Article
Microbiology
Maria Pino, Susan Pereira Ribeiro, Amelie Pagliuzza, Khader Ghneim, Anum Khan, Emily Ryan, Justin L. Harper, Colin T. King, Sarah Welbourn, Luca Micci, Sol Aldrete, Keith A. Delman, Theron Stuart, Michael Lowe, Jason M. Brenchley, Cynthia A. Derdeyn, Kirk Easley, Rafick P. Sekaly, Nicolas Chomont, Mirko Paiardini, Vincent C. Marconi
Summary: Clinical outcomes are inferior in individuals with HIV experiencing suboptimal CD4 T-cell recovery during ART. The study found that immunologic suboptimal responders (ISR) had higher HIV-DNA levels in multiple CD4 T-cell subsets and higher expression of PD-1 and TIGIT exclusively on CM and TM CD4 T-cells pre-ART, indicating higher HIV reservoir maintenance. Additionally, ISR showed a lack of response to IL-7 and IL-15, potentially contributing to suboptimal CD4 T-cell recovery during ART.
Article
Virology
Keying Zhu, Qianlei Xu, Yanmin Ma, Pengyu Li, Huangchao Jia, Qi Jiang, Yueyuan Wang, Zhihui Wu, Dongli Wang, Huijun Guo, Yantao Jin
Summary: The introduction and scale-up of antiretroviral therapy have improved the quality of life and prolonged the survival of AIDS patients. However, some patients do not experience normal immune recovery despite viral load suppression. This study examines the prevalence and factors affecting suboptimal immune recovery among people living with HIV/AIDS who switch to second-line ART in rural China.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stefano Rinaldi, Lesley de Armas, Sara Dominguez-Rodriguez, Suresh Pallikkuth, Vinh Dinh, Li Pan, Kathleen Gartner, Rajendra Pahwa, Nicola Cotugno, Pablo Rojo, Eleni Nastouli, Nigel Klein, Caroline Foster, Anita De Rossi, Carlo Giaquinto, Paolo Rossi, Paolo Palma
Summary: The study highlights the association between T cell phenotypic signatures and the size of the latent HIV reservoir, with frequencies of PD-1+ and TIGIT+ CD4 T cells positively correlating with HIV DNA levels, while frequencies of HIV-specific CD4 T cells negatively correlate. These findings provide important insights into the mechanism of viral persistence and potential therapeutic targets.
Article
Immunology
Miguel Galan, Lorena Vigon, Daniel Fuertes, Maria Aranzazu Murciano-Anton, Guiomar Casado-Fernandez, Susana Dominguez-Mateos, Elena Mateos, Fernando Ramos-Martin, Vicente Planelles, Montserrat Torres, Sara Rodriguez-Mora, Maria Rosa Lopez-Huertas, Mayte Coiras
Summary: Long-COVID is a syndrome characterized by persistent symptoms and signs of COVID-19 even after weeks or months of infection. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but immune dysregulation and certain clinical and demographic factors may contribute to the development of this condition. Accurate diagnostic biomarkers can help improve the management of Long-COVID patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiang-Ming Wang, Ji-Yuan Zhang, Xudong Xing, Hui-Huang Huang, Peng Xia, Xiao-Peng Dai, Wei Hu, Chao Zhang, Jin-Wen Song, Xing Fan, Feng-Ying Wu, Fu-Hua Liu, Yuehua Ke, Yifan Zhao, Tian-Jun Jiang, Li-Feng Wang, Yan-Mei Jiao, Ruo-Nan Xu, Lei Jin, Ming Shi, Fan Bai, Fu-Sheng Wang
Summary: By performing single-cell RNA sequencing on T cells from individuals with chronic HIV-1 infection, researchers observed significant loss of naive T cells, prolonged inflammation, and increased response to interferon-alpha in treatment-naive individuals. These effects could be partially restored by antiretroviral therapy. Additionally, CD4(+) and CD8(+) Effector-GNLY clusters were expanded in treatment-naive cases and persistently increased in individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy, which correlated with poor immune restoration.
