Article
Microbiology
Joan Bacque, Elena Delgado, Sonia Benito, Maria Moreno-Lorenzo, Vanessa Montero, Horacio Gil, Monica Sanchez, Maria Carmen Nieto-Toboso, Josefa Munoz, Miren Z. Zubero-Sulibarria, Estibaliz Ugalde, Elena Garcia-Bodas, Javier E. Canada, Jorge del Romero, Carmen Rodriguez, Iciar Rodriguez-Avial, Luis Elorduy-Otazua, Jose J. Portu, Juan Garcia-Costa, Antonio Ocampo, Jorge J. Cabrera, Michael M. Thomson
Summary: A new HIV-1 circulating recombinant form (CRF), named CRF66_BF, originating in South America and initially identified in Spain, has been reported. This CRF is the first non-Brazilian South American HIV-1 CRF_BF unrelated to CRF12_BF. The study suggests that CRF66_BF may be one of the major HIV-1 genetic forms circulating in Paraguay.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Javier E. Canada, Elena Delgado, Horacio Gil, Monica Sanchez, Sonia Benito, Elena Garcia-Bodas, Carmen Gomez-Gonzalez, Andres Canut-Blasco, Joseba Portu-Zapirain, Ester Saez de Adana, Mireia De la Pena, Sofia Ibarra, Gustavo Cilla, Jose Antonio Iribarren, Ana Martinez-Sapina, Michael M. Thomson
Summary: The exceptional genetic variability of HIV-1 group M has led to the identification of multiple subtypes and recombinant forms, with a new HIV-1 CRF_BC discovered in Northern Spain, closely related to Brazilian subtype C strains. This CRF, designated CRF108_BC, is predominantly of subtype C with short subtype B fragments and is estimated to have originated around 2000 in the Basque Country.
Article
Virology
Wei Li, Yuehong Chen, Ye Feng, Jing Li, Xiaoping Kang, Sen Zhang, Yuchang Li, Zhiyan Zhao, Wenguang Yang, Lu Zhao, Huiyao Wang, Tao Jiang
Summary: In this study, a full-length infectious cDNA clone of human adenovirus 55 (HAdV-55) was constructed using a bacteria-mediated recombination approach. The green fluorescent protein expression cassette was then inserted to obtain a recombinant virus. The recombinant virus can be used for neutralizing antibody testing and antiviral screening.
Article
Microbiology
Joan Bacque, Elena Delgado, Horacio Gil, Sofia Ibarra, Sonia Benito, Isabel Garcia-Arata, Maria Moreno-Lorenzo, Ester Saez de Adana, Carmen Gomez-Gonzalez, Monica Sanchez, Vanessa Montero, Michael M. Thomson
Summary: A new circulating recombinant form of HIV-1, CRF75_BF1, derived from subtypes B and F1, has been identified through genome analysis. This CRF exhibits a complex mosaic structure and is associated with low CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte counts in patients.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Cicek Topcu, Vasilis Georgiou, Johana Hezka Rodosthenous, Ioannis Demetriades, Brian Thomas Foley, Leondios G. Kostrikis
Summary: Prospective molecular studies of HIV-1 pol region in sequenced samples from HIV-1-infected patients in Cyprus revealed a transmission cluster of 14 unknown HIV-1 recombinants, including a novel CRF named CRF91_cpx. The study characterized the recombination pattern and structure of the virus strain, and identified a URF of CRF91_cpx. The transmission cluster is still actively growing.
