Article
Immunology
Nathella Pavan Kumar, Kadar Moideen, Vijay Viswanathan, Shanmugam Sivakumar, Shaik Fayaz Ahamed, C. Ponnuraja, Syed Hissar, Hardy Kornfeld, Subash Babu
Summary: The study found that in patients with recurrent pulmonary tuberculosis after treatment, there were significantly higher levels of microbial translocation markers, which could serve as a rapid prognostic tool for predicting tuberculosis recurrence.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Nathella Pavan Kumar, Kadar Moideen, Vijay Viswanathan, Shanmugam Sivakumar, Shaik Fayaz Ahamed, C. Ponnuraja, Syed Hissar, Hardy Kornfeld, Subash Babu
Summary: This study found that microbial translocation is closely associated with recurrence in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Within a year after treatment, levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), sCD14, and LPS-binding protein (LBP) were significantly higher in the recurrence group compared to the control group, and were associated with increased risk for recurrence. These microbial markers can be used as a rapid prognostic tool for predicting recurrence in PTB.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Shengnan Li, Han Xia, Zeyu Wang, Xiehua Zhang, Tianqiang Song, Jia Li, Liang Xu, Ningning Zhang, Shu Fan, Qian Li, Qiaoling Zhang, Yingnan Ye, Jiayu Lv, Xiaofen Yue, Hongcheng Lv, Jinpu Yu, Wei Lu
Summary: By investigating the intratumoral microbiome of HBV-related HCC tissues, it was found that there is lower intratumoral microbial heterogeneity compared to chronic hepatitis tissues. Microbiome-based molecular subtypes of HCC were established and shown to be significantly correlated with clinical-pathologic features and tumor microenvironment. Additionally, a 3-gene risk signature was identified that accurately predicts the prognosis of HCC patients.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Yan Yan
Summary: In a recent article published in Nature Medicine, Stein-Thoeringer et al. examine the gut microbiome configuration prior to cancer immunotherapy and investigate the effects of antibiotic-masked microbial features on the therapy's effectiveness. This study offers a framework for identifying microbial signatures to guide clinical strategies.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Angela Sherry, Bruna Martins Dell'Agnese, Jane Scott
Summary: Living materials have great potential in various fields including biomedical science, architecture, and environmental biosensors. This study combines textile technology and microbiology to explore the use of textile fibers as microbial scaffolds and highways. The research focuses on the directional dispersal of microbes across different fiber types and the potential for biohybrids to improve oil bioremediation. The results show that bacteria can utilize water layers surrounding fibers and translocate across certain fiber types, highlighting the potential of textiles as conduits for water and nutrients.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Jing Ouyang, Jiangyu Yan, Xin Zhou, Stephane Isnard, Vijay Harypursat, Hongjuan Cui, Jean-Pierre Routy, Yaokai Chen
Summary: The intestinal barrier is disrupted in HIV infection, leading to increased permeability and microbial translocation. Biomarkers such as I-FABP, zonulin, REG3 alpha, LPS, and BDG have been used to assess the risk of developing non-AIDS comorbidities and to evaluate gut repair strategies in people living with HIV.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bernadeta Pietrzak, Iwona Kawacka, Agnieszka Olejnik-Schmidt, Marcin Schmidt
Summary: Human blood contains low biomass of circulating microbial cell-free DNA (cfmDNA) that primarily comes from bacteria. Circulating cfmDNA has been detected in patients with various diseases and in healthy individuals. Differences in microbial composition between healthy individuals and patients suggest potential associations with disease development. Although the function of circulating cfmDNA needs further clarification, it has the potential to serve as a non-invasive biomarker for improved diagnosis and treatment efficacy. The origin and function of circulating cfmDNA require further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diogo Gama Caetano, Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves, Eugenio Damaceno Hottz, Larissa Melo Vilela, Sandra Wagner Cardoso, Brenda Hoagland, Beatriz Grinsztejn, Valdilea Goncalves Veloso, Mariza Goncalves Morgado, Patricia Torres Bozza, Monick Lindenmeyer Guimaraes, Fernanda Heloise Cortes
Summary: HIV controllers exhibit elevated levels of inflammation markers associated with cardiovascular diseases, while elite controllers show lower but persistent levels of inflammation, similar to the group receiving antiretroviral therapy, suggesting the potential benefits of alternative therapies to decrease inflammation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Esther Merlini, Alessandro Cozzi-lepri, Antonella Castagna, Andrea Costantini, Sergio Lo Caputo, Stefania Carrara, Eugenia Quiros Roldan, Maria A. Ursitti, Andrea Antinori, Antonella D'Arminio Monforte, Giulia Marchetti
Summary: This study investigated the role of pre-cART inflammation and microbial translocation as predictors of clinical progression in HIV+ patients. Among 486 patients, pre-therapy inflammation marker hs-CRP was found to be associated with clinical progression.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Ronald J. Ellis, Jennifer E. Iudicello, Robert K. Heaton, Stephane Isnard, John Lin, Jean-Pierre Routy, Sara Gianella, Martin Hoenigl, Rob Knight
Summary: People with HIV have higher gut microbial diversity, and there is a significant correlation between gut barrier integrity and microbial diversity in this group. This relationship plays a crucial role in microbial translocation and inflammation in people with HIV.
