#PathogenOfTheWeek
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is probably the most recognizable pathogen of our time.

LJI scientists have been at the forefront of #COVID19 vaccine research, and they've made critical discoveries. 1/2 🧵

#virology #InfectiousDisease #SARSCoV2 #pandemic
Art by @patriciapauchnick #Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #COVID #Coronavirus #COVIDVaccine #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth Alt text: Illustration of SARS-CoV-2 with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of pink and yellow. Large "Spike" proteins stick out of its surface, and genetic material is packed into the center of the circle. This virus causes COVID-19. It is known for evolving rapidly into new “variants of concern”—such as the Omicron variant. Vaccines and therapies are effective for many people.
March 21, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Here's a closer look at mpox virus, and its cousin, variola virus (which causes smallpox).

These viruses are orthopoxviruses—a genus that's been the bane of humankind for thousands of years. 1/3 🧵

#Immunology #Virology #ImmuneSystem #Health #InfectiousDisease
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine #Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #Mpox #Smallpox #InfectiousDisease #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth Alt text: Illustration of two orthopoxviruses with description. These viruses are illustrated with shades of blue and pink. They resemble rectangles with rounded edges. Descriptions: Mpox virus causes outbreaks worldwide. Low-level transmission is ongoing in the United States. There are effective vaccines, and there are experimental treatments. Variola virus - Causes smallpox. Eradicated. Success story: Smallpox was a global killer for thousands of years. Fortunately, smallpox vaccines were some of the first vaccines ever developed. Many countries launched massive smallpox vaccination campaigns in the 1800s and early 1900s. In 1980, smallpox was declared eradicated across the globe.
February 13, 2025 at 6:31 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Lassa virus is a growing concern for #GlobalHealth. The virus has caused deadly outbreaks in West Africa—and it has a death toll of up to 90% in pregnant individuals. 1/2 🧵

#Lassa #LassaVirus #ZoonoticDiseases #InfectiousDisease #VaccineResearch #Virology
Illustration of Lassa virus with description. The virus is illustrated with shades of blue and red. It resembles a sphere with protruding surface receptors. Inside the sphere is a string-like proteins and genetic materia. Description: Lassa virus is spread by a type of rat in West Africa. High mortality rate, especially in pregnant and immunocompromised people. Vaccines are in development and at the clinical-testing stage. Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine
March 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Herpesviruses cause an astonishing array of health problems. They are the cause of chickenpox, shingles, and mononucleosis (aka "mono"). A herpesvirus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) is actually the leading cause of congenital birth defects. 🧵1/2 #virology #health #immunology
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine Illustration of three herpesviruses with descriptions. These viruses are illustratied in shades of orange. They are round viruses with protruding surface proteins. Cytomegalovirus - Many people unknowingly carry this virus. Rarely causes severe symptoms unless contracted when a person is pregnant. Infections during pregnancy can lead to debilitating birth defects in newborns. No vaccine exists. Epstein-Barr virus - Causes mononucleosis, aka “mono.” Associated with several other diseases— including Burkitt lymphoma and stomach cancer. No vaccine exists. Varicella-zoster virus - Causes chicken pox. Can hide in the nervous system for decades and emerge to cause shingles. Vaccines exist.
February 6, 2025 at 5:52 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) evolved to attack the body's own immune system—and it continues to evolve to evade our immune defenses. 1/2 🧵

#Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #Virology #HIV #AIDS #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth
Illustration of human immunodeficiency virus with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of blue and grey. It is a sphere with protruding surface proteins. There are additional proteins inside the virus that resemble fuzzy threads and blobs. Description: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - Causes AIDS. No vaccine or cure exists—but scientists have developed protective therapies (such as PReP) and life-saving treatments. Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine
January 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Dengue virus, Zika virus, Powassan virus, and chikungunya are all "arboviruses" spread by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks.

These viruses are a growing concern for #GlobalHealth as mosquitoes and other animals migrate to new regions. 1/3 🧵

