of African swine fever in China.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. Harris Ali, Jarrett Robert Rose
Summary: The scholarship of Frantz Fanon, recognized as a unique and necessary intervention for critical analyses of the (post)colonial condition, is largely ignored in global health research. This article demonstrates the relevance of Fanon's work by analyzing the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak response in West Africa. Fanon's insights help understand community reactions and public health officials' behavior during the response, enabling a framework to better intervene in future epidemics in the Global South.
SOCIAL SCIENCE & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jiangnan Li, Jie Song, Li Kang, Li Huang, Shijun Zhou, Liang Hu, Jun Zheng, Changyao Li, Xianfeng Zhang, Xijun He, Dongming Zhao, Zhigao Bu, Changjiang Weng
Summary: The study revealed that ASFV infection inhibits the production of IL-1 beta and type I IFNs in porcine alveolar macrophages, highlighting the critical role of pMGF505-7R in this process. ASFV lacking the MGF505-7R gene showed reduced virulence in pigs and induced higher levels of IL-1 beta and IFN-beta production. The findings provide insights into the functions of ASFV-encoded pMGF505-7R and its impact on viral pathogenesis, potentially aiding in the development of antiviral strategies or vaccines to control ASF.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jia Bainga Kangbai, Christian Heumann, Michael Hoelscher, Foday Sahr, Guenter Froeschl
Summary: During the peak of the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, a retrospective study was conducted to investigate the impact of treatment delay, length of symptomatic period, patient demographics, and clinical characteristics on the treatment outcomes of 205 laboratory-confirmed EVD patients. The study found a significant association between the distance traveled to seek treatment and the length of stay for surviving patients, but other factors such as occupation, age, and gender did not show statistically significant correlations with the length of stay.
ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Lawrence S. Jackson, John H. Marsham, Douglas J. Parker, Declan L. Finney, Rory G. J. Fitzpatrick, David P. Rowell, Rachel A. Stratton, Simon Tucker
Summary: This study investigates the impact of explicit convection on climate change in the central West African Sahel using a pan-African convection-permitting simulation. The results show that explicit convection has multiple-scale effects on West African monsoon processes compared to parameterized convection. Under climate change, explicit convection leads to a shift in the West African monsoon and a weakening of the Hadley circulation. The findings highlight the limitations of parameterized convection and demonstrate the value of explicit convection simulations for climate modeling and policy-making.
JOURNAL OF CLIMATE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah Guth, Nardus Mollentze, Katia Renault, Daniel G. Streicker, Elisa Visher, Mike Boots, Cara E. Brook
Summary: Identifying virus characteristics associated with the largest public health impacts on human populations is critical. Bats harbor the most virulent zoonotic viruses even when compared to birds, while primates, which are more closely related to humans, have highly transmissible viruses. However, a disproportionately high human death burden is not associated with any animal reservoir, including bats.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nathalia Dias Furtado, Lidiane de Menezes Raphael, Ieda Pereira Ribeiro, Iasmim Silva de Mello, Deberli Ruiz Fernandes, Mariela Martinez Gomez, Alexandre Araujo Cunha dos Santos, Monica da Silva Nogueira, Marcia Goncalves de Castro, Filipe Vieira Santos de Abreu, Livia Caricio Martins, Pedro Fernando da Costa Vasconcelos, Ricardo Lourenco-de-Oliveira, Myrna Cristina Bonaldo
Summary: This study found differences in infectivity and neurovirulence of yellow fever virus isolates from different regions in mammalian and mosquito cells, suggesting the presence of genomic markers that increase host infectivity in certain strains.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Angela R. Harrison, Cassandra T. David, Stephen M. Rawlinson, Gregory W. Moseley
Summary: Viral interferon (IFN) antagonist proteins play critical roles in evading host immune response by inhibiting interferon-mediated signaling. Ebola virus IFN antagonist VP24 not only participates in nucleocapsid assembly, but also inhibits interferon-activated signaling by blocking nuclear import of STAT1. The cellular localization of VP24 depends on a specific nuclear export sequence located at its C-terminus.