Article
Microbiology
Yirui Xie, Jia Sun, Caiqin Hu, Bing Ruan, Biao Zhu
Summary: The study found that the overall structure of the oral microbiota in HIV-infected individuals was similar in immunological responders and non-responders, with some taxonomic differences in bacterial composition. Specific bacteria, such as Candidatus_Saccharimonas, may play important roles in immune recovery, and could potentially serve as screening biomarkers for immune responses in HIV-infected individuals.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Agnieszka Lembas, Andrzej Zaleski, Tomasz Mikula, Tomasz Dyda, Wojciech Stanczak, Alicja Wiercinska-Drapalo
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate clinical biomarkers related to the recovery of CD4 and CD4:CD8 ratio in HIV-infected patients undergoing long-term antiretroviral therapy. The results showed that younger age, higher CD4 count, and starting therapy during acute HIV infection were associated with higher rates of CD4 normalization. Higher CD4:CD8 ratio normalization rates were correlated with higher CD4 count, high HIV viral load, and acute HIV infection. No statistically significant differences were observed in CD4 recovery depending on gender, coinfections, comorbidities, and opportunistic infections.
Review
Immunology
Dawit Wolday, Francis M. Ndungu, Gloria P. Gomez-Perez, Tobias F. Rinke de Wit
Summary: Chronic immune activation is observed in Africans and may be influenced by environmental factors like parasitic infections. It could be related to the immune hypo-responsiveness to infections and vaccines previously observed in this population.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Yeregui, Jenifer Masip, Consuelo Vilades, Pere Domingo, Yolanda M. Pacheco, Julia Blanco, Josep Mallolas, Veronica Alba, Montserrat Vargas, Graciano Garcia-Pardo, Eugenia Negredo, Montserrat Olona, Judit Vidal-Gonzalez, Maria Peraire, Anna Marti, Laia Reverte, Frederic Gomez-Bertomeu, Manuel Leal, Francesc Vidal, Joaquim Peraire, Anna Rull
Summary: Low concentrations of adiponectin receptor (APLNR) and zinc-alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) were associated with poor immune recovery in treated PLHIV, indicating potential predictive biomarkers of a discordant immunological response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Juan Zhao, Madison Schank, Ling Wang, Zhengke Li, Lam Nhat Nguyen, Xindi Dang, Dechao Cao, Sushant Khanal, Lam Ngoc Thao Nguyen, Bal Krishna Chand Thakuri, Stella C. Ogbu, Zeyuan Lu, Xiao Y. Wu, Zheng D. Morrison, Mohamed El Gazzar, Ying Liu, Jinyu Zhang, Shunbin Ning, Jonathan P. Moorman, Zhi Q. Yao
Summary: The study reveals that CD4 T cell recovery is incomplete in PLHIV, especially in immune non-responders, with compromised mitochondrial functions, cell activation, and senescence. Repression of mitochondrial transcription factor A (mtTFA) may lead to abnormal T cell homeostasis, highlighting the potential for targeting the mtTFA pathway to revitalize CD4 T cells in ART-treated PLHIV, particularly in INRs.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Stefanie Kroeze, Theresa M. Rossouw, Helen C. Steel, Ferdinand W. Wit, Cissy M. Kityo, Margaret Siwale, Sulaimon Akanmu, Kishor Mandaliya, Marleen De Jager, Pascale Ondoa, Peter Reiss, Tobias F. Rinke De Wit, Neeltje A. Kootstra, Raph L. Hamers
Summary: Persistent systemic inflammation, as indicated by plasma biomarkers, during suppressive antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected individuals, may impact CD4(+) T-cell recovery and viral rebound during long-term treatment. Changes in biomarker concentrations could affect viral replication and immune recovery in patients. Further research is needed to understand these potential mechanisms in order to improve clinical outcomes.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Wanxue He, Kun Xiao, Jiaruo Xu, Wei Guan, Sheling Xie, Kaifei Wang, Peng Yan, Min Fang, Lixin Xie
Summary: Sepsis is a life-threatening disease caused by infection, with recurrent sepsis exacerbating CD4(+) T cell exhaustion and reducing antiviral immune responses, leading to increased disease severity and mortality.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sacha Horn, Manuel Ritter, Kathrin Arndts, Dennis Borrero-Wolff, Anna Wiszniewsky, Linda Batsa Debrah, Alexander Y. Debrah, Jubin Osei-Mensah, Mkunde Chachage, Achim Hoerauf, Inge Kroidl, Laura E. Layland