Article
Virology
Austen Terwilliger, Justin Clark, Maile Karris, Haroldo Hernandez-Santos, Sabrina Green, Saima Aslam, Anthony Maresso
Summary: The study demonstrates the effectiveness of using a rationally designed phage cocktail with antibiotics to treat patients with recurrent infections caused by E. coli. The patient tolerated the phage therapy well, with symptom resolution, but developed asymptomatic recurrent bacteriuria after treatment, which did not require antibiotic therapy.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mengyao Shi, Xiaoyu Zong, Jinhee Hur, Brenda M. Birmann, Otoniel Martinez-Maza, Marta Epeldegui, Andrew T. Chan, Edward L. Giovannucci, Yin Cao
Summary: Microbial translocation and host response to bacteria, as reflected by the level of sCD14, are strongly associated with the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Article
Hematology
Catherine S. Diefenbach, Brandilyn A. Peters, Huilin Li, Bruce Raphael, Tibor Moskovits, Kenneth Hymes, Jonas Schluter, J. Chen, N. Nora Bennani, Thomas E. Witzig, Jiyoung Ahn
Summary: The study revealed distinct differences in gut microbiota composition between lymphoma patients and healthy individuals, as well as between aggressive and indolent lymphoma patients. Additionally, the diversity and composition of gut microbiota were significant predictors of treatment responses. These pilot results suggest the potential for improved treatment outcomes by targeting gut microbiota.
Article
Immunology
Alessandra Oliva, Maria Claudia Miele, Federica Di Timoteo, Massimiliano De Angelis, Vera Mauro, Raissa Aronica, Dania Al Ismail, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Claudia Pinacchio, Gabriella d'Ettorre, Maria Teresa Mascellino, Claudio M. Mastroianni
Summary: This study found that microbial translocation and intestinal damage in COVID-19 patients have not been well explored, but are associated with gut permeability. ICU patients had higher levels of microbial translocation, and patients with higher levels of microbial translocation and lower levels of intestinal damage were more likely to be admitted to the ICU.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rongzhen Zhang, Paige M. Bracci, Ari Azhir, Bruce D. Forrest, Michael S. McGrath
Summary: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. This study suggests that regulating macrophage activation may be an effective treatment approach for ALS.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rafael Perello, Aelajandra Losada, Jwei Chen, August Supervia, Emilio Salgado, Alex Smithson, Marc Xipell, Alexis Inciarte, Gabriel Vallecillo
Summary: Amphetamine-related intoxication in people living with HIV causes high morbidity, with symptoms including agitation, anxiety, and psychosis. Severe intoxication was observed in 28.2% of cases.
