Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yoo-Seung Ko, Eun-Ji Gi, Sungsu Lee, Hyong-Ho Cho
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of red and near-infrared (NIR) LED irradiation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced otitis media (OM) in rats, human middle ear epithelial cells (HMEECs), and murine macrophage cells (RAW 264.7). The results showed that red and NIR LED irradiation effectively reduced congestion and inflammation caused by LPS-induced OM, decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and worked through the inhibition of the MAPK signaling pathway.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Oren Ziv, Dana Adelson, Reem Sadeh, Sofia Kordeluk, Sabri El-Saied, Eugene Leibovitz, Mordechai Kraus, Daniel Kaplan
Summary: This retrospective cohort study showed that immunization with pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) significantly reduced the occurrence of recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) in infants following an early episode of acute otitis media (AOM).
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ravinder Kaur, Minh Pham, Karl O. A. Yu, Michael E. Pichichero
Summary: The study found that antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated from children improved initially after the introduction of PCV13, but began to decrease from 2013 onwards due to the emergence of new serotypes not included in PCV13. These new strains exhibit reduced susceptibility to multiple commonly used antibiotics, compared to the pre-PCV13 era.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ron Dagan, Bart Adriaan van der Beek, Shalom Ben-Shimol, Tamara Pilishvili, Noga Givon-Lavi
Summary: The study demonstrates that the 7-valent and 13-valent pneumococcal vaccines are effective in protecting against otitis media caused by specific serotypes, especially serotypes 19F and 19A.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sunil Palani, Md Bashir Uddin, Michael McKelvey, Shengjun Shao, Keer Sun
Summary: The susceptibility of B6 mice to pneumococcal pneumonia after mild IAV infection is primarily attributed to the type 1 immune predisposition. IFN-γ signaling inhibits neutrophil recruitment and bacterial clearance in B6 mice, leading to lethal coinfection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su Young Jung, Dokyoung Kim, Dong Choon Park, Eun Hye Lee, Yong-Sung Choi, Jeewon Ryu, Sang Hoon Kim, Seung Geun Yeo
Summary: Otitis media is caused by various factors including infections, anatomo-physiological abnormalities, allergies, and environmental influences. This study highlights the immune responses in otitis media patients, focusing on antibodies and transcription factors produced by B cells, as well as the important functions of B cells in immune defense.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su Young Jung, Dokyoung Kim, Dong Choon Park, Sung Soo Kim, Tong In Oh, Dae Woong Kang, Sang Hoon Kim, Seung Geun Yeo
Summary: Otitis media is mainly caused by upper respiratory tract infection and eustachian tube dysfunction. The expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is closely related to the occurrence, recurrence, chronicization, and complications of otitis media, playing an important role in the early response to external antigens.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Janna-Maija Mattila, Emilia Thomas, Pasi Lehtinen, Tytti Vuorinen, Matti Waris, Terho Heikkinen
Summary: Influenza viruses infect millions of children each year, with young children at the highest risk for hospitalizations. However, most young children are treated as outpatients, and limited data is available on the burden of influenza in these children. Effective strategies are needed to prevent influenza, particularly in infants under 6 months of age, to reduce the burden of disease in this age group.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2021)
Review
Otorhinolaryngology
Thanakrit Wannarong, Pichamon Ekpatanaparnich, Adhiratha Boonyasiri, Orawan Supapueng, Vannipa Vathanophas, Archwin Tanphaichitr, Kitirat Ungkanont
Summary: The study assessed the effect of the pneumococcal vaccine on the surgical management and complications of otitis media. The results showed that the pneumococcal vaccine significantly reduced the rate of tympanostomy tube insertion and recurrent acute otitis media in children, but had no significant effect on the incidence of otitis media with effusion.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Michael E. Pichichero, Timothy J. Chapman, Peter Bajorski
