INTERVIROLOGY

Antiviral activity of the chemokine CXCL10 against West Nile virus
Deroche L, Cavillon C, Garcia M, Larivière A, Marchal P, Chessa C, Damour A, Jousselin C, Bodet C and Lévêque N
West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging arbovirus for which there is no vaccine nor antiviral treatment. Skin cells are the primary site of WNV replication following transmission by the mosquito vector. In a previous work, strong induction of CXCL10 mRNA expression was observed during in vitro infection of human primary keratinocytes with WNV. Known to be chemoattractant, CXCL10 has also been reported to exhibit antimicrobial peptide properties through direct inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The objective of this work was to investigate the antiviral properties of CXCL10 against WNV.
Human papillomavirus genotype distribution patterns in Zimbabwe; is the bivalent vaccine sufficient?
Marembo T, Fitzpatrick MB and Dube Mandishora RS
Vaccination against Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary preventative strategy that has been shown to reduce the burden of HPV related diseases. Zimbabwe introduced the bivalent vaccine (HPV 16/18) in the vaccination program targeting prepubescent girls in 2018. This review is an analysis of the distribution of HPV genotypes from various studies conducted in Zimbabwe to ascertain the effectiveness of the bivalent vaccine and make recommendations for future HPV vaccine choices.
The Prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Normal, Premalignant, and Malignant Uterine Cervical Samples in Iran
Chavoshpour-Mamaghani S, Shoja Z and Jalilvand S
It is suggested that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play an important role in cervical cancer development. Most studies found a higher rate of EBV in cervical cancer samples in comparison to premalignant and normal groups. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EBV in cervical samples.
Differences between Chronically Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Pregnant Women with and without Intrafamilial Infection: From Viral Gene Sequences to Clinical Manifestations
Gao F, Li X, Wang X, Liu H, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Jia Y, Zhao Z and Bai G
This study aimed to investigate the differences between pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and intrafamilial infection and those without intrafamilial infection.
Molecular Characterization of Enteric Viruses Causing Acute Gastroenteritis among Children under 5 Years Old in Distrito Central, Honduras
Ortiz-Quintero J, Cabrera Y, Bourdett-Stanziola L and Ferrera A
Diarrheal diseases constitute a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and morbidity. In Honduras and around the world, RVs have consistently emerged as the single most important etiologic agent in acute childhood diarrhea. However, other viruses, such as NoVs and HAstVs, have also been shown to be responsible for viral gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, the country has limited information concerning the etiologic role of these viral agents in acute gastroenteritis. This study investigated the frequency, genotypes, and epidemiological characteristics of RV-A, NoVs, and HAstVs among children under 5 years old in Distrito Central, Honduras.
Serological Evidence of Bluetongue Virus Serotypes Circulating in Pakistan
Ishaq M, Jamal SM, Ali S, Teodori L, Leone A, Bonfini B, Spedicato M and Savini G
Bluetongue is an arthropod-borne viral disease of ruminants, which is caused by bluetongue virus (BTV) that exists in more than 30 different serotypes. The disease is endemic in Pakistan. However, little is known about circulating BTV serotypes in the country. This study reports the serotypes of BTV in North-Western Pakistan.
Comparison of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Technique with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Next-Generation Sequencing for Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Ahmadi Z, Maleki A, Eybpoosh S, Fereydouni Z, Tavakoli M, Kashanian S, Farhan Asadi L, Nemati AH and Salehi-Vaziri M
The rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and their potential to endangering the global health has increased the demand for a fast-tracking method in comparison to the next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a gold standard assay, particularly in developing countries. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a commercial multiplex real-time PCR technique (GA SARS-CoV-2 OneStep RT-PCR Kit, Iran) for identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) compared to the Oxford Nanopore NGS assay.
GSK-3β as a Potential Coordinator of Anabolic and Catabolic Pathways in Hepatitis C Virus Insulin Resistance
Das GC and Hollinger FB
Chronic hepatitis C infection can result in insulin resistance (IR). We have previously shown that it occurs through the interaction of pathways for glucose homeostasis, insulin signaling, and autophagy. But it is not known how soon the pathways are activated and how IR is related to the signals generated by catabolic and anabolic conditions occurring in infected cells. We have extended our studies to a cell culture system mimicking acute infection and to downstream pathways involving energy-sensor AMPK and nutrient-sensor mTOR that are active in catabolic and anabolic processes within the infected cells.
Combination Therapy with Secretome of Reovirus-Infected Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Metformin Improves Anticancer Effects of Irinotecan on Colorectal Cancer Cells in vitro
Elhamipour M, Soleimanjahi H, Abdoli A, Sharifi N, Karimi H, Soleyman Jahi S and Kvistad R
Irinotecan, a topoismorase 1 inhibitor, has been used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It was shown that monotherapy alone is largely ineffective. The combination therapy was used for antitumor activity. The synergistic anticancer effects of oncolytic reovirus-infected secretome in combination with irinotecan and metformin are evaluated in vitro. The aim of research was to assess anticancer impacts of ReoT3D, irinotecan, metformin in combination, against murine colorectal cancer cells (CT26).
