Dengue is a climate-sensitive infectious disease and the world's fastest-growing vector-borne disease. It disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with children most severely affected. Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV) and Qdenga (TAK-003) are the only two licensed dengue vaccines currently available, while Butantan-DV (TV003) is an advanced candidate with promising Phase 3 clinical trial results. Despite the commercial availability of dengue vaccines, coverage remains low in areas with the greatest need. This is driven by technical, social, and geopolitical challenges, as well as growing vaccine hesitancy. There is also an added layer of clinical complexity associated with vaccination against dengue due to the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) phenomenon, which can lead to vaccine-enhanced disease. Here, we review the current global landscape of dengue vaccine licensure and coverage, focusing on countries with the highest disease burden. We show that in many countries with a high dengue incidence, dengue vaccines have yet to be licensed, particularly in parts of Africa and South Asia. Even in regions where licensure is more widespread, such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, dengue vaccines are not well integrated into national immunisation programmes and can only be obtained through out-of-pocket payment. We therefore identify several state and market-driven systemic factors, as well as declining vaccine confidence, as barriers to scaling up dengue vaccine access in LMICs. These barriers must be addressed through creative solutions to ensure the equitable distribution of dengue vaccines to the populations and countries that need them the most.
{"title":"Barriers to dengue vaccine coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)","authors":"Subashan Vadibeler , Hansini Mandal , Shiwei Ooi , Nadia Atiya","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110821","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110821","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dengue is a climate-sensitive infectious disease and the world's fastest-growing vector-borne disease. It disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with children most severely affected. Dengvaxia (CYD-TDV) and Qdenga (TAK-003) are the only two licensed dengue vaccines currently available, while Butantan-DV (TV003) is an advanced candidate with promising Phase 3 clinical trial results. Despite the commercial availability of dengue vaccines, coverage remains low in areas with the greatest need. This is driven by technical, social, and geopolitical challenges, as well as growing vaccine hesitancy. There is also an added layer of clinical complexity associated with vaccination against dengue due to the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) phenomenon, which can lead to vaccine-enhanced disease. Here, we review the current global landscape of dengue vaccine licensure and coverage, focusing on countries with the highest disease burden. We show that in many countries with a high dengue incidence, dengue vaccines have yet to be licensed, particularly in parts of Africa and South Asia. Even in regions where licensure is more widespread, such as Latin America and Southeast Asia, dengue vaccines are not well integrated into national immunisation programmes and can only be obtained through out-of-pocket payment. We therefore identify several state and market-driven systemic factors, as well as declining vaccine confidence, as barriers to scaling up dengue vaccine access in LMICs. These barriers must be addressed through creative solutions to ensure the equitable distribution of dengue vaccines to the populations and countries that need them the most.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110821"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110818
Tim Skern , Jane Oakey
White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infects crustaceans, causing severe losses in the global shrimp industry. Several properties, including the DNA genome sequence and the virion morphology, place WSSV as the single member of the Whispovirus genus of the Nimaviridae family. The DNA polymerase is one of the few gene products of the predicted 184 open reading frames to have been examined. Conserved sequence motifs found in many viral DNA polymerases are found in the WSSV DNA polymerase; nevertheless, the WSSV enzyme remains enigmatic, possessing over 1000 amino acids more than, for example, the DNA polymerase of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). To examine more closely the WSSV polymerase, we used AlphaFold to generate a structural model and compared it to the DNA polymerases of HSV-1, African swine fever virus and mpox virus. The exonuclease and polymerase domains of the WSSV enzyme were exactly defined based on the equivalence with the other viral enzymes; structurally, the WSSV enzyme appears most closely related to the HSV-1 enzyme. In contrast, the WSSV polymerase N-terminal domain showed an appreciably different architecture. However, the most unusual aspect of the WSSV polymerase is the C-terminal thumb domain which is modelled as two helical domains connected by a flexible acidic loop. This arrangement is quite unrelated to the thumb domains found in the other polymerases and is thus restricted to the WSSV enzyme. Given the uniqueness of such a vital cog of the replication machinery, it will be of interest to examine the structures of further WSSV proteins. (248 words).
