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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023This comprehensive review examines the interplay between environmental virology, public health, and sanitation in the unique context of Kenya. The review sheds light on... (Review)
Review
This comprehensive review examines the interplay between environmental virology, public health, and sanitation in the unique context of Kenya. The review sheds light on the specific viral threats faced by the country, including waterborne viruses, zoonotic infections, and emerging viral diseases, and their implications for public health. It explores the prevailing public health challenges in Kenya associated with environmental viromics, such as infectious viral diseases, and the rising burden of other infectious particles. The role of sanitation in mitigating viral infections is highlighted, emphasising the importance of clean water supply, proper waste management, and hygienic practises. The review also presents strategies for strengthening environmental virology research in Kenya, including enhancing laboratory capacities and leveraging technological advancements. Furthermore, the policy implications and recommendations derived from the review emphasise the need for multi-sectoral collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and long-term investments in infrastructure and behaviour change interventions. Implementing these strategies can enhance the understanding of environmental virology, improve public health outcomes, and ensure sustainable sanitation practises in Kenya, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the population and sustainable development.
Topics: Humans; Sanitation; Public Health; Kenya; Water Supply; Virus Diseases
PubMed: 37942480
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1256822 -
Virologica Sinica Apr 2024Inclusion bodies (IBs) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and contain internal structures termed "IB-associated...
Inclusion bodies (IBs) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and contain internal structures termed "IB-associated granules" (IBAGs), where anti-termination factor M2-1 and viral mRNAs are concentrated. However, the mechanism of IBAG formation and the physiological function of IBAGs are unclear. Here, we found that the internal structures of RSV IBs are actual M2-1-free viral messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) condensates formed by secondary LLPS. Mechanistically, the RSV nucleoprotein (N) and M2-1 interact with and recruit PABP to IBs, promoting PABP to bind viral mRNAs transcribed in IBs by RNA-recognition motif and drive secondary phase separation. Furthermore, PABP-eIF4G1 interaction regulates viral mRNP condensate composition, thereby recruiting specific translation initiation factors (eIF4G1, eIF4E, eIF4A, eIF4B and eIF4H) into the secondary condensed phase to activate viral mRNAs for ribosomal recruitment. Our study proposes a novel LLPS-regulated translation mechanism during viral infection and a novel antiviral strategy via targeting on secondary condensed phase.
Topics: Humans; A549 Cells; Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-4G; Inclusion Bodies, Viral; Poly(A)-Binding Proteins; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Ribonucleoproteins; Ribosomes; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38072230
DOI: 10.1016/j.virs.2023.12.001 -
Future Science OA Aug 2023The 2022 monkeypox outbreak has created a new global health threat and pandemic. Monkeypox virus is a descendant of the genus , producing a febrile skin rash disease in... (Review)
Review
The 2022 monkeypox outbreak has created a new global health threat and pandemic. Monkeypox virus is a descendant of the genus , producing a febrile skin rash disease in humans. Monkeypox is zoonotic transmitted and transmitted from human to human in several ways. Even though this disease is self-limited, it creates important community health worries due to its inconvenience and widespread complications. Herein, we discussed the up-to-date current situation of monkeypox regarding its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, current in-use therapeutics, necessary protective measures, and response to potential occurrences considering the recent pandemic. Also, in this review, a comparative genomic analysis of the recent circulating strains that have been recovered from various countries including, Egypt, USA, Spain, Japan and South Africa has been investigated.
PubMed: 37485445
DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2023-0048 -
PloS One 2023According to UNAIDS, Togo halved AIDS-related deaths among children ages 0-14 from 2010 to 2020. However, available data show low dolutegravir (DTG)-containing...
Targeted solutions to increase dolutegravir coverage, viral load testing coverage, and viral suppression among children living with HIV in Togo: An analysis of routine facility data.
BACKGROUND
According to UNAIDS, Togo halved AIDS-related deaths among children ages 0-14 from 2010 to 2020. However, available data show low dolutegravir (DTG)-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and low viral load suppression (VLS) among children living with HIV (CLHIV). We analyzed routine facility data before and after implementation of root-cause-based solutions for improving DTG coverage, viral load (VL) testing coverage, and VLS among CLHIV.
