Article
Microbiology
James P. Cwick, Jonathan E. Owen, Irina Kochetkova, Kyle S. Hain, Nick Van Horssen, Matthew P. Taylor
Summary: Most viruses utilize superinfection exclusion (SIE) to conserve resources and control population dynamics. This study provides new insights into how alphaherpesviruses limit sequential infection through the undercharacterized gD-independent SIE, which differs between PRV and HSV-1.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Virology
Duncan W. Wilson
Summary: Alphaherpesviruses infect the mammalian nervous system through mucosal epithelia, establish latency in the peripheral nervous system, and rely on microtubule- and actin-dependent cellular motors for efficient transport of viral particles during assembly and egress.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tai Young Kim, Sangeun Jeon, Youngho Jang, Lizaveta Gotina, Joungha Won, Yeon Ha Ju, Sunpil Kim, Minwoo Wendy Jang, Woojin Won, Mingu Gordon Park, Ae Nim Pae, Sunkyu Han, Seungtaek Kim, C. Justin Lee
Summary: The study shows that platycodin D (PD) effectively blocks SARS-CoV-2 infection routes by preventing membrane fusion through cholesterol redistribution, suggesting a potent natural product for preventing or treating COVID-19.
EXPERIMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Virology
Gokul Raghunath, Yen-Cheng Chen, Mariana Marin, Hui Wu, Gregory B. Melikyan
Summary: A recent study explored the structure of SER5 protein and found that it can inhibit HIV-1 infectivity by interfering with viral fusion. However, the effect of SER5 on the lipid order of HIV-1 membrane was not significant. Compared to control samples, SER5+ viruses showed lower sensitivity to cholesterol extraction.
Article
Microbiology
Nicolas Romero, Alexander Tishchenko, Ruth Verhamme, Shelly M. M. Wuerzberger-Davis, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Hans J. J. Nauwynck, Shigeki Miyamoto, Herman W. W. Favoreel
Summary: This study reveals that infection of epithelial cells by different species of alphaherpesviruses results in the inactivation of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-?B) pathway, which weakens the host innate immune response. The mode of interaction with NF-?B-driven responses seems to be conserved in human, feline, and porcine alphaherpesviruses, but there are some differences in bovine alphaherpesvirus. Overall, the study suggests that multiple alphaherpesviruses use the strategy of inhibiting NF-?B transcription activity to prevent NF-?B-driven responses in infected epithelial cells.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Tomoka Katayama, Yuta Chigi, Daiji Okamura
Summary: In order to produce muscle fibers for cultured meat on a large scale, it is important to expand myoblasts in a serum-reduced or serum-free medium. This study demonstrates that Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M beta CD), a starch-derived agent that depletes cholesterol, can inhibit further differentiation of myoblasts and maintain their proliferative capacity under differentiation conditions with a serum-reduced medium. These findings provide significant insights into ensuring the proliferative capacity of myoblasts in a future serum-free condition for cultured meat production.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Zifan Hou, Dandan Sun, Guanjun Wang, Jie Ma
Summary: This article introduces a β-cyclodextrin-based optical fiber microfiber biosensor for detecting cholesterol concentration, and demonstrates it experimentally.The β-cyclodextrin is immobilized on the fiber surface to form an inclusion complex with cholesterol, causing a change in surface refractive index and resulting in a macroscopic wavelength drift in the interference spectrum. The sensor has a high refractive index sensitivity of 1251 nm/RIU and a low temperature sensitivity of -0.019 nm/℃. It can rapidly detect cholesterol in the concentration range of 0.001 to 1 mM with a sensitivity of 12.7 nm/(mM) in the low concentration range of 0.001 to 0.05 mM. Characterization by infrared spectroscopy confirms the ability of the sensor to detect cholesterol. The biosensor has advantages of high sensitivity and good selectivity, showing great potential in biomedical applications.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bruno Braz Bezerra, Gustavo Peixoto Duarte da Silva, Sharton Vinicius Antunes Coelho, Isadora Alonso Correa, Marcos Romario Matos de Souza, Bruna Machado Matos, Amilcar Tanuri, Flavio Lemos Matassoli, Luciana Jesus da Costa, James E. K. Hildreth, Luciana Barros de Arruda
