Review
Microbiology
Michael Scolarici, Margaret Jorgenson, Christopher Saddler, Jeannina Smith
Summary: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a serious complication of liver transplantation, with Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcal infections being the most common. Prophylaxis is considered a promising mechanism for reducing the risks associated with these infections in liver transplant recipients.
Article
Virology
Anna Herting, Jacqueline Jahnke-Triankowski, Aenne Harberts, Golda M. Schaub, Marc Luetgehetmann, Darius F. Ruether, Lutz Fischer, Marylyn M. Addo, Ansgar W. Lohse, Julian Schulze zur Wiesch, Martina Sterneck
Summary: In fully vaccinated liver transplant recipients, breakthrough infections with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in mild disease courses for the majority of patients. However, older and multimorbid recipients with low baseline antibody titers after vaccination still had a substantial risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19-related complications. Post-infection, high levels of anti-S RBD antibodies were observed, but cellular immune response was lower compared to healthy controls.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeong-Hoon Lim, Yena Jeon, Deok Gie Kim, Yeong Hoon Kim, Joong Kyung Kim, Jaeseok Yang, Myoung Soo Kim, Hee-Yeon Jung, Ji-Young Choi, Sun-Hee Park, Chan-Duck Kim, Yong-Lim Kim, Jang-Hee Cho
Summary: The waiting time for deceased donor kidney transplants (DDKT) is increasing. The prognosis of DDKT is associated with the duration of pretransplant dialysis, with longer dialysis vintage increasing the risks of graft failure and patient death in DDKT recipients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Jong-Chan Youn, Darae Kim, Kyung An Kim, Jin-Jin Kim, In-Cheol Kim, Hye Sun Lee, Jin-Oh Choi, Eun-Seok Jeon, Keith Nishihara, Evan P. Kransdorf, David H. Chang, Michelle M. Kittleson, Jignesh K. Patel, Danny Ramzy, Fardad Esmailian, Jon A. Kobashigawa
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of HTx recipients with a history of pretransplant malignancy (PTM). The results showed that despite a higher incidence of posttransplant malignancies, patients with PTM had comparable overall survival and freedom from complications compared to those without. Therefore, a history of PTM should not disqualify patients from HTx listing.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Martin Tepel, Subagini Nagarajah, Qais Saleh, Olivier Thaunat, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Jacob van den Born, Morten A. Karsdal, Federica Genovese, Daniel G. K. Rasmussen
Summary: The characterization of potential kidney transplant recipients using novel biomarkers can lead to improved outcomes after transplantation. This mini-review focuses on the current understanding of pretransplant recipients' characteristics, biomarkers, and immunology. Clinical characteristics and immunological risk assessment, such as histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and non-HLA antibodies, have been used to predict recipient and allograft survival. Recent studies have shown that pretransplant markers, such as plasma endotrophin levels and non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphism mismatch, are associated with posttransplant complications and allograft loss. Integrating clinical characteristics and novel markers is important for making better diagnostic decisions tailored to individual patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Luca Saverio Belli, Christophe Duvoux, Paolo Angelo Cortesi, Rita Facchetti, Speranta Iacob, Giovanni Perricone, Sylvie Radenne, Sara Conti, Damiano Patrono, Gabriela Berlakovich, Angus Hann, Luisa Pasulo, Lluis Castells, Francois Faitot, Olivier Detry, Federica Invernizzi, Giulia Magini, Paolo De Simone, Ilias Kounis, Maria Cristina Morelli, Fernando Diaz Fontenla, Bo-Goran Ericzon, Carmelo Loinaz, Chris Johnston, Liliana Gheorghe, Mickael Lesurtel, Renato Romagnoli, Dagmar Kollmann, M. Thamara P. R. Perera, Stefano Fagiuoli, Darius Mirza, Audrey Coilly, Christian Toso, Krzysztof Zieniewicz, Laure Elkrief, Vincent Karam, Rene Adam, Caroline den Hoed, Marco Merli, Massimo Puoti, Luciano De Carlis, Gabriel C. Oniscu, Salvatore Piano, Paolo Angeli, Constantino Fondevila, Wojciech G. Polak
Summary: COVID-19 significantly impacts the mortality rate of liver transplant candidates, especially for those with high Lab-MELD scores and respiratory symptoms. Poor prognosis was observed in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, highlighting the need for strict preventive measures and urgent vaccination efficacy testing in this population. Prior symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection did not affect early post-transplant survival.
