Bird Flu (H5N1 Avian Influenza) Vaccine Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Evaluation of bird-adapted self-amplifying mRNA vaccine formulations in chickens
In this study, we engineered two Tembusu virus (TMUV; family Flaviviridae) replicons encoding varying capsid gene lengths and compared these to the benchmark VEEV replicon in vitro. The TMUV replicon system exhibited a robust and prolonged transgene expression compared to the VEEV replicon system in both avian and mammalian cells. Moreover, the TMUV replicon induced a lesser cytopathic effect compared to the VEEV replicon RNA in vitro. DNA-launched versions of the TMUV and VEEV replicons (DREP) were also developed. The replicons successfully expressed the AIV haemagglutinin (HA) glycoproteins and the IBDV capsid protein (p...
Source: Vaccine - March 23, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Jerome D G Comes Kristel Doets Thijmen Zegers Merel Kessler Irene Slits Natalia A Ballesteros Noortje M P van de Weem Henk Pouwels Monique M van Oers Marielle C W van Hulten Martijn Langereis Gorben P Pijlman Source Type: research

A computational approach to design a multiepitope vaccine against H5N1 virus
Since 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, such as H5N1, have been recognized as a possible pandemic hazard to men and the poultry business. The rapid rate of mutation of H5N1 viruses makes the who... (Source: Virology Journal)
Source: Virology Journal - March 20, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Fatemeh Dashti, Arash Raisi, Ghazaleh Pourali, Zahra Sadat Razavi, Fatemeh Ravaei, Javid Sadri Nahand, Fatemeh Kourkinejad-Gharaei, Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi, Javad Zamani, Hossein Tarrahimofrad, Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemian and Hamed Mirzaei Tags: Research Source Type: research

Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 458: Insights from Avian Influenza: A Review of Its Multifaceted Nature and Future Pandemic Preparedness
Kam Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have posed a significant pandemic threat since their discovery. This review mainly focuses on the epidemiology, virology, pathogenesis, and treatments of avian influenza viruses. We delve into the global spread, past pandemics, clinical symptoms, severity, and immune response related to AIVs. The review also discusses various control measures, including antiviral drugs, vaccines, and potential future directions in influenza treatment and prevention. Lastly, by summarizing the insights from previous pandemic control, this review aims to direct effective strategies for managing future i...
Source: Viruses - March 17, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Jianning He Yiu-Wing Kam Tags: Review Source Type: research

News at a glance: Moon landing, scientific bounty hunters, and postdocs facing hunger
PLANETARY SCIENCE Early end for private Moon lander The first private spacecraft to land on the Moon was shut down this week because of dwindling power, ahead of schedule. On 22 February, Intuitive Machines’s Odysseus lander, built with $118 million from NASA, became the first U.S. spacecraft (pictured during descent) since 1972 to touch down there, near the lunar south pole. Measuring 4.3 meters tall, Odysseus tipped on its side, which reduced the light reaching its solar panels and blocked several antennas. Although the tilt limited operation of its scientific instruments, all of its payloads wer...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - February 29, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research

International panel calls for tighter oversight of risky pathogen studies
Research on dangerous human pathogens is essential to protect people from epidemics and pandemics, but safety rules for such work need to be tighter and more consistent around the world, according to a report released today by a broad international task force launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. “All countries must look carefully at pathogen security, and we hope our report provides a universal framework,” said co-chair Ravindra Gupta, a virologist at the University of Cambridge. The report drew praise from scientists who acknowledge the risks of some types of virological experiments but worry...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - February 28, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research

CircMYO1B/miR-155 pathway is a common mechanism of stress-induced immunosuppression affecting immune response to three vaccines in chicken
This study used glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) to simulate SIIS, and three classic avian vaccines (including avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)) were used to induce immune responses in chicken. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed the expression characteristics and functions of circMYO1B and miR-155 in the processes of SIIS affecting the immune response to the aforementioned avian vaccines, as well as their targeted regulatory relationship. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis predicted FOS, one of the potential target genes of miR-155. The resu...
Source: International Immunopharmacology - February 20, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Yufei Tian Jie Wen Wei Zhang Rui Zhang Xinxin Xu Yi Jiang Xiangnan Wang Chaolai Man Source Type: research

Protection conferred by an H5 DNA vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza in chickens: The effect of vaccination schedules
This study of H5 DNA vaccine efficacy confirmed the important role that this type of so-called third-generation vaccine could play in the fight against H5 HPAI viruses.PMID:38350766 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.058 (Source: Vaccine)
Source: Vaccine - February 13, 2024 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Julie Valentin Fiona Ingrao Fabienne Rauw B énédicte Lambrecht Source Type: research

Tackling Influenza A virus by M2 ion channel blockers: Latest progress and limitations
Eur J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 3;267:116172. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116172. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTInfluenza outbreaks cause pandemics in millions of people. The treatment of influenza remains a challenge due to significant genetic polymorphism in the influenza virus. Also, developing vaccines to protect against seasonal and pandemic influenza infections is constantly impeded. Thus, antibiotics are the only first line of defense against antigenically distinct strains or new subtypes of influenza viruses. Among several anti-influenza targets, the M2 protein of the influenza virus performs several activities. M2 protein...
Source: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry - February 8, 2024 Category: Chemistry Authors: Gautam Kumar Kakade Aditi Sakharam Source Type: research