Summary: Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-BCD) is a drug with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects that can effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication and virus-induced inflammatory response. Given the pathophysiology of COVID-19, further investigation of HP-BCD as a potential therapeutic for COVID-19 is warranted.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Y. Idowu, Bruno Hagenbuch
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which are associated with obesity, are characterized by increased levels of free cholesterol in the liver. This study found that adding cholesterol impaired the function of two hepatic uptake transporters, while removing cholesterol increased their capacities. Furthermore, adding or removing cholesterol affected the localization of these transporters within lipid rafts. These findings suggest that the free cholesterol content in the liver can affect bile acid and drug uptake, potentially leading to altered drug disposition.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Virology
Byeongwoon Song
Summary: Lysosomal cholesterol homeostasis plays an important role in the alphaherpesvirus life cycle. Inhibitor U18666A interferes with the replication of pseudorabies virus (PRV). Treatment with HP beta CD or HP gamma CD rescues U18666A-induced cholesterol accumulation and inhibits PRV production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marian Novac, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Emma Adriana Ozon, Iulian Sarbu, Mirela Adriana Mitu, Adriana Rusu, Simona Petrescu, Irina Atkinson, Daniela Gheorghe, Dumitru Lupuliasa
Summary: The study focused on the development of new orally dispersible tablets containing amlodipine inclusion complexes in cyclodextrins to improve drug solubility. Solid inclusion complexes were obtained through different methods, with lyophilization proving to be the most effective. Formulations based on silicified microcrystalline cellulose showed good flowability and compressibility, making them ideal for manufacturing orally dispersible tablets.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Emma Adriana Ozon, Marian Novac, Daniela Gheorghe, Adina Magdalena Musuc, Mirela Adriana Mitu, Iulian Sarbu, Valentina Anuta, Adriana Rusu, Simona Petrescu, Irina Atkinson, Dumitru Lupuliasa
Summary: The novelty of this study lies in the development of new orodispersible tablets containing nifedipine as the active ingredient. The study successfully prepared inclusion complexes of nifedipine with two derivatives of beta-cyclodextrin and analyzed their physicochemical properties. Orodispersible tablets containing the inclusion complexes were also successfully manufactured.
Article
Virology
Chao Ye, Chao Wan, Jing Chen, Gang Li, Yixuan Li, Yue Wang, Qi Tao, Lianci Peng, Rendong Fang
Summary: Pseudorabies virus (PRV), a significant pathogen in the pig industry, remains a challenge due to its persistent infection in vaccinated pigs. In this study, we found that a synthetic chicken cathelicidin B1 (CATH-B1) could effectively inhibit PRV infection both in vitro and in vivo. CATH-B1 not only disrupted the virion structure of PRV to directly inactivate the virus, but also enhanced the host antiviral immunity by inducing interferon-β (IFN-β) production. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), endosome acidification, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling were identified as the important pathways in CATH-B1-induced IFN-β production. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of antimicrobial peptide drugs against PRV infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Wenxiang Xiao, Zhenzhen Yang, Jing Liu, ZhenCheng Chen, Hua Li