Article
Virology
Hala Abdullatif, Anil Dhawan, Anita Verma
Summary: Infections after liver transplantation, especially viral infections, have a significant impact on graft function and overall outcome. The study reviewed the epidemiology and risk factors of EBV, CMV, and non-EBV non-CMV viral infections in pediatric liver transplant recipients. The majority of infections were viral in origin, with EBV viremia having the highest incidence. Older donor age, auxiliary graft, and bacterial infections were associated with EBV infection, while younger recipient age, D+R- CMV IgG, and left lateral segment graft were risk factors for CMV infection. Non-EBV and CMV viral infections did not contribute to increased complications or rejection, indicating the importance of identifying and managing these infections in pediatric LT recipients.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hyo Jeong Kim, Ro Han, Kyung Pyo Kang, Jung-Hwa Ryu, Myung-Gyu Kim, Kyu Ha Huh, Jae Berm Park, Chan-Duck Kim, Seungyeup Han, Hyung Woo Kim, Beom Seok Kim, Jaeseok Yang
Summary: After kidney transplantation, dynamic changes occur in iron storage. The study found that high iron status, indicated by high TSAT levels, increases the risk of graft failure or kidney functional deterioration in kidney transplant patients.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Surgery
Gabriela T. Lemos, Debora R. B. Terrabuio, Nathalia N. Nunes, Alice T. W. Song, Isabel C. V. Oshiro, Luiz Augusto C. D'Albuquerque, Anna S. Levin, Edson Abdala, Maristela P. Freire
Summary: Cirrhotic patients who undergo liver transplantation are at risk of multidrug-resistant microorganism infections, which can significantly impact post-transplant survival.
CLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Riccardo Pravisani, Miriam Isola, Umberto Baccarani, Sara Crestale, Patrizia Tulissi, Clotilde Vallone, Andrea Risaliti, Daniela Cilloni, Gian Luigi Adani
Summary: Elderly kidney transplant recipients have a significant vulnerability to postoperative complications, which correlates with Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI). While graft loss does not impact recipient survival, severe postoperative complications (C-D > 2) are independently associated with increased mortality.
AGING CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Tara Dalton, Laurie D. Snyder, Erika Bush Buckley, Patrick J. Smith
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between pretransplant physical frailty, postoperative delirium, and short-term lung transplantation outcomes. The study found that lower pretransplant physical frailty was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative delirium, and that postoperative delirium was associated with fewer days alive outside of the hospital.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Kimberley Joanne Hatfield, Oystein Bruserud, Hakon Reikvam
Summary: This study found that the pretransplant lipid profiles can be used for the subclassification of patients and possibly identify those with an increased risk of death due to disease relapse or treatment toxicity. Therapeutic targeting of lipid metabolism should be further explored in these transplant recipients.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Emyal Alyaydin, Juergen Reinhard Sindermann, Jeanette Koeppe, Joachim Gerss, Patrik Droege, Thomas Ruhnke, Christian Guenster, Holger Reinecke, Jannik Feld
Summary: This study analyzed the prevalence and prognostic relevance of depression and anxiety in patients undergoing heart transplantation in Germany from 2010 to 2018. It found that one third of the patients were diagnosed with depression and anxiety before the transplantation. Patients with depression and anxiety were more likely to have comorbidities such as ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Saleh A. Alqahtani, Maria Stepanova, Khaled W. Kabbara, Issah Younossi, Alita Mishra, Zobair Younossi
Summary: Comparing transplant centers in the United States with different volumes, it was found that patients listed at low-volume centers were less likely to receive LT and had a higher risk of post-LT death.
Article
Microbiology
Elsa Feredj, Etienne Audureau, Anna Boueilh, Vincent Fihman, Slim Fourati, Jean-Daniel Lelievre, Sebastien Gallien, Philippe Grimbert, Marie Matignon, Giovanna Melica
Summary: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are a major cause of death after kidney transplant. This study evaluated the impact of infectious disease consultation (IDC) before transplantation on RTIs and identified risk and protective factors associated with RTIs. The results showed that patients who received IDC had a lower incidence of RTIs, while RTIs were an independent risk factor for mortality. IDC was identified as an independent protective factor, and implementing systematic IDC may have a significant impact on reducing RTIs and related morbidity and mortality.
