A new safe and effective cold-adapted modified live equine influenza virus vaccine that enables the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals

An analysis of the main advantages and shortcomings of the existing inactivated and live vaccines against the equine influenza viruses (EIVs) is given in this paper. For the first time, the most important information, concerning the development of a new live modified cold-adapted ( ca ) equine influenza virus vaccine based on the A/HK/Otar/6:2/2010 strain is summarized. We discuss a number of unique features of the developed vaccine that have not previously been reported, and compare the new vaccine with the existing equine influenza vaccines. The properties of the developed equine vaccine include: long-lasting (12 months or more) protective immunity after a single immunization; sterile immunity after double vaccination; cross-protection against the heterologous virus at 12 months after double vaccination and the differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals

SARS-CoV-2 neutralization and protection of hamsters via nasal administration of a humanized neutralizing antibody

Monoclonal antibodies are widely used for the treatment of infectious human diseases, including COVID-19. Since the start of the pandemic, eight monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were granted emergency use authorization. The high mutation rate of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has led to the emergence of highly transmissible variants that can evade vaccine-induced immunity. In this study, we generated a panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to identify a subset that broadly neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants and explored whether mucosal administration of such antibodies could protect against infection. Intranasal delivery of XR10, the most promising murine mAb, protected hamsters against infection by Delta variant. We next humanized XR10 mAb using a combination of CDR-grafting and Vernier zones preservation approaches (CRVZ) to create a panel of humanized XR10 variants. We ranked the variants based on their spike binding ability and virus neutralization. Of these, XR10v48 demonstrated the best ability to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants and was protective in hamsters when given as a single 50 μg/kg intranasal dose at the time of viral challenge. XR10v48 featured 34 key amino acid residues retained from the murine progenitor. With SARS-CoV-2 escape mutants continuing to emerge this work highlights a potential workflow to generate humanized broadly cross-neutralizing mAb for potential use as a nasal spray for SARS-CoV-2 prophylaxis

RESEARCH Open Access

Influenza viral vectors expressing the Brucella OMP16 or L7/L12 proteins as vaccines against B. abortus infectio

Operationalizing Cooperative Research for Infectious Disease Surveillance: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward.

The current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the need for urgent and on-demand solutions to provide diagnostics, treatment and preventative measures for infectious disease outbreaks. Once solutions are developed, meeting capacities depends on the ability to mitigate technical, logistical and production issues. While it is difficult to predict the next outbreak, augmenting investments in preparedness, such as infectious disease surveillance, is far more effective than mustering last-minute response funds. Bringing research outputs into practice sooner rather than later is part of an agile approach to pivot and deliver solutions. Cooperative multi- country research programs, especially those funded by global biosecurity programs, develop capacity that can be applied to infectious disease surveillance and research that enhances detection, identification, and response to emerging and re-emerging pathogens with epidemic or pandemic potential. Moreover, these programs enhance trust building among partners, which is essential because setting expectation and commitment are required for successful research and training. Measuring research outputs, evaluating outcomes and justifying continual investments are essential but not straightforward. Lessons learned include those related to reducing biological threats and maturing capabilities for national laboratory diagnostics strategy and related health systems. Challenges, such as growing networks, promoting scientific transparency, data and material sharing, sustaining funds and developing research strategies remain to be fully resolved. Here, experiences from several programs highlight successful partnerships that provide ways forward to address the next outbreak