Potential Spillover Research Articles

Evidence on trends in uptake of childhood vaccines and association with COVID-19 vaccination rates.

Childhood vaccination rates have declined in recent years; there is also concern that resistance to COVID-19 vaccines could spill over to childhood vaccines. To use local-level data to study trends in childhood vaccination rates and heterogeneity in local rates; including how many areas are below herd-immunity thresholds, and assess the association between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and childhood vaccination. We report, for 11 states with available data, vaccination rates for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), and diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines, including percentage of schools/counties with rates ≥95 %, 90-95%, 80-90%, and<80%. We also study the association between county-level COVID-19 vaccination rates and change from 2019 to 2022 in MMR and DTaP vaccination rates. School/county level vaccination rates; county-level COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, proxied by the percent of the adult population in each county that did not complete primary COVID-19 vaccination. Percentage of school/counties with MMR/DTaP vaccination rates within specified ranges, mean vaccination rates, and change in MMR/DTaP vaccination rates between 2019 and 2022. On average, childhood vaccination rates declined from 2019 to 2022 in states that allow non-medical exemptions, but with substantial heterogeneity within and across states. The largest declines were in already low-vaccination schools. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy was associated with a somewhat larger 2019-to-2022 decline in childhood vaccination rates in rural counties and strongly Republican-leaning counties. Vaccination rates fell from 2019 to 2022, continuing a longer trend toward lower rates. For measles and pertussis, childhood vaccination rates are below herd-immunity levels in many local communities, sometimes substantially so. We used two proxies for potential spillover of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to childhood vaccines (rural indicator and Republican-leaning indicator); these proxies can explain a modest part of the decline childhood vaccination in rural and Republican-leaning counties, but most of the explanation lies elsewhere.

Comprehensive Insights into Monkeypox (mpox): Recent Advances in Epidemiology, Diagnostic Approaches and Therapeutic Strategies

Monkeypox (mpox) is a viral infection closely related to smallpox, manifesting as a milder febrile rash in affected individuals. Over the past two decades, the incidence of mpox has surged, possibly linked to a declining immunity against the smallpox vaccine worldwide. Recent outbreaks of mpox in multiple countries have sparked concerns regarding altered transmission patterns and the potential for a global menace. In this article, we present a multidimensional review encompassing the latest scientific discoveries, illuminating the intricate structure of the human mpox virus. Key findings include advancements in understanding the virus’s molecular mechanisms, which highlight its genetic adaptability and potential for zoonotic spillover. Diagnostic innovations, such as improved molecular assays, have enhanced detection accuracy, while novel therapeutic strategies, including antiviral drugs and vaccines, show promise in mitigating outbreaks. Our conclusions emphasize the importance of robust surveillance systems, vaccination programs, and rapid response strategies to curb mpox’s spread. Future recommendations include strengthening global collaboration for zoonotic disease surveillance, advancing the research on host–pathogen interactions, and developing next-generation therapeutics to address this emerging public health threat effectively.

A One Health Investigation into H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus Epizootics on Two Dairy Farms.

In early April 2024 we studied two Texas dairy farms which had suffered incursions of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) the previous month. We employed molecular assays, cell and egg culture, Sanger and next generation sequencing to isolate and characterize viruses from multiple farm specimens (cow nasal swab, milk specimens, fecal slurry, and a dead bird). We detected H5N1 HPAIV in 64% (9/14) of milk specimens, 2.6% (1/39) of cattle nasal swab specimens, and none of 17 cattle worker nasopharyngeal swab specimens. We cultured and characterized virus from eight H5N1-positive specimens. Sanger and next-generation sequencing revealed the viruses were closely related into other recent Texas epizootic H5N1 strains of clade 2.3.4.4b. Our isolates had multiple mutations associated with increased spillover potential. Surprisingly, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in a nasal swab from a sick cow. Additionally, 14.3% (2/14) of the farm workers who donated sera were recently symptomatic and had elevated neutralizing antibodies against a related H5N1 strain. While our sampling was limited, these data offer additional insight into the large H5N1 HPAIV epizootic which has rapidly spread in the United States. Due to fears that research might damage dairy businesses, studies like this one have been few. We need to find ways to work with dairy farms in collecting more comprehensive epidemiological data that are necessary for the design of future interventions against H5N1 HPAIV on cattle farms.