Summary: The study revealed that otitis-prone children are more susceptible to respiratory infections, showing higher rates of pneumonia, acute sinusitis, and influenza compared to non-otitis-prone children. This increased susceptibility was present from 6 months to 5 years of age, indicating the importance of monitoring and managing respiratory infections in otitis-prone children.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Eliza M. Melo, Juliana Del Sarto, Juliana P. Vago, Luciana P. Tavares, Flavia Rago, Ana Paula F. Goncalves, Marina G. Machado, Irene Aranda-Pardos, Bruno V. S. Valiate, Geovanni D. Cassali, Vanessa Pinho, Lirlandia P. Sousa, Noelia A-Gonzalez, Maria Jose Campagnole-Santos, Michael Bader, Robson A. S. Santos, Alexandre Machado, Stephan Ludwig, Mauro M. Teixeira
Summary: Therapeutic treatment with Ang-(1-7) reduces neutrophil recruitment and lung injury, decreases viral load and morbidity after primary IAV infection, and protects against secondary bacterial infection of the lung. However, these effects are MasR-dependent, as MasR-deficient mice were highly susceptible to IAV infection and did not benefit from Ang-(1-7) treatment.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Alessandra Lochen, James E. Truscott, Nicholas J. Croucher
Summary: The study describes Bayesian models for analyzing opportunistic pathogens, estimating progression rates of different pathogen strains to understand the risk of causing disease and identify potential high-risk strains. This is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions and identifying new highly invasive variants.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hye-Young Kim, Seong-Beom Park, Eun-Sil Kang, Sang-Min Lee, Hyun-Jin Kim, Matt Wasserman
Summary: The study showed that introducing PCV13 into the national immunization program in South Korea was estimated to have a greater impact and be more cost-effective compared to PCV10. This was mainly due to the broader serotype coverage of PCV13, leading to more cases of pneumococcal disease being averted and cost-saving.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Daoli Xie, Tong Zhao, Xiaolin Zhang, Lihong Kui, Qin Wang, Yuancheng Wu, Tihua Zheng, Peng Ma, Yan Zhang, Helen Molteni, Ruishuang Geng, Ying Yang, Bo Li, Qing Yin Zheng
Summary: Autophagy impairment is involved in PGPS-induced OM and rapamycin improves OM by relieving autophagy impairment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Janine Paynter, Anna S. Howe, Emma Best, Helen Petousis-Harris
Summary: This study used New Zealand's linkable, administrative health data to examine the comparative risk of otitis media (OM) and pneumonia hospitalisations among children receiving three different pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). The results showed that PCV10 was associated with a reduced risk for OM compared with PCV7. There were no significant differences between PCV10 and PCV13 in risk of hospitalisation with either otitis media or all-cause pneumonia amongst the transition 2 cohort. In the 18-month follow-up after transition 3, PCV13 was associated with a marginally higher risk of all-cause pneumonia and otitis media compared to PCV10.
Article
Immunology
Jan-Stephan F. Sanders, Frederike J. Bemelman, A. Lianne Messchendorp, Carla C. Baan, Debbie van Baarle, Rob van Binnendijk, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Sophie C. Frolke, Daryl Geers, Corine H. GeurtsvanKessel, Gerco den Hartog, Marieke van der Heiden, Celine Imhof, Marcia M. L. Kho, Marion P. G. Koopmans, S. Reshwan K. Malahe, Wouter B. Mattheussens, Renate van der Molen, Djenolan van Mourik, Ester B. M. Remmerswaal, Nynke Rots, Priya Vart, Rory D. de Vries, Ron T. Gansevoort, Luuk B. Hilbrands, Marlies E. J. Reinders
Summary: In kidney patients, the immunogenicity, tolerability, and safety of COVID-19 vaccination vary. Kidney transplant recipients have a poor immune response, while patients with CKD G4/5 and those on dialysis have a comparable response to the control group. Dialysis patients and transplant recipients experience fewer adverse events after vaccination.
Article
Immunology
Joshua Gillard, Bastiaan A. Blok, Daniel R. Garza, Prashanna Balaji Venkatasubramanian, Elles Simonetti, Marc J. Eleveld, Guy A. M. Berbers, Pieter G. M. van Gageldonk, Irma Joosten, Ronald de Groot, L. Charlotte J. de Bree, Reinout van Crevel, Marien de Jonge, Martijn A. Huynen, Mihai G. Netea, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos
Summary: This study demonstrates that prior Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination enhances immune responses to pertussis vaccines. Simultaneous BCG and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccinations do not show the same effect. Biomarkers of trained immunity are identified as the most reliable correlates of the enhanced immune responses.