Article
Virology
Dowbiss Meta Djomsi, Audrey Lacroix, Abdoul Karim Soumah, Eddy Kinganda Lusamaki, Asma Mesdour, Raisa Raulino, Amandine Esteban, Innocent Ndong Bass, Flaubert Auguste Mba Djonzo, Souana Goumou, Simon Pierre Ndimbo-Kimugu, Guy Lempu, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Daniel Mukadi Bamuleka, Jacques Likofata, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, Abdoulaye Toure, Eitel Mpoudi Ngole, Charles Kouanfack, Eric Delaporte, Alpha Kabinet Keita, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Ahidjo Ayouba, Martine Peeters
Summary: Bats, either directly or via an intermediate host, are the origin of human coronaviruses. Through PCR testing of 4597 bats from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Guinea, it was found that 19.6% of bats were infected with coronaviruses. Different species of bats had varying infection rates, with highest prevalence observed in Eidolon helvum and Rhinolophus sp. The study also showed that African Rhinolophus bats are highly infected with coronaviruses similar to SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Satoko Yamaoka, Carla M. Weisend, Vaille A. Swenson, Hideki Ebihara
Summary: A highly accessible and robust BRBV minigenome system was developed for high-throughput antiviral drug screening. DHODH inhibitors showed effectiveness against BRBV and other orthomyxoviruses. The system provides a powerful platform for the development of antivirals against emerging orthomyxoviruses.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Virology
Bianca S. Bodmer, Thomas Hoenen
Summary: This study investigates the impact of tagging EBOV proteins and compares the results with a life cycle modeling system. The results suggest that GFP-expressing viruses may be more attenuated than expected, highlighting the limitations of modeling systems and the importance of working with infectious viruses.
Article
Virology
Ming Yang, Wenjun Zhu, Thang Truong, Bradley Pickering, Shawn Babiuk, Darwyn Kobasa, Logan Banadyga
Summary: In this study, a detection method for Nipah virus (NiV) and Hendra virus (HeV) was developed, using ephrin B2 as the capture ligand and specific monoclonal antibodies as detection reagents. This method enables rapid and accurate differentiation between these two viruses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Cable, Mark R. Denison, Margaret Kielian, William T. Jackson, Ralf Bartenschlager, Tero Ahola, Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, Daved H. Fremont, Richard J. Kuhn, Ashleigh Shannon, Meredith N. Frazier, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Carolyn B. Coyne, Katja C. Wolthers, Guo-Li Ming, Camy S. Guenther, Jasmine Moshiri, Sonja M. Best, John W. Schoggins, Kellie Ann Jurado, Gregory D. Ebel, Alexandra Schafer, Lisa F. P. Ng, Marjolein Kikkert, Alessandro Sette, Eva Harris, Peter A. C. Wing, Julie Eggenberger, Siddharth R. Krishnamurthy, Marcus G. Mah, Rita M. Meganck, Donghoon Chung, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Raul Andino, Bette Korber, Stanley Perlman, Pei-Yong Shi, Montserrat Barcena, Sophie-Marie Aicher, Michelle N. Vu, Devin J. Kenney, Brett D. Lindenbach, Yukiko Nishida, Laurent Renia, Evan P. Williams
Summary: Positive-strand RNA viruses, such as Zika virus, SARS, and SARS-CoV-2, have caused major outbreaks and epidemics in recent years. The Keystone Symposium Positive-Strand RNA Viruses, held on June 18-22, 2022, brought together researchers in various fields to discuss the latest research in molecular and cell biology, virology, immunology, vaccinology, and antiviral drug development. This report provides concise summaries of the scientific discussions at the symposium.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Patrick Bohn, Irke Wassmann, Lisa Wendt, Anne Leske, Thomas Hoenen, Birke A. Tews, Allison Groseth
Summary: This study demonstrates that a specific mutation can accurately assess the role of a protein in viral antagonism of interferon production. The mutation inhibits the protein's exonuclease activity while still efficiently blocking interferon production.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sophie L. Winter, Gonen Golani, Fabio Lolicato, Melina Vallbracht, Keerthihan Thiyagarajah, Samy Sid Ahmed, Christian Luechtenborg, Oliver T. Fackler, Britta Bruegger, Thomas Hoenen, Walter Nickel, Ulrich S. Schwarz, Petr Chlanda
