Journal Watch

Use of animal models to investigate the pathogenicity of the Ebolavirus Makona strain from the West Africa outbreak

Mouse and ferret models correctly reflect the pathogenicity of the Ebolavirus Makona strain that was responsible for the West Africa outbreak, and therefore can be used for screening potential countermeasures

Vaccination status of confirmed cases of measles virus infection in California

In the past 15 years there were 232 confirmed cases of measles in California for which vaccine histories were available. Most hadn’t been vaccinated and of the 11% that had received ≥2 doses of measles virus vaccine, they had lower hospitalisation rates and less severe symptoms

Risk of cat-to-human transmission of influenza A(H7N2)

A second human case of influenza A(H7N2) infection is identified, linked to an outbreak amongst cats from New York City municipal animal shelters, suggesting that cat-to-human transmission of A(H7N2) virus is possible.

Role of macrophage infection with HIV on neuropathogenesis

HIV-expressing macrophages play an important role in HIV neuropathogenesis in hosts with suppressed HIV replication