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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common infections in the general population and are mainly caused by respiratory viruses. Detecting several viruses in a...
INTRODUCTION
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the most common infections in the general population and are mainly caused by respiratory viruses. Detecting several viruses in a respiratory sample is common. To better understand these viral codetections and potential interferences, we tested for the presence of viruses and developed quantitative PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) for the viruses most prevalent in coinfections: human rhinovirus (HRV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and quantified their viral loads according to coinfections and health status, age, cellular abundance and other variables.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Samples from two different cohorts were analyzed: one included hospitalized infants under 12 months of age with acute bronchiolitis (n=719) and the other primary care patients of all ages with symptoms of ARI (n=685). We performed Multiplex PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs, and quantitative PCR on samples positive for HRV or/and RSV to determine viral loads (VL). Cellular abundance (CA) was also estimated by qPCR targeting the GAPDH gene. Genotyping was performed either directly from first-line molecular panel or by PCR and sequencing for HRV.
RESULTS
The risks of viral codetection were 4.1 (IC[1.8; 10.0]) and 93.9 1 (IC[48.7; 190.7]) higher in infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis than in infants in primary care for RSV and HRV respectively (p<0.001). CA was higher in samples positive for multiple viruses than in mono-infected or negative samples (p<0.001), and higher in samples positive for RSV (p<0.001) and HRV (p<0.001) than in negative samples. We found a positive correlation between CA and VL for both RSV and HRV. HRV VL was higher in children than in the elderly (p<0.05), but not RSV VL. HRV VL was higher when detected alone than in samples coinfected with RSV-A and with RSV-B. There was a significant increase of RSV-A VL when codetecting with HRV (p=0.001) and when co-detecting with RSV-B+HRV versus RSV-A+ RSV-B (p=0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
Many parameters influence the natural history of respiratory viral infections, and quantifying respiratory viral loads can help disentangle their contributions to viral outcome.
Topics: Humans; Viral Load; Coinfection; Infant; Respiratory Tract Infections; Female; Child, Preschool; Male; Rhinovirus; Child; Health Status; Adult; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Adolescent; Middle Aged; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Nasopharynx; Infant, Newborn; Young Adult; Aged; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Acute Disease; Genotype; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Aged, 80 and over
PubMed: 38803572
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1380855 -
Communications Biology May 2024Ebola virus (EBOV) matrix protein VP40 can assemble and bud as virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed alone in mammalian cells. Nucleoprotein (NP) could be recruited...
Ebola virus (EBOV) matrix protein VP40 can assemble and bud as virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed alone in mammalian cells. Nucleoprotein (NP) could be recruited to VLPs as inclusion body (IB) when co-expressed, and increase VLP production. However, the mechanism behind it remains unclear. Here, we use a computational approach to study NP-VP40 interactions. Our simulations indicate that NP may enhance VLP production through stabilizing VP40 filaments and accelerating the VLP budding step. Further, both the relative timing and amount of NP expression compared to VP40 are important for the effective production of IB-containing VLPs. We predict that relative NP/VP40 expression ratio and time are important for efficient production of IB-containing VLPs. We conclude that disrupting the expression timing and amount of NP and VP40 could provide new avenues to treat EBOV infection. This work provides quantitative insights into EBOV proteins interactions and how virion generation and drug efficacy could be influenced.
Topics: Ebolavirus; Viral Core Proteins; Humans; Virion; Nucleoproteins; Viral Matrix Proteins; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola
PubMed: 38796621
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06300-8 -
Viruses May 2024Parrot bornavirus (PaBV) is an infectious disease linked with proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) with severe digestive and neurological symptoms affecting...
