Are pangolins the intermediate host of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)?

Mercer et al report that GRA24 triggers p38 MAPK activation and IL-12 production independently of TLR/MyD88 signaling in T. gondii infection. GRA24 induces host protective immune response, likely an evolutionary adaptation to aid host survival.

Burke, Mark & Kun et al evaluate the effectiveness of combination therapy for prion disease. They find that this is no more effective and that it induced the formation of a new specifically resistant prion strain. This work suggests combination therapy may not be a good strategy for treating prions because of their unique malleability.

Borrelia burgdorferi, B. afzelii and B. garinii are associated with different manifestations that likely involve strain-specific interactions with host components. Lin et al propose that tissue-binding by OspC is critical for infection and joint invasion, and OspC variation between strains directly influences tissue tropism.