Biology subjects

Varga, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Varga, C..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Integrated epidemiological and genomic analysis of some respiratory Bovine Coronavirus isolates reveals circulation of GIIb strains and ongoing viral evolution in U.S. Cattle (2020-2025)

Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is an important contributor to the respiratory disease complex in cattle; however, integrated genomic and epidemiological data describing currently circulating respiratory BCoV strains in the United States remain limited. The objective of this study was to monitor respiratory BCoV at the genomic level and analyze its epidemiological patterns over a five-year period. A total of 4,505 respiratory samples submitted to a diagnostic laboratory between January 2020 and November 2025 were analyzed, of which 693 (15.38%) tested positive for BCoV. Positivity was highest in young calves (0-40 days; 20.0%) and declined significantly with increasing age based on logistic regression analysis. Temporal trend analysis using LOESS smoothing and the Mann-Kendall test showed no significant monotonic change in BCoV detection during the study period. Co-infection analysis indicated that BCoV was commonly detected with other viral respiratory pathogens, while bacterial pathogens predominated in many samples. Lung tissues from infected cattle were screened by RT-PCR, and selected samples with high viral loads were subjected to next-generation sequencing. Complete genome sequencing identified four respiratory BCoV isolates ([~]31 kb), all clustering within genotype GIIb with recent U.S. strains. Comparative genomic analysis revealed several amino acid substitutions in structural and non-structural proteins that may influence viral attachment, replication, and tissue tropism. These findings provide updated epidemiological and genomic insights into respiratory BCoV circulating in U.S. cattle.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2026

Spatiotemporal clustering of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at the wild waterfowl-poultry interface: Vector-specific spillover risks in the U.S., 2022-2025

BackgroundThe emergence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in North America, beginning in February 2022, has highlighted the dynamic, unpredictable, and regionally variable risk of infections. Studies are needed to assess the spatiotemporal clustering of HPAI H5 at the interface between wild waterfowl and commercial poultry to better understand and mitigate this risk. MethodsPublicly available data on HPAI H5 detections in wild birds and commercial poultry from January 2022 to January 2026 were analyzed at the county level. Retrospective space-time permutation models were used to identify and scan for clusters with higher than expected detection rates. ResultsA total of 17,091 HPAI H5 detections were reported in wild birds across 1,467 county-level locations. Four species, Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (2,848 detections, 16.66%), Canada goose (Branta canadensis) (1,496, 8.75%), Green-winged teal (Anas carolinensis) (1,364, 7.98%), and Snow goose (Anser caerulescens) (1,084, 6.34%), accounted for 39.73% of detections. In commercial poultry, 532 outbreaks in turkey operations, 148 outbreaks in table-egg layer operations, 99 outbreaks in broiler chicken operations, and 89 outbreaks in commercial duck operations were reported, respectively. Several spillover events followed an east-to-west expansion. In early 2022, mallard detections preceded outbreaks in Northeast egg-layer and duck farms, while snow goose detections in the Upper Midwest coincided with turkey farm outbreaks. In the Pacific and Mountain West during summer 2022, detections in Canada geese overlapped with turkey farm outbreaks. A resurgence occurred in the Midwest (2025), with snow and Canada goose detections overlapping severe outbreaks in turkey and layer flocks. Additionally, in the Upper Midwest, Canada goose and mallard detections overlapped with outbreaks in commercial duck farms during fall-winter 2025. ConclusionsThe study findings demonstrate distinct vector-based transmission dynamics of HPAI H5 at the wild waterfowl-poultry interface. Farm biosecurity strategies must adapt to these recurrent, vector-specific risks.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2023

Spatial analysis of environmental factors at found locations of orphaned mammals (Didelphis virginiana, Procyon lotor, Sciurus carolinensis, and Sylvilagus floridanus) in Champaign County, Illinois, USA

Interactions between people and wildlife are increasing as developments encroach on nature. Concurrently, neonatal and juvenile mammals are presented to rehabilitation centers as real or perceived "orphans", believed to be lacking appropriate parental care for survival. Four common orphaned mammals presented to wildlife rehabilitation facilities are the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana, DIVI), common raccoon (Procyon lotor, PRLO), eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis, SCCA), and eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus, SYFL). As some individuals are unnecessarily taken from their habitat, there is a benefit to characterizing where they are collected. This study utilized Geographic Information System to examine the spatial relationship between the environment and originating locations of orphans presented to the University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic within Champaign County from 2015-2020 (99 Virginia opossums, 80 common raccoons, 441 eastern gray squirrels, and 602 eastern cottontails). Environmental factors evaluated included percent tree canopy, land cover classification, and distance to water. Overall, these species were frequently found in highly developed areas (p < 0.001), near water (p < 0.027), with a low percent canopy (p < 0.001). Our analysis identifies environments associated with greater human-wildlife interactions and opportunities for targeted educational outreach.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2020

Live cell imaging of single neurotrophin receptor molecules on human neuron in Alzheimer's disease

The changes in the receptor dynamics such as the surface movement of the receptor molecules on the plasma membrane are essential to receptor function. However, whether the receptor dynamics are affected by disease conditions is unknown. Neurotrophin receptors such as TrkA and p75NTR play a critical role in neuronal survival and their functions are highly affected in Alzheimers disease (AD). Using live-cell single-molecule imaging of neurotrophin receptors we examined the surface trafficking of TrKA and p75NTR molecules on human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived live neurons from presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutant AD patients and healthy subjects. Here we report that surface trafficking of p75NTR molecules on neurites is faster than that of TrkA molecules in healthy controls. The surface dynamics of TrkA molecules were elevated in AD patients compared to healthy individuals. In contrast, the surface movement of p75NTR was significantly smaller in AD patients compared to healthy individuals. Interestingly, amyloid beta1-42 (A{beta}1-42) administration increased the surface trafficking of both TrkA and p75NTR in healthy hiPSCs neurons. These findings provides the first evidence that the surface diffusion of TrkA and p75NTR molecules are altered in patients suffering from AD. Our data also suggest that A{beta}1-42 may responsible for the alteration of the surface movements of TrkA but not for p75NTR. One Sentence SummaryThe surface movements of neurotrophin receptors such as TrkA and p75NTR are altered in neurons derived from patients suffering from familial Alzheimers disease.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2019

Single-molecule analysis reveals the rapid effect of estradiol on the surface movement of AMPAR in live neurons

The gonadal steroid 17{beta}-estradiol (E2) rapidly alters glutamatergic neurotransmission, but its direct effect on the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) remains unknown. Live-cell single-molecule imaging experiments revealed that E2 rapidly and dose-dependently alters the surface movement of AMPAR via membrane estrogen receptors with distinct effects on somas and neurites. The effect of E2 on the surface mobility of AMPAR depends on the integrity of the cortical actin network.

neuroscience↗