Article
Immunology
Pei-Ying Wu, Hsin-Yun Sun, Mao-Yuan Chen, Wang-Huei Sheng, Szu-Min Hsieh, Yu-Chung Chuang, Hsi-Yen Chang, Yu-Zhen Luo, Jun-Yu Zhang, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: Between March and October 2018, a total of 1248 people living with HIV completed questionnaire interviews for cancer screening. Among them, 46.9% (n=585) received free-of-charge cancer screening. The most common reason for refusal to participate in cancer screening was time constraint (50.1%). None of the participants were diagnosed with any of the four cancers.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jen-Yu Hsu, Hsin-Yun Sun, Tan-Wen Hsieh, Sui-Yuan Chang, Yu-Chung Chuang, Yu-Shan Huang, Ching-Yu Hsiao, Yi-Ching Su, Wen-Chun Liu, Shu-Fang Chang, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: This study investigated the incidence of low-level viremia (LLV) and its impact on virologic failure (VF) in people living with HIV (PLWH) on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) who switched to co-formulated elvitegravir, cobicistat, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (EVG/c/FTC/TAF). The results showed that the risks of LLV and VF were low in PLWH who had achieved virologic suppression and switched to EVG/c/FTC/TAF. The presence of LLV and prior exposure to raltegravir increased the risk of VF.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kuan-Yin Lin, Pei-Ying Wu, Wang -Da Liu, Hsin-Yun Sun, Szu-Min Hsieh, Wang-Huei Sheng, Chien-Ching Hung, Shan-Chwen Chang
Summary: This study demonstrates that COVID-19 vaccination is clinically effective among people living with HIV (PLWH) in an outbreak setting with low endemicity of COVID-19 and strict non-pharmaceutical interventions.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Letter
Immunology
Szu-Ting Huang, Tai-Ju Lee, Kai-Hsiang Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Wei-Ting Chen, Song-Chou Hsieh, Aristine Cheng, Yee-Chun Chen
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Guan-Jhou Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Sui-Yuan Chang, Li-Hsin Su, Yi-Ting Chen, Szu-Min Hsieh, Wan-Da Liu, Wang-Huei Sheng, Yu-Shan Huang, Kuan-Yin Lin, Yi-Ching Su, Wen-Chun Liu, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: Individuals living with HIV who have achieved HCV viral clearance with direct-acting antivirals face a significantly higher risk of HCV reinfection after acquiring HCV. Factors such as younger age, condomless receptive anal sex, rimming, and recent syphilis were associated with HCV reinfections.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Guan-Jhou Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Ling-Ya Chen, Szu-Min Hsieh, Wang-Hui Sheng, Wang-Da Liu, Yu-Chung Chuang, Yu-Shan Huang, Kuan-Yin Lin, Pei-Ying Wu, Hsi-Yen Chang, Yu-Zhen Luo, Yi-Ching Su, Wen-Chun Liu, Sui-Fang Chang, Sui-Yuan Chang, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: This study investigated the incidence and impact of low-level viraemia (LLV) among HIV-infected patients receiving second-generation integrase strand transferase inhibitors. The results showed that the risk of developing LLV or virologic failure (VF) was similar after switching to either dolutegravir- or bictegravir-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) in virally suppressed patients. Pre-existing resistance-associated mutations or LLV events were not associated with subsequent VF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Chen-Hua Liu, Hsin-Yun Sun, Cheng-Yuan Peng, Szu-Min Hsieh, Sheng-Shun Yang, Wei-Yu Kao, Yu-Lueng Shih, Chih-Lin Lin, Chun-Jen Liu, Wang-Hui Sheng, Yi-Chun Lo, Wen-Chun Liu, Jo-Hsuan Wu, Tung-Hung Su, Tai-Chung Tseng, Pei-Jer Chen, Chien-Ching Hung, Jia-Horng Kao
Summary: This study investigated the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients in Taiwan after treatment-induced sustained virologic response (SVR). The results showed that the risk of HCV reinfection remained high in HIV-positive patients with SVR12, and the incidence of HCV reinfection increased after the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in Taiwan.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Nouratan Singh, Poonam Rani, Neeraj Tandan, Dinesh Kumar Arya, Ansuman Mahato
Summary: An Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) method was developed and validated for the analysis of 16 PAH compounds in soil samples from Manesar, India. The study found that PAH concentrations were highest in the winter season in industrial areas, while the lowest levels were observed during the monsoon season. The PAH levels in Manesar were relatively lower compared to Brazil, UK, Germany, and Korea.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY BIOTECHNOLOGY AND FOOD SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Miao-Hui Huang, Guan-Jhou Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Yi-Ting Chen, Li-Hsin Su, Shu-Yuan Ho, Sui-Yuan Chang, Yi-Chia Huang, Wang -Da Liu, Kuan-Yin Lin, Yu -Shan Huang, Yi-Ching Su, Wen -Chun Liu, Chien -Ching Hung