Research progress of brain-computer interface applied in the rehabilitation of dysarthria and speech function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

With the development of brain science research, artificial intelligence technologies such as brain-computer interface (BCI) have begun to be applied in the medical field. People with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lose voluntary control, including the ability to communicate. For ALS patients, BCI research focuses on communication. BCI technology can be used as a communication tool. It records and extracts features of brain signals and translates these features into commands that can be replaced, restored, enhanced, supplemented, or improved by the central nervous system. Some BCIs have been shown to have potential spillover for ALS patients. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed before BCI can be clinically useful.

Examining the Influenza A Virus Sialic Acid Binding Preference Predictions of a Sequence-Based Convolutional Neural Network.

Though receptor binding specificity is well established as a contributor to host tropism and spillover potential of influenza A viruses, determining receptor binding preference of a specific virus still requires expensive and time-consuming laboratory analyses. In this study, we pilot a machine learning approach for prediction of binding preference. We trained a convolutional neural network to predict the α2,6-linked sialic acid preference of influenza A viruses given the hemagglutinin amino acid sequence. The model was evaluated with an independent test dataset to assess the standard performance metrics, the impact of missing data in the test sequences, and the prediction performance on novel subtypes. Further, features found to be important to the generation of predictions were tested via targeted mutagenesis of H9 and H16 proteins expressed on pseudoviruses. The final model developed in this study produced predictions on a test dataset correctly 94% of the time and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.93. The model tolerated about 10% missing test data without compromising accurate prediction performance. Predictions on novel subtypes revealed that the model can extrapolate feature relationships between subtypes when generating binding predictions. Finally, evaluation of the features important for model predictions helped identify positions that alter the sialic acid conformation preference of hemagglutinin proteins in practice. Ultimately, our results provide support to this in silico approach to hemagglutinin receptor binding preference prediction. This work emphasizes the need for ongoing research efforts to produce tools that may aid future pandemic risk assessment.

Novel Mastadenovirus Infection as Cause of Pneumonia in Imported Black-and-White Colobuses (Colobus guereza), Thailand.

We identified a novel mastadenovirus, herein referred to as colobus adenovirus (CoAdV), as the likely cause of fatal respiratory and enteric diseases in multiple black-and-white colobuses (Colobus guereza) imported into Thailand in 2022. Among 9 affected colobuses, 4 died. Viral antigen was abundant in respiratory and enteric tissues, where prominent lesions and clinical signs were observed. We successfully cultivated CoAdV in Vero cells and characterized the complete viral genome, which indicated the virus is genetically distinct from other simian adenoviruses. We also conducted a retrospective study of archival samples from 7 other unrelated colobuses that had respiratory distress or diarrhea and found similar viral strains in 4 of those colobuses. Although we could not determine the potential harm to humans or other nonhuman primates from current information, the zoonotic and spillover potential of this virus to other related hosts should not be neglected. Veterinarians should consider CoAdV when pneumonia is diagnosed in colobuses.

Euro sovereign debt crisis: moral suasion in GIPS government bond funds

ABSTRACT This study is the first to test whether moral suasion is the main driver of the increasing home bias in Euro government bond mutual funds after the Euro debt crisis, with a focus on the most financially stressed economies during this period: Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain (GIPS). The findings reject the potential spillover effect of this type of financial repression of the previously documented European Union banking sector in GIPS government bond funds. The results reveal that informal pressure by performance-chasing unitholders might act as an effective self-control mechanism in moral suasion channels in the mutual fund industries of fiscally stressed countries.

Wildlife trade dynamics: exploring bushmeat market with a view toward social and ecological justice in Ibadan Metropolis Nigeria

This study examines the bushmeat trade in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria, through the lens of environmental justice, focusing on sustainable livelihoods and wildlife conservation. Environmental justice in this context seeks to ensure fair economic opportunities for bushmeat marketers, predominantly women (93%), while protecting vulnerable wildlife species. The surveyed marketers—90% of whom were married—face social inequalities, with only 50% having secondary education and 10% lacking formal education. Most marketers sell bushmeat to household consumers and travelers, raising concerns about the potential spillover of wildlife products beyond Nigeria’s borders, with implications for conservation and zoonotic disease risks. ANOVA results show that greater experience leads to higher profits from species like grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus; P = 0.005) and nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus; P = 0.001). As key species such as West African crocodile (Crocdylus suchus), African leopard (Panthera pardus), and ground pangolin (Manis temminckii) decline in availability in traditional hunting grounds, this study emphasizes the urgent need for conservation policies that promote sustainable trade practices and provide alternative livelihoods. These strategies would advance the science of environmental justice by reducing pressure on wildlife (ecological justice) while ensuring stable incomes for marketers (social justice).

Engineered bispecific antibodies with enhanced breadth and potency against SARS-CoV-2 variants and SARS-related coronaviruses.

