Article
Immunology
Florence Abravanel, Florence Nicot, Sebastien Lhomme, Michele Cazabat, Thomas Drumel, Aurelie Velay, Justine Latour, Julie Belliere, Pascal Cintas, Nassim Kamar, Jacques Izopet
Summary: In this study, HEV quasispecies in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid of five patients with neurological symptoms were investigated. There was no virus compartmentalization in the acute-phase patients, but evidence of HEV quasispecies compartmentalization was found in the CSF of patients with chronic infection.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Meritxell Llorens-Revull, Josep Gregori, Cristina Dopazo, Francisco Rodriguez-Frias, Damir Garcia-Cehic, Maria Eugenia Soria, Qian Chen, Ariadna Rando, Celia Perales, Juan Ignacio Esteban, Josep Quer, Itxarone Bilbao
Summary: Cirrhosis caused by chronic HCV infection is a common indication for liver transplantation, requiring prompt treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Post-LT HCV reinfection patterns vary, and quasispecies complexity is not predictive of liver damage progression. Higher VL values post-LT, particularly at day 15, may predict fast liver fibrosis progression, independent of fibrosis stage.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xia Tang, Wenxun Huang, Juan Kang, Keyue Ding
Summary: Telbivudine treatment in chronic HBV patients led to significant differences in viral quasispecies, with a reduced dN/dS ratio indicating selective constraints from antiviral therapy. Evolution patterns and resistant mutations in the quasispecies varied over a short-term treatment course.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ya Fu, Fengling Fang, Hongyan Guo, Xialin Xiao, Yuhai Hu, Yongbin Zeng, Tianbin Chen, Songhang Wu, Ni Lin, Jinlan Huang, Ling Jiang, Qishui Ou, Can Liu
Summary: This study investigates the evolutionary characteristics of HBV X gene in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment, and finds lower heterogeneity in tumor tissues and a location bias in X gene mutations. Additionally, the study reveals that HBx harboring mutation T81P/S101P/L123S promotes cell proliferation and increases genomic instability.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Review
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Alessandra Mangia, Rosa Cotugno, Giovanna Cocomazzi, Maria Maddalena Squillante, Valeria Piazzolla
Summary: The World Health Organization's goal of eliminating Hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 using direct-acting antiviral treatments has become less attainable post the 2020 pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019. Therefore, a more realistic approach of micro-elimination in population segments where targeted strategies of prevention and treatment are easily attained has been promoted in Europe. Active involvement of stakeholders and community participation are essential components for the success of a micro-elimination project tailored at the geographical level according to HCV epidemiology and individual country's income.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Ru Cheng, Fu Zhu, Min Huang, Qiang Zhang, Hui Hong Yan, Xiao Hui Zhao, Fu Kang Luo, Chun Mei Li, Hui Liu, Gao Lin Liang, Cheng Zhi Huang, Jian Wang
Summary: In this study, a new biosensor named hepatitis virus indicator was developed for the simultaneous detection of HBV and HCV. The biosensor utilized Exo III assisted signal amplification strategy and particle counting technology with a dark-field microscopy, enabling sensitive and selective detection.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Review
Virology
Carlos Garcia-Crespo, Isabel Gallego, Maria Eugenia Soria, Ana Isabel de Avila, Brenda Martinez-Gonzalez, Lucia Vazquez-Sirvent, Rebeca Lobo-Vega, Elena Moreno, Jordi Gomez, Carlos Briones, Josep Gregori, Josep Quer, Esteban Domingo, Celia Perales
Summary: The replication of RNA viruses involves exploring sequence space to adapt to changing environments. Research on hepatitis C virus (HCV) has shown that despite prolonged replication, viral clones continue to expand in sequence space. The study suggests that HCV populations exhibit a permanent state of disequilibrium, potentially facilitating the finding of alternative mutational pathways for antiviral resistance.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Selene Garcia-Garcia, Maria Francesca Cortese, David Tabernero, Josep Gregori, Marta Vila, Beatriz Pacin, Josep Quer, Rosario Casillas, Laura Castillo-Ribelles, Roser Ferrer-Costa, Ariadna Rando-Segura, Jesus Trejo-Zahinos, Tomas Pumarola, Ernesto Casis, Rafael Esteban, Mar Riveiro-Barciela, Maria Buti, Francisco Rodriguez-Frias
Summary: This study established a new next-generation sequencing method for analyzing serum HBV-RNA and comparing it with DNA quasispecies. The results showed no HBV-DNA contamination in HBV-RNA quasispecies, and complexity and conservation of HBV quasispecies exhibited heterogeneous behavior among patients.