{"title":"AlphaFold modeling of the white spot syndrome virus polymerase","authors":"Tim Skern , Jane Oakey","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110818","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110818","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infects crustaceans, causing severe losses in the global shrimp industry. Several properties, including the DNA genome sequence and the virion morphology, place WSSV as the single member of the <em>Whispovirus</em> genus of the <em>Nimaviridae</em> family<em>.</em> The DNA polymerase is one of the few gene products of the predicted 184 open reading frames to have been examined. Conserved sequence motifs found in many viral DNA polymerases are found in the WSSV DNA polymerase; nevertheless, the WSSV enzyme remains enigmatic, possessing over 1000 amino acids more than, for example, the DNA polymerase of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). To examine more closely the WSSV polymerase, we used AlphaFold to generate a structural model and compared it to the DNA polymerases of HSV-1, African swine fever virus and mpox virus. The exonuclease and polymerase domains of the WSSV enzyme were exactly defined based on the equivalence with the other viral enzymes; structurally, the WSSV enzyme appears most closely related to the HSV-1 enzyme. In contrast, the WSSV polymerase N-terminal domain showed an appreciably different architecture. However, the most unusual aspect of the WSSV polymerase is the C-terminal thumb domain which is modelled as two helical domains connected by a flexible acidic loop. This arrangement is quite unrelated to the thumb domains found in the other polymerases and is thus restricted to the WSSV enzyme. Given the uniqueness of such a vital cog of the replication machinery, it will be of interest to examine the structures of further WSSV proteins. (248 words).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110818"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arthropod-borne flaviviruses produce subgenomic RNAs (sfRNAs) from the highly conserved 3′-untranslated region (UTR). While most flaviviruses generate sfRNAs by resisting degradation from the host exoribonuclease XRN1, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) maintains sfRNA production even when XRN1 is depleted, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Using an in vitro RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) assay, we identified a promoter-like element on the antigenome, designated (−)sfP, which exhibits transcriptional activity comparable to the well-characterized 5′ stem-loop A (5′-SLA) promoter of the viral genome. In contrast, the complementary strand of 5′-SLA, termed (−)SLA, located at the 3′-terminus of antigenome, displayed only weak promoter activity. Both (−)SLA and (−)sfP RNAs were found to interact with viral RdRp and a similar set of host proteins, suggesting potential roles in regulating RNA synthesis from the antigenomic template. Detection of minus-strand sfRNA by Northern blot supports the existence of replication intermediates generated through RdRp-mediated transcription rather than simple degradation products. Together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized promoter-like activity on the JEV antigenome that may contribute to sfRNA formation and genome replication.
{"title":"Promoter-like activity on the minus strand supports sfRNA biogenesis in Japanese encephalitis virus","authors":"Yi-Shiuan Chen, Yi-Hsin Fan, Chih-Feng Tien, Shih-Jie Chou, Ruey-Yi Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110817","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110817","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Arthropod-borne flaviviruses produce subgenomic RNAs (sfRNAs) from the highly conserved 3′-untranslated region (UTR). While most flaviviruses generate sfRNAs by resisting degradation from the host exoribonuclease XRN1, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) maintains sfRNA production even when XRN1 is depleted, suggesting an alternative mechanism. Using an <em>in vitro</em> RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) assay, we identified a promoter-like element on the antigenome, designated (−)sfP, which exhibits transcriptional activity comparable to the well-characterized 5′ stem-loop A (5′-SLA) promoter of the viral genome. In contrast, the complementary strand of 5′-SLA, termed (−)SLA, located at the 3′-terminus of antigenome, displayed only weak promoter activity. Both (−)SLA and (−)sfP RNAs were found to interact with viral RdRp and a similar set of host proteins, suggesting potential roles in regulating RNA synthesis from the antigenomic template. Detection of minus-strand sfRNA by Northern blot supports the existence of replication intermediates generated through RdRp-mediated transcription rather than simple degradation products. Together, these findings reveal a previously unrecognized promoter-like activity on the JEV antigenome that may contribute to sfRNA formation and genome replication.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110817"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110813
Mariana J. Shayo , Davis Kuchaka , Melkiory Beti , Patrick Kimu , Boaz Wadugu , Emilie E.B. Jensen , Happiness Kumburu , Paul Kazyoba , Mohamed Ali , SeqTZ Consortium , Philip T.L.C. Clausen , Florida Muro , Blandina T. Mmbaga , Michael Alifrangis , Frank M. Aarestrup , Tolbert Sonda
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are important pathogens that are associated with a wide array of clinical diseases, particularly in the pediatric population. Despite numerous reports of HAdV infections in Tanzania, there are currently no whole genome sequences from this region available in global public databases. This gap presents challenges to our efforts to understand their dissemination and evolution over time. This study employed nanopore-based metagenomic sequencing to detect and sequence the whole genomes of HAdV strains in Tanzanian infants with diarrhea. We present the first whole genome of HAdV-A18 from Africa, representing only the third worldwide. Additionally, it includes the first complete genomes of HAdV-F40, HAdV-F41, and HAdV-B3 obtained from Tanzania. In addition, this study provides information on the enteric adenovirus lineages circulating in Tanzania. These findings provide crucial genomic insights into the diversity of viruses in sub-Saharan Africa and underscore the importance of genomic surveillance to deepen our understanding of adenovirus transmission and evolution.