Summary: This study found that among high-risk HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), drug abuse and risky sexual contacts were associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia, suggesting that mucosal contacts are the major route of HCV transmission.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Guan-Jhou Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Kuan-Yin Lin, Szu-Min Hsieh, Yu-Chung Chuang, Wang-Da Liu, Yu-Shan Huang, Sung-Ching Pan, Un-In Wu, Aristine Cheng, Yi-Chia Huang, Cheng-Hsin Wu, Yi-Ching Su, Wen-Chun Liu, Sui-Yuan Chang, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: For people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) who had no response or seroreversion after primary hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccination, an accelerated 2-dose revaccination (vs 1-dose) produced higher antibody titers and elicited a higher serological response rate at week 48 for nonresponders.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ling-Ya Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Yu -Chung Chuang, Wang -Da Liu, Kuan-Yin Lin, Hsi -Yen Chang, Yu-Zhen Luo, Pei-Ying Wu, Yi-Ching Su, Wen -Chun Liu, Chien -Ching Hung
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the improvement in HIV-related symptom burden among people living with HIV (PLWH) who switched to the co-formulated bic-tegravir, emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) in a real-world setting. The results showed that after 48 weeks of switching to B/F/TAF, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence and bothersomeness of certain symptoms.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Szu-Ting Huang, Yu-Shan Huang, Wang-Da Liu, Sung-Ching Pan, Hsin-Yun Sun, Chia-En Lien, Charles Chen, Szu-Min Hsieh
Summary: Heterologous boost with MVC-COV1901 yielded inferior immunogenicity but significantly fewer adverse events compared with homologous boost with mRNA-1273 in people who had received a dose of mRNA-1273. MVC-COV1901 could serve as an acceptable alternative heterologous boost in individuals with severe adverse events after the prime dose of mRNA-1273 or during periods of limited mRNA-1273 supply.
JOURNAL OF THE FORMOSAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hsin-Yun Sun, Bo-Huang Liou, Tun-Chieh Chen, Chia-Jui Yang, Sung-Hsi Huang, Po-Liang Lu, Chung-Hao Huang, Mao-Song Tsai, Shu-Hsing Cheng, Nan-Yao Lee, Wen-Chien Ko, Yen-Hsu Chen, Wang-Da Liu, Shang-Yi Lin, Shih-Ping Lin, Po-Lin Chen, Ling-Shan Syue, Yu-Shan Huang, Yu-Chung Chuang, Cheng-Bin Chen, Ya-Ting Chang, Yuan-Ti Lee, Szu-Min Hsieh, Li-Hsin Su, Chien-Yu Cheng, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: Using 3-stage pooled-plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA testing performed quarterly among at-risk people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), we found that if testing had been performed every 6 or 12 months, 58.6%-91.7% of PWH who recently acquired HCV would be delayed for diagnosis and might contribute to onward HCV transmission with longer durations.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Guan-Jhou Chen, Hsin-Yun Sun, Sui-Yuan Chang, Szu-Min Hsieh, Wang-Hui Sheng, Yu-Chung Chuang, Yu-Shan Huang, Kuan-Yin Lin, Wen-Chun Liu, Yi-Ching Su, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the virologic suppression effectiveness of switching to dolutegravir-based regimens or BIC/FTC/TAF among HIV-infected individuals who experienced viral rebound during other antiretroviral therapy. The results showed that within the first 48 weeks after switching, both dolutegravir-based regimens and BIC/FTC/TAF could achieve viral suppression in approximately four-fifths of the patients, and pre-existing NRTI-related resistance-associated mutations did not have a negative impact on the effectiveness.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Poonam Rani, Nouratan Singh, Monika Bhaskar, Neeraj Tandan
Summary: This study surveyed the microbial community and their antibiotic profiling in the domestic environment of rural and urban areas in Meerut city, India. The results revealed a higher bacterial load compared to fungal load, with kitchens being more contaminated than living rooms. The dominant bacteria were Pseudomonas sps, Citrobacter sps, Bacillus Subtilis, Brevundimonas diminuta, Bacillus megaterium, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotic resistance was mainly derived from plasmids.