Descriptive analysis to assess seasonal patterns of COVID-19 and influenza in low-income and middle-income countries in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America
Conclusions These results can inform public health strategies. The lack of observed seasonal behaviour highlights the importance of maintaining year-round vaccination rather than implementing seasonal campaigns. Further research investigating the influence of climate conditions, social behaviour and year-round preventive measures could be fundamental for shaping appropriate policies related to COVID-19 and respiratory viral disease control in low-income and middle-income countries as COVID-19 variant data and epidemiologic patterns accrue over time. (Source: BMJ Open)
Source: BMJ Open - January 31, 2024 Category: General Medicine Authors: Kyaw, M. H., Spinardi, J. R., Jagun, O., Franco Villalobos, C., Kapetanakis, V., Sharf-Williams, R., Yarnoff, B. Tags: Open access, Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Source Type: research

Comparative analysis and prediction of avian influenza in Shangrao city, China from 2016 to 2022
Virology. 2024 Jan 24;592:109995. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.109995. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vaccination, COVID-19 pandemic and migration of migratory birds on the avian influenza positivity rate in Shangrao City and to predict the future avian influenza positivity rate. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect nucleic acids of avian influenza A viruses. 1795 samples were collected between 2016 and 2022, of which 1086 were positive. In addition, there were seven human cases of avian influenza. The results showed that t...
Source: Virology - January 30, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Kang Fang Wentao Song Yanyan Zhang Yiyang Zheng Chen You Jianhai Hu Li Liu Lei Feng Zeyu Zhao Yunkang Zhao Jiayi Wang Xiaolan Wang Lin Zhu Tianmu Chen Source Type: research

Viruses, Vol. 16, Pages 163: The Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell-Based H9 HA Subunit Avian Influenza Vaccine Provides Complete Protection against the H9N2 Virus Challenge in Chickens
Conclusions: These results indicate that the CHO expression system could be a platform used to develop the subunit vaccine against H9 influenza viruses in chickens. (Source: Viruses)
Source: Viruses - January 22, 2024 Category: Virology Authors: Shunfan Zhu Zhenyu Nie Ying Che Jianhong Shu Sufang Wu Yulong He Youqiang Wu Hong Qian Huapeng Feng Qiang Zhang Tags: Article Source Type: research

Comparison of geological clusters between influenza and COVID-19 in Thailand with unsupervised clustering analysis
In this study, unsupervised clustering techniques were used to identify clusters of disease trends in Thailand. The analysis inc orporated three distinct surveillance datasets: the pandemic influenza outbreak, influenza in the endemic stage, and the early stages of COVID-19. The analysis demonstrated a significant difference in the distribution of provinces between Cluster -1, representing those with unique transmission patte rns, and the other clusters, indicating provinces with similar transmission patterns among their members. Specifically, for Pandemic Influenza, the ratio was 61:16, while for Pandemic COVID-19, it was...
Source: PLoS One - January 22, 2024 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Thanin Methiyothin Source Type: research

Wisconsin bill to restrict pathogen studies worries scientists
A hearing this week in Wisconsin on a proposal to bar research that may make human pathogens more dangerous has scientists worried that such state bans would hamper a broad range of microbiology studies. Bills like Wisconsin’s could also conflict with or exceed new federal restrictions on so-called gain-of-function (GOF) research, due out any moment. The Wisconsin bill is still early in the legislative process, and its prospects are uncertain. But the hearing gave a platform to a small, vocal group of scientists who want to forbid certain GOF studies. Several hold the controversial view that such research is to bla...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - January 12, 2024 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research

Importance of National Influenza Centers in the surveillance of highly pathogenic avian viruses. The time for One-Health is now
Rev Esp Quimioter. 2024 Jan 11:sanz11jan2024. doi: 10.37201/req/137.2023. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSince 1996, the highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype A(H5N1) has been causing almost uninterrupted outbreaks in wild and domestic birds, as well as cases in humans with a mortality rate close to 50%. However, the years of greatest circulation have been precisely the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, in which several cases have been recorded in humans in places where they had never appeared before, in addition to multiple cases in wild, domestic and peri-domestic mammals, which raise some concern about the risk ...
Source: Revista Espanola de Quimioterapia - January 11, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: I Sanz-Mu ñoz J M Eiros M Hern ández Source Type: research

Immunogenicity and safety of varying dosages of a fifth-wave influenza A/H7N9 inactivated vaccine given with and without AS03 adjuvant in healthy adults
CONCLUSIONS: AS03 adjuvant improved the immune responses to an inactivated fifth-wave H7N9 influenza vaccine, particularly in younger adults, but invoked lower responses to drifted H7N9 strains. These findings may inform future influenza pandemic preparedness strategies.PMID:38105137 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.001 (Source: Vaccine)
Source: Vaccine - December 17, 2023 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Lisa A Jackson Jack T Stapleton Emmanuel B Walter Wilbur H Chen Nadine G Rouphael Evan J Anderson Kathleen M Neuzil Patricia L Winokur Michael J Smith Kenneth E Schmader Geeta K Swamy Amelia B Thompson Mark J Mulligan Christina A Rostad Kaitlyn Cross Rach Source Type: research