Summary: In this study, mercapto-beta-cyclodextrin capped gold nanoclusters were used as fluorescent probes for the determination of cholesterol. The probe showed a linear response to cholesterol with a satisfactory detection limit. The method successfully detected cholesterol in real serum samples without interference from common coexisting components.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yan Zhang, Fanglin Gong, Yue Wu, Siyuan Hou, Lingjing Xue, Zhigui Su, Can Zhang
Summary: The study utilized poly-beta-cyclodextrin and dextran sulfate grafted with benzimidazole to self-assemble into a supramolecular nanoassembly to address cholesterol crystals in lysosomes. The nanoassembly can release cholesterol crystals in lysosomes, promoting cholesterol efflux and aiding in the regression of atherosclerosis.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Sean Lendvay, James Chen, Brian H. Harcourt, Florine E. M. Scholte, Ying Ling Lin, F. Selcen Kilinc-Balci, Molly M. Lamb, Kamonthip Homdayjanakul, Yi Cui, Amy Price, Belinda Heyne, Jaya Sahni, Kareem B. Kabra, Yi-Chan Lin, David Evans, Christopher N. Mores, Ken Page, Larry F. Chu, Eric Haubruge, Etienne Thiry, Louisa F. Ludwig-Begall, Constance Wielick, Tanner Clark, Thor Wagner, Emily Timm, Thomas Gallagher, Peter Faris, Nicolas Macia, Cyrus J. Mackie, Sarah M. Simmons, Susan Reader, Rebecca Malott, Karen Hope, Jan M. Davies, Sarah R. Tritsch, Lorene Dams, Hans Nauwynck, Jean-Francois Willaert, Simon De Jaeger, Lei Liao, Mervin Zhao, Jan Laperre, Olivier Jolois, Sarah J. Smit, Alpa N. Patel, Mark Mayo, Rod Parker, Vanessa Molloy-Simard, Jean-Luc Lemyre, Steven Chu, John M. Conly, May C. Chu
Summary: The study found that methylene blue (MB) photochemical treatment is effective in decontaminating PPE contaminated with coronaviruses, while maintaining the integrity of the PPE after 5 cycles of treatment. This method is not only effective and low-cost, but also does not require specialized equipment, making it suitable for various resource settings.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Eline Van Crombrugge, Emma Vanbeylen, Jolien Van Cleemput, Wim Van den Broeck, Kathlyn Laval, Hans Nauwynck
Summary: This study reveals that bacterial exotoxins derived from Staphylococcus aureus and Bordetella bronchiseptica can increase the susceptibility of horses to EHV-1 infection by disrupting the epithelial barrier function. The toxins cause morphological changes in the respiratory mucosa, leading to increased EHV-1 replication in the epithelium.
Article
Immunology
Nathalie Vanderheijden, Annelies Stevaert, Jiexiong Xie, Xiaolei Ren, Cyril Barbezange, Sam Noppen, Isabelle Desombere, Bruno Verhasselt, Peter Geldhof, Nick Vereecke, Veerle Stroobants, Dayoung Oh, Merijn Vanhee, Lieve M. J. Naesens, Hans J. Nauwynck
Summary: Broadly protective therapeutic antibodies are urgently needed to combat SARS-CoV-2 variants. Researchers have found that antibodies formed during coronavirus infection can target multiple coronaviruses. These antibodies can bind to both alpha- and betacoronaviruses, but their neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 is weak. However, they may still play a role in influencing the severity of coronavirus infection and disease through Fc-mediated effector functions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Konstantinos Papageorgiou, Ioannis Grivas, Maria Chiotelli, Alexandros Theodoridis, Emmanuel Panteris, Dimitris Papadopoulos, Evanthia Petridou, Nikolaos Papaioannou, Hans Nauwynck, Spyridon K. Kritas
Summary: The age-dependent neuroinvasion of pseudorabies virus in pigs seems to be correlated with morphological changes of neurons.
