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}
Pub Date : 2026-01-16DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110800
Rima R. Sahay , Anita M. Shete , Juhi Khurana , Rajlaxmi Jain , Shubin Chenayil , Savita Yadav , Triparna Majumdar , Shruti Rani , Neetu Vijay , Deepak Y. Patil , P.S. Kannan Sabarinath , J. Aravind , Shubhangi Gavari , Pranita Gawande , Pratiksha Pandita , Shalini Singh , P.M. Anitha , Niyas K. Pulloor , Pushpa Kizhakkekarammel , S. Manjusree , Pragya D. Yadav
Background
The re-emergence of Mpox virus (MPXV) Clade Ib has posed a global public health threat, prompting a WHO Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2022 and August 2024. This study aims to outline the clinical, viral, and genomic characterization of MPXV Clade Ib cases found in Kerala, India.
Methods
We profiled ten laboratory-confirmed MPXV cases from September 2024 to March 2025. Mpox DNA was screened using real-time PCR, and anti-MPXV IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. Full-length genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the clinical samples.
Results
The median age of the cases was 34 years, with a male predominance (80 %). Most (90 %) had a recent history of international travel, primarily to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with one documented case of local transmission. All cases presented with vesiculo-pustular lesions, fever, and lymphadenopathy, and all recovered without complications. Mpox DNA was cleared between 20 and 28 days, though prolonged shedding was observed in some. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the Indian sequences with those from Oman, Pakistan and Thailand, suggesting a shared regional lineage. The presence of APOBEC3-mediated mutational signatures was high, indicative of sustained human-to-human transmission.
Conclusion
This research presents the first in-depth analysis of the clinical and genomic characteristics of MPXV Clade Ib identified in India. The findings highlight the critical role of international travel in virus introduction and indicate local transmission following introduction, with regional linkage inferred from epidemiological evidence. These findings suggest ongoing viral evolution and the need for enhanced surveillance.
{"title":"The evolving landscape of Mpox: Clinical and genomic insights into Clade Ib emergence in India","authors":"Rima R. Sahay , Anita M. Shete , Juhi Khurana , Rajlaxmi Jain , Shubin Chenayil , Savita Yadav , Triparna Majumdar , Shruti Rani , Neetu Vijay , Deepak Y. Patil , P.S. Kannan Sabarinath , J. Aravind , Shubhangi Gavari , Pranita Gawande , Pratiksha Pandita , Shalini Singh , P.M. Anitha , Niyas K. Pulloor , Pushpa Kizhakkekarammel , S. Manjusree , Pragya D. Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The re-emergence of Mpox virus (MPXV) Clade Ib has posed a global public health threat, prompting a WHO Public Health Emergency of International Concern in May 2022 and August 2024. This study aims to outline the clinical, viral, and genomic characterization of MPXV Clade Ib cases found in Kerala, India.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We profiled ten laboratory-confirmed MPXV cases from September 2024 to March 2025. Mpox DNA was screened using real-time PCR, and anti-MPXV IgM and IgG antibodies were detected by ELISA. Full-length genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the clinical samples.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The median age of the cases was 34 years, with a male predominance (80 %). Most (90 %) had a recent history of international travel, primarily to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with one documented case of local transmission. All cases presented with vesiculo-pustular lesions, fever, and lymphadenopathy, and all recovered without complications. Mpox DNA was cleared between 20 and 28 days, though prolonged shedding was observed in some. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the Indian sequences with those from Oman, Pakistan and Thailand, suggesting a shared regional lineage. The presence of APOBEC3-mediated mutational signatures was high, indicative of sustained human-to-human transmission.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This research presents the first in-depth analysis of the clinical and genomic characteristics of MPXV Clade Ib identified in India. The findings highlight the critical role of international travel in virus introduction and indicate local transmission following introduction, with regional linkage inferred from epidemiological evidence. These findings suggest ongoing viral evolution and the need for enhanced surveillance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110800"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014046","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 : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110797
Yuka Iino , Ko Sato , Yuki Furuse , Emiko Isogai , Hidekazu Nishimura
Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) requires proteolytic cleavage of its fusion proteins by either exogenous serine proteases or a ubiquitous intracellular protease, furin, for replication in vitro. Viruses that utilize furin possess furin-susceptible amino acid sequence motifs at the cleavage site of the fusion protein when they infect host cells; without the motif, the virus cannot replicate in cultured cells without the aid of serine proteases such as trypsin. While HPIV3 isolates carrying this furin-susceptible motif (VWFM) were frequently reported in studies conducted before 1990, they are now largely regarded as laboratory-adapted variants and are not detected in viruses within clinical specimens. Although this artifactual nature has been widely postulated, definitive experimental evidence detailing the mutation process has been limited. Building on this concept, we hypothesized that the VWFM is artificially selected during the culturing of wild viral isolates in the host cell under low-trypsin concentration conditions. We repeatedly passaged HPIV3 strains lacking the furin motif under conditions of low or no trypsin supplementation in cell culture. During this process, we observed the emergence of VWFM, which arose from a single nucleotide substitution at the cleavage site of the F gene and acquired the ability to replicate without exogenous trypsin. Thus, we experimentally demonstrated the occurrence of an amino acid substitution at the cleavage site under selective pressure in vitro. These findings substantiate previous insights, confirming that the VWFM is unlikely to dominate in nature but rather arises artificially during the propagation of HPIV3 in cell culture. (248/250 words)
{"title":"Human parainfluenza virus type 3 viruses with the furin-susceptible motif at the cleavage site of the fusion protein arose from original wild strains during their propagation in vitro","authors":"Yuka Iino , Ko Sato , Yuki Furuse , Emiko Isogai , Hidekazu Nishimura","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) requires proteolytic cleavage of its fusion proteins by either exogenous serine proteases or a ubiquitous intracellular protease, furin, for replication <em>in vitro</em>. Viruses that utilize furin possess furin-susceptible amino acid sequence motifs at the cleavage site of the fusion protein when they infect host cells; without the motif, the virus cannot replicate in cultured cells without the aid of serine proteases such as trypsin. While HPIV3 isolates carrying this furin-susceptible motif (VWFM) were frequently reported in studies conducted before 1990, they are now largely regarded as laboratory-adapted variants and are not detected in viruses within clinical specimens. Although this artifactual nature has been widely postulated, definitive experimental evidence detailing the mutation process has been limited. Building on this concept, we hypothesized that the VWFM is artificially selected during the culturing of wild viral isolates in the host cell under low-trypsin concentration conditions. We repeatedly passaged HPIV3 strains lacking the furin motif under conditions of low or no trypsin supplementation in cell culture. During this process, we observed the emergence of VWFM, which arose from a single nucleotide substitution at the cleavage site of the F gene and acquired the ability to replicate without exogenous trypsin. Thus, we experimentally demonstrated the occurrence of an amino acid substitution at the cleavage site under selective pressure <em>in vitro</em>. These findings substantiate previous insights, confirming that the VWFM is unlikely to dominate in nature but rather arises artificially during the propagation of HPIV3 in cell culture. (248/250 words)</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110797"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145963429","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 : 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110798
Shailendra K. Saxena , Jitesh Yadav , Hari Kishan , Arpita S. Harnam , Swatantra Kumar , Vimal K. Maurya , Saniya Ansari , Janusz T. Paweska , Radha Kanta Ratho
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a well-identified paramyxovirus that has emerged as a significant global health threat, particularly following recent outbreaks in 2024–2025. It preferentially infects the respiratory epithelium and affects infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. The clinical manifestations of the HMPV range from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe diffuse bronchopneumonia. As of late 2024 and early 2025, HMPV has been responsible for 6.2% of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4% of respiratory-associated hospitalizations in China, surpassing COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus. HMPV is a non-segmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus with a genome of about 13.3 kb, and it is genetically related to Orthopneumovirus, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Its transmission occurs primarily within households, and the virus poses significant risks to vulnerable populations. Immunologic responses to HMPV infections are diverse, with limited lasting immunity, leading to frequent reinfections. Diagnosis is problematic due to overlapping clinical manifestations of the disease alongside other respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza. Presently, no vaccines or antiviral treatments are available for HMPV, though several vaccine candidates are under investigation, including mRNA-1653 and IVX-A12, which have shown promising results in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Recent advances in understanding HMPV's molecular biology and immune modulation have led to exploring new therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, fusion inhibitors, and RNA interference-based therapies.
