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Cell Jun 2020Viruses are a constant threat to global health as highlighted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, lack of data underlying how the human host interacts with...
Viruses are a constant threat to global health as highlighted by the current COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, lack of data underlying how the human host interacts with viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, limits effective therapeutic intervention. We introduce Viral-Track, a computational method that globally scans unmapped single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data for the presence of viral RNA, enabling transcriptional cell sorting of infected versus bystander cells. We demonstrate the sensitivity and specificity of Viral-Track to systematically detect viruses from multiple models of infection, including hepatitis B virus, in an unsupervised manner. Applying Viral-Track to bronchoalveloar-lavage samples from severe and mild COVID-19 patients reveals a dramatic impact of the virus on the immune system of severe patients compared to mild cases. Viral-Track detects an unexpected co-infection of the human metapneumovirus, present mainly in monocytes perturbed in type-I interferon (IFN)-signaling. Viral-Track provides a robust technology for dissecting the mechanisms of viral-infection and pathology.
Topics: Animals; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coinfection; Coronavirus Infections; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Interferons; Lung; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sequence Analysis, RNA; Severity of Illness Index; Single-Cell Analysis; Software
PubMed: 32479746
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.006 -
Journal of Virology Oct 2020, known as nonsegmented negative-sense (NNS) RNA viruses, are a class of pathogenic and sometimes deadly viruses that include rabies virus (RABV), human respiratory... (Review)
Review
, known as nonsegmented negative-sense (NNS) RNA viruses, are a class of pathogenic and sometimes deadly viruses that include rabies virus (RABV), human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), and Ebola virus (EBOV). Unfortunately, no effective vaccines and antiviral therapeutics against many are currently available. Viral polymerases have been attractive and major antiviral therapeutic targets. Therefore, polymerases have been extensively investigated for their structures and functions. mimic RNA synthesis of their eukaryotic counterparts by utilizing multifunctional RNA polymerases to replicate entire viral genomes and transcribe viral mRNAs from individual viral genes as well as synthesize 5' methylated cap and 3' poly(A) tail of the transcribed viral mRNAs. The catalytic subunit large protein (L) and cofactor phosphoprotein (P) constitute the polymerases. In this review, we discuss the shared and unique features of RNA synthesis, the monomeric multifunctional enzyme L, and the oligomeric multimodular adapter P of We outline the structural analyses of the polymerases since the first structure of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) L protein determined in 2015 and highlight multiple high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the polymerases of , namely, VSV, RABV, HRSV, human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus (HPIV), that have been reported in recent months (2019 to 2020). We compare the structures of those polymerases grouped by virus family, illustrate the similarities and differences among those polymerases, and reveal the potential RNA synthesis mechanisms and models of highly conserved We conclude by the discussion of remaining questions, evolutionary perspectives, and future directions.
Topics: Animals; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Humans; Metapneumovirus; Models, Molecular; Mononegavirales; Protein Conformation; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Viral; RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase; Rabies virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus; Viral Proteins; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32847861
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00175-20 -
The Lancet. Global Health Aug 2019Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus are the most common viruses associated with acute lower respiratory infections in...
BACKGROUND
Influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus are the most common viruses associated with acute lower respiratory infections in young children (<5 years) and older people (≥65 years). A global report of the monthly activity of these viruses is needed to inform public health strategies and programmes for their control.
METHODS
In this systematic analysis, we compiled data from a systematic literature review of studies published between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2017; online datasets; and unpublished research data. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported laboratory-confirmed incidence data of human infection of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, or metapneumovirus, or a combination of these, for at least 12 consecutive months (or 52 weeks equivalent); stable testing practice throughout all years reported; virus results among residents in well-defined geographical locations; and aggregated virus results at least on a monthly basis. Data were extracted through a three-stage process, from which we calculated monthly annual average percentage (AAP) as the relative strength of virus activity. We defined duration of epidemics as the minimum number of months to account for 75% of annual positive samples, with each component month defined as an epidemic month. Furthermore, we modelled monthly AAP of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus using site-specific temperature and relative humidity for the prediction of local average epidemic months. We also predicted global epidemic months of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus on a 5° by 5° grid. The systematic review in this study is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42018091628.
