Review
Plant Sciences
Aimeric Agaoua, Abdelhafid Bendahmane, Frederic Moquet, Catherine Dogimont
Summary: The replication cycles of most simple-stranded positive RNA viruses infecting plants involve endomembrane deformations. Recent research has uncovered interactions between viral proteins and plant proteins related to vesicle formation and movement, with plant proteins from COPI/II, SNARE, clathrin, and ESCRT endomembrane trafficking mechanisms implicated. Certain variants of these plant proteins have been found to confer virus resistance, and strategies for quickly identifying variant alleles for membrane-associated proteins have been highlighted in this review.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer Cable, Jie Sun, In Su Cheon, Andrew E. Vaughan, Italo A. Castro, Sydney R. Stein, Carolina B. Lopez, Katelyn M. Gostic, Peter J. M. Openshaw, Ali H. Ellebedy, Andreas Wack, Edward Hutchinson, Mallory M. Thomas, Ryan A. Langlois, Daniel Lingwood, Steven F. Baker, Melanie Folkins, Ellen F. Foxman, Andrew B. Ward, Martin Schwemmle, Alistair B. Russell, Christopher Chiu, Ketaki Ganti, Kanta Subbarao, Timothy P. Sheahan, Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster, Taylor Eddens
Summary: Respiratory viruses, including influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, pose a significant threat to global public health. Researchers at the Keystone symposium Respiratory Viruses: New Frontiers presented novel insights into viral biology and virus-host interactions, aiming to understand disease mechanisms and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies that are durable and broad.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yixin Guo, Ziwei Xue, Ruihong Yuan, Jingyi Jessica Li, William A. Pastor, Wanlu Liu
Summary: With the introduction of RAD, a user-friendly web tool, researchers can identify both proximal and distal region associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and infer the regulatory function of these regions based on the distance to DEGs. RAD includes visualization of results and statistical inference for significance.
Review
Immunology
Taylor Eddens, Olivia B. Parks, John V. Williams
Summary: Respiratory tract infections pose a significant health risk for newborns, infants, and young children. These infections present challenges in balancing the elimination of pathogens, maintaining lung function, and minimizing long-term effects. This review focuses on the clinical relevance and host responses to respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, and rhinovirus in neonates.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ho-Jin Gwak, Mina Rho
Summary: A hierarchical BERT model named ViBE was developed to detect eukaryotic viruses from metagenome sequencing data and classify them at the order level, outperforming state-of-the-art alignment-based and alignment-free methods for virus identification.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ai-qin Zhu, Zhong-jie Li, Hang-jie Zhang
Summary: Major outbreaks of influenza virus occurred in China in 2017-2018. Influenza A virus, particularly A/H3N2, was the predominant strain, followed by influenza B virus. There were noticeable outbreaks in 2015-2016 and 2017-2018, with B/Victoria and B/Yamagata viruses causing the outbreaks, respectively. The epidemiological characteristics of seasonal influenza in China from 2014 to 2018 varied by region, season, and susceptible population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Tristan W. Clark, Kristina Lindsley, Tara B. Wigmosta, Anil Bhagat, Rachael B. Hemmert, Jennifer Uyei, Tristan T. Timbrook
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis provides evidence supporting the routine use of rapid sample-to-answer multiplex PCR testing for respiratory viruses in the hospital setting. The study shows that this testing method reduces the time to results and length of hospital stay, and improves antiviral treatment and infection control management for influenza-positive patients.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Gregory J. Walker, Sacha Stelzer-Braid, Caroline Shorter, Claire Honeywill, Matthew Wynn, Christiana Willenborg, Phillipa Barnes, Janice Kang, Nevil Pierse, Julian Crane, Philippa Howden-Chapman, William D. Rawlinson
Summary: Acute respiratory infections are a common illness among children, with respiratory viruses being detected even in asymptomatic periods. This study aimed to define the rates of infection and community epidemiology of respiratory viruses in healthy children to help interpret molecular diagnostic assays. The results showed that respiratory viruses were more likely to be detected during symptomatic periods, and human rhinovirus was the most common virus identified.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yinghan Chan, Sin Wi Ng, Sachin Kumar Singh, Monica Gulati, Gaurav Gupta, Sushil Kumar Chaudhary, Goh Bey Hing, Trudi Collet, Ronan MacLoughlin, Raimar Lobenberg, Brian G. Oliver, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan, Kamal Dua
Summary: Viral respiratory tract infections have a significant impact on global health and socio-economic growth, with vaccination being the primary method of prevention. However, traditional vaccines have limitations, prompting the need for novel vaccine delivery vehicles to enhance immune responses. This review explores how polymer-based nanoparticles can be integrated with vaccine development to effectively combat viral respiratory tract infections.