{"title":"Pathogenesis and current advancement in treatment and prevention strategies for Human metapneumovirus","authors":"Shailendra K. Saxena , Jitesh Yadav , Hari Kishan , Arpita S. Harnam , Swatantra Kumar , Vimal K. Maurya , Saniya Ansari , Janusz T. Paweska , Radha Kanta Ratho","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a well-identified paramyxovirus that has emerged as a significant global health threat, particularly following recent outbreaks in 2024–2025. It preferentially infects the respiratory epithelium and affects infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised populations. The clinical manifestations of the HMPV range from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe diffuse bronchopneumonia. As of late 2024 and early 2025, HMPV has been responsible for 6.2% of positive respiratory illness tests and 5.4% of respiratory-associated hospitalizations in China, surpassing COVID-19, rhinovirus, and adenovirus. HMPV is a non-segmented, negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus with a genome of about 13.3 kb, and it is genetically related to <em>Orthopneumovirus</em>, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Its transmission occurs primarily within households, and the virus poses significant risks to vulnerable populations. Immunologic responses to HMPV infections are diverse, with limited lasting immunity, leading to frequent reinfections. Diagnosis is problematic due to overlapping clinical manifestations of the disease alongside other respiratory viruses like RSV and influenza. Presently, no vaccines or antiviral treatments are available for HMPV, though several vaccine candidates are under investigation, including mRNA-1653 and IVX-A12, which have shown promising results in Phase I and Phase II clinical trials. Recent advances in understanding HMPV's molecular biology and immune modulation have led to exploring new therapeutic strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, fusion inhibitors, and RNA interference-based therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110798"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079833","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}
An unusual rotavirus strain with the G3P[10] genotype, designated RVA/Human-wt/THA/PK2016-1-0120/2016/G3P[10] (short name “PK2016-1-0120”), was detected in a stool specimen from a hospitalized 10-year-old boy with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand. In this study, we sequenced and characterized its whole genome. The strain possesses the genotype constellation G3-P[10]-I8-R3-C3-M3-A9-N3-T3-E3-H6, similar to several previously reported bat and bat-like rotavirus strains (MYAS33-like). In line with this, phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons indicate that 10 of the 11 genomic segments (VP4, VP6, VP1-VP3, and NSP1-NSP5) are most similar to those found in MYAS33-like strains. In contrast, the VP7 genomic segment of PK2016-1-0120—which defines the G genotype—is most closely related to those of the Indian equine rotavirus strain Erv105 and DS-1-like G3P[8] human strains. These findings imply a history of segment reassortment involving independent acquisition of the VP7 segment. Given that bats are likely donors in interspecies RVA transmission chains, we speculate that this VP7 lineage originated in bats. In summary, our characterization of the novel bat-like human strain PK2016-1-0120 suggests that the VP7 lineage as found in human DS-1-like G3P[8] strains may have originated from a bat-associated rotavirus, offering an alternative model to the previously proposed equine origin.
