Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Stefan Poehlmann

Ryan Hisner @ryanhisner.bsky.social · 13d

However, there's a well documented connection between spike NTD deletions & spike cleavage, as documented by @enyaqing.bsky.social, @grovearmada.bsky.social, & others. I've discussed this some in recent BA.3.2 🧵's & in this older 🧵 dedicated to the subject. 4/4
threadreaderapp.com/thread/15690...

Thread by @LongDesertTrain on Thread Reader App

@LongDesertTrain: BA.2, driven to near-zero levels by BA.5, still haunt us, spawning monstrous viruses that, after vanishing for months, burst forth, gnarled & hideous, in novel antibody armor. The la...

threadreaderapp.com

1 5 17

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 20h

Not sure about EPI_ISL_20192607 - labeled as BA.3 from Ireland. The limited spike sequence available carries some BA.3.2-like mutations but overall looks more like BA.3 with unique changes.

1 7

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 14d

Lu Zhang reporting on the SARS-CoV-2 variant BA.3.2 at #EMVZ, St Raphael, France. Great job, Lu!

1 1 7

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 16d

Great presentation by Nianzhen Chen on inhibition of MERS- CoV by soluble DPP4.
#EMVZ

1 1

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 16d

Such a joy to present at the European Meeting on Viral Zoonoses (#EMVZ) in beautiful Saint-Raphaël 🇫🇷 — amazing science, lively discussions, and an unforgettable setting. Can’t wait for the next one!

VIGILANT_EU @vigilant-eu.bsky.social · 17d

VIGILANT theme highlighted by Stefan Pöhlmann at the 11th European Meeting on Viral Zoonoses (Saint-Raphaël, Sept 20–23, 2025). Focus: how Sec61 targeting disrupts filovirus glycoprotein function and infectivity.
#ViralZoonoses #EMVZ #SaintRaphael

3

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 18d

But: it does matter for precautions - especially for vulnerable groups when weighing boosters and Long COVID risk.

6

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 18d

👉 Does this mean full hospitals? No.
👉 Changes in clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive practice? No.

1 4

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 18d

Some newer variants have relearned how to efficiently enter lung cells. If this feature appears in the right genetic background, increased capacity to cause disease might be the consequence.

Isaac Bogoch @isaacbogoch.bsky.social · 18d

Although the genetic fingerprint has shifted a bit, there is absolutely nothing new from a clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic, or preventive perspective.

Are we really going to do this every time the virus mutates, which it will continue to do frequently & indefinitely?

Link: tinyurl.com/3kt32bm9

1 1 5

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 19d

You mean accelerate viral spread in the population beyond that observed for previous variants/predicted by models? I cannot say at this point. Let’s see whether the existence of the recombinant virus can be confirmed.

1 2

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 20d

Very interesting. This might boost cell entry and maintain antibody evasion - the combination that’s needed for high transmissibility.
#BA32

Federico Gueli @siamosolocani.bsky.social · 21d

EPI_ISL_20175638 is the first possible recombinant with Jn.1 if real and not artifact or contamination or coinfection it would be BA.3.2.2/NB.1.8.1/BA.3.2.2/NB.1.8.1 getting from 245 to 439 in the spike from NB.1.8.1 and getting back orf7ab/Orf8 and acquiring Orf9b:I5T all from NB.1.8.1

2 2 8

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 26d

www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/F_I...

Virus WAtch

A weekly report of the activity of viruses responsible for influenza-like illness, viral gastroenteritis and viral rashes in WA in the previous 8 weeks. It summarises information from a range of sour...

www.health.wa.gov.au

4

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · 26d

Been traveling with little internet & almost missed it: BA.3.2 shows high frequency in infections but low in wastewater. Start of a JN.1-like spread, or just the last blip of a fading variant?

#BA32

4 2 9

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Sep 7

David Baltimore, Nobel-Winning Molecular Biologist, Dies at 87 www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/s...