Editorial Material
Immunology
Sherazaan D. Ismail, Catherine Riou, Sarah B. Joseph, Nancie M. Archin, David M. Margolis, Alan S. Perelson, Tyler Cassidy, Melissa-Rose Abrahams, Matthew Moeser, Olivia D. Council, Lyle R. McKinnon, Farzana Osman, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S. Abdool Karim, Ronald Swanstrom, Carolyn Williamson, Nigel J. Garrett, Wendy A. Burgers
Summary: Pretreatment CD8(+) T-cell activation, nadir CD4 count, and CD4:CD8 ratio were found to predict the size of the HIV-1 reservoir after 5 years of suppressive antiretroviral therapy initiated during chronic infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elena Delgado, Aurora Fernandez-Garcia, Marcos Perez-Losada, Maria Moreno-Lorenzo, Ismael Fernandez-Miranda, Sonia Benito, Vanessa Montero, Horacio Gil, Silvia Hernaez, Josefa Munoz, Miren Z. Zubero-Sulibarria, Elena Garcia-Bodas, Monica Sanchez, Jorge del Romero, Carmen Rodriguez, Luis Elorduy, Elena Bereciartua, Esther Culebras, Iciar Rodriguez-Avial, Maria Luisa Gimenez-Alarcon, Carmen Martin-Salas, Carmen Gomez-Gonzalez, Jose J. Garcia-Irure, Gema Cenzual, Ana Martinez-Sapina, Maria Maiques-Camarero, Lucia Perez-Alvarez, Michael M. Thomson
Summary: The newly identified HIV-1 CRF89_BF is the fifth member related to CRF12_BF, with a large cluster of BF recombinant viruses found in Spain, Bolivia, and Peru showing associations with CRF12_BF and CRF17_BF. This reveals the prevalence of these CRFs in South America and contributes to understanding the HIV-1 pandemic in the region.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mikiko Mori, Hirotaka Ode, Mai Kubota, Yoshihiro Nakata, Takaaki Kasahara, Urara Shigemi, Reiko Okazaki, Masakazu Matsuda, Kazuhiro Matsuoka, Atsuko Sugimoto, Atsuko Hachiya, Mayumi Imahashi, Yoshiyuki Yokomaku, Yasumasa Iwatani
Summary: In this study, a new nanopore sequencing-based platform was developed to accurately identify the genetic information of different subtypes of recombinant forms (RFs) and dual-infection HIV-1 variants. The platform was successfully applied in clinical sample analysis and demonstrated its potential in HIV-1 epidemiological surveillance and drug resistance genotyping.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Virology
Yang Li, Yan Zhang, Hongye Wang, Long Liu, Hui Chen, Shuanhu Zhang, Wenying Wu, Rongge Yang
Summary: The novel CRF114_0155 identified in Henan Province, central China, is the first third-generation CRF of HIV-1 and the first CRF descendant of CRF55_01B. The emergence of CRF114_0155 indicates that the genotype constitution of HIV-1 has become more complex, suggesting the need for stricter intervention measures in central China.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Madhu Rai, Uddhav Timilsina, Ritu Gaur
Summary: This study reports the construction and characterization of a full-length and infectious EGFP-tagged HIV-1 subtype C molecular clone, providing a valuable tool for studying subtype C specific infections. The recombinant virus displays similar viral gene expression, infectivity, and replication kinetics to the parental virus. The presence of the EGFP gene allows for rapid, easy, and quantitative measurement of HIV infection by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.
Article
Immunology
Yun-Qi Zhang, Qing-Hai Li, En-Long Li, Yi-Ru Wang, Zi-Yan Tang, Xin Gao, Ran-Ran Lu, Si-Yu Liu, Xiao-Hong Chen, Fu-Xiang Wang, Jia-Ye Wang
Summary: This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Heilongjiang, China, and identified a new circulating recombinant form (CRF), CRF136_0107, among MSM in this region. The novel CRF was composed of segments derived from CRF01_AE, subtypes B, and C, and was estimated to have originated around 2010-2011.
Article
Virology
Tali Wagner, Neta S. Zuckerman, Marina Wax, Rachel Shirazi, Yael Gozlan, Shirley Girshengorn, Rotem Marom, Ella Mendelson, Dan Turner, Orna Mor
Summary: In Israel, HIV-1 CRFs and URFs were mainly detected in Israeli-born MSM, and an increase in the overall proportion of such HIV-1 sequences could be observed in more recent years.