WORLD JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Noboru Urata, Tsunamasa Watanabe, Noboru Hirashima, Yoshiyuki Yokomaku, Junji Imamura, Yasumasa Iwatani, Masaaki Shimada, Yasuhito Tanaka
Summary: In HIV/HBV coinfected patients, IRIS can cause hepatic flare and lead to loss of HBsAg, but the specific factors leading to HBsAg clearance remain unclear. This study found that patients in the HBsAg clearance group had higher concentrations of various cytokines and chemokines in their serum.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Christelle Granier, Johan Toesca, Chloe Mialon, Maureen Ritter, Natalia Freitas, Bertrand Boson, Eve-Isabelle Pecheur, Francois-Loic Cosset, Solene Denolly
Summary: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) particles are stable when secreted from cells, but become highly unstable after freeze-thawing of producer cells. Cell-secreted proteins can protect HCV particles from degradation, specifically those that are lipidated and low-density. HCV particles are sensitive to oxidation, but can be protected from lipid oxidation by secreted factors.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hongkai Wu, Baolin Liao, Xueying Li, Huiyuan Liu, Mingxing Gong, Haiyan Shi, Shi Xie, Fengxia Guo, Keng Chen, Rong Yan, Han Zhao, Liya Li, Anqi Zheng, Yu Liu, Zhanhui Wang
Summary: The study found that HBV quasispecies diversity increases with fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B, specific mutations are more common in patients with advanced liver disease, and there are differences in viral complexity and diversity in CHB patients at different stages of fibrosis with similar age.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Hao Liao, He Zhang, Jinman Shao, Xiaoyong Li, Wei V. Zheng, Le Li, Guangxin Yu, Lanlan Si, Tao Zhou, Zengtao Yao, Jiuzeng Dai, Dongping Xu, Guanxun Cheng, Jiuxin Qu, Yan Liu, Junhui Chen, Fengmin Lu
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA levels and the quasispecies of HBV RNA virus-like particles in nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs)-experienced chronic hepatitis B patients with NAs-resistant mutations and their effects on NAs resistance. The results showed that serum HBV RNA can reflect virological breakthrough and rebound earlier than HBV DNA in some patients. However, there are limitations in the detection of serum HBV RNA levels and drug-resistant mutations compared to serum HBV DNA.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Meng-Hsuan Kuo, Chih-Wei Tseng, Shih-Chieh Shao
Summary: This article provides a link to the paper by El Jamaly et al. for readers to view and access the original research.
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Po-Yao Hsu, Yu-Ju Wei, Po-Cheng Liang, Jia-Jung Lee, Sheng-Wen Niu, Jiun-Chi Huang, Cheng-Ting Hsu, Tyng-Yuan Jang, Ching- Huang, Yi-Hung Lin, Ming-Yen Hsieh, Meng-Hsuan Hsieh, Szu-Chia Chen, Chia-Yen Dai, Zu-Yau Lin, Shinn-Cherng Chen, Jee-Fu Huang, Jer-Ming Chang, Ming-Lun Yeh, Chung-Feng Huang, Yi-Wen Chiu, Shang-Jyh Hwang, Wan-Long Chuang, Ming-Lung Yu
Summary: Hemodialysis patients are at increased risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This study found that hemodialysis patients with HCV exhibited a higher burden of comorbidities, especially in ischemic heart diseases, respiratory disorders, and mental/behavioral disorders, compared to patients with HBV and those without viral hepatitis.
JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Paulo C. G. Silva, Larissa S. Jesus, Maria Isabel Schinoni, Isabela S. Oliveira, Maria Luiza B. S. Atta, Ajax M. Atta
Summary: In this study, the IgE immune response to HCV antigens in chronic hepatitis C patients before and after antiviral treatment was investigated. Anti-core, anti-NS3, and anti-NS4 IgE antibodies were prevalent, while anti-NS5 IgE antibodies were less common, and antiviral treatment reduced the production of the former three. Anti-NS3 IgE antibodies may be useful in diagnosing occult hepatitis C and monitoring antiviral treatment.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Damien C. Tully, Judith A. Hahn, David J. Bean, Jennifer L. Evans, Meghan D. Morris, Kimberly Page, Todd M. Allen
Summary: Deep sequencing of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among self-described injecting partnerships showed that the majority of transmission events originate from outside of the injecting partnership, and the direction of transmission is often difficult to accurately infer, especially in high-risk networks with rapid transmission events.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Sophie Meakin, Sam Abbott, Nikos Bosse, James Munday, Hugo Gruson, Joel Hellewell, Katherine Sherratt, Sebastian Funk
Summary: Forecasting healthcare demand is crucial during epidemics, and in this study, three disease-agnostic forecasting models were used to predict COVID-19 hospital admissions in England. The mean-ensemble model was the most accurate and consistently accurate among all the models. Using future observed cases improved the accuracy of admissions forecasts. Ensemble forecasts can provide consistently accurate predictions across time and locations.
Article
Immunology
David J. Bean, Janet Monroe, Jacquelyn Turcinovic, Yvetane Moreau, John H. Connor, Manish Sagar
Summary: This study found that housing instability is associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, which occurs in the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Antibodies were detectable among individuals with documented reinfection examined in this study.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marta Calvet-Mirabent, Daniel T. Claiborne, Maud Deruaz, Serah Tanno, Carla Serra, Cristina Delgado-Arevalo, Ildefonso Sanchez-Cerrillo, Ignacio de Los Santos, Jesus Sanz, Lucio Garcia-Fraile, Francisco Sanchez-Madrid, Arantzazu Alfranca, Maria Angeles Munoz-Fernandez, Todd M. Allen, Maria J. Buzon, Alejandro Balazs, Vladimir Vrbanac, Enrique Martin-Gayo
Summary: The combination of 2‘3’-c ' diAM(PS)2 and Poly I:C as adjuvants can enhance DCs' ability to induce polyfunctional HIV-1 specific CD8(+) T-cell responses, reducing the severity of CD4(+) T-cell depletion following HIV-1 infection, and preserving the specific polyfunctional responses of CD8(+) T cells. The priming of DCs with PolyI:C and STING agonists may be useful for future HIV-1 vaccine studies.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Xiaodong Zhuang, Rachel S. Edgar, Jane A. McKeating
Summary: This review summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence on the interaction between viral pathogens and our biological clocks, emphasizing the importance of understanding the role played by the biological clock in virus-host organism interaction for clinical management.
SEMINARS IN IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin B. Lindsey, Ch Julian Villabona-Arenas, Finlay Campbell, Alexander J. Keeley, Matthew D. Parker, Dhruv R. Shah, Helena Parsons, Peijun Zhang, Nishchay Kakkar, Marta Gallis, Benjamin H. Foulkes, Paige Wolverson, Stavroula F. Louka, Stella Christou, Amy State, Katie Johnson, Mohammad Raza, Sharon Hsu, Thibaut Jombart, Anne Cori, Cariad M. Evans, David G. Partridge, Katherine E. Atkins, Stephane Hue, Thushan de Silva
Summary: This study combines epidemiological and viral genomic data to characterize the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within a UK hospital. The results show that control measures implemented during the pandemic have reduced staff-to-staff transmission, but have been insufficient to prevent increasing patient-to-patient transmission. Therefore, earlier identification and control of hospital-acquired cases are necessary to break the transmission chains within hospitals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liam J. Reynolds, Laura Sala-Comorera, Mohd Faheem Khan, Niamh A. Martin, Megan Whitty, Jayne H. Stephens, Tristan M. Nolan, Eadaoin Joyce, Nicola F. Fletcher, Cormac D. Murphy, Wim G. Meijer
Summary: Wastewater surveillance is a cost-effective tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a community. This study demonstrates the usefulness of coprostanol as a population biomarker for wastewater surveillance studies, as it exhibits the lowest variation in wastewater samples and shows strong correlations with COVID-19 cases when levels are normalized to coprostanol.