DESCRIPTION
We analyzed routine data for CLHIV ≤14 years from October 2019 through September 2022. We assessed proportion of CLHIV on ART receiving DTG, VL testing coverage (CLHIV on ART with documented VL test result), and VLS (CLHIV with documented VL test result of <1,000 copies among those with test result). From October 2019 to September 2020, 52% were on a DTG-containing regimen, 48% had documented VL test results, and 64% had VLS. Site-level teams conducted a root-cause analysis and designed corresponding solutions implemented beginning October 2020: line listing and contacting eligible CLHIV to start/transition to DTG-containing regimen and collect VL samples; ART adherence support; monthly DTG stock monitoring; tracking pending VL test results through laboratory focal persons; documenting VL test results; and informing caregivers within one week if CLHIV not virally suppressed. Granular data were used to prioritize technical assistance to sites with lowest DTG coverage, VL testing coverage, and VLS.
RESULTS
From baseline (October 2019-September 2020) to endline (October 2021-September 2022), increases were observed for DTG coverage (52% to 71%), VL testing coverage (48% to 90%), and VLS (64% to 82%). Age-disaggregated data showed positive trends.
CONCLUSIONS
Root-cause-based solutions and granular data use increased DTG coverage, resulting in increased VL testing and VLS among CLHIV. These interventions should be scaled and become the national standard of care.
Topics: Child; Humans; Viral Load; Togo; Retrospective Studies; HIV Infections; Anti-HIV Agents
PubMed: 38128036
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296293 -
Viruses May 2024People with HIV exhibit persistent inflammation that correlates with HIV-associated comorbidities including accelerated aging, increased risk of cardiovascular disease,... (Review)
Review
People with HIV exhibit persistent inflammation that correlates with HIV-associated comorbidities including accelerated aging, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and neuroinflammation. Mechanisms that perpetuate chronic inflammation in people with HIV undergoing antiretroviral treatments are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that the persistent low-level expression of HIV proviruses, including RNAs generated from defective proviral genomes, drives the immune dysfunction that is responsible for chronic HIV pathogenesis. We explore factors during HIV infection that contribute to the generation of a pool of defective proviruses as well as how HIV-1 mRNA and proteins alter immune function in people living with HIV.
Topics: Humans; HIV Infections; Inflammation; HIV-1; Transcription, Genetic; Proviruses; Protein Biosynthesis; RNA, Viral
PubMed: 38793632
DOI: 10.3390/v16050751 -
Virology Journal Apr 2024To determine the correlation between HPV (human papillomavirus) 52 viral load, multiple infections and ThinPrep cytology test (TCT), to inform clinical management of...
PURPOSE
To determine the correlation between HPV (human papillomavirus) 52 viral load, multiple infections and ThinPrep cytology test (TCT), to inform clinical management of HPV52-positive women after cervical cancer screening.
METHODS
A total of 1,882 female patients who had positive quantitative HPV tests at Yuebei People's Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022, of whom 533 tested positive for HPV52. We excluded patients who combined HPV16 and/or HPV 18 positivity and whom HPV52 viral load could not be calculated. The final enrollment was 488 patients, including 400 NILM, 48 ASC-US, 28 LSIL and 12 HSIL. The HPV test is a quantitative multiplexed fluorescent PCR assay that provides both HPV genotyping and viral load.
RESULTS
In our study, there were differences in the median distribution of viral loads among various cytological class categories. The risk of TCT results (LSIL or worse) was increased with the increase of HPV52 viral load, for every LOG unit increase in HPV52 viral load, the risk increased by 26.6%. More importantly, we found a nonlinear relationship between HPV52 viral load and TCT results (LSIL or worse) in both single and multiple infections. When the viral load reaches a threshold, the risk of abnormal cytological results increases significantly.
CONCLUSION
HPV52 viral load is an independent risk factor for TCT results (LSIL or worse). The relationship between HPV52 viral load and TCT results (LSIL or worse) is not linear. Viral load may be used as a triage indicator for HPV52-positive patients, thus improving the post-screening clinical management of HPV52-positive women.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Coinfection; DNA, Viral; Early Detection of Cancer; Genotype; Human Papillomavirus Viruses; Papillomavirus Infections; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vaginal Smears; Viral Load
PubMed: 38654353
DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02356-4 -
Cell May 2024Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small double-stranded DNA virus that chronically infects 296 million people. Over half of its compact genome encodes proteins in two...