{"title":"A novel bat-like human G3P[10] rotavirus strain from Thailand shares its VP7 lineage with equine Erv105 and human DS-1-like G3P[8] strains: a possible origin in bats","authors":"Ratana Tacharoenmuang , Ratigorn Guntapong , Sompong Upachai , Phakapun Singchai , Teewasit Phatsaman , Karun Sutthiwarakom , Santip Kongjorn , Napa Onvimala , Tipsuda Luechakham , Busarawan Sriwanthana , Saori Fukuda , Koki Taniguchi , Archawin Rojanawiwat , Satoshi Komoto","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An unusual rotavirus strain with the G3P[10] genotype, designated RVA/Human-wt/THA/PK2016-1-0120/2016/G3P[10] (short name “PK2016-1-0120”), was detected in a stool specimen from a hospitalized 10-year-old boy with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand. In this study, we sequenced and characterized its whole genome. The strain possesses the genotype constellation G3-P[10]-I8-R3-C3-M3-A9-N3-T3-E3-H6, similar to several previously reported bat and bat-like rotavirus strains (MYAS33-like). In line with this, phylogenetic analyses and sequence comparisons indicate that 10 of the 11 genomic segments (VP4, VP6, VP1-VP3, and NSP1-NSP5) are most similar to those found in MYAS33-like strains. In contrast, the VP7 genomic segment of PK2016-1-0120—which defines the G genotype—is most closely related to those of the Indian equine rotavirus strain Erv105 and DS-1-like G3P[8] human strains. These findings imply a history of segment reassortment involving independent acquisition of the VP7 segment. Given that bats are likely donors in interspecies RVA transmission chains, we speculate that this VP7 lineage originated in bats. In summary, our characterization of the novel bat-like human strain PK2016-1-0120 suggests that the VP7 lineage as found in human DS-1-like G3P[8] strains may have originated from a bat-associated rotavirus, offering an alternative model to the previously proposed equine origin.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014031","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 : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110796
Jeffrey M. Marano , Rachel Maison , Marina Nieto-Caballero , Mark Hernandez , Angela M. Bosco-Lauth
Environmental surveillance of emerging viral pathogens is necessary for defining and mitigating future outbreaks. These programs can take multiple complementary forms, such as wastewater surveillance, xenosurveillance, and air sampling. For the latter, air samplers can be categorized into major types based on airflow and collection media. Higher-flow air sampling, such as that exceeding 150 L per minute, is typically required to characterize aerosols in large areas, including hatcheries, dairies, and ports of entry. Until recently, higher flow air samplers exclusively collected airborne particulate matter on dry filter media. The SASS 3100 Dry Air Sampler, with its high sampling rate and compact size, offers a potential solution for these settings. While the SASS 3100 sampler has successfully collected SARS-CoV-2 RNA from hospital air, concerns exist about viral sample degradation on the filter media during aerosol collection. In response, we present data from several controlled chamber studies using a variety of common mammalian viruses. We observed no significant sample degradation in trials collecting rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, and influenza A virus using a SASS 3100 over an 8-h sampling period, operating at a 300 L per minute flow rate. These results support expanded use of the SASS 3100 for the quantitative recovery of airborne mammalian viruses and provide a framework for further stability studies with other airborne microorganisms.