{"title":"Genomic diversity of human adenoviruses in Tanzanian children under five: Insights into F40, F41, B, and rare A18 genotypes","authors":"Mariana J. Shayo , Davis Kuchaka , Melkiory Beti , Patrick Kimu , Boaz Wadugu , Emilie E.B. Jensen , Happiness Kumburu , Paul Kazyoba , Mohamed Ali , SeqTZ Consortium , Philip T.L.C. Clausen , Florida Muro , Blandina T. Mmbaga , Michael Alifrangis , Frank M. Aarestrup , Tolbert Sonda","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110813","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110813","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are important pathogens that are associated with a wide array of clinical diseases, particularly in the pediatric population. Despite numerous reports of HAdV infections in Tanzania, there are currently no whole genome sequences from this region available in global public databases. This gap presents challenges to our efforts to understand their dissemination and evolution over time. This study employed nanopore-based metagenomic sequencing to detect and sequence the whole genomes of HAdV strains in Tanzanian infants with diarrhea. We present the first whole genome of HAdV-A18 from Africa, representing only the third worldwide. Additionally, it includes the first complete genomes of HAdV-F40, HAdV-F41, and HAdV-B3 obtained from Tanzania. In addition, this study provides information on the enteric adenovirus lineages circulating in Tanzania. These findings provide crucial genomic insights into the diversity of viruses in sub-Saharan Africa and underscore the importance of genomic surveillance to deepen our understanding of adenovirus transmission and evolution.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110813"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110812
Ashenafi Kiros Wubshet , Yaozhong Ding , Luoyi Zhou , Yang Wang , Junfei Dai , Qian Li , Guoxiu Li , Nahom Solomon , Jijun He , Xiangping Yin , Chimedtseren Bayasgalan , Uyangaa Temuujin , Lijun Guo , Yujie Sun , Abrha Bsrat , Wenxiu Wang , Na Tang , Alexei D. Zaberezhny , Livio Heath , Yuefeng Sun , Jie Zhang
Background
Recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) indicate that the Southern African Territories 2 (SAT2) serotype has rapidly spread to the Middle East, West Asia, and regions bordering Russian. The spread of this strain poses a considerable global threat to the livestock industry, particularly in countries previously free of this serotype. Although less studied, co-infection with FMDV and bovine parvovirus (BPV) can also result in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Therefore, developing a safe and cost-effective dual-target vaccine platform is critical to addressing these challenges. Our previous findings demonstrated that BPV VP2 virus-like particles (VLPs) are highly physicochemically stable. In the present study, we developed a potential chimeric virus-like particle (cVLP) vaccine candidate designed to provide protection against both SAT2 FMDV and BPV infections. This dual-target vaccine is novel, as no such vaccine currently exists.