Article
Virology
Jonas L. Delva, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Wim Van den Broeck, Jochen A. Lamote, Nick Vereecke, Sebastiaan Theuns, Liesbeth Couck, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The PRV vaccine strain Bartha plays a critical role in eradicating the disease in many countries, but its interaction with host cells and the immune system remains poorly understood. Bartha-infected epithelial cells produce increased amounts of infectious virus, leading to pDC hyperactivation. This phenotype is caused by the deletion of genes encoding US2 and gE/gI.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Valerie Redant, Herman W. Favoreel, Kai Dallmeier, Willem Van Campe, Nick De Regge
Summary: Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) causes a severe neurotropic disease in humans but only mild symptoms in pigs. JEV shows a specific affinity for the tonsils in pigs, acting as a reservoir for the virus. Although there is a limited antiviral response upon virus entry in the tonsils, it is not enough to stop JEV replication. Furthermore, JEV persistence in tonsils is associated with a decrease in the frequency of CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive T cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Virology
Nicolas Romero, Shelly M. Wuerzberger-Davis, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Robert J. Jansens, Alexander Tishchenko, Ruth Verhamme, Shigeki Miyamoto, Herman W. Favoreel
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Nicolas Romero, Shelly M. Wuerzberger-Davis, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Robert J. Jansens, Alexander Tishchenko, Ruth Verhamme, Shigeki Miyamoto, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The pseudorabies virus (PRV) inhibits host gene transcription and redirects cellular protein production towards viral proteins by recruiting essential host transcription factors in viral replication centers. This mechanism of PRV interferes with the production of host proteins involved in antiviral responses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Robert J. J. Jansens, Ruth Verhamme, Aashiq H. Mirza, Anthony Olarerin-George, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Samie R. Jaffrey, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: Chemical modifications of mRNA, such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), play a role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This study found that alphaherpesvirus kinases can trigger phosphorylation of components of the m6A methyltransferase complex, leading to its inhibition and a decrease in m6A levels in virus-infected cells. The viral US3 protein is responsible for this phosphorylation and inhibition, and while inactivation of the m6A methyltransferase complex is not necessary for virus replication, the m6A methylation motif is underrepresented in alphaherpesvirus genomes.
Article
Microbiology
Xiaolei Ren, Waqar Saleem, Robin Haes, Jiexiong Xie, Sebastiaan Theuns, Hans J. Nauwynck
Summary: This study found that VP8* protein of porcine rotavirus specifically binds to glycans with a β-lactose structure, and lactose can significantly reduce the infectivity of specific viral strains, thus playing a protective role in preventing infection in piglets.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Jonas L. Delva, Simon Daled, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Ruben Almey, Robert J. J. Jansens, Dieter Deforce, Maarten Dhaenens, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: The attenuated strain Bartha of pseudorabies virus (PRV) created by serial passaging is a remarkable success in alphaherpesvirus vaccination. In this study, mass spectrometry was used to compare the Bartha virion composition with three established wild-type PRV strains. The results showed differences in protein packaging, size, and morphology between Bartha and wild-type PRV. The reduced incorporation of certain tegument proteins in Bartha virions may contribute to its immunogenicity.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alexander Tishchenko, Cliff Van Waesberghe, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: Protein phosphorylation is crucial for understanding intracellular dynamics, and the proposed on-slide dephosphorylation assay coupled with immunofluorescence staining provides a fast and simple approach to validate phosphorylated proteins in their native subcellular context without the need for additional sample preparation steps, reducing analysis time and effort while minimizing the risk of protein loss or alteration.
METHODS AND PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Niels Vander Elst, Joni Bert, Herman Favoreel, Rob Lavigne, Evelyne Meyer, Yves Briers
Summary: Engineered endolysins have shown potential as add-on treatments for bovine streptococcal mastitis, with high bacteriolytic activity against antibiotic-resistant strains and the ability to eradicate biofilms and exhibit intracellular activity.
MICROBIAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert J. J. Jansens, Anthony Olarerin-George, Ruth Verhamme, Aashiq Mirza, Samie Jaffrey, Herman W. Favoreel
Summary: This study found that host transcripts containing the N6-methyladenosine nucleotide (m6A) are selectively downregulated during infection with certain viruses. The downregulation of m6A-methylated transcripts in PRV and HSV-1 infections depends on the YTHDF family of m6A-binding proteins, which localize to enlarged P-bodies. Knockdown of YTHDF proteins in primary cells reduces PRV protein expression and increases expression of antiviral interferon-stimulated genes, suggesting that virus-induced depletion of host m6A-containing transcripts constitutes an immune evasion strategy.