Article
Microbiology
Javier E. Canada-Garcia, Elena Delgado, Horacio Gil, Sonia Benito, Monica Sanchez, Antonio Ocampo, Jorge Julio Cabrera, Celia Miralles, Elena Garcia-Bodas, Ana Marino, Patricia Ordonez, Maria Jose Gude, Carmen Ezpeleta, Michael M. Thomson
Summary: This study identified an expanding HIV-1 BF1 recombinant cluster in Spain, mainly transmitted via heterosexual contact, with a gene structure coincident with two viruses from Brazil. The genetic structures of BF1 viruses from Brazil were highly similar, but not identical, to those of Spanish viruses, suggesting two closely related Circulating Recombinant Forms (CRFs).
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Basiel Cole, Laurens Lambrechts, Pierre Gantner, Ytse Noppe, Noah Bonine, Wojciech Witkowski, Lennie Chen, Sarah Palmer, James I. Mullins, Nicolas Chomont, Marion Pardons, Linos Vandekerckhove
Summary: The authors developed a single-cell approach, STIP-Seq, to simultaneously sequence TCR, integration sites, and proviral genomes, revealing that the translation-competent reservoir mainly consists of proviruses with short deletions at the 5'-end of the genome. They also found that cell clones with predicted pathogen-specificity may harbor inducible proviruses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Seyyed Mehdy Elahi, Jennifer Jiang, Nazila Nazemi-Moghaddam, Renald Gilbert
Summary: In this study, researchers developed a method to generate and produce adenovirus vectors (AdVs) without the need for fetal bovine serum (FBS). By using a serum-free medium and a limiting dilution method, they were able to eliminate FBS from the production process and demonstrated that the purified AdV stock was free of replication-competent adenovirus (RCA). The limiting dilution method was also effective in rescuing AdV from highly contaminated stocks.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pui Li Wong, Hoe Leong Sii, Chun Keat P'ng, Soon Sean Ee, Xiang Yong Oong, Kim Tien Ng, Nik Sherina Hanafi, Kok Keng Tee, Maw Pin Tan
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2020)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Yang Liu, Tommy T. Y. Lam, Florence Y. L. Lai, Mel Krajden, Steven J. Drews, Todd F. Hatchette, Pieter L. A. Fraaij, Jeroen J. A. van Kampen, Darmaa Badarch, Pagbajabyn Nymadawa, Kok Keng Tee, Hong Kai Lee, Evelyn S. C. Koay, Lance Jennings, Marion Koopmans, Julian W. Tang
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2020)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Polly Soo Xi Yap, Tse Siang Tan, Yoke Fun Chan, Kok Keng Tee, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Cindy Shuan Ju Teh
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Ruksana Raihan, Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar, Mamun Al Mahtab, Md Sakirul Islam Khan, Shahina Tabassum, Kok Keng Tee, Rosmawati Binti Mohamed
Article
Virology
Kim Tien Ng, Yutaka Takebe, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Kok Keng Tee
Summary: Genome sequences of a potential fourth rhinovirus species, denoted as rhinovirus A clade D, were determined from patients with acute respiratory infection. The analysis estimated that clade D emerged around the 1940s and diverged further around 2006-2007 into two sublineages. The distribution of clade D viruses in the Asia Pacific region and in Europe was highlighted, indicating its worldwide presence.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Joris Hemelaar, Shanghavie Loganathan, Ramyiadarsini Elangovan, Jason Yun, Leslie Dickson-Tetteh, Shona Kirtley
Summary: The research revealed that there is extremely wide variation in the complexity of country level HIV diversity worldwide. Central African countries have the most diverse HIV epidemics, while Western Europe and North America have the greatest number of distinct HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants. The highest proportion of HIV-1 infections due to recombinants was found in Southeast Asia, China, and West and Central Africa.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Chye Phing Teh, Jack Bee Chook, Yun Fong Ngeow, Tommy Yuh Koon Tong, Kok Keng Tee, Jan Jin Bong, Rosmawati Mohamed
