Hamsters with long COVID present distinct transcriptomic profiles associated with neurodegenerative processes in brainstem - Nature Communications

SARS-CoV-2 persists in the brainstem long after the initial infection has passed. Infected animals exhibit symptoms of anxiety, depression, and memory impairment as well as changes in the brain that can be related to neurodegenerative processes.

Thread by @ZdenekVrozina on Thread Reader App

@ZdenekVrozina: A major new review from Yale (Moen, Baker, Iwasaki, 2025) offers the most comprehensive picture yet of what SARS-CoV-2 does to the nervous system. The conclusion is stark: Long COVID is a chronic neu...…

#Persistence and Active #Replication Status of #Oropouche Virus in Different Body Sites: Longitudinal Analysis of a #Traveler Infected with a Strain Spreading in Latin America

The radiation of New Zealand’s skinks and geckos is associated with distinct viromes - BMC Ecology and Evolution

Background New Zealand is home to over 120 native endemic species of skinks and geckos that radiated over the last 20–40 million years, likely driven by the exploitation of diverse habitats formed during the Miocene. The recent radiation of animal hosts may facilitate cross-species virus transmission, likely reflecting their close genetic relationships and therefore relatively low barriers for viruses to emerge in new hosts. Conversely, as animal hosts adapt to new niches, even within specific geographic locations, so too could their viruses. Consequently, animals that have niche-specialised following radiations may be expected to harbour genetically distinct viruses. Through a metatranscriptomic analysis of eight of New Zealand’s native skink and gecko species, as well as the only introduced lizard species, the rainbow skink (Lampropholis delicata), we aimed to reveal the diversity of viruses in these hosts and determine whether and how the radiation of skinks and geckos in New Zealand has impacted virus diversity and evolution. Results We identified a total of 15 novel reptilian viruses spanning 11 different viral families, across seven of the nine species sampled. Notably, we detected no viral host-switching among the native animals analysed, even between those sampled from the same geographic location. This is compatible with the idea that host speciation has likely resulted in isolated, niche-constrained viral populations that have prevented cross-species transmission. Using a protein structural similarity-based approach, we further identified a highly divergent bunya-like virus that potentially formed a new family within the Bunyavirales. Conclusions This study has broadened our understanding of reptilian viruses within New Zealand and illustrates how niche adaptation may limit viral-host interactions.

A global atlas of soil viruses reveals unexplored biodiversity and potential biogeochemical impacts - Nature Microbiology

This study presents an extensive global compendium of metagenomically derived sequences that will serve as a foundation for understanding the role of viruses in soil ecosystems.

Neues »Gen-Akkordeon« soll globale Epidemie erklären

Bis heute ist rätselhaft, wieso sich das zuvor seltene Affenpocken-Virus plötzlich weltweit verbreitete. Erbgutbereiche mit Akkordeon-Funktion könnten das Rätsel lösen.

Metagenomic analysis of individual mosquito viromes reveals the geographical patterns and drivers of viral diversity - Nature Ecology & Evolution

A meta-transcriptomic analysis of the viromes of 2,438 mosquitoes of 81 species from across China identifies geographic hotspots of mosquito virus diversity, links between mosquito virome composition and host phylogeny, and a suggestion of long-distance mosquito dispersal.

A break in mitochondrial endosymbiosis as a basis for inflammatory diseases - Nature

We suggest that as mitochondrial signals probably contribute to the homeostatic role of inflammation, dysregulation of these processes may lead to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, with increasing evidence pointing to the recent failure of endosymbiosis being crucial.