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small double-stranded DNA virus that chronically infects 296 million people. Over half of its compact genome encodes proteins in two overlapping reading frames, and during evolution, multiple selective pressures can act on shared nucleotides. This study combines an RNA-based HBV cell culture system with deep mutational scanning (DMS) to uncouple cis- and trans-acting sequence requirements in the HBV genome. The results support a leaky ribosome scanning model for polymerase translation, provide a fitness map of the HBV polymerase at single-nucleotide resolution, and identify conserved prolines adjacent to the HBV polymerase termination codon that stall ribosomes. Further experiments indicated that stalled ribosomes tether the nascent polymerase to its template RNA, ensuring cis-preferential RNA packaging and reverse transcription of the HBV genome.
Topics: Humans; Genome, Viral; Hepatitis B virus; Mutation; Reverse Transcription; Ribosomes; RNA, Viral; Cell Line
PubMed: 38723628
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.04.008 -
Current Opinion in Virology Jun 2024Respiratory viral infections represent a constant threat for human health and urge for a better understanding of the pulmonary immune response to prevent disease... (Review)
Review
Respiratory viral infections represent a constant threat for human health and urge for a better understanding of the pulmonary immune response to prevent disease severity. Macrophages are at the center of pulmonary immunity, where they play a pivotal role in orchestrating beneficial and/or pathological outcomes during infection. Eicosanoids, the host bioactive lipid mediators, have re-emerged as important regulators of pulmonary immunity during respiratory viral infections. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge linking eicosanoids' and pulmonary macrophages' homeostatic and antimicrobial functions and discuss eicosanoids as emerging targets for immunotherapy in viral infection.
Topics: Eicosanoids; Humans; Macrophages, Alveolar; Animals; Lung; Virus Diseases; Respiratory Tract Infections
PubMed: 38547562
DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2024.101399 -
Viruses May 2024Duck Tembusu Virus (DTMUV) is a pathogen of the Flaviviridae family that causes infections in poultry, leading to significant economic losses in the duck farming... (Review)
Review
Duck Tembusu Virus (DTMUV) is a pathogen of the Flaviviridae family that causes infections in poultry, leading to significant economic losses in the duck farming industry in recent years. Ducks infected with this virus exhibit clinical symptoms such as decreased egg production and neurological disorders, along with serious consequences such as ovarian hemorrhage, organ enlargement, and necrosis. Variations in morbidity and mortality rates exist across different age groups of ducks. It is worth noting that DTMUV is not limited to ducks alone; it can also spread to other poultry such as chickens and geese, and antibodies related to DTMUV have even been found in duck farm workers, suggesting a potential risk of zoonotic transmission. This article provides a detailed overview of DTMUV research, delving into its genomic characteristics, vaccines, and the interplay with host immune responses. These in-depth research findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the virus's transmission mechanism and pathogenic process, offering crucial scientific support for epidemic prevention and control.
Topics: Animals; Ducks; Flavivirus; Flavivirus Infections; Genome, Viral; Poultry Diseases; Viral Vaccines; Farmers; Antibodies, Viral; Humans
PubMed: 38793692
DOI: 10.3390/v16050811 -
Autophagy Jun 2024Although alterations in the autophagy-lysosome pathway have been observed in the SARS-CoV-2 infection and invasion process since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease...
Although alterations in the autophagy-lysosome pathway have been observed in the SARS-CoV-2 infection and invasion process since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in 2019, the in-depth mechanism of autophagic and lysosomal reprogramming by SARS-CoV-2 has yet to be well identified. Our recent study unveiled a pivotal role played by the open reading frame 7a (ORF7a) protein in the SARS-CoV-2 genome, particularly in the modulation of macroautophagy/autophagy flux and function during viral infection and pathogenesis. Our study elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a intercepts autophagic flux, evades host autophagy-lysosome degradation, and accelerates viral infection and progeny germination. Furthermore, our study highlights that ORF7a can be a therapeutic target, and glecaprevir may hold potential as a drug against SARS-CoV-2 by targeting ORF7a. The key observations revealed in this study also contribute to a growing understanding of the function of SARS-CoV-2 ORF7a and the mechanisms underlying COVID-2019 treatment.
Topics: Autophagy; SARS-CoV-2; Humans; COVID-19; Lysosomes; Animals; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; Pneumonia, Viral; Pandemics; Viral Nonstructural Proteins; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Viral Proteins
PubMed: 38361390
DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2312787