Y. Itakura

Combination therapy with oral antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs improves the efficacy of delayed treatment in severe COVID-19

This study shows that combining an oral antiviral with a corticosteroid improves treatment outcomes in delayed SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters compared to monotherapy.

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 XBB variant derived from recombination of two Omicron subvariants

This study identifies XBB as a SARS-CoV-2 variant resulting from recombination of BA.2 subvariants, showing increased resistance to neutralizing antibodies and enhanced fusogenicity compared to BA.2.75.

Morphogenesis of bullet-shaped rabies virus particles requires a functional interplay between the viral matrix protein and ESCRT-I component TSG101

This study identifies the interaction between rabies virus matrix protein and TSG101 as essential for bullet-shaped virion formation and efficient budding.

Convergent evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants leading to the emergence of BQ.1.1 variant

The paper investigates convergent evolution in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants, identifying five critical spike protein substitutions in BQ.1.1 that enhance viral fitness and antibody resistance.

Oral administration of S-217622, a SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor, decreases viral load and accelerates recovery from clinical aspects of COVID-19

This study shows that oral S-217622 reduces SARS-CoV-2 viral load and improves recovery in hamsters, with activity against multiple variants.

SARS-CoV-2 bearing a mutation at the S1/S2 cleavage site exhibits attenuated virulence and confers protective immunity

This study shows that SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations at the furin cleavage site are less virulent and induce protective immunity in hamsters.