Summary: Over 200 million people worldwide are infected with filariae, causing severe symptoms and disability. This study found that lymphatic filariasis patients have distinct subsets of exhausted T cells, with increased expression of exhaustion-associated receptors on CD4(+) T cells. These patterns of T cell exhaustion may have implications for susceptibility to co-infections and the management of lymphatic filariasis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Fengxiang Qin, Qing Lv, Wen Hong, Di Wei, Kui Huang, Ke Lan, Rongfeng Chen, Jie Liu, Bingyu Liang, Huayue Liang, Hao Liang, Shanfang Qin, Li Ye, Junjun Jiang
Summary: This study suggests that CD4/CD8 ratio recovery is associated with a lower incidence of CKD in HIV-infected patients receiving ART, and NNRTI-based regimen is a better choice for CD4/CD8 ratio recovery and reducing the risk of CKD.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lu-Xue Zhang, Jin-Wen Song, Chao Zhang, Xing Fan, Hui-Huang Huang, Ruo-Nan Xu, Jia-Ye Liu, Ji-Yuan Zhang, Li-Feng Wang, Chun-Bao Zhou, Lei Jin, Ming Shi, Fu-Sheng Wang, Yan-Mei Jiao
Summary: During 5 years of ART, INR group maintained higher levels of HIV DNA and CA-RNA, as well as a higher percentage of PD-1+CD4 T cells, compared to the CR group, while having lower naive CD4 cells. However, the rates of reservoir decay and naive CD4 cell percentage growth within the INR group were not lower than that in the CR group over time.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Denis Nono, Nolbert Gumisiriza, Christopher Tumwine, Luis-Jorge Amaral, Herbert Elvis Ainamani, Seggane Musisi, Robert Colebunders
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the access and use of health services by children with epilepsy in Uganda. The study found that COVID-19-related restrictions created challenges for children with epilepsy, their parents, and healthcare providers, including reduced access to healthcare services, food insecurity, and inability to afford essential medicines. However, several coping strategies, such as parents engaging in casual work and healthcare workers intensifying outreach services, were adopted to address these challenges.
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Editorial Material
Behavioral Sciences
Van Cutsem Gilles, Colebunders Robert
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gasim O. E. Abd-Elfarag, Jake D. Mathewson, Lukudu Emmanuel, Arthur W. D. Edridge, Stella van Beers, Mohamed B. Sebit, Robert Colebunders, Michael B. van Hensbroek, Ente J. J. Rood
Summary: A house-to-house survey in South Sudan investigated the clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment access, and perceptions about nodding syndrome (NS). The survey identified 224 cases of NS, with head nodding plus other types of seizures being more common. Rat meat consumption was associated with an increased risk of NS, while ivermectin intake was more common among NS cases. Importantly, children with NS are stigmatized due to misconceptions about its transmission.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Denis Omali, Allan Buzibye, Richard Kwizera, Pauline Byakika-Kibwika, Rhoda Namakula, Joshua Matovu, Olive Mbabazi, Emmanuel Mande, Christine Sekaggya-Wiltshire, Damalie Nakanjako, Ursula Gutteck, Keith McAdam, Philippa Easterbrook, Andrew Kambugu, Jan Fehr, Barbara Castelnuovo, Yukari C. Manabe, Mohammed Lamorde, Daniel Mueller, Concepta Merry
Summary: This study describes the experience of building and sustaining laboratory capacity for clinical pharmacology at the Infectious Diseases Institute in Kampala, Uganda. Through repurposing existing infrastructure, acquiring new equipment, and training personnel, the laboratory has successfully supported pharmacokinetic studies and provided therapeutic drug monitoring services.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
G. Van Cutsem, J. N. Siewe Fodjo, M. C. J. Dekker, L. J. Amaral, A. K. Njamnshi, R. Colebunders
Summary: Onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE) is a neglected public health problem in areas with inadequate onchocerciasis control. An internationally accepted case definition of OAE is needed to identify areas requiring treatment and prevention interventions. By including OAE as a manifestation of onchocerciasis, accuracy of disease burden estimation will be improved and more support for research and control efforts can be expected.
SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Michael L. McHenry, Jason Simmons, Hyejeong Hong, LaShaunda L. Malone, Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, William S. Bush, W. Henry Boom, Thomas R. Hawn, Scott M. Williams, Catherine M. Stein
Summary: A genome-wide study identified genes associated with tuberculosis severity, including RGS7BP, which is highly expressed in blood vessels and plays a role in infectious disease pathology. Pathways related to platelet homeostasis and transport of organic anions were also linked to severity. The findings have the potential to improve patient outcomes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samit Bhattacharyya, Natalie V. S. A. Vinkeles Melchers, Joseph Siewe Fodjo, Amit Vutha, Luc Coffeng, Makoy Logora, Robert Colebunders, Wilma Stolk
Summary: Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus transmitted by black flies. It is most common in Africa and South America, infecting approximately 35 million Africans. The disease causes itching, dermatitis, blindness, and epilepsy. Raising awareness about the association between onchocerciasis and epilepsy can improve treatment adherence and motivate efforts to fight onchocerciasis.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Luis-Jorge Amaral, Dan Bhwana, Athanas D. Mhina, Bruno P. Mmbando, Robert Colebunders
Summary: Epidemiological studies suggest that onchocerciasis may be one of the causes of nodding syndrome (NS), but other causes have been considered. A study in Mahenge found that a probable Mansonella perstans infection was associated with a higher epilepsy rate, but onchocerciasis and onchocerciasis-associated skin lesions were stronger risk factors. Therefore, onchocerciasis remains the most likely main risk factor for NS.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christine Nimwesiga, Ivan Mugisha Taremwa, Damalie Nakanjako, Esther Nasuuna
Summary: This study examined retention in antiretroviral therapy (ART) care and associated factors among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in rural South Western Uganda. The findings revealed low retention rates and highlighted the urgent need to strengthen individual case management strategies for ALHIV, with a focus on peer support interventions.
HIV AIDS-RESEARCH AND PALLIATIVE CARE
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Luis-Jorge Amaral, Dan Bhwana, Messaline F. Fomo, Bruno P. Mmbando, Carmen-Nabintu Chigoho, Robert Colebunders
Summary: This study examined the quality of life of adults with epilepsy in an onchocerciasis-endemic area in Tanzania. The findings revealed that individuals with epilepsy in this region have a lower quality of life, highlighting the need to improve medication regimens and education levels.
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Gilles Van Cutsem, Luis-Jorge Amaral, Robert Colebunders
Summary: This study aims to investigate epilepsy-related mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and its possible association with onchocerciasis endemicity. The results showed that high-risk onchocerciasis sites had higher mortality rates and case fatality rates compared to low-risk sites. The leading causes of epilepsy-related deaths were status epilepticus, drowning, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. This suggests the urgent need for better epilepsy prevention and care in onchocerciasis-endemic areas in SSA.
SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Kenneth Bentum Otabil, Maria-Gloria Basanez, Blessing Ankrah, Stephen Agyemang Opoku, Dennis Ofori Kyei, Rhoda Hagan, Richmond Ababio, Emmanuel John Bart-Plange, Theophilus Nti Babae, Prince-Charles Kudzordzi, Vera Achiaa Darko, Joseph G. Bamfo, Joseph Ameyaw, Abdul Sakibu Raji, Amber Hadermann, Henk D. F. H. Schallig, Robert Colebunders
Summary: The prevalence of onchocerciasis and associated dermatological and ophthalmological manifestations in the Bono Region of Ghana after 27 years of ivermectin mass treatment was determined. The persistence of Onchocerca volvulus infection and related pathologies despite prolonged treatment is concerning, indicating the need to include morbidity management in elimination programmes and better understand treatment coverage and adherence to ivermectin.
TROPICAL MEDICINE & INTERNATIONAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Robert Colebunders, Amber Hadermann, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo
Summary: Nodding syndrome (NS) is a phenotype of onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy (OAE). OAE is a significant public health problem in areas with high transmission of Onchocerca volvulus. Strengthening onchocerciasis elimination programs can prevent OAE, including NS. The presence of tau in OAE postmortem brains may be the result of neuroinflammation directly or indirectly induced by O. volvulus.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Robert Colebunders, Thomson Lakwo, Amber Hadermann
BRAIN COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Erin Morrow, Qijia Liu, Sarah Kiguli, Gwendolyn Swarbrick, Mary Nsereko, Megan D. Cansler, Meghan Cansler, Harriet Mayanja-Kizza, W. Henry Boom, Phalkun Chheng, Melissa R. Nyendak, David M. Lewinsohn, Deborah A. Lewinsohn, Christina L. Lancioni
Summary: Tuberculosis (TB) has a significant impact on children, who have weaker immune systems and are more susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. This study compared the production of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-gamma, IL-2, and TNF-alpha in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in response to mycobacterial antigens in Ugandan adults and children with confirmed and unconfirmed TB, as well as non-TB lower respiratory tract infection. The results showed that T-cell responses to SEB were reduced in all pediatric cohorts compared to adults, but responses to Mtb-specific antigens were similar between children and adults with confirmed TB. This suggests that adaptive proinflammatory immune responses to Mtb are not impaired during early life.