Meshach Maina

Direct Virus-Bacteria Binding Enhances Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus Colonisation and Bacterial-Driven Immune Activation During H3N8 Equine Influenza A Virus Co-Infection

This study investigates H3N8 equine influenza A virus and Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus co-infections, showing direct virus-bacteria binding enhances bacterial colonization and immune activation in specific cell types.

Serine proteases are required to activate influenza D virus haemagglutinin-esterase fusion (HEF) protein

This study identifies HAT and swAT as proteases that activate ICV and IDV HEF proteins, showing that protease specificity does not restrict IDV replication in the human upper respiratory tract.

Isothermal Detection of Influenza D using RT-LAMP

The paper develops and validates an RT-LAMP assay for detecting influenza D virus with high specificity and sensitivity, offering a cost-effective alternative to RT-qPCR for field use.

Development and optimisation of Influenza C and Influenza D pseudotyped viruses

The paper develops and optimizes pseudotyped viruses for influenza C and D to enable antiviral screening and sero-epidemiological studies.