FINDINGS
We initally identified 37 335 eligible studies. Of 21 065 studies remaining after exclusion of duplicates, 1081 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, of which 185 were identified as eligible. We included 246 sites for influenza virus, 183 sites for respiratory syncytial virus, 83 sites for parainfluenza virus, and 65 sites for metapneumovirus. Influenza virus had clear seasonal epidemics in winter months in most temperate sites but timing of epidemics was more variable and less seasonal with decreasing distance from the equator. Unlike influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus had clear seasonal epidemics in both temperate and tropical regions, starting in late summer months in the tropics of each hemisphere, reaching most temperate sites in winter months. In most temperate sites, influenza virus epidemics occurred later than respiratory syncytial virus (by 0·3 months [95% CI -0·3 to 0·9]) while no clear temporal order was observed in the tropics. Parainfluenza virus epidemics were found mostly in spring and early summer months in each hemisphere. Metapneumovirus epidemics occurred in late winter and spring in most temperate sites but the timing of epidemics was more diverse in the tropics. Influenza virus epidemics had shorter duration (3·8 months [3·6 to 4·0]) in temperate sites and longer duration (5·2 months [4·9 to 5·5]) in the tropics. Duration of epidemics was similar across all sites for respiratory syncytial virus (4·6 months [4·3 to 4·8]), as it was for metapneumovirus (4·8 months [4·4 to 5·1]). By comparison, parainfluenza virus had longer duration of epidemics (6·3 months [6·0 to 6·7]). Our model had good predictability in the average epidemic months of influenza virus in temperate regions and respiratory syncytial virus in both temperate and tropical regions. Through leave-one-out cross validation, the overall prediction error in the onset of epidemics was within 1 month (influenza virus -0·2 months [-0·6 to 0·1]; respiratory syncytial virus 0·1 months [-0·2 to 0·4]).
INTERPRETATION
This study is the first to provide global representations of month-by-month activity of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, and metapneumovirus. Our model is helpful in predicting the local onset month of influenza virus and respiratory syncytial virus epidemics. The seasonality information has important implications for health services planning, the timing of respiratory syncytial virus passive prophylaxis, and the strategy of influenza virus and future respiratory syncytial virus vaccination.
FUNDING
European Union Innovative Medicines Initiative Respiratory Syncytial Virus Consortium in Europe (RESCEU).
Topics: Female; Global Health; Humans; Influenza A virus; Influenza, Human; Male; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human
PubMed: 31303294
DOI: 10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30264-5 -
Lancet (London, England) Aug 2019Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children younger than 5 years. In this study, we estimated causes of pneumonia in young African and Asian children, using...
BACKGROUND
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death among children younger than 5 years. In this study, we estimated causes of pneumonia in young African and Asian children, using novel analytical methods applied to clinical and microbiological findings.
METHODS
We did a multi-site, international case-control study in nine study sites in seven countries: Bangladesh, The Gambia, Kenya, Mali, South Africa, Thailand, and Zambia. All sites enrolled in the study for 24 months. Cases were children aged 1-59 months admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia. Controls were age-group-matched children randomly selected from communities surrounding study sites. Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NP-OP), urine, blood, induced sputum, lung aspirate, pleural fluid, and gastric aspirates were tested with cultures, multiplex PCR, or both. Primary analyses were restricted to cases without HIV infection and with abnormal chest x-rays and to controls without HIV infection. We applied a Bayesian, partial latent class analysis to estimate probabilities of aetiological agents at the individual and population level, incorporating case and control data.
FINDINGS
Between Aug 15, 2011, and Jan 30, 2014, we enrolled 4232 cases and 5119 community controls. The primary analysis group was comprised of 1769 (41·8% of 4232) cases without HIV infection and with positive chest x-rays and 5102 (99·7% of 5119) community controls without HIV infection. Wheezing was present in 555 (31·7%) of 1752 cases (range by site 10·6-97·3%). 30-day case-fatality ratio was 6·4% (114 of 1769 cases). Blood cultures were positive in 56 (3·2%) of 1749 cases, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common bacteria isolated (19 [33·9%] of 56). Almost all cases (98·9%) and controls (98·0%) had at least one pathogen detected by PCR in the NP-OP specimen. The detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus, human metapneumovirus, influenza virus, S pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), H influenzae non-type b, and Pneumocystis jirovecii in NP-OP specimens was associated with case status. The aetiology analysis estimated that viruses accounted for 61·4% (95% credible interval [CrI] 57·3-65·6) of causes, whereas bacteria accounted for 27·3% (23·3-31·6) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis for 5·9% (3·9-8·3). Viruses were less common (54·5%, 95% CrI 47·4-61·5 vs 68·0%, 62·7-72·7) and bacteria more common (33·7%, 27·2-40·8 vs 22·8%, 18·3-27·6) in very severe pneumonia cases than in severe cases. RSV had the greatest aetiological fraction (31·1%, 95% CrI 28·4-34·2) of all pathogens. Human rhinovirus, human metapneumovirus A or B, human parainfluenza virus, S pneumoniae, M tuberculosis, and H influenzae each accounted for 5% or more of the aetiological distribution. We observed differences in aetiological fraction by age for Bordetella pertussis, parainfluenza types 1 and 3, parechovirus-enterovirus, P jirovecii, RSV, rhinovirus, Staphylococcus aureus, and S pneumoniae, and differences by severity for RSV, S aureus, S pneumoniae, and parainfluenza type 3. The leading ten pathogens of each site accounted for 79% or more of the site's aetiological fraction.