Parrot bornavirus (PaBV) is an infectious disease linked with proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) with severe digestive and neurological symptoms affecting psittacine birds. Despite its detection in 2008, PaBV prevalence in Taiwan remains unexplored. Taiwan is one of the leading psittacine bird breeders; hence, understanding the distribution of PaBV aids preventive measures in controlling spread, early disease recognition, epidemiology, and transmission dynamics. Here, we aimed to detect the prevalence rate of PaBV and assess its genetic variation in Taiwan. Among 124 psittacine birds tested, fifty-seven were PaBV-positive, a prevalence rate of 45.97%. Most of the PaBV infections were adult psittacine birds, with five birds surviving the infection, resulting in a low survival rate (8.77%). A year of parrot bornavirus surveillance presented a seasonal pattern, with peak PaBV infection rates occurring in the spring season (68%) and the least in the summer season (25%), indicating the occurrence of PaBV infections linked to seasonal factors. Histopathology reveals severe meningoencephalitis in the cerebellum and dilated cardiomyopathy of the heart in psittacine birds who suffered from PDD. Three brain samples underwent X/P gene sequencing, revealing PaBV-2 and PaBV-4 viral genotypes through phylogenetic analyses. This underscores the necessity for ongoing PaBV surveillance and further investigation into its pathophysiology and transmission routes.
Topics: Animals; Taiwan; Bornaviridae; Mononegavirales Infections; Phylogeny; Bird Diseases; Prevalence; Psittaciformes; Seasons; Genetic Variation; Parrots; Epidemiological Monitoring
PubMed: 38793686
DOI: 10.3390/v16050805 -
Viruses May 2024The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously... (Review)
Review
The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding the genomic diversity of NDV increases the possibility of diagnostic and vaccine failures. In this review, we systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of NDV genotypes in Africa using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Information published between 1999 and 2022 were used to obtain the genetic background of different genotypes of NDV and their geographic distributions in Africa. The following genotypes were reported in Africa: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XIII, XIV, XVII, XVIII, XX, and XXI. A new putative genotype has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, of 54 African countries, only 26 countries regularly report information on NDV outbreaks, suggesting that this number may be vastly underestimated. With eight different genotypes, Nigeria is the country with the greatest genotypic diversity of NDV among African countries. Genotype VII is the most prevalent group of NDV in Africa, which was reported in 15 countries. A phylogeographic analysis of NDV sequences revealed transboundary transmission of the virus in Eastern Africa, Western and Central Africa, and in Southern Africa. A regional and continental collaboration is recommended for improved NDV risk management in Africa.
Topics: Newcastle disease virus; Genotype; Genetic Variation; Newcastle Disease; Africa; Animals; Phylogeny; Genome, Viral; Vaccination; Chickens; Viral Vaccines; Poultry Diseases; Phylogeography
PubMed: 38793675
DOI: 10.3390/v16050795 -
Viruses May 2024The Nipah virus (NiV) and the Hendra virus (HeV) are highly pathogenic zoonotic diseases that can cause fatal infections in humans and animals. Early detection is...
The Nipah virus (NiV) and the Hendra virus (HeV) are highly pathogenic zoonotic diseases that can cause fatal infections in humans and animals. Early detection is critical for the control of NiV and HeV infections. We present the development of two antigen-detection ELISAs (AgELISAs) using the henipavirus-receptor EphrinB2 and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to detect NiV and HeV. The NiV AgELISA detected only NiV, whereas the NiV/HeV AgELISA detected both NiV and HeV. The diagnostic specificities of the NiV AgELISA and the NiV/HeV AgELISA were 100% and 97.8%, respectively. Both assays were specific for henipaviruses and showed no cross-reactivity with other viruses. The AgELISAs detected NiV antigen in experimental pig nasal wash samples taken at 4 days post-infection. With the combination of both AgELISAs, NiV can be differentiated from HeV. Complementing other henipavirus detection methods, these two newly developed AgELISAs can rapidly detect NiV and HeV in a large number of samples and are suitable for use in remote areas where other tests are not available.
Topics: Hendra Virus; Animals; Nipah Virus; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Ephrin-B2; Henipavirus Infections; Antibodies, Viral; Swine; Humans; Sensitivity and Specificity; Receptors, Virus; Antigens, Viral
PubMed: 38793674
DOI: 10.3390/v16050794 -
Viruses May 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most prevalent cause of acute lower respiratory infection in young children. Currently, the first RSV vaccines are approved by...