David Baltimore, Nobel-Winning Molecular Biologist, Dies at 87

www.nytimes.com

1 1 6

Reposted by Stefan Poehlmann

VIGILANT_EU @vigilant-eu.bsky.social · Sep 6

Ebola poses a serious global threat. We hope for swift containment and are committed to research for future prevention.

CNN @cnn.com · Sep 6

A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is suspected of causing 15 deaths among 28 people with symptoms, the health ministry in the central African country said Thursday.

New Ebola outbreak in DR Congo suspected of causing 15 deaths | CNN

A new Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is suspected of causing 15 deaths among 28 people with symptoms, the health ministry in the central African country said Thursday.

www.cnn.com

1 4

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Sep 4

Furin activates viruses but blocking it specifically and potently is challenging. This study found a way 👀

VIGILANT_EU @vigilant-eu.bsky.social · Sep 4

1/
The protease furin activates dangerous viruses like H5N1. But since it has many close relatives, specifically targeting furin is a huge challenge.
#Virology #DrugDiscovery

1

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Sep 4

Interesting, thanks

1 2

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

Many thanks. I will need some time to look at the data.
Just to clarify - are you suggesting that if fecal shedding of JN.1 were truly markedly enhanced, then observed case numbers should have been lower than predicted, but in fact they were not?

1 3

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

#SARSCoV2 #BA32

2

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

However, I am only aware of the study above and am looking forward to the thoughts of @solidevidence.bsky.social

2 5

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

Increased shedding of BA.2.86, JN.1 and potentially BA.3.2 would be in agreement with infection of intestinal tissue contributing to SARS-CoV-2 persistence in immunocompromised patients.

1 4

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

🔗 Increased faecal shedding in SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1 – The Lancet Infectious Diseases
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

Increased faecal shedding in SARS-CoV-2 variants BA.2.86 and JN.1

The SARS-CoV-2 variant JN.1 swiftly became the global dominant strain1,2 due to a spike protein Leu455Ser substitution, boosting transmissibility and immune-escape capabilities, surpassing its predece...

www.thelancet.com

1 2 2

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 31

It is possible that BA.3.2 exhibits increased fecal shedding. This speculation is based on the manuscript 👇. The study indicates that fecal shedding of BA.2.86 and its derivative JN.1 is higher as compared to that of previous variants.

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 29

BA.3.2 is a saltation variant, previously detected in 🇿🇦 🇲🇿 🇳🇱 🇺🇸 and now 🇦🇺.
So far, it’s played only a peripheral role - if any.
That might change now, the next weeks will tell. It could have the potential to dominate the COVID endemic.
Thanks to @mikehoney.bsky.social for sharing the data.

Mike Honey @mikehoney.bsky.social · Aug 29

BA.3.2.* variant making a solid debut in this week's wastewater for Perth - looks to be at around 15%. Quite impressive for a debutant.

2 3 8

Stefan Poehlmann @snpoehlm.bsky.social · Aug 29

BA.3.2 is a saltation variant, previously detected in 🇿🇦 🇲🇿 🇳🇱 🇺🇸 and now 🇦🇺.
So far, it’s played only a peripheral role - if any.
That might change now, the next weeks will tell. It could have the potential to dominate the COVID endemic.
Thanks to @mikehoney.bsky.social for sharing the data.

Mike Honey @mikehoney.bsky.social · Aug 29

BA.3.2.* variant making a solid debut in this week's wastewater for Perth - looks to be at around 15%. Quite impressive for a debutant.

1 4 12

Reposted by Stefan Poehlmann

Ryan Hisner @ryanhisner.bsky.social · Aug 28

The three BA.3.2.2 from Western Australia appear to form an independent branch, but that's only due to the very low quality of the sequences. After making a few manual fixes, I got them to show up on the correct branch, next to several of the most recent South African sequences.

2 11 37