zoonosis

Avian influenza H7N9 viruses isolated from humans: What do the gene sequences mean?

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There have been over 60 human infections with avian influenza virus H7N9 in China, and cases have been detected outside of Shanghai, including Beijing, Zhejiang, Henan, and Anhui Provinces. Information on the first three cases has now been published, allowing a more detailed consideration of the properties of the viral isolates. The first genome sequences reported were …

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Did hepatitis C virus originate in horses?

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About 2% of the world’s population is chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). This enveloped, positive-strand RNA virus was discovered in 1989, but serological and phylogenetic evidence indicates that it has been infecting humans for hundreds of years, perhaps as long ago as the 14th century. All human viral infections most likely originated in …

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No further evidence of novel coronavirus

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There is no evidence for further spread among humans of a novel coronavirus recently isolated from two individuals with severe respiratory illness. This conclusion has been drawn after scrutinizing the travels (figure) and contacts of a Qatari adult who was transferred to intensive care in London. While in Saudi Arabia the 49 year old male patient developed …

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A new coronavirus isolated from humans

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A new coronavirus has been isolated from two individuals with severe respiratory illness. It is different from the SARS coronavirus, but health officials are nonetheless preparing for a rapid response should the virus be detected elsewhere. The novel coronavirus was first reported by Ali Mohamed Zaki on ProMED-mail on 15 September 2012, from a 60 …

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Canine hepacivirus, a relative of hepatitis C virus

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Contemporary human viruses most likely originated by cross-species transmission from non-human animals. Examples include HIV-1, which crossed from chimpanzees to humans, and SARS coronavirus, which originated in bats. Since the 1989 discovery of hepatitis C virus (classified as a hepacivirus in the family Flaviviridae) the origin of the virus been obscure. During the characterization of …

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TWiV 128: Virologists in the mist

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Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Dickson Despommier, and Welkin Johnson Vincent, Alan, Dickson and Welkin review how a virus regulates the severity of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, virophage control of antarctic algal host-virus dynamics, and human metapneumovirus infection in gorillas. [powerpress url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV128.mp3″] Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #128 (67 MB .mp3, 92 …

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