Article
Virology
Nick Vereecke, Lise Kirstine Kvisgaard, Guy Baele, Carine Boone, Marius Kunze, Lars Erik Larsen, Sebastiaan Theuns, Hans Nauwynck
Summary: Porcine Parvovirus Type 1 (PPV1) is a virus that causes significant losses in the swine industry worldwide. This study found that PPV1 has been evolving since 1855 and identified four different phylogenetic groups. Most European strains belong to the PPV1a or PPV1b group, while Asian and American strains are divided into virulent and attenuated groups. Vaccination, biosafety measures, and swine population management impact the spread of PPV1. Evaluation of different vaccines showed that ReproCyc (c) ParvoFLEX had the highest immunogenicity. These findings contribute to the understanding of vaccine efficacy and support the development of new vaccines.
Article
Virology
Mohamed S. H. Hassan, Ahmed Ali, Motamed Elsayed Mahmoud, Danah Altakrouni, Shahnas M. Najimudeen, Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of different vaccination programs against Canadian DMV/1639 IBV and found that the autogenous inactivated DMV/1639 vaccine was more effective in reducing viral loads and boosting virus neutralization titers. Both vaccination programs provided significant protection against pathological effects.
Article
Virology
Wanda Christ, Jonas Klingstrom, Janne Tynell
Summary: The integrated stress response (ISR) is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, triggering translational arrest and inhibiting stress granule formation. However, the stress-responsive transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP are not induced. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants show variant-specific differences in ISR activation, suggesting potential impacts on pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
Article
Virology
Xiao Han, Hankun Xu, Yifan Weng, Rong Chen, Jidong Xu, Tong Cao, Renjie Sun, Ying Shan, Fang He, Weihuan Fang, Xiaoliang Li
Summary: Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) can inhibit the host innate immunity by decreasing the level of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and CSFV Npro can evade host antiviral immune response through upregulating HMGB1 acetylation.
Article
Virology
Sunjian Lyu, Fulei Xiong, Tianpeng Qi, Weifeng Shen, Qi Guo, Mingming Han, Li Liu, Weishao Bu, Julin Yuan, Bao Lou
Summary: This study identified and characterized a novel temperate A. hydrophila phage, P05B, which has strong lytic ability and stability across different temperatures and pH values.
Article
Virology
Siyuan Liu, Wei Chen, Raphael Nyaruaba, Shunlong Wang, Cihan Yang, Qun Wu, Ying Liu, Puyu Liu, Fei Wang, Jingling Wang, Zhiming Yuan, Dingwei Sun, Han Xia
Summary: Specific, sensitive, and reliable RT-qPCR assays for the detection of OYAV and EBIV have been successfully developed in this study. These assays hold great promise for their potential application in clinical and field samples in the future.
Article
Virology
Rui Wang, Qiang Sun, Jinbo Xiao, Congcong Wang, Xiaoliang Li, Jichen Li, Yang Song, Huanhuan Lu, Ying Liu, Shuangli Zhu, Zhijun Liu, Yong Zhang
Summary: Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has emerged as an important agent causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Mutations in residue 64 of the virus have been found to increase resistance to ribavirin and decrease sensitivity to guanidine hydrochloride. This mutation also leads to increased replication fidelity and reduced pathogenicity. These findings provide a foundation for the development of a safe and effective live attenuated CVA6 vaccine.
Article
Virology
Yao Xiong, Keran Ma, Xiao Zou, Yantao Liang, Kaiyang Zheng, Tiancong Wang, Hong Zhang, Yue Dong, Ziyue Wang, Yundan Liu, Hongbing Shao, Andrew Mcminn, Min Wang
Summary: This study isolated a novel virus, vB_VviC_ZQ26, infecting Vibrio cyclitrophicus from coastal waters near Qingdao, China. It was found that vB_VviC_ZQ26 belongs to a new vibriophage-specific family, Coheviridae, and is mainly found in temperate and tropical epipelagic zones.
