Article
Infectious Diseases
Giulia Stella, Lorenzo Volpicelli, Domenico Di Carlo, Ilaria Vicenti, Luigi Celani, Franco Maggiolo, Anna Paola Callegaro, William Gennari, Daniela Francisci, Francesca Lombardi, Lorenzo Piermatteo, Antonia Bezenchek, Valeria Micheli, Barbara Rossetti, Maria Mercedes Santoro
Summary: Despite the prevalence of single-tablet regimens (STRs), the impact of pre-existing drug resistance on virological failure (VF) remains understudied. A large cohort analysis found that pre-existing resistance affects the virological efficacy of STRs in treatment-experienced individuals who are both aviraemic and viraemic.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Virology
D. Armenia, R. Gagliardini, C. Alteri, V. Svicher, V. Cento, V. Borghi, A. Vergori, S. Cicalini, F. Forbici, L. Fabeni, A. Bertoli, M. Brugneti, W. Gennari, V. Malagnino, M. Andreoni, C. Mussini, A. Antinori, C. F. Perno, M. M. Santoro, F. Ceccherini-Silberstein
Summary: In virologically suppressed individuals, both HIV-DNA drug resistance and APOBEC editing have shown overall stability over the past decade. Predictors of drug resistance detection include drug abuse, subtype B infection, and a prolonged and complex treatment history.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Michael T. Pyne, Keith E. Simmon, Melanie A. Mallory, Weston C. Hymas, Jeffery Stevenson, Adam P. Barker, David R. Hillyard
Summary: HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy management requires sequencing of different portions of the HIV-1 pol gene. Traditional Sanger sequencing has limited ability to detect minor variants. Next generation sequencing enables detection of variants at frequencies as low as 1%, allowing for earlier detection of resistance. However, implementation of NGS in the clinical laboratory is hindered by complicated design and analysis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Pretty Rosereine Mbouyap, Joseph Fokam, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Leonella Mossiang, Desire Takou, Collins Ambe Chenwi, Alex Durand Nka, Beatrice Dambaya, Georges Teto, Grace Angong Beloumou, Sandrine Claire Djupsa Ndjeyep, Aude Christelle Ka'e, Charles Kouanfack, Alexis Ndjolo, Francois-Xavier Mbopi Keou
Summary: To evaluate the efficacy of third-line (3L) regimens in Cameroon, a cohort study was conducted among patients initiating a 3L antiretroviral therapy regimen. HIV genotypic resistance profiles were assessed and a good virological response was achieved in most patients, regardless of genotypic profile at recruitment or variations in 3L regimens.
Article
Virology
Maria Kantzanou, Maria A. Karalexi, Anduela Zivinaki, Elena Riza, Helen Papachristou, Alexis Vasilakis, Christos Kontogiorgis, Athina Linos
Summary: This study compared the results of genotypic resistance derived from three interpretation algorithms in HIV-1 patients in Greece. It found discrepancies particularly in the classes of protease inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, underscoring the importance of matching results from different algorithms for optimized risk stratification.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Miaomiao Li, Shujia Liang, Chao Zhou, Min Chen, Shu Liang, Chunhua Liu, Zhongbao Zuo, Lei Liu, Yi Feng, Chang Song, Hui Xing, Yuhua Ruan, Yiming Shao, Lingjie Liao
Summary: A study conducted in China found that patients with antiretroviral therapy interruption are at risk of HIV drug resistance. Next-generation sequencing technology can detect more minority drug resistance variants, with a sharp increase in their numbers when the detection threshold is below 5%.