Method
In this study, neutralizing B-cell (135–174 aa) and T-cell epitopes (200–213 aa, 66–80 aa, and 21–40 aa) from SAT2 FMDV VP1 (viral protein 1; PAT/1/2012, GenBank: JX014256) were identified and inserted into selected sites (395–396 aa, 391–392 aa, 274–275 aa, and 271–272 aa) of BPV VP2 (viral protein 2; GenBank: ABC69731) sequences, which were expressed using the baculovirus expression system. We generated a panel of B-derived cVLP candidates: the T-cell epitope-deficient variant (BT0), and variants carrying one, two, or three T-cell epitopes (BT1, BT2, BT3), respectively. Immunogenicity assessments in BALB/c mice demonstrated robust humoral and cellular immune responses, evaluated via ELISA, Elispot, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and a VSV-SAT2-VP1 pseudovirus neutralization assay.
Results
Our results indicate that displaying more SAT2 FMDV VP1 T-cell epitopes on the surface of BPV-cVLPs enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses. BT3-cVLPs exhibited strong neutralizing potential in pseudo-type neutralization assays, highlighting their promising efficacy in preventing FMDV and BPV co-infections. This innovative bivalent vaccine platform may be suitable for endemic regions and as a strategic reserve for SAT2 FMDVfree countries.
{"title":"Development of baculovirus-derived bovine parvovirus VP2based chimeric virus-like particles co-displaying SAT2 FMDV VP1 B- and T-cell epitopes and evaluation of humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice","authors":"Ashenafi Kiros Wubshet , Yaozhong Ding , Luoyi Zhou , Yang Wang , Junfei Dai , Qian Li , Guoxiu Li , Nahom Solomon , Jijun He , Xiangping Yin , Chimedtseren Bayasgalan , Uyangaa Temuujin , Lijun Guo , Yujie Sun , Abrha Bsrat , Wenxiu Wang , Na Tang , Alexei D. Zaberezhny , Livio Heath , Yuefeng Sun , Jie Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110812","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110812","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) indicate that the Southern African Territories 2 (SAT2) serotype has rapidly spread to the Middle East, West Asia, and regions bordering Russian. The spread of this strain poses a considerable global threat to the livestock industry, particularly in countries previously free of this serotype. Although less studied, co-infection with FMDV and bovine parvovirus (BPV) can also result in substantial economic losses in the cattle industry. Therefore, developing a safe and cost-effective dual-target vaccine platform is critical to addressing these challenges. Our previous findings demonstrated that BPV VP2 virus-like particles (VLPs) are highly physicochemically stable. In the present study, we developed a potential chimeric virus-like particle (cVLP) vaccine candidate designed to provide protection against both SAT2 FMDV and BPV infections. This dual-target vaccine is novel, as no such vaccine currently exists.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>In this study, neutralizing B-cell (135–174 aa) and T-cell epitopes (200–213 aa, 66–80 aa, and 21–40 aa) from SAT2 FMDV VP1 (viral protein 1; PAT/1/2012, GenBank: <span><span>JX014256</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) were identified and inserted into selected sites (395–396 aa, 391–392 aa, 274–275 aa, and 271–272 aa) of BPV VP2 (viral protein 2; GenBank: <span><span>ABC69731</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>) sequences, which were expressed using the baculovirus expression system. We generated a panel of B-derived cVLP candidates: the T-cell epitope-deficient variant (BT0), and variants carrying one, two, or three T-cell epitopes (BT1, BT2, BT3), respectively. Immunogenicity assessments in BALB/c mice demonstrated robust humoral and cellular immune responses, evaluated via ELISA, Elispot, intracellular cytokine staining (ICS), and a VSV-SAT2-VP1 pseudovirus neutralization assay.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our results indicate that displaying more SAT2 FMDV VP1 T-cell epitopes on the surface of BPV-cVLPs enhances both humoral and cellular immune responses. BT3-cVLPs exhibited strong neutralizing potential in pseudo-type neutralization assays, highlighting their promising efficacy in preventing FMDV and BPV co-infections. This innovative bivalent vaccine platform may be suitable for endemic regions and as a strategic reserve for SAT2 FMDVfree countries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110812"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110814
Yue Chen , Shiyin Huang , Shuang Zhang , Haixuan Wang , Xiaofei Song , Likai Ji , Quan Shen , Shixing Yang , Yuwei Liu , Xiaochun Wang , Ping Wu , Hongfeng Yang , Tongling Shan , Xiaolong Wang , Wen Zhang