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most prevalent cause of acute lower respiratory infection in young children. Currently, the first RSV vaccines are approved by the FDA. Recently, N6-methyladenosine (mA) RNA methylation has been implicated in the regulation of the viral life cycle and replication of many viruses, including RSV. mA methylation of RSV RNA has been demonstrated to promote replication and prevent anti-viral immune responses by the host. Whether mA is also involved in viral entry and whether mA can also affect RSV infection via different mechanisms than methylation of viral RNA is poorly understood. Here, we identify mA reader YTH domain-containing protein 1 (YTHDC1) as a novel negative regulator of RSV infection. We demonstrate that YTHDC1 abrogates RSV infection by reducing the expression of RSV entry receptor CX3C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) on the cell surface of lung epithelial cells. Altogether, these data reveal a novel role for mA methylation and YTHDC1 in the viral entry of RSV. These findings may contribute to the development of novel treatment options to control RSV infection.
Topics: Humans; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Adenosine; Virus Internalization; CX3C Chemokine Receptor 1; Virus Replication; Methylation; Down-Regulation; RNA Splicing Factors; Epithelial Cells; Cell Line; A549 Cells; RNA, Viral; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Nerve Tissue Proteins
PubMed: 38793659
DOI: 10.3390/v16050778 -
Viruses May 2024Viral co-infections are frequently observed among children, but whether specific viral interactions enhance or diminish the severity of respiratory disease is still...
Viral co-infections are frequently observed among children, but whether specific viral interactions enhance or diminish the severity of respiratory disease is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the type of viral mono- and co-infections by also evaluating viral correlations in 3525 respiratory samples from 3525 pediatric in/outpatients screened by the Allplex Respiratory Panel Assays and with a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-COronaVirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test available. Overall, viral co-infections were detected in 37.8% of patients and were more frequently observed in specimens from children with lower respiratory tract infections compared to those with upper respiratory tract infections (47.1% vs. 36.0%, = 0.003). SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A were more commonly detected in mono-infections, whereas human bocavirus showed the highest co-infection rate (87.8% in co-infection). After analyzing viral pairings using Spearman's correlation test, it was noted that SARS-CoV-2 was negatively associated with all other respiratory viruses, whereas a markedly significant positive correlation ( < 0.001) was observed for five viral pairings (involving adenovirus/human bocavirus/human enterovirus/metapneumoviruses/rhinovirus). The correlation between co-infection and clinical outcome may be linked to the type of virus(es) involved in the co-infection rather than simple co-presence. Further studies dedicated to this important point are needed, since it has obvious implications from a diagnostic and clinical point of view.
Topics: Humans; Coinfection; Respiratory Tract Infections; Italy; Child, Preschool; Child; Infant; Female; Male; Tertiary Care Centers; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Hospitals, Pediatric; Adolescent; Human bocavirus; Virus Diseases; Hospitalization; Viruses; Infant, Newborn; Metapneumovirus
PubMed: 38793631
DOI: 10.3390/v16050750 -
Viruses Apr 2024Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of childhood hospitalizations. The aim of the study was to estimate the rates of RSV-related hospitalizations in... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalizations in Poland: An Analysis from 2015 to 2023 Covering the Entire Polish Population of Children Aged under Five Years.
BACKGROUND
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of childhood hospitalizations. The aim of the study was to estimate the rates of RSV-related hospitalizations in children aged less than 5 years in Poland.
METHODS
This retrospective observational cohort study was based on data obtained from the National Health Fund in Poland regarding all acute respiratory tract infections and RSV-coded admissions of children (age < 5 years) to public hospitals between July 2015 and June 2023. Patients were stratified based on the following age groups: 0-1 month, 2-3 months, 4-6 months, 7-12 months, 13-24 months, and 25-60 months.
