A. Breithaupt

Spatiotemporal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 infection reveals an expansive wave of monocyte-derived macrophages associated with vascular damage and virus clearance in hamster lungs

This study uses 3D spatiotemporal analysis to show that SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters leads to monocyte-derived macrophage infiltration, vascular damage, and virus clearance, followed by tissue remodeling and fibrosis.

Pathology of African Swine Fever in wild boar naturally infected with German virus variants

The paper investigates the pathology of African swine fever in naturally infected wild boar, finding that variant IV causes a protracted disease course with lower viral load but more chronic lesions.

Cold-passaged isolates and bat-swine influenza A chimeric viruses as modified live-attenuated vaccines against influenza A viruses in pigs

This study evaluates modified live-attenuated vaccines against swine influenza A viruses using cold-passaged isolates and bat-swine chimeric viruses, finding that chimeric vaccines are safe and induce protective immunity in pigs.

The spike gene is a major determinant for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 phenotype

This study shows the spike gene determines replication, pathogenicity, and immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron-BA.1 compared to Delta in cell cultures and animal models.

Impaired immune response drives age-dependent severity of COVID-19

This study identifies impaired interferon responses as a cause of age-dependent COVID-19 severity and shows that combined IFN-γ and IFN-λ therapy can mitigate disease in aged mice.

Compellingly high SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility of Golden Syrian hamsters suggests multiple zoonotic infections of pet hamsters during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study determines the minimum infective dose of SARS-CoV-2 for Golden Syrian hamsters and highlights their high susceptibility, suggesting a potential zoonotic risk.

In contrast to TH2-biased approaches, TH1 COVID-19 vaccines protect Syrian hamsters from severe disease in the absence of dexamethasone-treatable vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory pathology

This study compares TH1 and TH2-biased vaccines in Syrian hamsters, showing that TH1 vaccines prevent severe disease without inducing VAERD, while TH2 vaccines cause VAERD through eosinophil recruitment and TH2 cytokine upregulation.

Revisiting rustrela virus - new cases of encephalitis and a solution to the capsid enigma

The paper reports two new cases of RusV-associated encephalitis and presents a method to resolve the incomplete RusV genome, revealing a previously undetected intergenic region and capsid protein sequence.

Enhanced fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.7, but not B.1.351, in animal models

The paper compares the fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in animal models, finding B.1.1.7 has a fitness advantage in ferrets and mice but not in hamsters.

Generation and first characterization of TRDC-Knockout pigs lacking γδ T cells

This study generates TRDC-knockout pigs lacking γδ T cells and finds they have altered immune responses but no developmental abnormalities.

CVnCoV protects human ACE2 transgenic mice from ancestral B BavPat1 and emerging B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2

This study evaluates the efficacy of the CVnCoV mRNA vaccine against ancestral and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants in a human ACE2 transgenic mouse model, showing complete protection against B.1.351.

Preferential selection and contribution of non-structural protein 1 (NS1) to the efficient transmission of the panzootic avian influenza H5N8 2.3.4.4 clades A and B viruses in chickens and ducks

This study identifies NS1 protein length variations in H5N8 avian influenza viruses that affect their transmission and virulence in chickens and ducks.

3D reconstruction of SARS-CoV-2 infection in ferrets emphasizes focal infection pattern in the upper respiratory tract

This study uses 3D imaging to show SARS-CoV-2 preferentially infects the upper respiratory tract of ferrets with a focal pattern in nasal turbinates.

Susceptibility of raccoon dogs for experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection

This study shows raccoon dogs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection and can transmit it to direct contact animals, suggesting they may act as intermediate hosts.