{"title":"Recovery and degradation of mammalian virus RNA during high-flow filter sampling","authors":"Jeffrey M. Marano , Rachel Maison , Marina Nieto-Caballero , Mark Hernandez , Angela M. Bosco-Lauth","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental surveillance of emerging viral pathogens is necessary for defining and mitigating future outbreaks. These programs can take multiple complementary forms, such as wastewater surveillance, xenosurveillance, and air sampling. For the latter, air samplers can be categorized into major types based on airflow and collection media. Higher-flow air sampling, such as that exceeding 150 L per minute, is typically required to characterize aerosols in large areas, including hatcheries, dairies, and ports of entry. Until recently, higher flow air samplers exclusively collected airborne particulate matter on dry filter media. The SASS 3100 Dry Air Sampler, with its high sampling rate and compact size, offers a potential solution for these settings. While the SASS 3100 sampler has successfully collected SARS-CoV-2 RNA from hospital air, concerns exist about viral sample degradation on the filter media during aerosol collection. In response, we present data from several controlled chamber studies using a variety of common mammalian viruses. We observed no significant sample degradation in trials collecting rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, and influenza A virus using a SASS 3100 over an 8-h sampling period, operating at a 300 L per minute flow rate. These results support expanded use of the SASS 3100 for the quantitative recovery of airborne mammalian viruses and provide a framework for further stability studies with other airborne microorganisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"616 ","pages":"Article 110796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978154","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 : 2026-01-11DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110793
V. Rakesh , Amalendu Ghosh
Insect-borne plant viruses pose a serious threat to global crop production. Melon thrips, Thrips palmi Karny, transmits tospoviruses such as groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) in a persistent propagative manner. Identifying thrips genes that regulate tospovirus transmission is crucial for developing targeted management strategies; however, these genes remain poorly characterized. The present study investigated the functional role of a candidate gene of T. palmi, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase component N-recognin 7 (E3-UBR7), in the transmission of GBNV. Expression of the E3-UBR7 transcript was altered in a life-stage-specific manner, with the highest activity 11.31-fold in adults, and less during larval stages. Oral delivery of double-stranded RNA targeting E3-UBR7 (dsE3-UBR7, 10 μg/mL, 48 h) resulted in up to 6.15-fold suppression of target gene expression in adults. Silencing induced moderate adult mortality, with no notable mortality in larvae. Exposure of dsE3-UBR7 prior to virus acquisition in the larval stage did not show a significant effect on the virus copies in T. palmi larvae (1.59 × 105 copies) and adults (1.15 × 105 copies). There was also no significant alteration in the expression of the target gene in pre-acquisition dsRNA exposure. Conversely, post- virus acquisition silencing of E3-UBR7 during the adult stage markedly reduced GBNV titre (1.53 × 103 copies), indicating suppression of viral replication. GBNV copies decreased up to 104 times in adults exposed to dsE3-UBR7. Post-acquisition silencing of E3-UBR7 was more effective in suppressing virus transmission to healthy plants (15.66 %) by T. palmi adults. The results identified E3-UBR7 as a key regulatory gene influencing GBNV transmission by T. palmi, offering a promising molecular target for management of thrips-transmitted tospoviruses.
{"title":"Silencing the ubiquitin-protein ligases gene (E3-UBR7) alters acquisition, replication, and transmission of groundnut bud necrosis virus by Thrips palmi","authors":"V. Rakesh , Amalendu Ghosh","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Insect-borne plant viruses pose a serious threat to global crop production. Melon thrips, <em>Thrips palmi</em> Karny, transmits tospoviruses such as groundnut bud necrosis virus (GBNV) in a persistent propagative manner. Identifying thrips genes that regulate tospovirus transmission is crucial for developing targeted management strategies; however, these genes remain poorly characterized. The present study investigated the functional role of a candidate gene of <em>T. palmi, E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase component N-recognin 7</em> (<em>E3-UBR7</em>), in the transmission of GBNV. Expression of the <em>E3-UBR7</em> transcript was altered in a life-stage-specific manner, with the highest activity 11.31-fold in adults, and less during larval stages. Oral delivery of double-stranded RNA targeting <em>E3-UBR7</em> (ds<em>E3-UBR7</em>, 10 μg/mL, 48 h) resulted in up to 6.15-fold suppression of target gene expression in adults. Silencing induced moderate adult mortality, with no notable mortality in larvae. Exposure of ds<em>E3-UBR7</em> prior to virus acquisition in the larval stage did not show a significant effect on the virus copies in <em>T. palmi</em> larvae (1.59 × 10<sup>5</sup> copies) and adults (1.15 × 10<sup>5</sup> copies). There was also no significant alteration in the expression of the target gene in pre-acquisition dsRNA exposure. Conversely, post- virus acquisition silencing of <em>E3-UBR7</em> during the adult stage markedly reduced GBNV titre (1.53 × 10<sup>3</sup> copies), indicating suppression of viral replication. GBNV copies decreased up to 104 times in adults exposed to ds<em>E3-UBR7</em>. Post-acquisition silencing of <em>E3-UBR7</em> was more effective in suppressing virus transmission to healthy plants (15.66 %) by <em>T. palmi</em> adults. The results identified <em>E3-UBR7</em> as a key regulatory gene influencing GBNV transmission by <em>T. palmi</em>, offering a promising molecular target for management of thrips-transmitted tospoviruses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"617 ","pages":"Article 110793"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146014006","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 : 2026-01-09DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110788