Summary: During Ebola virus entry into host cells, the virus disassembles and releases the nucleocapsid into the cytosol. This process is driven by the weakening of viral protein 40 (VP40) interactions caused by low endosomal pH. The disassembly of VP40 acts as a molecular switch coupling viral matrix uncoating to membrane fusion.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Motohiko Ogawa, Mana Murae, Tomoharu Mizukami, Ryutaro Gemba, Takuya Irie, Masayuki Shimojima, Hideki Ebihara, Kohji Noguchi, Masayoshi Fukasawa
Summary: The study found that levodopa, an important drug with anti-SFTSV activity, inhibited SFTSV infection. Furthermore, the combination of levodopa and levodopa-metabolizing enzyme inhibitors may be a candidate for drug repurposing.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Allison Groseth, Don Gardner, Kimberly Meade-White, Susanne Amler, Hideki Ebihara
Summary: Researchers have developed a new hamster model for studying bunyavirus infection, which provides a more authentic cellular and immunological context at the initial site of infection. This model helps to investigate the mechanisms of neuroinvasion and neuropathology and can be used for testing antiviral approaches targeting bunyaviruses.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rosa C. Coldbeck-Shackley, Ornella Romeo, Sarah Rosli, Linden J. Gearing, Jodee A. Gould, San S. Lim, Kylie H. Van der Hoek, Nicholas S. Eyre, Byron Shue, Sarah A. Robertson, Sonja M. Best, Michelle D. Tate, Paul J. Hertzog, Michael R. Beard
Summary: This study investigates the role of a hormonally regulated type I interferon, IFN epsilon (IFNε), in controlling Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in the female reproductive tract. The researchers demonstrate that IFNε has anti-ZIKV properties through the use of IFNε KO mice, neutralising antibodies, and recombinant IFNε administered directly to the reproductive tract. Additionally, human cell lines derived from the reproductive tract were used to complement the in vivo studies. This work highlights the importance of IFNε as a key type I interferon in providing an antiviral environment in the female reproductive tract.
Article
Immunology
Lisa Wendt, Matthew J. Pickin, Bianca S. Bodmer, Sven Reiche, Lucie Feneant, Julia E. Hoelper, Walter Fuchs, Allison Groseth, Thomas Hoenen
Summary: By analyzing the m(6)A methylation pattern of hemorrhagic fever viruses, it was found that METTL3 interacts with their nucleoproteins and transcriptional activators to support viral RNA synthesis. This interaction and its importance for RNA synthesis and protein expression were also observed in other hemorrhagic fever viruses. Loss of m(6)A methylation had negative effects on viral RNA synthesis, independent of innate immune sensing.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Bianca S. Bodmer, Melina Vallbracht, Dmitry S. Ushakov, Lisa Wendt, Petr Chlanda, Thomas Hoenen
Summary: This study investigates the formation of inclusion bodies (IBs) in Ebola virus (EBOV) and confirms that EBOV IBs are liquid organelles. The oligomerization of EBOV nucleoprotein plays a crucial role in their formation, while VP35 alters their liquid behavior.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Noriko Tomita, Eriko Morino, Junko Terada-Hirashima, Yukari Uemura, Yosuke Shimizu, Sho Saito, Tetsuya Suzuki, Nobumasa Okumura, Haruka Iwasaki, Hideki Ebihara, Masayuki Shimojima, Wataru Sugiura, Norio Ohmagari, Mugen Ujiie
Summary: This study aims to investigate the immunogenicity and safety of the LC16KMB vaccine in healthy Japanese adults. The primary endpoint is the seroconversion rate of neutralizing antibodies against the monkeypox virus, and secondary endpoints include seroconversion rates against the vaccinia virus, incidence of monkeypox, and adverse events. These results will help pave the way for larger comparative studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of other smallpox vaccines in preventing monkeypox.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shangfan Hu, Yoko Fujita-Fujiharu, Yukihiko Sugita, Lisa Wendt, Yukiko Muramoto, Masahiro Nakano, Thomas Hoenen, Takeshi Noda
Summary: In this study, the structure of the Lloviu virus nucleoprotein-RNA helical complex was determined using cryoelectron microscopy. The results showed that the N-terminal region of the nucleoprotein determines the helical arrangement, and identified amino acids involved in helical assembly and viral RNA synthesis. These findings advance our understanding of filovirus nucleocapsid formation and have implications for antiviral therapeutics development.