Article
Virology
Claudia R. de Andrade Arrais, Kledoaldo Lima, Marta Barreiros, Jessyca K. F. Rodrigues, Nilviane P. S. Sousa, Daniel D. Costa, Francisco D. R. P. Santos, Gerson F. M. Pereira, Antonia I. e Silva Viana, Allan K. Barros, Elcio Leal
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic characterization of 132 HIV-1 pol sequences from children and adolescents undergoing antiretroviral therapy in Northeast Brazil. Most individuals harbored HIV-1 B and BF recombinants, with an overall antiretroviral resistance rate of 47%. The study highlighted the importance of surveillance of resistance mutations, with key mutations including M184V and K103N.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yu-Lin Lee, Kuan-Yin Lin, Shu-Hsing Cheng, Po-Liang Lu, Ning-Chi Wang, Mao-Wang Ho, Chia-Jui Yang, Bo-Huang Liou, Hung-Jen Tang, Shie-Shian Huang, Sung-Hsi Huang, Tun-Chieh Chen, Chi-Ying Lin, Shih-Ping Lin, Yuan-Ti Lee, Chien-Ching Hung
Summary: This retrospective study included 77 patients receiving dolutegravir plus boosted protease inhibitor treatment at 15 designated hospitals for HIV care in Taiwan. The study found that the two-drug regimen containing dolutegravir plus boosted protease inhibitor was effective for highly experienced HIV-positive patients. Virological response rate reached 85.7% at Week 48, but metabolic impact and weight gain should be closely monitored.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xianwu Pang, Kailing Tang, Qin He, Jinghua Huang, Ningye Fang, Xinjuan Zhou, Qiuying Zhu, Xiuling Wu, Zhiyong Shen, Shujia Liang
Summary: The study found a TDR prevalence of 7.21% among newly diagnosed HIV-1 individuals in Guangxi. Being unmarried and having the CRF08_BC subtype were significantly associated with TDR prevalence.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Carolyn Chu, Daniele Armenia, Charles Walworth, Maria M. Santoro, Robert W. Shafer
Summary: HIV-1 DNA exists in different forms in the body and its composition varies between patients with plasma viremia and those with prolonged virological suppression. Detecting drug-resistance mutations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is more useful using next-generation sequencing compared to plasma testing. However, there may be a time lag in detecting these mutations in PBMCs in patients with lower levels of virus replication.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Margaret Gartland, Pedro Cahn, Edwin DeJesus, Ricardo Sobhie Diaz, Robert Grossberg, Michael Kozal, Princy Kumar, Jean-Michel Molina, Fernando Mendo Urbina, Marcia Wang, Fangfang Du, Shiven Chabria, Andrew Clark, Louise Garside, Mark Krystal, Frank Mannino, Amy Pierce, Peter Ackerman, Max Lataillade
Summary: In the BRIGHTE study, fostemsavir plus optimized background therapy (OBT) showed sustained virologic suppression in heavily treatment-experienced adults with multidrug-resistant HIV-1. The occurrence of virologic failure was as expected in this difficult-to-treat population and was not consistently associated with treatment-emergent genotypic or phenotypic changes in susceptibility to fostemsavir or other antiretrovirals in the initial OBT.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Peter Ackerman, Melanie Thompson, Jean-Michel Molina, Judith Aberg, Isabel Cassetti, Michael Kozal, Antonella Castagna, Marcelo Martins, Moti Ramgopal, Eduardo Sprinz, Sandra Trevino-Perez, Adrian Streinu-Cercel, Gulam H. Latiff, Gilles Pialoux, Princy N. Kumar, Marcia Wang, Shiven Chabria, Amy Pierce, Cyril Llamoso, Max Lataillade
Summary: This study aimed to understand the impact of demographic and treatment-related factors on responses to fostemsavir-based regimens. Results showed that virologic response rates increased over time, with CD4(+) T-cell count increases being comparable across subgroups. Safety analysis revealed more severe adverse events in participants with lower baseline CD4(+) T-cell counts.
Article
Microbiology
Steven A. Kemp, Oscar J. Charles, Anne Derache, Werner Smidt, Darren P. Martin, Collins Iwuji, John Adamson, Katya Govender, Tulio de Oliveira, Francois Dabis, Deenan Pillay, Richard A. Goldstein, Ravindra K. Gupta
Summary: This study analyzed the whole-genome sequences of chronically infected HIV-1-positive individuals failing 2nd-line regimens under non-suppressive antiretroviral therapy. The findings revealed dramatic changes in virus population structure and highlighted viral diversification, recombination, and haplotype competition during non-suppressive ART.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Qun Li, Fengting Yu, Chuan Song, Hongxin Zhao, Qing Xiao, Xiaojie Lao, Siyuan Yang, Yunxia Tang, Fujie Zhang
Summary: In this study, the performance of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in detecting HIV drug-resistance mutations (DRMs) in patients with low-level viremia (LLV) was explored. The results showed the presence of drug-resistance mutations in LLV patients and suggested the need for genotyping resistance testing to guide antiretroviral therapy optimization.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Dorcas Maruapula, Kaelo K. Seatla, Olorato Morerinyane, Kesaobaka Molebatsi, Jennifer Giandhari, Tulio de Oliveira, Rosemary M. Musonda, Melvin Leteane, Sununguko W. Mpoloka, Christopher F. Rowley, Sikhulile Moyo, Simani Gaseitsiwe
Summary: Low-frequency drug resistance mutations (DRMs) were found among cART-naive HIV-positive individuals in Botswana, but these DRMs did not significantly contribute to virological failure (VF).