Review
Immunology
Sara Manti, Salvatore Leonardi, Fariba Rezaee, Terri J. Harford, Miriam K. Perez, Giovanni Piedimonte
Summary: Maternal infections during pregnancy can have significant consequences for the developing fetus. The maternal immune system undergoes complex changes to tolerate the fetus, but this does not suppress susceptibility to respiratory pathogens. Infections such as influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 can lead to acute and chronic complications in neonates and children.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pediatrics
Shidan Tosif, Lai-yang Lee, Jill Nguyen, Isabella Overmars, Chris Selman, Anneke C. Grobler, Alissa McMinn, Gregory Waller, Sarah McNab, Tayla Jarvis, Andrew Steer, Franz E. Babl, Andrew Daley, Nigel W. Crawford
Summary: Detection of respiratory viruses usually requires uncomfortable nasal and throat swabs. A novel anterior nasal swab (ANS) was tested as a less invasive alternative. The study found that the ANS had high positive percentage agreement with the standard method (CTN) and was much more comfortable for children. This suggests that the ANS is a viable and preferred option for respiratory virus testing in children.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Guohao Fan, Ruiqing Zhang, Xiaozhou He, Fengyu Tian, Mingzhu Nie, Xinxin Shen, Xuejun Ma
Summary: RAP is a novel nucleic acid detection method that combines RAA and qPCR, offering rapid, specific, and highly sensitive detection of pathogens within an hour. The method demonstrates superior sensitivity and specificity compared to qPCR, with results showing 100% consistency with qPCR detection.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Virology
Jens Kleinehr, Janine J. Wilden, Yvonne Boergeling, Stephan Ludwig, Eike R. Hrincius
Summary: Respiratory viruses rely on host cells for replication and actively induce certain cellular functions for their own benefit, including modifying metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Studying the modifications of metabolic pathways mediated by these viruses can help identify potential targets and compounds for therapeutic approaches.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sang Hun Kim, Myung-Jun Shin, Jang Mi Lee, Sungchul Huh, Yong Beom Shin
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a new respiratory muscle training device in older adults and compare the differences between home-based and rehabilitation center training. The results showed that the new IMT/PEP device did not significantly differ from the Threshold IMT device in terms of maximal inspiratory pressure but did improve maximal expiratory pressure. However, no consistent improvements were observed in other secondary outcomes.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Gwenllian Haf Rhys, Tara Wakeling, Jonathan P. Moore, Christian Peter Subbe
Summary: This study aimed to identify validated exercise tests to support safe discharge of patients with or without COVID-19. The results showed that although some exercise tests have been used in patients with conditions such as COPD, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia, only a few have been validated for discharge decisions in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, further research is needed to improve clinical decision-making at discharge.
Article
Orthopedics
Nathalie Pruijn, Floor M. van Diek, Jacques F. Meis, Nienke M. Kosse, Oscar Dorrestijn
Summary: The study found that the incidence of C. acnes infections was around 42% in patients with and without artificial material after shoulder surgery. Risk factors identified were age and BMI. Low-grade C. acnes infections should be considered in patients with unexplained persistent complaints following shoulder surgery.