The concern of COVID-19 persists due to the continuous emergence of variants and the potential spillover of animal coronaviruses. The broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies play a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus (CoV) infections. Here, we constructed 18 bi-specific antibodies (bsAbs) using 9 antibodies isolated from COVID-19 convalescents and vaccinated individuals, designed as dual variable domain immunoglobulin (DVD-Ig). A bsAb 5-HI showed a high binding capability to the S1 subunit of spike and exhibited breadth and potency against pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns (VOCs) and SARS-related-CoVs (SARSr-CoVs), with half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 0.028-3.444 nM and 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 0.008-0.800 nM. In addition, it retained neutralization potency against the peudotyped virus of recently prevalent JN.1 strain (IC50, 12.74 nM). We found that the parental antibodies showed weak or no binding to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV, EG.5.1, and JN.1. However, the 5-HI maintained the binding with RBD and prevented the binding between hACE2 and RBD (IC50 for the RBD of SARS-CoV, 1.067 nM; EG.5.1, 0.423 nM; JN.1, 0.223 nM). In neutralization assays with the authentic virus, we found that the5-HI effectively neutralized Omicron variants XBB.1.5 (IC50, 0.308 nM), EG.5.1 (IC50, 0.129 nM), and JN.1 (IC50, 13.692 nM), while its parental antibodies showed weakened or no neutralization. Therefore, the5-HI represents a promising candidate for further development in the treatment and prevention of ongoing evolved SARS-CoV-2 VOCs and other SARSr-CoVs that potentially emerge in the future.

A rapid and versatile reverse genetic approach and visualization animal models for emerging zoonotic pseudorabies virus

Pseudorabies virus (PRV), a member of the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily and a causative pathogen of Aujeszky's disease, has a broad host range including domestic and wild animals. PRV has been reported as a causative agent in patients with acute encephalitis in 2021, which suggests PRV might be a novel animal-origin virus in terms of zoonotic spillover and spread potential. To manage current PRV epidemics in pigs and prepare for future pandemics in other species including humans. Fundamental techniques essential for procuring such knowledge on prevention and therapy of PRV. Here, PRV CD22 strain was isolated and phylogenetic analysis showed that PRV CD22 belongs to the current epidemic strains in China. PRV CD22 was highly lethal to mice and piglets in vivo. Moreover, a rapid and efficient system to generate recombinant PRV was constructed based on PRV CD22 genomic DNA fosmid library. Using this system, a recombinant PRV strain expressing engineered labeling protein was rescued for visualization of viral infection in mouse model. Our study allows the generation of PRV that can be used for downstream treatment analyses. Once experimental or surveillance samples are obtained, PRV can be generated and treated efficiently based on our study.

Delineating the functional activity of antibodies with cross-reactivity to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1 and related sarbecoviruses.

The recurring spillover of pathogenic coronaviruses and demonstrated capacity of sarbecoviruses, such SARS-CoV-2, to rapidly evolve in humans underscores the need to better understand immune responses to this virus family. For this purpose, we characterized the functional breadth and potency of antibodies targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein that exhibited cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, SARS-CoV-1 and sarbecoviruses from diverse clades and animal origins with spillover potential. One neutralizing antibody, C68.61, showed remarkable neutralization breadth against both SARS-CoV-2 variants and viruses from different sarbecovirus clades. C68.61, which targets a conserved RBD class 5 epitope, did not select for escape variants of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-1 in culture nor have predicted escape variants among circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, suggesting this epitope is functionally constrained. We identified 11 additional SARS-CoV-2/SARS-CoV-1 cross-reactive antibodies that target the more sequence conserved class 4 and class 5 epitopes within RBD that show activity against a subset of diverse sarbecoviruses with one antibody binding every single sarbecovirus RBD tested. A subset of these antibodies exhibited Fc-mediated effector functions as potent as antibodies that impact infection outcome in animal models. Thus, our study identified antibodies targeting conserved regions across SARS-CoV-2 variants and sarbecoviruses that may serve as therapeutics for pandemic preparedness as well as blueprints for the design of immunogens capable of eliciting cross-neutralizing responses.