Article
Virology
Andrea Magri, James M. Harris, Valentina D'Arienzo, Rosalba Minisini, Frank Juhling, Peter A. C. Wing, Rachele Rapetti, Monica Leutner, Barbara Testoni, Thomas F. Baumert, Fabien Zoulim, Peter Balfe, Mario Pirisi, Jane A. McKeating
Summary: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health problem that is characterized by interactions between the virus and the host immune system, leading to a spectrum of liver disease. The study investigates the contribution of HBV genomes, including episomal covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and chromosomal integrants, to viral transcripts in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The results demonstrate that cccDNA-derived transcripts are associated with liver inflammation markers, while integrant-derived transcripts are significantly associated with increasing age but not with inflammatory status.
Article
Virology
Xiaodong Zhuang, Wei Wang, Helene Borrmann, Peter Balfe, Philippa C. Matthews, David W. Eyre, Elizabeth B. Klerman, Jane A. McKeating
Summary: This study investigates the variation of COVID-19 viral load at different time points and in different populations. The results reveal a higher viral load in samples obtained in the afternoon, in males, and in hospitalized patients. This study emphasizes the importance of recording sample collection times when measuring viral replication parameters.
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Damien C. Tully
Article
Psychiatry
Soren Valgreen Knudsen, Jan Brink Valentin, Marie Norredam, Poul Videbech, Jan Mainz, Soren Paaske Johnsen
Summary: This article examines the quality of care and clinical outcomes for migrants hospitalized for major depressive disorder (MDD). The study finds that migrants are less likely to receive high-quality care and have higher all-cause mortality rates.
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Liam J. Reynolds, Gabriel Gonzalez, Laura Sala-Comorera, Niamh A. Martin, Alannah Byrne, Sanne Fennema, Niamh Holohan, Sailusha Ratnam Kuntamukkula, Natasha Sarwar, Tristan M. Nolan, Jayne H. Stephens, Megan Whitty, Charlene Bennett, Quynh Luu, Ursula Morley, Zoe Yandle, Jonathan Dean, Eadaoin Joyce, John J. O'Sullivan, John M. Cuddihy, Angeline M. McIntyre, Eve P. Robinson, Darren Dahly, Nicola F. Fletcher, Michael Carr, Cillian De Gascun, Wim G. Meijer
Summary: Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater is a valuable tool for monitoring the prevalence of COVID-19 at a community level, complementing case-based surveillance systems. This study demonstrates the validity of wastewater surveillance for monitoring infection spread and identifying circulating variants. The findings suggest that wastewater monitoring can be a cost-effective alternative when sequencing capacity is limited.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rosanna C. Barnard, Nicholas G. Davies, Mark Jit, W. John Edmunds
Summary: This mathematical modelling study predicts the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in England until the end of 2022, assuming the dominant presence of the Omikron BA.2 sublineage. The study shows that booster vaccinations are highly effective in mitigating severe outcomes and that the future dynamics will depend on assumptions about waning immunity.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Helene Borrmann, Dini Ismed, Anna E. Kliszczak, Persephone Borrow, Sridhar Vasudevan, Aarti Jagannath, Xiaodong Zhuang, Jane A. McKeating
Summary: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) poses a significant global health burden, and eradicating latent virus infection is a major challenge. The circadian clock, an internal timing system, regulates HIV-1 replication. Salt inducible kinases (SIK) contribute to this regulation, and inhibiting SIKs disrupts the cellular clock and reduces rhythmic HIV-1 replication. This study demonstrates the role of SIKs in regulating HIV-1 replication and latency reactivation, providing insights for understanding and targeting latent HIV-1 infection.
JOURNAL OF GENERAL VIROLOGY
(2023)