RNA viruses, a widely distributed group of pathogens in nature, possess exceptionally high genetic diversity and rapid evolutionary potential. High-altitude ecosystems, represented by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with their unique environmental conditions, may harbor distinct viral communities. However, there remains a lack of systematic understanding regarding the composition and distribution of RNA viruses in wildlife under such extreme environments. In this study, a total of 741 fecal samples were collected from three regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and viral metagenomics technology was used to reveal the composition and diversity of RNA viruses in the fecal samples of six species of herbivorous wild animals on the plateau. We identified a substantial abundance of RNA viruses, classified into 18 distinct viral families. Furthermore, the structure of the viral communities varied among different host species. Through assembly, 28 viral sequences belonging to the families Astroviridae, Picornaviridae, Picobirnaviridae, Tobaniviridae, and Caliciviridae were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly identified viral strains share close relationships with viruses found in humans, marmots, and other mammals. The results indicate that wildlife in this region are reservoirs of unidentified RNA viruses, some of which may pose potential threats to public health and the animal husbandry. These findings provide crucial scientific evidence and data support for future virus surveillance, ecological risk assessment, and the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases at their source.
{"title":"Viral metagenomics reveals the RNA viral composition of herbivorous wildlife on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau","authors":"Yue Chen , Shiyin Huang , Shuang Zhang , Haixuan Wang , Xiaofei Song , Likai Ji , Quan Shen , Shixing Yang , Yuwei Liu , Xiaochun Wang , Ping Wu , Hongfeng Yang , Tongling Shan , Xiaolong Wang , Wen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110814","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110814","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>RNA viruses, a widely distributed group of pathogens in nature, possess exceptionally high genetic diversity and rapid evolutionary potential. High-altitude ecosystems, represented by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with their unique environmental conditions, may harbor distinct viral communities. However, there remains a lack of systematic understanding regarding the composition and distribution of RNA viruses in wildlife under such extreme environments. In this study, a total of 741 fecal samples were collected from three regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and viral metagenomics technology was used to reveal the composition and diversity of RNA viruses in the fecal samples of six species of herbivorous wild animals on the plateau. We identified a substantial abundance of RNA viruses, classified into 18 distinct viral families. Furthermore, the structure of the viral communities varied among different host species. Through assembly, 28 viral sequences belonging to the families <em>Astroviridae</em>, <em>Picornaviridae</em>, <em>Picobirnaviridae</em>, <em>Tobaniviridae</em>, and <em>Caliciviridae</em> were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly identified viral strains share close relationships with viruses found in humans, marmots, and other mammals. The results indicate that wildlife in this region are reservoirs of unidentified RNA viruses, some of which may pose potential threats to public health and the animal husbandry. These findings provide crucial scientific evidence and data support for future virus surveillance, ecological risk assessment, and the prevention and control of emerging infectious diseases at their source.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110814"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We report the first confirmed case of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection in a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) on Amami-Oshima Island, a region known for its unique biodiversity. The isolate, A/peregrine falcon/Kagoshima/5704A001/2025 (H5N2), showed genetic and phylogenetic divergence across all eight gene segments. Specific amino acids in the PA protein associated with increased pathogenicity in birds and mammals were also identified. Despite global surveillance, related ancestral viruses remain unreported. These findings highlight the need for expanded geographic surveillance and timely, transparent data sharing to better track and respond to emerging HPAIV threats.