Multiple genotypes of a quarantine plant pathogen detected in New Zealand indigenous plants located in a botanical garden overseas

AbstractXylella fastidiosa is a xylem‐limited bacterial plant pathogen transmitted by insect vectors. It infects a wide range of plant species and causes devastating diseases. Botanical gardens are global repositories of plant diversity exposed to local biotic and abiotic stresses. We used molecular diagnostic tools for the detection of X. fastidiosa in a collection of New Zealand indigenous plants grown in a X. fastidiosa‐infected Californian area to determine if any species were infected with this bacterial pathogen and to help inform biosecurity responses. To this end, 130 New Zealand indigenous plant species comprising 72 genera, growing in the University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley, California, were screened for X. fastidiosa. Multiple PCR‐based methods were used to detect the pathogen at the subspecies and sequence‐type levels directly from plant material; nine plant species tested positive by at least two PCR‐based methods. All nine infections were identified as X. fastidiosa subsp. multiplex sequence types 6 or 7 by the amplification of seven housekeeping genes. Three strains were cultured in vitro and their whole genome sequences were obtained; these strains belonged to three distinct clades within subspecies multiplex, indicating that the infections were not transmitted among these New Zealand indigenous plant species. The information gathered in this study will help to assess the risk of X. fastidiosa to New Zealand indigenous flora and the potential spillover to crops of agricultural importance. The work also shows the applied value of botanical garden collections as sentinels for international plant pathogen biosecurity risk assessment.

Political spillover effects of environmental policy: Evidence from China

This paper explores the causal relationship between automatic environmental monitoring and political trust. We utilize staggered monitoring automation as exogenous shocks to assess the impact on residents' political trust. Our findings reveal a significant and positive effect of monitoring automation on political trust, a factor rarely considered by most existing studies. The mechanism investigation shows that monitoring automation has heightened residents' environmental concerns and increased their expectations regarding the government's role in pollution prevention. This paper offers a pioneering quantitative assessment of feedback from residents due to a specific environmental policy, suggesting that potential spillover effect should be considered.

Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats

Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and migratory avian species transiting through the region. Recent deforestation in coastal habitats in Malaysian Borneo may increase the proximity between humans and migratory birds. We hypothesise that higher rates of human-animal contact, caused by this habitat destruction, will increase the likelihood of potential zoonotic spillover events. In 2015, an environmentally stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting geolocated questionnaire data in 10,100 individuals. A serological survey of these individuals reveals evidence of H5 neutralisation that persisted following depletion of seasonal H1/H3 HA binding antibodies from the plasma. The presence of these antibodies suggests that some individuals living near migratory sites may have been exposed to H5 HA. There is a spatial and environmental overlap between individuals displaying high H5 HA binding and the distribution of migratory birds. We have developed a novel surveillance approach including both spatial and serological data to detect potential spillover events, highlighting the urgent need to study cross-species pathogen transmission in migratory zones.

Assessment of genetic diversity, tissue tropism, and antigenic properties of Grimsö betacoronavirus in Swedish bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus)

Zoonotic coronaviruses can transmit over species barriers and infect humans. To understand the zoonotic potential of a betacoronavirus, Grimsö virus (GRIV), we investigated the geographic distribution and tissue tropism of GRIV in Swedish bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), and the antigenicity of the nucleocapsid (N) protein. We screened the lung tissues from animals collected in the southern Sweden by RT-PCR with primers targeting the spike gene. Seven out of 74 animals were found to be positive. They are genetically close to GRIV from Grimsö, central Sweden. Positive rodents were studied for the tissue distribution of GRIV and GRIV RNA was mainly found in the respiratory tract. After three attempts of virus isolation were failed, we successfully established a Vero E6 cell line that stably expressed GRIV N protein, which has no cross-reactivity with patient serum containing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, or with MERS-CoV. However, a low level of cross-reactivity to common cold coronaviruses was found, likely HCoV-OC43 or HCoV-HKU1, probably due to shared linear epitopes. With the high prevalence and the suggested respiratory transmission route, GRIV may have a high potential for spillover and cross-species transmission, and future serological screening of GRIV infections in domestic animals or humans will be needed.

Effect of popular culture on tourism firms' market value:A destination brand equity perspective

Popular culture provides numerous benefits to destinations, enhancing their image, reputation, and sales. While previous research on its impact on tourism has predominantly focused on individuals’ perception and behavior toward a destination, little attention has focused on its potential spillover effect on the tourism and hospitality firms. This spillover can create destination brand-related intangible assets that positively influence firm value. Based on the customer-based brand equity theoretical framework, this study reveals that popular culture significantly affects the firm value of the tourism and hospitality industries, with notable effects observed two days after the event. Individual companies operating under the umbrella brand of a destination gain advantages from the improved brand knowledge associated with that overarching brand. The findings also highlight that the unique characteristics and nuances of popular cultural content, such as its genre, popularity scope, and celebrity effect, play a crucial role in shaping the magnitude of its impact.

Rabies in free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) on Anchieta Island, Ubatuba, Brazil.