RESULTS
The number of RSV-related hospitalizations increased every season, both before and through the ending phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a shift in the seasonality pattern of RSV infection. Hospitalization rates per 1000 inhabitants were the highest for children aged 0-12 months, reaching 47.3 in the 2022/23 season. Within this group, the highest hospitalization rate was observed for children aged 2-3 months-94.9 in the 2022/23 season. During the ending phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the observed increase in admission rates was 2-, 4-, and 5-fold the pre-COVID rate for children aged <12 months, 12-24 months, and 25-60 months, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
In Poland, RSV infections cause a significant burden in hospitalized children aged less than 5 years. RSV-related hospitalizations were most frequent in children aged less than 1 year. The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a shift in the seasonality pattern of RSV infections. After the pandemic, more RSV-related hospitalizations were observed in older children (aged 13 months and older) vs. the pre-pandemic phase.
Topics: Humans; Poland; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Hospitalization; Infant; Child, Preschool; Retrospective Studies; Female; Male; Infant, Newborn; COVID-19; Seasons; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 38793586
DOI: 10.3390/v16050704 -
Viruses Apr 2024Rabies is a fatal encephalitic infectious disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV). RABV is highly neurotropic and replicates in neuronal cell lines . The RABV fixed...
Rabies is a fatal encephalitic infectious disease caused by the rabies virus (RABV). RABV is highly neurotropic and replicates in neuronal cell lines . The RABV fixed strain, HEP-Flury, was produced via passaging in primary chicken embryonic fibroblast cells. HEP-Flury showed rapid adaptation when propagated in mouse neuroblastoma (MNA) cells. In this study, we compared the growth of our previously constructed recombinant HEP (rHEP) strain-based on the sequence of the HEP (HEP-Flury) strain-with that of the original HEP strain. The original HEP strain exhibited higher titer than rHEP and a single substitution at position 80 in the matrix (M) protein M(D80N) after incubation in MNA cells, which was absent in rHEP. , intracerebral inoculation of the rHEP-M(D80N) strain with this substitution resulted in enhanced viral growth in the mouse brain and a significant loss of body weight in the adult mice. The number of viral antigen-positive cells in the brains of adult mice inoculated with the rHEP-M(D80N) strain was significantly higher than that with the rHEP strain at 5 days post-inoculation. Our findings demonstrate that a single amino acid substitution in the M protein M(D80N) is associated with neurovirulence in mice owing to adaptation to mouse neuronal cells.
Topics: Animals; Rabies virus; Mice; Amino Acid Substitution; Virulence; Brain; Viral Matrix Proteins; Rabies; Neurons; Virus Replication; Cell Line
PubMed: 38793581
DOI: 10.3390/v16050699 -
Viruses Apr 2024Acute respiratory infections are a major global burden in resource-limited countries, including countries in Africa. Although COVID-19 has been well studied since the...
Acute respiratory infections are a major global burden in resource-limited countries, including countries in Africa. Although COVID-19 has been well studied since the pandemic emerged in Gabon, Central Africa, less attention has been paid to other respiratory viral diseases, and very little data are available. Herein, we provide the first data on the genetic diversity and detection of 18 major respiratory viruses in Gabon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of 582 nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected from March 2020 to July 2021, which were SARS-CoV-2 negative, 156 were positive (26%) for the following viruses: enterovirus (20.3%), human rhinovirus (HRV) (4.6%), human coronavirus OC43 (1.2%), human adenovirus (0.9%), human metapneumovirus (hMPV) (0.5%), influenza A virus (IAV) (0.3%), and human parainfluenza viruses (0.5%). To determine the genetic diversity and transmission route of the viruses, phylogenetic analyses were performed using genome sequences of the detected viruses. The IAV strain detected in this study was genetically similar to strains isolated in the USA, whereas the hMPV strain belonging to the A2b subtype formed a cluster with Kenyan strains. This study provides the first complete genomic sequences of HRV, IAV, and hMPV detected in Gabon, and provides insight into the circulation of respiratory viruses in the country.
Topics: Humans; Gabon; Genetic Variation; Phylogeny; COVID-19; Respiratory Tract Infections; SARS-CoV-2; Male; Adult; Female; Child; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Rhinovirus; Viruses; Metapneumovirus; Genome, Viral; Nasopharynx; Infant; Aged; Pandemics; Influenza A virus
PubMed: 38793579
DOI: 10.3390/v16050698