{"title":"Genetically distinct H5N2 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus isolated from a peregrine falcon on Amami-Oshima Island, Japan, harboring enhanced pathogenicity-associated amino acids in the PA protein","authors":"Mana Esaki , Kosuke Okuya , Manabu Onuma , Makoto Ozawa","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110794","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110794","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report the first confirmed case of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection in a peregrine falcon (<em>Falco peregrinus</em>) on Amami-Oshima Island, a region known for its unique biodiversity. The isolate, A/peregrine falcon/Kagoshima/5704A001/2025 (H5N2), showed genetic and phylogenetic divergence across all eight gene segments. Specific amino acids in the PA protein associated with increased pathogenicity in birds and mammals were also identified. Despite global surveillance, related ancestral viruses remain unreported. These findings highlight the need for expanded geographic surveillance and timely, transparent data sharing to better track and respond to emerging HPAIV threats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110794"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110799
Xinhan Yu , Chunling Jiang , Shuzhao Jia , Shuchen Chang , Youwang Li , Lina Liu , Huaying Huang
Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), an emerging infectious disease first identified in China in 2009, has subsequently been reported in multiple neighboring countries. This disease exhibits high incidence and mortality rates, evolving into a significant public health concern. As a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, favipiravir has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential against SFTS in clinical applications within Japan, positioning itself as a focus of research in this field. This narrative review summarizes the disease characteristics of SFTS and research advances related to favipiravir, with a focus on investigating the drug's therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action against SFTS. Current evidence indicates that favipiravir not only effectively inhibits SFTS virus replication but may also improve patients' clinical outcomes, offering a novel therapeutic direction for SFTS treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews favipiravir's mechanism of action against SFTSV, along with advances in preclinical and clinical research, while addressing current challenges and future research directions to provide reference for further investigation and clinical application of this drug. However, it should be noted that current clinical experience with favipiravir for the treatment of SFTS remains relatively limited. There is still a lack of robust evidence from large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials to definitively establish its efficacy and safety. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying certain observed side effects (such as elevated uric acid levels) require further investigation to optimize safety.
{"title":"Favipiravir's clinical potential for treating Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS): A narrative review","authors":"Xinhan Yu , Chunling Jiang , Shuzhao Jia , Shuchen Chang , Youwang Li , Lina Liu , Huaying Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110799","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110799","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), an emerging infectious disease first identified in China in 2009, has subsequently been reported in multiple neighboring countries. This disease exhibits high incidence and mortality rates, evolving into a significant public health concern. As a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, favipiravir has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential against SFTS in clinical applications within Japan, positioning itself as a focus of research in this field. This narrative review summarizes the disease characteristics of SFTS and research advances related to favipiravir, with a focus on investigating the drug's therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action against SFTS. Current evidence indicates that favipiravir not only effectively inhibits SFTS virus replication but may also improve patients' clinical outcomes, offering a novel therapeutic direction for SFTS treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews favipiravir's mechanism of action against SFTSV, along with advances in preclinical and clinical research, while addressing current challenges and future research directions to provide reference for further investigation and clinical application of this drug. However, it should be noted that current clinical experience with favipiravir for the treatment of SFTS remains relatively limited. There is still a lack of robust evidence from large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials to definitively establish its efficacy and safety. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms underlying certain observed side effects (such as elevated uric acid levels) require further investigation to optimize safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110799"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146055869","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110810
Haiyun Liu , Yuqing Ma , Fengping Hou , Zhidong Teng , Lixin Jiang , Lu Qiao , Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi , Shuanghui Yin , Huichen Guo , Shiqi Sun
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused significant economic losses in the livestock industry. Due to high genetic variability and limited cellular immunity induction by traditional vaccines, current options offer insufficient protection. In contrast, mRNA vaccines offer flexibility in antigen design and enhanced cellular immune response, presenting a promising solution for PRRSV vaccination. In this study, multiple mRNAs encoding PRRSV structural proteins GP3, GP4, GP5, M, and N, as well as the fusion proteins GP345 and GP5MN, were constructed, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and administered to mice either with individual fusion protein mRNA-LNPs or a combination immunization of structural protein mRNA-LNPs formulations to evaluate their immunogenicity in vivo. To further assess protective efficacy, we compared GP5+M+N and GP3+4+5 with a commercial inactivated vaccine in piglets. Notably, GP5+M+N not only achieved a humoral immune response comparable to that of the inactivated vaccine but also induced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ secretion and conferred effective protection in piglets. The results showed that GP5+M+N could induce a stronger specific antibody response and cellular immune response than GP5MN; the cellular immune response induced by GP3+GP4+GP5 (GP3+4+5) was also significantly better than that of GP345. These results not only verified the application potential of PRRSV mRNA vaccines but also indicated that the combination immunization of mRNAs expressing individual antigens was superior to that of mRNAs expressing multiple antigen fusions. This study provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for the rational design of PRRSV mRNA vaccines.