Article
Immunology
Rodrigo Alonso-Navarro, Genoveva Cuesta, Marta Santos, Celia Cardozo, Veronica Rico, Nicole Garcia-Pouton, Montse Tuset, Marta Bodro, Laura Morata, Pedro Puerta-Alcalde, Sabina Herrera, Dafne Soria, Marta Aldea, Josep Mensa, Jose Antonio Martinez, Ana Del Rio, Jordi Vila, Felipe Garcia, Carolina Garcia-Vidal, M. Angeles Marcos, Alex Soriano
Summary: A prospective study found that negative subgenomic RNA (sgRNA) at admission or after 5 days of remdesivir therapy was associated with better outcomes in hospitalized patients with moderate/severe COVID-19. Monitoring sgRNA levels could be useful in assessing the response to antiviral treatment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tom J. Levett, Jaime H. Vera, Christopher Jones, Stephen Bremner, Agathe Leon, Josip Begovac, Ludwig Apers, Margarida Borges, Sime Zekan, Eugenio Teofilo, Felipe Garcia, Jennifer Whetham
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate frailty, falls and perceptions of ageing among clinically stable individuals with HIV who were engaged with remote healthcare delivered via a novel smartphone application. The results showed that frailty, falls and ageing dissatisfaction were uncommon but still present in this younger cohort, and were associated with pain and mood symptoms.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joaquin Burgos, Sergio Moreno-Fornes, Juliana Reyes-Uruena, Andreu Bruguera, Raquel Martin-Iguacel, Berta Raventos, Josep M. Llibre, Arkaitz Imaz, Joaquim Peraire, Amat-Joaquim Orti, David Dalmau, Jordi Casabona, Josep M. Miro, Vicenc Falco
Summary: This multicentre prospective cohort study assessed the clinical and immunovirological outcomes of treatment-naive patients with advanced HIV disease starting antiretroviral therapy. The study found that patients treated with integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) had lower mortality rates, earlier viral suppression, and earlier immune restoration.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lorna Leal, Alberto C. Guardo, Luis M. Bedoya, Cristina Rodriguez de Miguel, Nuria Climent, Cristina Rovira, Manuela Beltran, Josep Llach, Jose Alcami, Angela D. M. Kashuba, Jose M. Gatell, Montserrat Plana, Felipe Garcia
Summary: Using colorectal tissue explants, we studied the impact of maraviroc (MVC), raltegravir (RAL), and ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) PEP-based regimens on rectal mucosal susceptibility to HIV-1 infection. We found that 28-day MVC treatment significantly suppressed viral replication and infectivity correlated with immune activation and senescence.
AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Montserrat Laguno, Ainoa Ugarte, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Yeray Sobrino, Guillermo Font, Elisa de Lazzari, Lorena de la Mora, Berta Torres, Ivan Chivite, Josep Riera, Juan Ambrosioni, Alexy Inciarte, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Jhon Rojas, Encarna Cordon, Jose Luis Blanco, Esteban Martinez, Josep Mallolas
Summary: This study retrospectively describes the initial implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the HIV Unit of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, with a focus on vulnerability factors in the cohort. The results show that some participants had issues related to infections, risky practices, and substance use, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive care.
ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lorena Usero, Lorna Leal, Carmen Elena Gomez, Laia Miralles, Elena Aurrecoechea, Ignasi Esteban, Berta Torres, Alexy Inciarte, Beatriz Perdiguero, Mariano Esteban, Felipe Garcia, Montserrat Plana
Summary: Researchers tested a novel HIV therapeutic vaccine using unmodified mRNA (TMEP-B) and mRNA modified by 1-methyl-3'-pseudouridylyl (TMEP-Bmod) that expressed sequences from Gag, Pol, and Nef proteins in transfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) obtained from HIV-infected patients. In vitro experiments were conducted to test the mRNAs alone and in combination with immunomodulators to enhance HIV-specific cellular immune responses. The combination of mRNAs with immunomodulators increased HIV-specific T-cell responses and the secretion of mediators involved in viral control, suggesting that these mRNA vaccines could potentially achieve a functional cure for HIV patients when combined with Vesatolimod and/or Nivolumab.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ainoa Ugarte, Lorena de la Mora, David Garcia, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Elisa de Lazzari, Berta Torres, Alexy Inciarte, Juan Ambrosioni, Ivan Chivite, Estela Solbes, Nicolas de Loredo, Guillermo Federico Del Carlo, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Jose Luis Blanco, Esteban Martinez, Josep Mallolas, Montserrat Laguno