Thomas K. Lavin , Caroline O. Tabler , Thomas J. Sweet , Najwa Alhusaini , John C. Tilton
The persistence of HIV reservoirs and their ability to create an active infection after anti-retroviral therapy cessation has prevented development of an HIV cure. Various chemical latency reversal agents (LRAs) have been investigated to promote HIV transcription as part of a kick and kill strategy, but many of these agents lack either potency or specificity and can cause widespread T cell activation and systemic toxicity. We report the development of novel virus-like particles (VLPs), based on HIV itself, that carry a CyclinT1-Tat fusion protein (CycTat) and reactivate HIV from latency both alone and synergistically with the two tested chemical LRAs; a bromodomain inhibitor and a protein kinase C agonist. CycTat resulted in higher reactivation than Tat, although Tat and CycTat delivery were equivalent in some cell lines after co-stimulation with LRAs thought to increase cellular P-TEFb levels. Targeted mutations disrupting key residues in Tat and CycT1 interactions dampened reactivation, suggesting the particles work mechanistically as anticipated. Fusion of VLPs with target cells was required for HIV reactivation, demonstrating that CycTat proteins do not non-specifically cross cell membranes when packaged into VLPs. Additionally, we addressed safety concerns by testing high doses of VLPs on primary CD4+ T cells, which resulted in minimal T cell activation. This serves as proof-of-concept for specific reactivation of HIV by delivery of Tat protein by VLPs and shows that additional components, here a truncated CyclinT1, can be engineered into particles to enhance viral reactivation.
{"title":"Selective reactivation of latent HIV using CyclinT1-Tat-containing virus-like particles","authors":"Thomas K. Lavin , Caroline O. Tabler , Thomas J. Sweet , Najwa Alhusaini , John C. Tilton","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The persistence of HIV reservoirs and their ability to create an active infection after anti-retroviral therapy cessation has prevented development of an HIV cure. Various chemical latency reversal agents (LRAs) have been investigated to promote HIV transcription as part of a kick and kill strategy, but many of these agents lack either potency or specificity and can cause widespread T cell activation and systemic toxicity. We report the development of novel virus-like particles (VLPs), based on HIV itself, that carry a CyclinT1-Tat fusion protein (CycTat) and reactivate HIV from latency both alone and synergistically with the two tested chemical LRAs; a bromodomain inhibitor and a protein kinase C agonist. CycTat resulted in higher reactivation than Tat, although Tat and CycTat delivery were equivalent in some cell lines after co-stimulation with LRAs thought to increase cellular P-TEFb levels. Targeted mutations disrupting key residues in Tat and CycT1 interactions dampened reactivation, suggesting the particles work mechanistically as anticipated. Fusion of VLPs with target cells was required for HIV reactivation, demonstrating that CycTat proteins do not non-specifically cross cell membranes when packaged into VLPs. Additionally, we addressed safety concerns by testing high doses of VLPs on primary CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells, which resulted in minimal T cell activation. This serves as proof-of-concept for specific reactivation of HIV by delivery of Tat protein by VLPs and shows that additional components, here a truncated CyclinT1, can be engineered into particles to enhance viral reactivation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"616 ","pages":"Article 110788"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145978155","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 : 2026-01-08DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110790
Margaret E. Schedl, Kent M. Mulkey, Taiye S. Adewumi, Robert L. Unckless
Species of the fruit fly, Drosophila, are essential models for investigating host/virus interactions. Research aimed at understanding how hosts mount immune defenses against viruses and how viruses evade those immune defenses relies on host/virus pairs that have evolved together over time, thus necessitating a need for a DNA virus model system for Drosophila with a virus that naturally infects the host. The Drosophila innubila nudivirus (DiNV) is an emerging model system poised to take on the role as the DNA virus model for Drosophila. In this paper we describe the development of the DiNV model system with animal and cell resources. We describe the development of new Drosophila cell lines, virus titration assays, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies, and injection-based DiNV infections in Drosophila innubila. We find that D. innubila cells can be used to grow DiNV for use in further experiments, and that DiNV grown from D. innubila cells is virulent when injected into adult D. innubila. The resources we have developed enable substantial future research on the DiNV-D. innubila system.