ARCHIVES OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anouk M. E. Jacobs, Petra J. C. Heesterbeek, Frans A. T. Bovendeert, Saskia Susan, Jacques F. Meis, Jon H. M. Goosen
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of an automated mPCR of synovial fluid in unsuspected knee and hip revisions. In knee revisions, mPCR showed high specificity and NPV, while in hip revisions, it had lower sensitivity but higher specificity and NPV.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ashutosh Singh, Prerna Singh, Jacques F. Meis, Anuradha Chowdhary
Summary: Olorofim demonstrates potent in vitro activity against drug-resistant dermatophytes and opportunistic moulds, with exceptions in Alternaria alternata. When compared to other systemic antifungal drugs, Olorofim exhibits lower activity against Penicillium and Talaromyces species. Particularly, Olorofim shows strong activity against Trichophyton isolates, including those resistant to terbinafine and azoles.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Athanasios Chatzimoschou, Athina Giampani, Jacques F. Meis, Emmanuel Roilides
Summary: Candida auris exhibits higher MICs for fluconazole and relatively low MICs for itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole. Echinocandins and liposomal amphotericin B also show lower activity against C auris biofilms compared to deoxycholate amphotericin B.
Article
Dermatology
Alireza Abdolrasouli, Malick M. Gibani, Theun de Groot, Andrew M. Borman, Peter Hoffman, Berge S. Azadian, Nabeela Mughal, Luke S. P. Moore, Elizabeth M. Johnson, Jacques F. Meis
Summary: This study investigated a pseudo-outbreak of Rhinocladiella similis in a bronchoscopy unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in London. The potential source of contamination was determined to be a bronchoscope, but no infections were found in patients after the outbreak. The study emphasizes the importance of prolonged fungal culture and species-level identification in bronchoscopy samples.
Article
Microbiology
Anamika Yadav, Anubhav Singh, Yue Wang, Merlijn H. van Haren, Ashutosh Singh, Theun de Groot, Jacques F. Meis, Jianping Xu, Anuradha Chowdhary
Summary: The study revealed significant genetic and ecological diversities of Candida auris in healthcare settings, with 37.5% of patients with chronic respiratory diseases and 10% of fomite samples testing positive for the pathogen. Analysis showed multiple strains of C. auris infecting different body sites of patients and fomites.
Article
Microbiology
Theun de Groot, Tom Janssen, Dirk Faro, Niels A. J. Cremers, Anuradha Chowdhary, Jacques F. Meis
Summary: The study found that the medical-grade honey formulation has strong antifungal activity against Candida auris and other Candida species, but is slightly less effective than unprocessed local honey. Candida auris' susceptibility to the medical-grade honey formulation was not dependent on geographic origin or resistance profile, although multiresistant isolates tended to be more susceptible.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Martin Hoenigl, Jon Salmanton-Garcia, Thomas J. Walsh, Marcio Nucci, Chin Fen Neoh, Jeffrey D. Jenks, Michaela Lackner, Rosanne Sprute, Abdullah M. S. Al-Hatmi, Matteo Bassetti, Fabianne Carlesse, Tomas Freiberger, Philipp Koehler, Thomas Lehrnbecher, Anil Kumar, Juergen Prattes, Malcolm Richardson, Sanjay Revankar, Monica A. Slavin, Jannik Stemler, Birgit Spiess, Saad J. Taj-Aldeen, Adilia Warris, Patrick C. Y. Woo, Jo-Anne H. Young, Kerstin Albus, Dorothee Arenz, Valentina Arsic-Arsenijevic, Jean-Philippe Bouchara, Terrence Rohan Chinniah, Anuradha Chowdhary, G. Sybren de Hoog, George Dimopoulos, Rafael F. Duarte, Petr Hamal, Jacques F. Meis, Sayoki Mfinanga, Flavio Queiroz-Telles, Thomas F. Patterson, Galia Rahav, Thomas R. Rogers, Coleman Rotstein, Retno Wahyuningsih, Danila Seidel, Oliver A. Cornely
Summary: With an increasing number of patients requiring intensive care or being immunosuppressed, infections caused by molds other than Aspergillus spp or Mucorales are on the rise. Antifungal prophylaxis has been effective, but breakthrough infections by other rare molds are also increasing. Regional differences should be considered in providing practical clinical decision guidance.