Article
Virology
Joanna Luczkowiak, Gonzalo Rivas, Nuria Labiod, Fatima Lasala, Marta Rolo, Jaime Lora-Tamayo, Mikel Mancheno-Losa, David Rial-Crestelo, Alfredo Perez-Rivilla, Maria Dolores Folgueira, Rafael Delgado
Summary: The third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can significantly enhance the potency and breadth of neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially for COVID-19 naive individuals. Naive individuals reach a comparable level to that of convalescents only after the third dose. The increased avidity of RBD-binding antibodies after the third dose is associated with cross neutralization of the variants.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nuria Climent, Juan Ambrosioni, Tania Gonzalez, Cristina Xufre, Maria Casadella, Marc Noguera-Julian, Roger Paredes, Montserrat Plana, Judith Grau-Exposito, Josep Mallolas, Jose Alcami, Sonsoles Sanchez-Palomino, Jose M. Miro
Summary: This study reports a case of a highly controlled HIV infection individual who maintained undetectable viral loads for 15 years after stopping antiretroviral therapy. The researchers found that the high activity of NK cells and CD8 T cells were associated with the control of viral replication.
Article
Immunology
Adolfo de Salazar, Laura Vinuela, Ana Fuentes, Elisa Teyssou, Charlotte Charpentier, Sidonie Lambert-Niclot, Esther Serrano-Conde, Marta Pingarilho, Lavinia Fabeni, Anne De Monte, Karl Stefic, Carlo Federico Perno, Antonio Aguilera, Iker Falces, Rafael Delgado, Sandra Fernandes, Isabel Diogo, Perpetua Gomes, Dimitrios Paraskevis, Maria-Mercedes Santoro, Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein, Anne-Genevieve Marcelin, Federico Garcia
Summary: The prevalence of transmitted drug resistance to INSTIs and NRTIs and clinically relevant resistance was evaluated in newly diagnosed HIV patients naive to ART in Europe. The results showed low prevalence rates of INSTI-SDRMs (0.30%), NRTI-SDRMs (5.77%), INSTI-CRR (2.33%), and first-line NRTI-CRR (1.74-2.29%) during 2018-2021.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Daniel Arroyo-Sanchez, Joanna Luczkowiak, Rafael Delgado, Oscar Cabrera-Marante, Estela Paz-Artal
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sara Moron-Lopez, Eva Riveira-Munoz, Victor Urrea, Lucia Gutierrez-Chamorro, Carlos Avila-Nieto, Marc Noguera-Julian, Jorge Carrillo, Oriol Mitja, Lourdes Mateu, Marta Massanella, Ester Ballana, Javier Martinez-Picado
Summary: We developed a one-step reverse transcription (RT)-droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA and compared it to the gold-standard RT-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) method. RT-ddPCR was more sensitive than RT-qPCR in detecting low viral loads, while both techniques performed equally in mid- and high-viral-load ranges. Thus, RT-ddPCR could be an alternative for detecting low viral loads and assessing viral persistence in post-COVID patients.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jorge Garcia-Garcia, Patricia Diez-Echave, Maria Eugenia Yuste, Natalia Chueca, Federico Garcia, Jose Cabeza-Barrera, Emilio Fernandez-Varon, Julio Galvez, Manuel Colmenero, Maria Elena Rodriguez-Cabezas, Alba Rodriguez-Nogales, Rocio Moron
Summary: The number of ICU patients and antibiotic treatments has increased due to SARS-CoV-2 infection, leading to a rise in multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) colonization. As these bacteria mainly come from gut microbiota, studying its composition is crucial. This pilot study aims to identify bacteria biomarkers for predicting MDRB colonization risk in SARS-CoV-2 patients in ICUs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rafael Delgado, Carlos Marquez-Alvarez, Alvaro Mayoral, Ramon de la Serna, Javier Agundez, Joaquin Perez-Pariente
Summary: Gold nanospecies immobilized on functionalized mesoporous silica were tested as catalysts for cyclohexene oxidation. The materials were compared with previously reported ones functionalized during synthesis. Catalytic tests under different conditions were carried out and the samples were characterized by various techniques. The catalysts showed lower activity than those supported on S-bearing SBA-15 functionalized in situ due to different ratios of gold to sulfur. The reaction was found to be photocatalyzed by in situ formed AuNPs under ambient illumination.