Article
Virology
Melkamu B. Tessema, Rubaiyea Farrukee, Christopher E. Andoniou, Mariapia A. Degli-Esposti, Clare Oates, James B. Barnes, Linda M. Wakim, Andrew G. Brooks, Sarah L. Londrigan, Patrick C. Reading
Summary: This study is the first to report the antiviral activity of mouse Mx1 against alphaherpesviruses, demonstrating that mMx1 can effectively inhibit the growth of HSV-1 by blocking viral genome replication and late gene expression. Additionally, the functional endogenous mMx1 is shown to limit the pathogenesis of HSV-1 in a mouse infection model.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa Kurver, Corne H. van den Kieboom, Kjerstin Lanke, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Gijs J. Overheul, Mihai G. Netea, Jaap ten Oever, Reinout van Crevel, Karin Mulders-Manders, Frank L. van de Veerdonk, Heiman Wertheim, Jeroen Schouten, Janette Rahamat-Langendoen, Ronald P. van Rij, Teun Bousema, Arjan van Laarhoven, Marien de Jonge
Summary: Understanding the contagiousness of COVID-19 is crucial for the accurate management of hospitalized patients. This study found that in addition to droplet transmission, aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 also contributes to the spread of infection. Using a disposable modular breath sampler, the researchers successfully detected viral RNA in exhaled air samples from 25% of the hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jan Stephan F. Sanders, A. Lianne Messchendorp, Rory D. de Vries, Carla C. Baan, Debbie van Baarle, Rob van Binnendijk, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Daryl Geers, Katharina S. Schmitz, Corine H. GeurtsvanKessel, Gerco den Hartog, Marcia M. L. Kho, Marion P. G. Koopmans, Renate G. van der Molen, Ester B. M. Remmerswaal, Nynke Rots, Ron T. Gansevoort, Frederike J. Bemelman, Luuk B. Hilbrands, Marlies E. J. Reinders
Summary: The immune response to COVID-19 vaccination is inferior in kidney transplant recipients and to a lesser extent in patients on dialysis or with chronic kidney disease. The antibody levels and T-cell responses significantly decrease after 6 months of vaccination, and neutralization of the Omicron variant is barely detectable.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Lara S. U. Schwab, Fernando Villalon-Letelier, Melkamu B. Tessema, Sarah L. Londrigan, Andrew G. Brooks, Aeron Hurt, Christoph Coch, Thomas Zillinger, Gunther Hartmann, Patrick C. Reading
Summary: The synthetic RIG-I agonist can induce the expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and inhibit IAV infection in mice, but the effectiveness varies between mouse strains with or without functional Mx1 expression.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marcia M. L. Kho, A. Lianne Messchendorp, Sophie C. Froelke, Celine Imhof, Vera J. C. H. Koomen, S. Reshwan K. Malahe, Priya Vart, Daryl Geers, Rory D. de Vries, Corine H. Geurtsvan Kessel, Carla C. Baan, Renate G. van der Molen, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Ester B. M. Remmerswaal, Debbie van Baarle, Rob van Binnendijk, Gerco den Hartog, Aiko P. J. de Vries, Ron T. Gansevoort, Frederike J. Bemelman, Marlies E. J. Reinders, Jan-Stephan F. Sanders, Luuk B. Hilbrands
Summary: This study aimed to compare three alternative strategies for improving the COVID-19 vaccine response in kidney transplant recipients: double vaccine dose, heterologous vaccination, and temporary discontinuation of mycophenolate mofetil or mycophenolic acid. The results showed that repeated vaccination increased SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in kidney transplant recipients, but higher dose, heterologous vaccine, or discontinuation of immunosuppressants did not further enhance the response.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ya Wang, Klaus Schughart, Tiana Maria Pelaia, Tracy Chew, Karan Kim, Thomas Karvunidis, Ben Knippenberg, Sally Teoh, Amy L. Phu, Kirsty R. Short, Jonathan Iredell, Irani Thevarajan, Jennifer Audsley, Stephen Macdonald, Jonathon Burcham, Benjamin Tang, Anthony McLean, Maryam Shojaei
Summary: Compared to healthy individuals and patients with mild/moderate COVID-19, severe COVID-19 patients showed upregulation of growth factor and cell cycle signaling pathways, with downregulation of interferon signaling pathways. Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9) was found in five of the top 10 upregulated pathways, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target against COVID-19.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Veronique Corbiere, Eleonora E. Lambert, Marine Rodesch, Jacqueline A. M. van Gaans-van den Brink, Alicja Misiak, Elles Simonetti, Anne Van Praet, Audrey Godefroid, Dimitri A. Diavatopoulos, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Francoise Mascart
