The inactivation of viruses in aerosol particles (aerosols) and droplets depends on many factors, but the precise mechanisms of inactivation are not known. The system involves complex physical and biochemical interactions. We reviewed the literature to establish current knowledge about these mechanisms and identify knowledge gaps. We identified 168 relevant papers and grouped results by the following factors: virus type and structure, aerosol or droplet size, temperature, relative humidity (RH) and evaporation, chemical composition of the aerosol or droplet, pH and atmospheric composition. These factors influence the dynamic microenvironment surrounding a virion and thus may affect its inactivation. Results indicate that viruses experience biphasic decay as the carrier aerosols or droplets undergo evaporation and equilibrate with the surrounding air, and their final physical state (liquid, semi-solid or solid) depends on RH. Virus stability, RH and temperature are interrelated, but the effects of RH are multifaceted and still not completely understood. Studies on the impact of pH and atmospheric composition on virus stability have raised new questions that require further exploration. The frequent practice of studying virus inactivation in large droplets and culture media may limit our understanding of inactivation mechanisms that are relevant for transmission, so we encourage the use of particles of physiologically relevant size and composition in future research.

The first reports of viruses in psittacine birds date back to the early 1970s. Here, we elucidate the differences among these previous studies and the advances achieved. The objective of this study was to carry out a comprehensive review using both scientometric and systematic methods to analyze the evolution of published studies on viruses in psittacine birds up to 2022. The search descriptors \"virus\", \"diagnosis\", and \"Psittaciformes\" were used to find the articles of interest for this study. A total of 118 articles were manually selected, and the scientometric data were organized using the software VOSviewer® version 1.6.18. The present review revealed that: (i) on average, 2.5 articles/year on the diagnosis of viral infection in psittacine birds were published since 1975; (ii) the most productive research groups are concentrated in three countries: Australia, the United States, and Germany; (iii) the most important virus in psittacine birds is the Circovirus, which causes psittacine beak and feather disease; (iv) the diagnostic method of choice is polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (v) the most studied psittacine birds were those in the Psittacidae family that were kept in captivity.

UNASSIGNED: Dengue is a vector-borne disease, especially important in tropical and subtropical areas. The first presentation of many arboviral diseases occurred mainly in animals, including multiple Alphaviruses and Flaviviruses, such as dengue.
UNASSIGNED: To determine the serological and molecular frequency of the dengue virus in animals.
UNASSIGNED: A systematic literature review was carried out in five databases for the proportion of animals infected with dengue, defined by molecular and serological tests. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Cochran?s Q test and the I2 statistic were used to assess the heterogeneity between the two studies.
UNASSIGNED: The presence of dengue in bats, primates, birds, sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, rodents and buffaloes, according to serological methods, had a prevalence of 10%, 29%, 8%, 1%, 11%, 0%, 49%, 2%, 7%, respectively. According to molecular methods, the presence of dengue in bats had a seroprevalence of 6.0%.
UNASSIGNED: The present study confirms the presence of the Dengue virus in a large group of animal species, with potential implications as possible reservoirs of this virus, raising the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Background: The burden of zoonotic diseases in developing countries is significantly underestimated, influenced by various factors such as misdiagnosis, underreporting, natural disasters, climate change, resource limitations, rapid unplanned urbanization, poverty, animal migration, travel, ecotourism, and the tropical environmental conditions prevalent in the region. Despite Sri Lanka\'s provision of a publicly funded free health care system, zoonoses still contribute significantly to the burden of communicable diseases in the country. This study serves as a timely and exhaustive systematic review of zoonoses reported over the past 22 years in Sri Lanka. Materials and Methods: This systematic review adhered to the guidelines provided by the \"Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses\" (PRISMA) statement. A systematic literature search was conducted between July and September 2022, utilizing the following databases and sources: Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Weekly Epidemiological Reports, and Rabies Statistical Bulletins published by the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. Results: From the initial database search, 1,710 articles were identified. After excluding nonzoonotic diseases, duplicated reports, inaccessible articles, and those not meeting the inclusion criteria, 570 reports were evaluated for eligibility. Of these, 91 reports were selected for data extraction, comprising 58 original research articles, 10 case reports, 16 weekly epidemiological reports, and 7 rabies statistical bulletins. Over the study period (2000-2022), 14 parasitic, 7 bacterial, and 7 viral zoonoses have been reported in Sri Lanka. Notably, leptospirosis emerged as the most reported zoonotic disease in the country. Conclusions: In response to these findings, we strongly recommend the implementation of a tailored, country-specific prevention and control program. To achieve this goal effectively, we emphasize the importance of adopting a country-specific \"One Health\" approach as a comprehensive framework for managing and controlling zoonotic diseases in Sri Lanka.

A substantial number of zoonotic diseases are caused by viral pathogens, representing a significant menace to public health, particularly to susceptible populations, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Individuals who have undergone solid organ transplantation frequently experience immunosuppression, to prevent organ rejection, and, thus are more prone to opportunistic infections. Furthermore, the reactivation of dormant viruses can threaten transplant recipients and organ viability. This mini-review examines the up-to-date literature covering potential zoonotic and organ rejection-relevant viruses in solid organ transplant recipients. A comprehensive list of viruses with zoonotic potential is highlighted and the most important clinical outcomes in patients undergoing transplantation are described. Moreover, this mini-review calls attention to complex multifactorial events predisposing viral coinfections and the need for continuous health surveillance and research to understand better viral pathogens\' transmission and pathophysiology dynamics in transplanted individuals.