{"title":"The study of the Drosophila innubila nudivirus in cells and flies","authors":"Margaret E. Schedl, Kent M. Mulkey, Taiye S. Adewumi, Robert L. Unckless","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Species of the fruit fly, <em>Drosophila,</em> are essential models for investigating host/virus interactions. Research aimed at understanding how hosts mount immune defenses against viruses and how viruses evade those immune defenses relies on host/virus pairs that have evolved together over time, thus necessitating a need for a DNA virus model system for <em>Drosophila</em> with a virus that naturally infects the host. The <em>Drosophila innubila</em> nudivirus (DiNV) is an emerging model system poised to take on the role as the DNA virus model for <em>Drosophila</em>. In this paper we describe the development of the DiNV model system with animal and cell resources. We describe the development of new <em>Drosophila</em> cell lines, virus titration assays, anti-nucleocapsid antibodies, and injection-based DiNV infections in <em>Drosophila innubila</em>. We find that <em>D. innubila</em> cells can be used to grow DiNV for use in further experiments, and that DiNV grown from <em>D. innubila</em> cells is virulent when injected into adult <em>D. innubila</em>. The resources we have developed enable substantial future research on the DiNV-<em>D. innubila</em> system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"616 ","pages":"Article 110790"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145968252","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 : 2026-01-07DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110789
Jonathan Haars , Tomas Cumlin , Claes Ladenvall , Johan Lennerstrand , René Kaden
The Twist Comprehensive Viral Research Panel (Twist CVRP) is a probe-based hybridization capture enrichment method for whole-genome sequencing, designed to target all known pathogenic viruses. Unlike shotgun metagenomics, where human DNA dominates, this method enriches for viral sequences within samples. This study presents a novel protocol called Twist-ONT, integrating Twist CVRP with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read sequencing. Using clinical nasopharyngeal/throat swab and plasma samples PCR-positive for a variety of different viruses, the protocol's capability for viral species classification was demonstrated. It is also shown how high-quality whole-genome assemblies and consensus sequences can be generated from the sequencing reads of this protocol. This protocol facilitates further studies into the viromes of clinical samples and viral genomics in general using ONT sequencing.
{"title":"Twist-ONT: Combining nanopore sequencing with the twist comprehensive viral research panel","authors":"Jonathan Haars , Tomas Cumlin , Claes Ladenvall , Johan Lennerstrand , René Kaden","doi":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.virol.2026.110789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Twist Comprehensive Viral Research Panel (Twist CVRP) is a probe-based hybridization capture enrichment method for whole-genome sequencing, designed to target all known pathogenic viruses. Unlike shotgun metagenomics, where human DNA dominates, this method enriches for viral sequences within samples. This study presents a novel protocol called Twist-ONT, integrating Twist CVRP with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long-read sequencing. Using clinical nasopharyngeal/throat swab and plasma samples PCR-positive for a variety of different viruses, the protocol's capability for viral species classification was demonstrated. It is also shown how high-quality whole-genome assemblies and consensus sequences can be generated from the sequencing reads of this protocol. This protocol facilitates further studies into the viromes of clinical samples and viral genomics in general using ONT sequencing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23666,"journal":{"name":"Virology","volume":"616 ","pages":"Article 110789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-01-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145968284","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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