Molecular Biological Mechanisms of Action of Chrysophanol in Hepatic Stellate Cells Activated by Hepatic B Virus X Based on Network Pharmacology
Lin CH, Cheng CF, Chiou YS, Wang I and Kuo CY
Chrysophanol (Cho) is a natural anthraquinone with biological effects such as inducing ferroptosis and anticancer activity. The hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) is essential for HBV replication. We aimed to identify the key pathways in HBx-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and to characterize the potential mechanisms of action of Cho against liver fibrosis.
Surveillance of Pathogens Causing Viral Diarrhea in Yichang in 2022 and 2023
Li J, Su Z, Moming A, Qian J, Zhang D, Zhou K, Liu Y, Liu B, Cai K and Yang J
This study compared the pattern of viral diarrhea in Yichang City, China, in 2022 and 2023 before and after the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions.
Impact of COVID-19 and Nonpharmaceutical Interventions on Common Respiratory Viruses in Children: A 5-Year Study in Hangzhou, China
Zhou J, Sun Y, Shen H, Yang L, Ye Q, Zhu H and Zhu Z
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) not only curbed the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) but also affected common respiratory viruses infected by children.
Genetic and Antigenic Variability in VP4 and VP7 of Group A Human Rotavirus in Yunnan, China, from 2015 to 2020
Ma H, Wang M, Chuan L, Long S, Qiu L, Zhao C, Sun Q, Zhang Z and Jiang H
Rotavirus (RV) A is one of the major reasons which causes acute dehydration and diarrhea. It is also one of the highest morbid diseases in children. There are only a few reports about the changes in prevalence and VP4/VP7 genotype of RVs in southwest China. Here is the report about the prevalence of RVs from 2015 to 2020 in Yunnan, southwest China.
Expression of Concern
Global Prevalence of Preexisting Antibodies against Human Adenoviruses, Surveyed from 1962 to 2021
Luo H, Zhou Q, Feng J, Wu Y, Chen H, Mao M and Qi R
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are extensively used as vectors for vaccines development and cancer therapy. People who already have antibodies against HAdVs, on the other hand, would have an impact on the preventative or therapeutic effect. This review focuses primarily on the prevalence of pre-existing antibodies against HAdVs in distinct geographical populations.
Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Santimano AJ, Al-Zoubi RM, Al-Qudimat AR, Al Darwish MB, Ojha LK, Rejeb MA, Hamad Y, Elrashid MA, Ruxshan NM, El Omri A, Bawadi H, Al-Asmakh MA, Yassin A, Aboumarzouk OM, Zarour A and Al-Ansari AA
The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at a higher risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. This review aimed to provide healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with a comprehensive overview of the available information regarding the efficacy of vaccines in pregnant women.
The Fitness of Molnupiravir-Signed SARS-CoV-2 Variants: Imputation Analysis Based on Prescription Counts and Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data Analyses by Country
Focosi D, McNally D and Maggi F
Molnupiravir is one of the oral direct-acting antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, largely deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic since the 2022 Omicron wave. While efficacy has been questioned in post-marketing clinical trials (leading to the EMA withdrawing its authorization), growing concerns have mounted regarding its possible mutagenic effects on the virus. While it has been assumed that either all the host viral load was cleared by the drug or drug-generated variants were not fit enough to survive, several lineages with a high transition/transversion ratio (a signature of molnupiravir action) have been recently reported from GISAID.
Challenges and Pragmatic Solutions for Assessing the Reliability of HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring in Resource-Constrained Settings
Demosthenes JP, Ghale BC, Alex D, Ramalingam VV, Fletcher GJ, Abraham P and Kannangai R
HIV-1 RNA detection is the most reliable method for monitoring treatment response among people living with HIV. Effective quality control measures that include internal quality control (IQC) are challenging in resource-constrained settings.
An Outbreak of Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis Caused by Coxsackievirus A24 in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India 2023
Behera SP, Mishra N, Yadav R, Shukla A, Kumari M, Rajput S, Fatma I, Tiwari A, Srivastava P, Tiwari S, Singh R, Ranawade SS, Murhekar M and Dwivedi GR
Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) outbreaks are caused mostly by viruses. During July-August 2023, there was a sudden spike in acute hemorrhage conjunctivitis cases in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. To identify the etiological and gain molecular epidemiology of the agent, the study was conducted.
Seroprevalence of Enterovirus D68 Infection among Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Shi Y, Ran Q, Wang X and Shi L
Human enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), which belongs to enteroviruses of the small RNA family, is a type of enterovirus that can cause acute respiratory tract infection and central nervous system diseases. This study systematically analysed and summarized EV-D68 antibody studies in databases and identified the seropositivity rates of different regions, ages, and sexes.
Nanoparticles with a Lipid Core Can Enhance the Infection of Epithelial Cells with an Enterovirus
Vergez I, Nekoua MP, Rubrecht C, Fasquelle F, Scuotto A, Alidjinou EK, Betbeder D and Hober D
The effect of maltodextrin-based nanoparticles with an anionic phospholipid core (lipid-based nanoparticles [NPLs]) on the infection of a human tumoral cell line with poliovirus (PV) has been studied.