Summary: Current treatment strategies for chronic hepatitis B virus infection focus on long-term suppression of viral replication, with routine monitoring of serum HBV DNA levels being crucial. A study on 53 qPCR assays over the past two decades found that only 17% achieved a coverage of >= 80%, with about 40% covering less than 20% of the 9864 HBV genomes analyzed. The findings highlight the need for improving qPCR designs for accurate quantification of HBV DNA based on updated genome data.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Infectious Diseases
X. Y. Oong, K. -K. Tee
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sui-Weng Wong, Yi-Wen Ting, Yean-Kong Yong, Hong-Yien Tan, Muttiah Barathan, Behnaz Riazalhosseini, Chook Jack Bee, Kok-Keng Tee, Marie Larsson, Vijayakumar Velu, Esaki M. Shankar, Rosmawati Mohamed
Summary: This study investigates the pathogenesis of NAFLD in patients with chronic HBV infection and reveals the correlation between liver function markers and NAFLD as well as liver fibrosis. IL-13 and CCL11 play crucial roles in linking metabolic syndrome, chronic inflammation, and progression of liver cirrhosis in CHB patients.
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL & LABORATORY INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Qi Ron Ng, Kok Keng Tee, James M. Binley, Tommy Tong
Summary: This study reports the first attempt to profile the bNAb specificities of CRF01_AE-infected Malaysian plasmas, revealing that 14% of plasmas had cross-clade breadth. The research on cross-neutralizing plasma P9 demonstrates CD4-binding-site specificity with trimer dependence and D368 independence.
AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nur Izzati Supian, Kim Tien Ng, Jack Bee Chook, Yutaka Takebe, Kok Gan Chan, Kok Keng Tee
Summary: The study conducted a molecular epidemiological investigation of Coxsackievirus A21 (CVA21) among patients with acute upper respiratory illnesses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 2012 to 2014. It found low-level detection of CVA21 with no clear seasonal distribution, and close relationship with strains from China and the United States. Spatio-temporal mapping showed 2 major clusters circulating worldwide, with inter-country lineage migration and strain replacement over time, highlighting the emerging role of CVA21 in causing sporadic acute respiratory outbreaks.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Kim Tien Ng, Liang Jie Ng, Xiang Yong Oong, Jack Bee Chook, Kok Gan Chan, Yutaka Takebe, Adeeba Kamarulzaman, Kok Keng Tee
Summary: This study investigates the transmission dynamics of rhinovirus (RV) and the impact of interventions on viral transmission. Through genetic sequencing and analysis, it is found that the burden of RV disease is largely due to multiple sub-epidemics. Social distancing is shown to be effective in decelerating RV transmission, while the use of facemasks has a moderate advantage in limiting transmission.
Article
Virology
Kok Keng Tee, Po Qhuan Chan, Alson Mun-Khin Loh, Sarbhan Singh, Chee How Teo, Thevambiga Iyadorai, Jack Bee Chook, Kim Tien Ng, Yutaka Takebe, Kok Gan Chan, I-Ching Sam, Kenny Voon
Summary: Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV), a bat-borne virus, is associated with acute respiratory infections (ARI) in humans. Among 632 urban outpatients, 2.2% tested positive for PRV. Symptoms included cough, sore throat, and muscle ache, with minimal fever. Genetic analysis revealed the continuous evolution of PRV through reassortment among human, bat, and non-human primate hosts, emphasizing the importance of monitoring its prevalence and diversity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Joris Hemelaar, Ramyiadarsini Elangovan, Jason Yun, Leslie Dickson-Tetteh, Shona Kirtley, Eleanor Gouws-Williams, Peter D. Ghys
Article
Microbiology
Kar-Wai Hong, Kok Keng Tee, Wai-Fong Yin, Richard J. Roberts, Kok-Gan Chan
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2019)