Between December 2019 and January 2020, three cases of rabies were reported in free-ranging capybaras on Anchieta Island, Ubatuba-SP, Brazil. This 8.28km² island is located 540m offshore from the mainland. Two of the capybaras exhibited signs of hindlimb paralysis, and one was found dead. Rabies was diagnosed using the direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT), while RT-qPCR and phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences confirmed the presence of the vampire bat rabies virus (RABV) strain. Although no visible bat bite marks were found on the capybaras, vampire bats are known to inhabit the island. Other wildlife tested negative for rabies during this period, and no further rabies outbreaks have been observed since. Environmental changes and human activities, such as the disturbance of bat roosting sites, may have contributed to the incident. The detection of rabies in capybaras suggests a potential spillover from a vampire bat reservoir. Further investigation is needed to determine whether capybaras act as dead-end hosts or play a role in maintaining the rabies transmission cycle.

Optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for minor stroke within 72 hours of symptom onset: a prospective cohort study

ObjectivesDespite the potential spillover effect, the optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy for minor stroke within 72 hours of symptom onset is still uncertain.MethodsSafety and Efficacy of Aspirin-Clopidogrel in Acute...

Mosaic sarbecovirus nanoparticles elicit cross-reactive responses in pre-vaccinated animals

Immunization with mosaic-8b (nanoparticles presenting 8 SARS-like betacoronavirus [sarbecovirus] receptor-binding domains [RBDs]) elicits more broadly cross-reactive antibodies than homotypic SARS-CoV-2 RBD-only nanoparticles and protects against sarbecoviruses. To investigate original antigenic sin (OAS) effects on mosaic-8b efficacy, we evaluated the effects of prior COVID-19 vaccinations in non-human primates and mice on anti-sarbecovirus responses elicited by mosaic-8b, admix-8b (8 homotypics), or homotypic SARS-CoV-2 immunizations, finding the greatest cross-reactivity for mosaic-8b. As demonstrated by molecular fate mapping, in which antibodies from specific cohorts of B cells are differentially detected, B cells primed by WA1 spike mRNA-LNP dominated antibody responses after RBD-nanoparticle boosting. While mosaic-8b- and homotypic-nanoparticles boosted cross-reactive antibodies, de novo antibodies were predominantly induced by mosaic-8b, and these were specific for variant RBDs with increased identity to RBDs on mosaic-8b. These results inform OAS mechanisms and support using mosaic-8b to protect COVID-19-vaccinated/infected humans against as-yet-unknown SARS-CoV-2 variants and animal sarbecoviruses with human spillover potential.

Forest Loss Drivers and Landscape Pressures in a Northern Moroccan Protected Areas’ Network: Introducing a Novel Approach for Conservation Effectiveness Assessment

This study assesses the conservation effectiveness of 21 protected areas (PAs) in Northern Morocco, comprising 3 parks and 18 Sites of Ecological and Biological Interest (SBEIs), against five major landscape pressures (LSPs): deforestation, infrastructure extension, agricultural expansion, fires, and population growth. We propose a novel quantitative methodology using global remote sensing data and exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA). Data were sourced from Global Forest Change (GFC), Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD), Burned Area Product (MODIS Fire_CCI51), and World Population datasets. The combined impact of the five LSPs was measured using a cumulative effect index (CEI), calculated with the Shannon–Wiener formula at a 1 km2 scale. The CEI was analyzed alongside the distance to the PAs’ network using Moran’s index, identifying four spatial association types: high–high (HH), high–low (HL), low–low (LL), low–high (LH), and non-significant (NS) cells. This analysis defined four zones: inner zone (IZ), potential spillover effect zone (PSEZ), statistically non-significant zone (SNSZ), and non-potential effect zone (NPEZ). Conservation effectiveness was quantified using the conservation ratio (CR), which compared the prevalence of LL versus HL units within IZs and PSEZs. Four disturbance levels (very high, high, medium, and low) were assigned to CR values (0–25%, 25–50%, 50–75%, 75–100%), resulting in sixteen potential conservation effectiveness typologies. Initial findings indicated similar deforestation patterns between protected and unprotected zones, with wildfires causing over half of forest losses within PAs. Conservation effectiveness results categorized the 21 PAs into nine typologies, from high conservation to very high disturbance levels. A significant positive correlation (71%) between CRs in both zones underscored the uniform impact of LSPs, regardless of protection status. However, protected natural area zones in the parks category showed minimal disruption, attributed to their advanced protection status. Finally, we developed a methodological framework for potential application in other regions based on this case study.