#Zika #Powassan #Chikungunya
Infographic with illustrations of dengue virus, Zika virus, Powassan virus, and Chikungunya virus. These viruses are illustrated in shades of green and yellow. The viruses resemble golf balls with textured surfaces. Three of the viruses are flaviviruses. Dengue virus - Spread by mosquitoes. There are four types of dengue virus—and we have no effective vaccines for any of them. Zika virus- Spread by mosquitoes. Can cause flu-like symptoms in adults and microcephaly in newborns who were infected in the womb. Vaccines are in development. Powassan virus Spread by ticks. Causes severe disease. A rising number of cases have been reported in the Northeast and Great Lakes regions of the United States. No vaccines exist We also see that Chikungunya is a related virus but not a flavivirus. Instead, it is also an arbovirus. Chikungunya - Spread by mosquitoes. Can cause fever and chronic joint pain. One vaccine exists— but there is no treatment for the disease. This section reads: Arboviruses: Hiding in nature Scientists call any virus spread by arthropods (such as mosquitos and ticks) an “arbovirus.” These viruses use arthropods as vectors to jump between animals and humans. Arboviruses are especially important to monitor because they can evolve in wildlife populations for years before spilling over to infect humans.
March 13, 2025 at 4:18 PM
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For our final #PathogenOfTheWeek post, we've imagined "Virus X." This pathogen represents a future threat to global health.

LJI scientists know that the next pandemic threat may come from a newly emerged or evolved pathogen—one we've never faced. 1/2 🧵 #GlobalHealth #immunology
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine #Immunology Alt text: An illustration of a hypothetical virus termed "Virus X." It is illustrated in shades of red, green and blue. It has a mix of surface proteins and a question mark in the center.
March 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM
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Welcome to our new #PathogenOfTheWeek series!

This week, meet three deadly bacteria: S. pneumoniae (the leading cause of pneumonia and meningitis), B. pertussis (cause of whooping cough) and M. tuberculosis (cause of TB). 1/🧵 #InfectiousDisease #Microbiology #Health #Immunology
Illustration of three bacteria illustrated in shades of blue with descriptions: Bordetella pertussis - Resembles a bean with hair-like appendages. Description: This bacterium causes whooping cough. Vaccines exist—but immunocompromised people are still at risk. Cases in the United States are rising as vaccination rates fall. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This is a rod-shaped bacterium. Causes tuberculosis. A vaccine exists—but around 10 million people around the world are still infected by this bacterium every year. Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterium resembles segmented strings. Causes pneumonia and pneumococcal meningitis. There are vaccines—but cases are still rising in the United States.
January 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: To prevent future pandemics, we need to understand how to stop paramyxoviruses. This genus of viruses includes #measles virus and the deadly Nipah virus. 1/2 🧵

#Immunology #ImmuneSystem #Antibodies #Tcells #VaccineResearch #Medicine #Health
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine #Immunology #Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine #SanDiego #Microbiology #SciComm #SciArt #Virology #Measles #Nipah #ZoonoticDisease #VaccineResearch #GlobalHealth Alt text: Illustration of two paramyxoviruses with descriptions. These viruses are illustrated in shades of pink and orange. They resemble spheres with protruding surface proteins that look like small florets. Nipah virus - Carried by bats. Known for its high mortality rate. Has caused deadly outbreaks in southeastern Africa and Southeast Asia. There are no approved vaccines or treatments. Measles virus - A growing cause of childhood death worldwide. Vaccination rates are dropping. Pregnant people and immunocompromised people cannot receive the vaccine.
January 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek Ebola virus is a rare but very dangerous pathogen. It is known as a filovirus—named after its twisted, "filamentous" structure.

There are actually 4 species of Ebolaviruses, but we only have approved vaccines against one species 1/🧵

#Immunology #Science #Virology #Ebola
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine Description: Illustration of Ebola virus with description. The virus is illustrated in shades of pink and light blue. Ebola virus resembles a twisted filament or worm. The surface of the virus is covered in protruding receptors. Description: Ebola virus is spread by infected wild animals. Known for its high mortality rate. Two licensed vaccines exist.
January 16, 2025 at 8:35 PM
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#PathogenOfTheWeek: Stopping influenza viruses is key to pandemic preparedness. These viruses evolve incredibly quickly and have found ways to pass from many kinds of animal hosts (birds, swine, etc) to humans. 1/3 🧵

#Immunology #Virology #Antibodies #Health #Medicine
Art by @patriciapauchnick for LJI's Immune Matters Magazine Alt text: Illustration of Influenza virus with description. Influenza virus is illustrated in shades of pink and light blue. It resembles a sphere. It is studded with protruding surface receptors that resemble florets or rounded rods. Description: Influenza is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. There are four types of influenza virus and many rapidly evolving strains, including H5N1—better known as “bird flu.” Seasonal vaccines can provide some immunity. But many people—especially infants and older adults—are still vulnerable to life-threatening infection.
February 20, 2025 at 8:22 PM
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We wish to thank San Diego artist Patricia Pauchnick for bringing our #PathogenOfTheWeek series to life!

Check out LJI's Immune Matters magazine for more science articles and eye-catching #SciArt!

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#Science #STEM #Biology #Health #Medicine
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March 27, 2025 at 5:36 PM