INTERPRETATION
In our study, a small set of pathogens accounted for most cases of pneumonia requiring hospital admission. Preventing and treating a subset of pathogens could substantially affect childhood pneumonia outcomes.
FUNDING
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Topics: Bangladesh; Bayes Theorem; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Female; Gambia; HIV Infections; Haemophilus influenzae type b; Hospitalization; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Kenya; Male; Mali; Pneumonia; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Pneumonia, Viral; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Severity of Illness Index; South Africa; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Thailand; Zambia
PubMed: 31257127
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30721-4 -
Breathe (Sheffield, England) Mar 2022Implemented control measures brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have changed the prevalence of other respiratory viruses, often relegating... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Implemented control measures brought about by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have changed the prevalence of other respiratory viruses, often relegating them to a secondary plan. However, it must not be forgotten that a diverse group of viruses, including other human coronaviruses, rhinoviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumoviruses, parainfluenza and influenza, continue to be responsible for a large burden of disease. In fact, they are among the most common causes of acute upper and lower respiratory tract infections globally. Viral respiratory infections can be categorised in several ways, including by clinical syndrome or aetiological agent. We describe their clinical spectrum. Distinctive imaging features, advances in microbiological diagnosis and treatment of severe forms are also discussed.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS
To summarise the knowledge on the spectrum of disease that respiratory viral infections can cause and recognise how often they overlap.To learn the most common causes of respiratory viral infections and acknowledge other less frequent agents that may target certain key populations ( immunocompromised patients).To improve awareness of the recent advances in diagnostic methods, including molecular assays and helpful features in imaging techniques.To identify supportive care strategies pivotal in the management of severe respiratory viral infections.
PubMed: 36338246
DOI: 10.1183/20734735.0151-2021 -
The Journal of Infection Aug 2023Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important aetiologic agent of respiratory tract infection (RTI). This study aimed to describe the prevalence, genetic diversity, and...
BACKGROUND
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important aetiologic agent of respiratory tract infection (RTI). This study aimed to describe the prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of HMPV.
METHODS
Laboratory-confirmed HMPV were characterised based on partial-coding G gene sequences with MEGA.v6.0. WGS was performed with Illumina, and evolutionary analyses with Datamonkey and Nextstrain.
RESULTS
HMPV prevalence was 2.5%, peaking in February-April and with an alternation in the predominance of HMPV-A and -B until the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, not circulating until summer and autumn-winter 2021, with a higher prevalence and with the almost only circulation of A2c. G and SH proteins were the most variable, and 70% of F protein was under negative selection. Mutation rate of HMPV genome was 6.95 × 10 substitutions/site/year.
CONCLUSION
HMPV showed a significant morbidity until the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020, not circulating again until summer and autumn 2021, with a higher prevalence and with almost the only circulation of A2c, probably due to a more efficient immune evasion mechanism. The F protein showed a very conserved nature, supporting the need for steric shielding. The tMRCA showed a recent emergence of the A2c variants carrying duplications, supporting the importance of virological surveillance.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Spain; Genotype; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Respiratory Tract Infections; Phylogeny
PubMed: 37178807
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.05.004 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019The pneumoviruses respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two widespread human pathogens that can cause severe disease in the young, the... (Review)
Review
The pneumoviruses respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two widespread human pathogens that can cause severe disease in the young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. Despite the discovery of RSV over 60 years ago, and hMPV nearly 20 years ago, there are no approved vaccines for either virus. Antibody-mediated immunity is critical for protection from RSV and hMPV, and, until recently, knowledge of the antibody epitopes on the surface glycoproteins of RSV and hMPV was very limited. However, recent breakthroughs in the recombinant expression and stabilization of pneumovirus fusion proteins have facilitated in-depth characterization of antibody responses and structural epitopes, and have provided an enormous diversity of new monoclonal antibody candidates for therapeutic development. These new data have primarily focused on the RSV F protein, and have led to a wealth of new vaccine candidates in preclinical and clinical trials. In contrast, the major structural antibody epitopes remain unclear for the hMPV F protein. Overall, this review will cover recent advances in characterizing the antigenic sites on the RSV and hMPV F proteins.
Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Viral; Antigens, Viral; Cost of Illness; Epitopes; Global Health; Humans; Pneumovirus; Pneumovirus Infections; Protein Binding; Public Health Surveillance; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Structure-Activity Relationship; Viral Fusion Proteins
PubMed: 31849961
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02778 -
Nature Communications Feb 2023Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus types one (HPIV1) and three (HPIV3) can cause severe disease and death in...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), human metapneumovirus (HMPV), and human parainfluenza virus types one (HPIV1) and three (HPIV3) can cause severe disease and death in immunocompromised patients, the elderly, and those with underlying lung disease. A protective monoclonal antibody exists for RSV, but clinical use is limited to high-risk infant populations. Hence, therapeutic options for these viruses in vulnerable patient populations are currently limited. Here, we present the discovery, in vitro characterization, and in vivo efficacy testing of two cross-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, one targeting both HPIV3 and HPIV1 and the other targeting both RSV and HMPV. The 3 × 1 antibody is capable of targeting multiple parainfluenza viruses; the MxR antibody shares features with other previously reported monoclonal antibodies that are capable of neutralizing both RSV and HMPV. We obtained structures using cryo-electron microscopy of these antibodies in complex with their antigens at 3.62 Å resolution for 3 × 1 bound to HPIV3 and at 2.24 Å for MxR bound to RSV, providing a structural basis for in vitro binding and neutralization. Together, a cocktail of 3 × 1 and MxR could have clinical utility in providing broad protection against four of the respiratory viruses that cause significant morbidity and mortality in at-risk individuals.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antibodies, Neutralizing; Antibodies, Viral; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Viral Fusion Proteins; Cross Protection
PubMed: 36781872
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36459-3 -
Viruses May 2020Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become... (Review)
Review
Viruses are the most common cause of acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) frequently causes viral pneumonia which can become life-threatening if the virus spreads to the lungs. Even though hMPV was only isolated in 2001, this negative-stranded RNA virus has probably been circulating in the human population for many decades. Interestingly, almost all adults have serologic evidence of hMPV infection. A well-established host immune response is evoked when hMPV infection occurs. However, the virus has evolved to circumvent and even exploit the host immune response. Further, infection with hMPV induces a weak memory response, and re-infections during life are common. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the different cell types involved in the immune response in order to better understand the immunopathology induced by hMPV. Such knowledge may contribute to the development of vaccines and therapeutics directed against hMPV.
Topics: Humans; Immune Evasion; Immunity, Cellular; Immunity, Innate; Lung; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Tract Infections; Virus Replication
PubMed: 32423043
DOI: 10.3390/v12050542 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Vaccines represent an important strategy to protect humans against a wide variety of pathogens and have even led to eradicating some diseases. Although every vaccine is... (Review)
Review
Vaccines represent an important strategy to protect humans against a wide variety of pathogens and have even led to eradicating some diseases. Although every vaccine is developed to induce specific protection for a particular pathogen, some vaccine formulations can also promote trained immunity, which is a non-specific memory-like feature developed by the innate immune system. It is thought that trained immunity can protect against a wide variety of pathogens other than those contained in the vaccine formulation. The non-specific memory of the trained immunity-based vaccines (TIbV) seems beneficial for the immunized individual, as it may represent a powerful strategy that contributes to the control of pathogen outbreaks, reducing morbidity and mortality. A wide variety of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and metapneumovirus (hMPV), cause serious illness in children under 5 years old and the elderly. To address this public health problem, we have developed recombinant BCG vaccines that have shown to be safe and immunogenic against hRSV or hMPV. Besides the induction of specific adaptive immunity against the viral antigens, these vaccines could generate trained immunity against other respiratory pathogens. Here, we discuss some of the features of trained immunity induced by BCG and put forward the notion that recombinant BCGs expressing hRSV or hMPV antigens have the capacity to simultaneously induce specific adaptive immunity and non-specific trained immunity. These recombinant BCG vaccines could be considered as TIbV capable of inducing simultaneously the development of specific protection against hRSV or hMPV, as well as non-specific trained-immunity-based protection against other pathogenic viruses.
Topics: Animals; BCG Vaccine; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Immunogenicity, Vaccine; Immunologic Memory; Metapneumovirus; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines; Treatment Outcome; Vaccination; Vaccines, Synthetic
PubMed: 33584692
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.611946