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Elena De Carolis, Federica Marchionni, Marilisa La Rosa, Jacques F. Meis, Anuradha Chowdhary, Brunella Posteraro, Maurizio Sanguinetti
Summary: The present study aimed to implement MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for species-level identification of C. auris isolates and develop a fast resistance detection assay. The MS-based assay showed potential for rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment of patients with C. auris infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Joerg Steinmann, Thomas Schrauzer, Lisa Kirchhoff, Jacques F. Meis, Peter-Michael Rath
Summary: Candida auris poses a global fungal public health threat, with two cases reported in Germany showing multidrug resistance. Isolating patients and implementing contact precautions can effectively prevent nosocomial transmission of this emerging, multidrug-resistant pathogen.
Article
Dermatology
Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh, Somayeh Dolatabadi, Vania Aparecida Vicente, Gerrit Sybren de Hoog, Jacques F. Meis
Summary: This study investigated the in vitro activities of eight antifungal drugs against 126 clinical and environmental isolates of Exophiala species, revealing that posaconazole, itraconazole, and micafungin showed the best overall activity, while fluconazole was not considered an effective treatment choice. No significant difference was found in antifungal drug activities between different species of Exophiala, highlighting the importance of antifungal susceptibility data for managing this occasionally fatal infection.
Article
Dermatology
Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Martin Hoenigl, Jacques F. Meis, Oliver A. Cornely, Valliappan Muthu, Jean Pierre Gangneux, John Perfect, Arunaloke Chakrabarti
Summary: Globally, the incidence of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM) is rising, with a significant surge in India. The need to address misconceptions in managing and treating this infection is crucial, with a focus on early suspicion, diagnosis confirmation, glycemic control, surgical debridement, and antifungal therapy. Limited availability of amphotericin B formulations during the epidemic has led to discussions on alternative antifungal therapies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anna Rozaliyani, Rudyanto Sedono, Ridhawati Sjam, Mulyati Tugiran, Robiatul Adawiyah, Findra Setianingrum, Anwar Jusuf, Saleha Sungkar, Ferry Hagen, Jacques F. Meis, Retno Wahyuningsih
Summary: The study investigated the incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) among ICU patients in Jakarta, Indonesia, identifying Aspergillus flavus as the main causative organism. All isolates showed susceptibility to amphotericin B, azoles, and micafungin.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
(2021)
Meeting Abstract
Surgery
Osama Gheith, Torki Alotaibi, Khaled Alobiad, Prasad Nair, Sohair Zeineldein, Tarek Mahmoud, Medhat A. Halim, Hasaneen Aboatya, Mohamed Balaha, Khaled Atya, Ayman Maher Nagib, Abdullah Alhatmi, Amal Sadon, Jacques Meis, Mohamed Zahab
TRANSPLANT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jon Salmanton-Garcia, Rosanne Sprute, Jannik Stemler, Michele Bartoletti, Damien Dupont, Maricela Valerio, Carolina Garcia-Vidal, Iker Falces-Romero, Marina Machado, Sofia de la Villa, Maria Schroeder, Irma Hoyo, Frank Hanses, Kennio Ferreira-Paim, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Jacques F. Meis, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Azucena Rodriguez-Guardado, Spinello Antinori, Ertan Sal, Xhorxha Malaj, Danila Seidel, Oliver A. Cornely, Philipp Koehler
Summary: This study found that most patients with coronavirus disease-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) are diagnosed shortly after admission, with the majority being treated in the ICU. Azole-resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus were common in patients, and voriconazole was the main treatment choice. The overall mortality rate was approximately 52.2%, with about one third of deaths attributed to CAPA.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