Summary: This study developed a two-step assay for evaluating the immunogenicity of pertussis vaccines. It involved stimulating fresh whole blood with pertussis antigens, cryopreserving the stimulated cells, and later analyzing cytokine production using flow cytometry. The assay demonstrated high reproducibility and sensitivity, allowing for the accurate quantification of pertussis antigen-specific Th1, Th2, and Th17-type CD4(+) T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Immunology
Brad Gilbertson, Kanta Subbarao
Summary: There is a widespread and unprecedented spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 viruses in bird species on five continents, with infections also reported in mammals, most likely caused by consuming infected birds. The increase in H5N1 virus infections in different species could lead to the emergence of new viral variants that may adapt to mammals and potentially humans. It is crucial to monitor and assess the presence of mutations in mammalian-origin H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses that could increase their risk for human pandemics. Although there have been a limited number of human cases so far, the infection of mammals provides opportunities for the virus to acquire mutations that enhance infection, replication, and spread in mammals, which were not observed in the past viruses.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Duong Thi Hue Kien, Kathryn Edenborough, Daniela da Silva Goncalves, Tran Thuy Vi, Etiene Casagrande, Huynh Thi Le Duyen, Vo Thi Long, Le Thi Dui, Vu Thi Tuyet Nhu, Nguyen Thi Giang, Huynh Thi Xuan Trang, Elvina Lee, I'ah Donovan-Banfield, Huynh Thi Thuy Van, Nguyen Minh Nguyet, Nguyen Thanh Phong, Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Bridget Wills, Sophie Yacoub, Heather Flores, Cameron Simmons
Summary: The introgression of antiviral strains of Wolbachia into Aedes aegypti mosquito populations is a public health intervention for the control of dengue. However, the study found that the dengue virus (DENV) could evolve to bypass the antiviral effects of Wolbachia. The experiment showed that the wMel strain of Wolbachia can select for a specific amino acid substitution in the DENV-1 envelope protein.
Article
Microbiology
Tina Meischel, Svenja Fritzlar, Fernando Villalon-Letelier, Jeffrey M. Smith, Andrew G. Brooks, Patrick C. Reading, Sarah L. Londrigan
Summary: Ectopic protein overexpression is commonly used to screen host factors' antiviral activity, but its relevance to endogenous protein function remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that constitutive overexpression of IFITMs significantly restricts parainfluenza virus-3 infection in A549 cells. We also observe variable mRNA and protein expression levels for IFITMs with constitutive overexpression compared to inducible overexpression. These findings highlight the limitations of overexpression approaches in studying antiviral activity and suggest caution in attributing the function of endogenous proteins.
Article
Microbiology
Lance R. R. Nigos, Nichollas E. E. Scott, Andrew G. G. Brooks, Malika Ait-Goughoulte, Sarah L. L. Londrigan, Patrick C. Reading, Rubaiyea Farrukee
Summary: Host cell restriction factors are intracellular proteins that can inhibit virus replication. In this study, TRIM16 was investigated as a potential host cell restriction factor. Overexpression of TRIM16 in HEK293T cells resulted in inhibition of multiple viruses, but alternative approaches did not validate these findings.
Article
Virology
Brad Gilbertson, Melanie Duncan, Kanta Subbarao
Summary: This review discusses the crucial role of viral polymerase in host adaptation of influenza A viruses (IAV), focusing on the interactions between viral polymerase genes and host factors. The known viral mutations and the adaptation of avian IAV to mammalian hosts are also highlighted.
CURRENT OPINION IN VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Brad Gilbertson, Kanta Subbarao
Summary: This article discusses the advances made by resurrecting the 1918 virus, including the rise of innovative molecular research.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF VIROLOGY
(2023)