Wastewater analysis can serve as a source of public health information. In recent years, wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged and proven useful for the detection of infectious diseases. However, insights from the wastewater treatment plant do not allow for the small-scale differentiation within the sewer system that is needed to analyze the target population under study in more detail. Small-scale WBE offers several advantages, but there has been no systematic overview of its application. The aim of this scoping review is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on small-scale WBE for infectious diseases, including methodological considerations for its application. A systematic database search was conducted, considering only peer-reviewed articles. Data analyses included quantitative summary and qualitative narrative synthesis. Of 2130 articles, we included 278, most of which were published since 2020. The studies analyzed wastewater at the building level (n = 203), especially healthcare (n = 110) and educational facilities (n = 80), and at the neighborhood scale (n = 86). The main analytical parameters were viruses (n = 178), notably SARS-CoV-2 (n = 161), and antibiotic resistance (ABR) biomarkers (n = 99), often analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), with DNA sequencing techniques being less common. In terms of sampling techniques, active sampling dominated. The frequent lack of detailed information on the specification of selection criteria and the characterization of the small-scale sampling sites was identified as a concern. In conclusion, based on the large number of studies, we identified several methodological considerations and overarching strategic aspects for small-scale WBE. An enabling environment for small-scale WBE requires inter- and transdisciplinary knowledge sharing across countries. Promoting the adoption of small-scale WBE will benefit from a common international conceptualization of the approach, including standardized and internationally accepted terminology. In particular, the development of good WBE practices for different aspects of small-scale WBE is warranted. This includes the establishment of guidelines for a comprehensive characterization of the local sewer system and its sub-sewersheds, and transparent reporting to ensure comparability of small-scale WBE results.

Extensive research has been conducted on the correlation between viral infections and hematological cancers ever since the identification of the Rous Sarcoma Virus as a cancer-causing agent. Numerous viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human T-lymphotropic virus 1, and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2, have been identified as potential contributors to the development and progression of cancer by disrupting normal cellular processes. Different viruses are associated with distinct forms of blood cancers, each exhibiting unique infection mechanisms, pathogenesis, and clinical symptoms. Understanding these connections is crucial for the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies. Healthcare professionals who possess a solid understanding of these associations can offer precise treatments and closely monitor potential complications in individuals with blood cancers and viral infections. By leveraging this information, healthcare providers can optimize patient care and improve outcomes for those affected by both viral infections and hematological cancers.

In 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) challenged the world with a global outbreak that led to millions of deaths worldwide. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the symptomatic manifestation of this virus, which can range from flu-like symptoms to utter clinical complications and even death. Since there was no clear medicine that could tackle this infection or lower its complications with minimal adverse effects on the patients\' health, the world health organization (WHO) developed awareness programs to lower the infection rate and limit the fast spread of this virus. Although vaccines have been developed as preventative tools, people still prefer going back to traditional herbal medicine, which provides remarkable health benefits that can either prevent the viral infection or limit the progression of severe symptoms through different mechanistic pathways with relatively insignificant side effects. This comprehensive review provides scientific evidence elucidating the effect of 10 different plants against SARS-CoV-2, paving the way for further studies to reconsider plant-based extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, into more advanced clinical assessments in order to identify their impact on patients suffering from COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Nucleic acid-amplification testing (NAT) is used for screening blood donations/donors for blood-borne viruses. We reviewed global viral NAT characteristics and NAT-yield confirmatory testing used by blood operators.
METHODS: NAT characteristics and NAT-yield confirmatory testing used during 2019 was surveyed internationally by the International Society of Blood Transfusion Working Party Transfusion-Transmitted Infectious Diseases. Reported characteristics are presented herein.
RESULTS: NAT was mainly performed under government mandate. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) NAT was performed on all donors and donation types, while selective testing was reported for West Nile virus, hepatitis E virus (HEV), and Zika virus. Individual donation NAT was used for HIV, HCV and HBV by ~50% of responders, while HEV was screened in mini-pools by 83% of responders performing HEV NAT. Confirmatory testing for NAT-yield samples was generally performed by NAT on a sample from the same donation or by NAT and serology on samples from the same donation and a follow-up sample.
CONCLUSIONS: In the last decade, there has been a trend towards use of smaller pool sizes or individual donation NAT. We captured characteristics of NAT internationally in 2019 and provide insights into confirmatory testing approaches used for NAT-yields, potentially benefitting blood operators seeking to implement NAT.

Measles inclusion-body encephalitis (MIBE) is rare, with insights largely from case studies. We systematically analyzed subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis (SSPE) cases in immunocompromised patients, identifying distinctive clinical and neuroimaging features. These findings could facilitate MIBE diagnosis without the need for brain biopsies. Our systematic review on MIBE and HIV-related SSPE adhered to PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. We searched multiple databases and followed a detailed inclusion process with independent reviews and quality assessment. Data on patient demographics, clinical features, and outcomes were compiled. A review of 39 studies on 49 MIBE patients and 8 reports on HIV-positive SSPE patients was conducted. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, HIV, organ transplants, and malignancies were common precursors to MIBE. Perinatal HIV was prevalent among SSPE cases. Seizures were the primary symptom in MIBE, often drug-resistant and progressing to status epilepticus or epilepsia partialis continua, whereas periodic myoclonus was universal in SSPE. Neuroimaging showed distinct patterns for each group, and histopathology confirmed measles virus presence in 39% of MIBE cases. MIBE patients typically progressed to coma and death. In conclusion, MIBE and SSPE in HIV-infected patients present with distinct clinical pictures but identical brain pathological abnormalities.