Summary: This study describes the changes in risk behaviors and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among users of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. The implementation of PrEP program effectively reduced the overall risk behaviors and STIs among the high-risk population, with only one HIV diagnosis during the follow-up. However, specific strategies should be targeted to improve adherence and retention in care, as vulnerable subgroups are identified to be at higher risk of loss to follow-up.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sara Toyos, Leire Berrocal, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Alexy Inciarte, Lorena de la Mora, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Montserrat Laguno, Emma Fernandez, Juan Ambrosioni, Ivan Chivite, Elisa de Lazzari, Jose Luis Blanco, Esteban Martinez, Jose M. Miro, Josep Mallolas, Berta Torres
Summary: This study examined the characteristics of people living with HIV (PLWH) who sought consultation in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain, from 1982 to 2020, with a focus on sex-related differences. The findings revealed that women with HIV had higher rates of late diagnoses compared to men, and women aged 50 and above represented a significant proportion of those currently being followed up. These results emphasize the importance of sex stratification in HIV prevention and control interventions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tommaso-Francesco Aiello, Pedro Puerta-Alcalde, Mariana Chumbita, Carlos Lopera, Patricia Monzo, Albert Cortes, Francesc Fernandez-Aviles, Maria Suarez-Lledo, Juan Correa, Valentin Ortiz-Maldonado, Genoveva Cuesta, Nuria Martinez-Cibrian, Jordi Esteve, Maria Angeles Marcos, Josep Mensa, Alex Soriano, Carolina Garcia-Vidal
Summary: This study aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and duration of viral shedding in high-risk patients with haematological malignancies hospitalized with COVID-19 during Omicron variant predominance who received early treatment with antivirals. The analysis included 60 consecutive adults with high-risk haematological malignancies and COVID-19. Overall, the current outcomes of high-risk patients with haematological malignancies hospitalized with COVID-19 during Omicron variant predominance are good with the use of early antiviral strategies, and persistent viral shedding is uncommon.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adrian Martinez-Serra, Elisa De Lazzari, Leire Berrocal, Alberto Foncillas, Lorena De La Mora, Alexy Inciarte, Ivan Chivite, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Berta Torres, Montserrat Laguno, Jose Luis Blanco, Esteban Martinez, Josep Mallolas, Juan Ambrosioni
Summary: This study investigated the real-world effectiveness of dolutegravir/lamivudine in treating HIV-infected individuals. The results showed high virological suppression rates in treatment-experienced patients, but there were subgroups at a higher risk of treatment failure at 12 months.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Alexy Inciarte, Ainoa Ugarte, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Berta Torres, Emma Fernandez, Leire Berrocal, Montserrat Laguno, Lorena de la Mora, Elisa De Lazzari, Pilar Callau, Ivan Chivite, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Estela Solbes, Veronica Rico, Laura Barrero, Jose Luis Blanco, Esteban Martinez, Juan Ambrosioni, Josep Mallolas, DORAVIPEP Study Grp
Summary: The study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and adherence of the single-tablet regimen of doravirine/lamivudine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for nonoccupational HIV postexposure prophylaxis. Results showed low noncompletion rates and no HIV seroconversions.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lorena de la Mora, Cristina Pitart, Laura Morata, Ainoa Ugarte, Maria Martinez-Rebollar, Elisa De Lazzari, Andrea Vergara, Jordi Bosch, Ignasi Roca, Maria Piquet, Ana Rodriguez, Montserrat Laguno, Juan Ambrosioni, Berta Torres, Ana Gonzalez-Cordon, Alexy Inciarte, Alberto Foncillas, Josep Riera, Irene Fuertes, Ivan Chivite, Esteban Martinez, Jose L. Blanco, Alex Soriano, Josep Mallolas
Summary: This study aimed to characterize CA-MRSA infections in people living with HIV who engage in chemsex. The results showed that 8% of participants had CA-MRSA infections, with methamphetamine and GHB/GBL being the most commonly used drugs. These infections mainly presented as skin and soft tissue infections, requiring clinical suspicion and microbiological diagnosis for proper treatment.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)