Article
Virology
Xing Li, Zhiping Ye, Ewan P. Plant
Summary: By analyzing clinical and cultured samples using the same bioinformatic pipeline, it was found that 5' copyback DVGs are prevalent in human clinical samples but not in cultured samples. Furthermore, there are differences in DVG production and composition between in vivo and in vitro infections.
Article
Virology
Shreya Banerjee, Rakesh Sarkar, Arpita Mukherjee, Suvrotoa Mitra, Animesh Gope, Mamta Chawla-Sarkar
Summary: Rotavirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and continues to be a severe issue in underdeveloped nations. Recent research has shown that a long non-coding RNA called SLC7A11-AS1 is upregulated during rotavirus infection and plays a role in facilitating the virus's propagation by regulating intracellular glutathione and lipid peroxidation.
Article
Virology
Eiichi Hondo, Tetsufumi Katta, Ayato Sato, Naoya Kadofusa, Tomoki Ishibashi, Hiroshi Shimoda, Hirokazu Katoh, Atsuo Iida
Summary: Bat-borne emerging viruses, such as the Ebola virus and Nipah virus, pose a significant threat to public health. In this study, we identified micafungin as a potential antiviral drug against Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) and found that it inhibits viral release in human cells through activating the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway. This research provides valuable insights into the development of effective treatments for future virus pandemics.
Article
Virology
M. Joubert, N. van den Berg, J. Theron, V. Swart
Summary: This study investigated the host gene expression in asymptomatic avocado nursery trees infected with Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) using RNA sequencing. The results showed that 631 genes were differentially expressed during infection, with 63% upregulated. ASBVd infection significantly affected plant defence responses, phytohormone networks, gene expression pathways, secondary metabolism, cellular transport, as well as protein modification and degradation. This study provides insights into the molecular interactions underlying avsunviroid-host interactions.
Article
Virology
Wanling Zhang, Haiyan Yang, Zhengyun Liu, Shengyu Wang, Tianyang Chen, Hong Song, Yunbin Xu, Fajin Li, Guo Luo, Huan Wang
Summary: EV71 infection leads to changes in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in human neuroblastoma cells, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction that may contribute to nervous system dysfunction.
Article
Virology
Mikhail Oliveira Leastro, Elliot Watanabe Kitajima, Vicente Pallas, Jesus Angel Sanchez- Navarro
Summary: This study reports the construction and validation of an infectious cDNA clone of Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) based on an agroinfection system. Agro-injected Nicotiana benthamiana plants showed localized lesions similar to the natural infection process. The virus recovered from the infected plant tissue could be mechanically transmitted between plants. The CiLV-C reverse genetic system provides a powerful molecular tool for unraveling the peculiarities of the citrus leprosis pathosystem.
Article
Virology
Manel Essaidi-Laziosi, Francisco J. Perez-Rodriguez, Catia Alvarez, Pascale Sattonnet-Roche, Giulia Torriani, Meriem Bekliz, Kenneth Adea, Matthias Lenk, Tasnim Suliman, Wolfgang Preiser, Marcel A. Mueller, Christian Drosten, Laurent Kaiser, Isabella Eckerle
Summary: This study found that the Omicron variant has different replication characteristics compared to other variants of concern, being able to efficiently produce infectious virus in nasal cells but not lung cells. In addition, the Delta and Omicron variants showed increased infection efficiency in A549 cells. These findings suggest that the variants of concern have better adaptation to humans but do not have an extended host range.
Article
Virology
Martin Faye, Modeste Name Faye, Babacar Ndiaye, Moussa Moise Diagne, Safietou Sankhe, Ndeye Marieme Top, Amadou Diallo, Cheikh Loucoubar, Ndongo Dia, Amadou Alpha Sall, Ousmane Faye
Summary: Genomic surveillance in Senegal since March 2020 has detected the emergence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages in June 2022. Next-generation sequencing and phylogeny analysis of isolates from a cluster of cases in Northern Senegal in July 2022 revealed that the BA.4 cases originated from a XAS recombinant, marking the first reported sequence of this variant from Senegal. Continuous genomic surveillance of positive SARS-CoV-2 samples is crucial.