{"title":"Combination immunization with mRNAs encoding PRRSV antigens enhances immune responses and confers protective immunity against highly pathogenic PRRSV in piglets","authors":"Haiyun Liu , Yuqing Ma , Fengping Hou , Zhidong Teng , Lixin Jiang , Lu Qiao , Muhammad Muntazir Mehdi , Shuanghui Yin , Huichen Guo , Shiqi Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110810","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110810","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused significant economic losses in the livestock industry. Due to high genetic variability and limited cellular immunity induction by traditional vaccines, current options offer insufficient protection. In contrast, mRNA vaccines offer flexibility in antigen design and enhanced cellular immune response, presenting a promising solution for PRRSV vaccination. In this study, multiple mRNAs encoding PRRSV structural proteins GP3, GP4, GP5, M, and N, as well as the fusion proteins GP345 and GP5MN, were constructed, encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), and administered to mice either with individual fusion protein mRNA-LNPs or a combination immunization of structural protein mRNA-LNPs formulations to evaluate their immunogenicity in <em>vivo</em>. To further assess protective efficacy, we compared GP5+M+N and GP3+4+5 with a commercial inactivated vaccine in piglets. Notably, GP5+M+N not only achieved a humoral immune response comparable to that of the inactivated vaccine but also induced significantly higher levels of IFN-γ secretion and conferred effective protection in piglets. The results showed that GP5+M+N could induce a stronger specific antibody response and cellular immune response than GP5MN; the cellular immune response induced by GP3+GP4+GP5 (GP3+4+5) was also significantly better than that of GP345. These results not only verified the application potential of PRRSV mRNA vaccines but also indicated that the combination immunization of mRNAs expressing individual antigens was superior to that of mRNAs expressing multiple antigen fusions. This study provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for the rational design of PRRSV mRNA vaccines.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110810"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110811
Vincent Tsai , Yi-Chen Lai , Gregory P. Contreras , Ting-Yu Yeh
About 70 % of zoonotic infectious diseases originate from wildlife reservoirs, particularly bats, primates, and rodents. Bats comprise about 20 % of all known mammal species worldwide and have been identified as reservoir and carrier hosts of various viral disease outbreaks. They also play a crucial role in viral adaptation and evolution. Given this inherent risk, this review focuses on how anthropogenic activities (habitat destruction, agricultural intensification, bushmeat hunting, and occupational exposure) and climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of bat–human contact. These factors accelerate the emergence and spillover of bat-borne viruses, posing a significant threat to global public health. We also summarize examples from the families Rhabdoviridae, Flaviviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Filoviridae, Reoviridae, Coronaviridae, and Hepeviridae, showing how anthropogenic factors have direct consequences on the spillover of bat-borne zoonotic diseases.
{"title":"Impact of anthropogenic activities on the ecosystem and emergence of bat-borne zoonotic diseases","authors":"Vincent Tsai , Yi-Chen Lai , Gregory P. Contreras , Ting-Yu Yeh","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110811","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110811","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>About 70 % of zoonotic infectious diseases originate from wildlife reservoirs, particularly bats, primates, and rodents. Bats comprise about 20 % of all known mammal species worldwide and have been identified as reservoir and carrier hosts of various viral disease outbreaks. They also play a crucial role in viral adaptation and evolution. Given this inherent risk, this review focuses on how anthropogenic activities (habitat destruction, agricultural intensification, bushmeat hunting, and occupational exposure) and climate change are increasing the frequency and intensity of bat–human contact. These factors accelerate the emergence and spillover of bat-borne viruses, posing a significant threat to global public health. We also summarize examples from the families <em>Rhabdoviridae</em>, <em>Flaviviridae</em>, <em>Paramyxoviridae</em>, <em>Filoviridae</em>, <em>Reoviridae</em>, <em>Coronaviridae</em>, and <em>Hepeviridae</em>, showing how anthropogenic factors have direct consequences on the spillover of bat-borne zoonotic diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110811"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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