Novel human coronaviruses from pigs and dogs
Recently isolated coronaviruses from humans in Haiti and Malaysia appear to have originated in pigs and dogs.
Basic virology
A genetically stable attenuated poliovirus vaccine
Eradication of poliomyelitis appears to be on track: types 2 and 3 polioviruses have been declared eradicated, and in the past 12 months there have been just 338 cases of type 1 polio in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But there have also been 491 cases of polio caused by the type 2 Sabin vaccine. The development …
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Early Immune Responses to Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection
Early interactions of herpes simplex virus type 1 with the immune system involve both Langerhans cells and a newly characterized dendritic cell. Understanding the dynamics of these initial interactions of the virus with cells of the immune system may result in better strategies for HSV-1/-2 vaccines.
Defective genomes modulate respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis
During viral replication, defective genomes may arise that lack essential sequences. These so-called defective genomes cannot replicate unless they are in the same cell as a helper virus. Defective genomes play a role in modulating pathogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus in humans. Copy-back defective viral genomes (cbDVGs) of RSV arise when the viral RNA polymerase …
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SARS-CoV-2 variants arise during individual infections
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 genome variation appeared to be low, with an average of 10 base differences in the 30,000 base genome between any two isolates. Late in 2020, as many more people were infected, variants were isolated that had more changes than previously seen. A study of variation at the genome level …
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SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 is not more virulent
When the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in the UK in December 2020 it was accompanied by unsubstantiated claims of increased transmissibility and virulence. The results of a hospital-based study in London reveals no association of the variant with severe disease in this cohort. In a note published by NERVTAG on 21 January …