CHEMISTRY-SWITZERLAND
(2023)
Review
Virology
Francisco Javier Candel, Pablo Barreiro, Miguel Salavert, Alfonso Cabello, Mario Fernandez-Ruiz, Pedro Perez-Segura, Jesus San Roman, Juan Berenguer, Raul Cordoba, Rafael Delgado, Pedro Pablo Espana, Ignacio Alberto Gomez-Centurion, Juan Maria Gonzalez del Castillo, Sarah Beatrice Heili, Francisco Javier Martinez-Peromingo, Rosario Menendez, Santiago Moreno, Jose Luis Pablos, Juan Pasquau, Jose Luis Pinana, MODUS Investigators Adenda
Summary: The clinical evolution of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 depends on the interplay between viral and host factors. Virus-targeted measures, such as antiviral drugs or monoclonal antibodies, can be effective in treating COVID-19, especially for patients with risk factors or comorbidities. The findings of this study are important for establishing treatment guidelines and preventing fatal outcomes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Irene Munoz-Gallego, Maria Angeles Melendez Carmona, Carmen Martin Higuera, Esther Viedma, Rafael Delgado, Maria Dolores Folgueira
Summary: The utility of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in analyzing SARS-COV-2 variants was evaluated. RT-PCR was found to be a highly useful method, especially during periods of high COVID-19 incidence, and can be implemented in all SARS-CoV-2 laboratories. However, whole genome sequencing (WGS) remains the gold standard method for comprehensive detection of all existing SARS-CoV-2 variants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nuria Labiod, Joanna Luczkowiak, Maria M. Tapia, Fatima Lasala, Rafael Delgado
Summary: DC-SIGN is a protein expressed in the immune system that mediates viral infection by interacting with viral envelope glycoproteins. This study reveals the crucial role of DC-SIGN in MERS-CoV infection and transmission, indicating its potential as a target for antiviral strategies.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Jaime Carrasco Colom, Angela Manzanares, Alicia Alvaro Gomez, Isabel Serrano Escribano, Estrella Esquivel, Alfredo Perez-Rivilla, Maria Teresa Moral-Pumarega, Elisa Aguirre Pascual, Joaquin De Vergas, Sara Reda del Barrio, Cinta Moraleda, Cristina Epalza, Elisa Fernandez-Cooke, Luis Prieto, Serena Villaverde, Berta Zamora, Ignacio Herraiz, Alberto Galindo, Maria Dolores Folgueira, Rafael Delgado, Daniel Blazquez-Gamero
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of infants born to COVID-19 infected mothers during pregnancy, focusing on hearing and neurological development. The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Madrid, Spain, and included infants born between March and September 2020. Follow-up visits were conducted at 1-3 months of age to evaluate physical, neurological, and auditory functions. The majority of infants showed normal neurological development, with no hearing loss or significant abnormalities in cranial ultrasound. Half of the infants had positive serological results, but this was not associated with maternal infection severity or symptoms.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Javier Perez-Florido, Carlos S. Casimiro-Soriguer, Francisco Ortuno, Jose L. Fernandez-Rueda, Andrea Aguado, Maria Lara, Cristina Riazzo, Manuel A. Rodriguez-Iglesias, Pedro Camacho-Martinez, Laura Merino-Diaz, Inmaculada Pupo-Ledo, Adolfo de Salazar, Laura Vinuela, Ana Fuentes, Natalia Chueca, Federico Garcia, Joaquin A. Dopazo, Jose Lepe
Summary: Recombination is an evolutionary strategy to acquire new viral properties quickly. The Andalusian genomic surveillance strategy has revealed a high number of co-infections, providing an ideal setting for the emergence of new recombinants. Whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 has been conducted, detecting three novel recombinant variants with two break points. The increased frequency of co-infection and recombination raises the risk of recombinant variants with increased transmissibility and pathogenicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Miriam Simon-Fuentes, Cristina Herrero, Lucia Acero-Riaguas, Concha Nieto, Fatima Lasala, Nuria Labiod, Joanna Luczkowiak, Barbara Alonso, Rafael Delgado, Maria Colmenares, Angel L. Corbi, Angeles Dominguez-Soto
Summary: This study investigates the expression and function of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) in monocyte-derived macrophages. TLR7 activation leads to the production of type I interferon and reprograms the gene transcription profile of these cells, inducing the expression of neutrophil-attracting chemokines. The results suggest that aberrant TLR7 signaling is associated with delayed resolution of inflammation following viral infection.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2023)