2) We would first like to take a step back, and remember that the circulation of H*N* is an ancient story :
Fig. Possible origins of pandemic influenza viruses. Phylogenetic studies suggest that an avian influenza virus was transmitted to humans, leading to the 1918 pandemic
3) For the H5N1 that we have been following for a long time, the clade we are currently talking about emerged in 2021 !
4) To understand how we got here, I recommend also the very well done document from the CDC : cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/tβ¦
6) ...with very well done graphics on structure of influenza A virus virions or the models for the generation of pandemic influenza virus strains in pigs.
7) Contrary to what we have read recently, the risk is not in the transmission of the virus from animals to humans, but in a mutation of the virus allowing transmission between humans.
Except we are only 1 mutation away from this happening π€
8) It is very likely that this could happen with the PB2 protein, which is one of the 3 polymerase proteins (PB2, PB1, PA) that make up the influenza virus.
A mutation in this protein could help compensate for insufficient human adaptation of H5N1 journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jvβ¦
9) It is this PB2 adaptation that we must follow closely
13) In conclusion of this 1st part, for my friends @0bj3ctivity
@GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64
@Alitis__ who pushed me to write this thread π€ and for those who follow me,
π¨π€π’π ππ€π€π ππ£π πππ π£ππ¬π¨:
βΆοΈ Good news : Egypt, for example, succeeded to manage in 2014 ...
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 14) ...by eliminating all contaminated animals (sorry for animal lovers). This was possible because the infectivity rate is similar to other influenza viruses. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/Pβ¦
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 15) βΆοΈ Bad news : A study that has just been published despite many limitations, shows that cats have died after drinking contaminated milk. If it is confirmed (and I would have been wrong as I didn't believe it) we will no longer have to drink raw milk. wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30β¦
@0bj3ctivity @GourlaySyd @DavidJoffe64 @Alitis__ 16) βΆοΈ Good news : we haven't yet found the mutation, that would allow the transmission between humans has not been found
βΆοΈ Bad news : If mortality rate is lower, it is because the nb of cases is underestimated. It means H5N1 already circulates already in humans.
A bientot πββοΈ
β’ β’ β’
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Why is Identifying "Non-Trivial SARS-CoV-2 Population Structure within Hosts" Important for Understanding SARS-COV-2 Evolution and the Emergence of New Variants?
2) The "non-trivial population structure" refers to the viral population within a host consisting of two or more distinct, independently evolving subpopulations, rather than a single, homogeneous population.
3) The key points about non-trivial population structure are:
βΆοΈ It was relatively common, found in 5 out of the 9 chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection cases examined.
βΆοΈ It was more prevalent in severely immunocompromised individuals compared to those not significantly immunocompromised
2) Viruses are not living things. They are tiny particles that can only make copies of themselves inside the cells of living things, like humans. When a virus makes copies of itself, it doesn't always make perfect copies.
3) Sometimes, little mistakes happen, and the new virus has a small change, or mutation, in its genes.
Most of the time, these mutations don't do anything useful for the virus. But every now and then, a mutation might happen that makes the virus better at infecting people.
2) This study looks at the risks of COVID-19 for people traveling to space.
Space travel is becoming more common, with over 600 people having gone to space. But COVID-19 could be a big problem for astronauts in the unique environment of space.
3) The study aims to understand how COVID-19 might behave differently in space compared to on Earth.
The researchers reviewed studies on other airborne diseases in space. They found that some diseases, like Epstein-Barr virus and Serratia bacteria ...
From Lung Damage to Gut Dysbiosis:
The Lasting Implications of SARS-CoV-2 Variant-Specific Microbiome Changes (From Wuhan strain to Omicron) labanimres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.11β¦
2) The Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2 caused serious damage to the lungs of infected mice. The mice had a very high chance of dying from this strain. The researchers also looked at the bacteria in the lungs and guts of the infected mice.
3) The Wuhan strain increased harmful bacteria like E. coli in the lungs. This can make the lungs more prone to other infections.
The Omicron variant caused different changes in the gut bacteria of the mice. It increased certain bacteria linked to inflammation in the gut.
What are GAMMA CORONAVIRUSES ?
And why did we decide to talk about it?
2) A brief reminder :
βΆοΈ SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the family Coronaviridae, is classified as a coronavirus and is responsible for COVID-19
βΆοΈ Bird Flu refers to various strains of the influenza virus, particularly those in the Orthomyxoviridae family including H5N1 and H7N9.
3) βΆοΈ Gammacoronavirus belongs to the family Coronaviridae like SARS-COV-2.
Some notable gammacoronaviruses include:
- Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV): A major pathogen in poultry responsible for respiratory disease and reduced egg production.
A TREATMENT that Could Finally END Long COVID Suffering ?
This isn't the first time a treatment has been announced, and as millions continue to struggle with long Covid, we need to remain both cautious and hopeful π€
2) Researchers at WEHI announced that they discovered a new drug that can stop long COVID symptoms in mice. This drug is more effective than the current top treatment, Paxlovid, for both long COVID and acute COVID cases.
3) They focused on a specific protein called PLpro that other treatments haven't targeted well. This breakthrough could lead to new medicines for long COVID, a condition where people continue to feel sick long after their COVID-19 infection.