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Viruses Jun 2024Porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) are among the most important agents of reproductive failure in swine worldwide. PPVs comprise eight genetically different species ascribed to...
Porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) are among the most important agents of reproductive failure in swine worldwide. PPVs comprise eight genetically different species ascribed to four genera: (PPV1, PPV8), (PPV2-3), (PPV4-6), and (PPV7). In 2016, PPV7 was firstly detected in the USA and afterwards in Europe, Asia, and South America. Recently, it was also identified in Italy in pig farms with reproductive failure. This study aimed to evaluate the circulation of PPV7 in domestic and wild pigs in Sardinia, Italy. In addition, its coinfection with Porcine Circovirus 2 (PCV2) and 3 (PCV3) was analysed, and PPV7 Italian strains were molecularly characterised. PPV7 was detected in domestic pigs and, for the first time, wild pigs in Italy. The PPV7 viral genome was detected in 20.59% of domestic and wild pig samples. PPV7 detection was significantly lower in domestic pigs, with higher PCV2/PCV3 co-infection rates observed in PPV7-positive than in PPV7-negative domestic pigs. Molecular characterisation of the NS1 gene showed a very high frequency of recombination that could presumably promote virus spreading.
Topics: Animals; Parvovirus, Porcine; Italy; Parvoviridae Infections; Swine; Swine Diseases; Phylogeny; Coinfection; Genome, Viral; Circovirus; Circoviridae Infections; DNA, Viral
PubMed: 38932224
DOI: 10.3390/v16060932 -
Viruses Jun 2024Human adenovirus-36 (HAdV-36) infection has been linked to obesity, low lipid levels, and improvements in blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity in animal models... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
Human adenovirus-36 (HAdV-36) infection has been linked to obesity, low lipid levels, and improvements in blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity in animal models and humans, although epidemiological studies remain controversial. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between HAdV-36 seropositivity and glycemic control in youths. This observational study examined 460 youths (246 with normal weight and 214 obese subjects). All participants underwent assessments for anthropometry, blood pressure, circulating fasting levels of glucose, lipids, insulin, and anti-HAdV-36 antibodies; additionally, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. In all, 57.17% of the subjects were HAdV-36 seropositive. Moreover, HAdV-36 seroprevalence was higher in obese subjects compared to their normal weight counterparts (59% vs. 55%). BMI (33.1 vs. 32.3 kg/m, = 0.03), and waist circumference (107 vs. 104 cm, = 0.02), insulin levels (21 vs. 16.3 µU/mL, = 0.003), and HOMA-IR (4.6 vs. 3.9, = 0.02) were higher in HAdV-36-positive subjects with obesity compared to seronegative subjects. In the obese group, HAdV-36 seropositivity was associated with a reducing effect in blood glucose levels in a model adjusted for total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, age and sex (β = -10.44, = 0.014). Furthermore, a statistically significant positive relationship was observed between HAdV-36 seropositivity and insulin levels in the obesity group. These findings suggest that natural HAdV-36 infection improves glycemic control but does not ameliorate hyperinsulinemia in obese subjects.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Blood Glucose; Insulin; Adolescent; Adenoviruses, Human; Obesity; Insulin Resistance; Adenovirus Infections, Human; Child; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Young Adult; Body Mass Index; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 38932214
DOI: 10.3390/v16060922 -
Viruses Jun 2024Oncolytic virotherapy, using viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔ51) and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) to selectively attack cancer cells, faces challenges...
Oncolytic virotherapy, using viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSVΔ51) and Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) to selectively attack cancer cells, faces challenges such as cellular resistance mediated by the interferon (IFN) response. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and psoriasis and is recognized for its anti-cancer properties and has been shown to enhance both VSVΔ51 and HSV-1 oncolytic activity. Tepilamide fumarate (TPF) is a DMF analog currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of TPF in enhancing the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses. In vitro, TPF treatment rendered 786-0 carcinoma cells more susceptible to VSVΔ51 infection, leading to increased viral replication. It outperformed DMF in both increasing viral infection and increasing the killing of these resistant cancer cells and other cancer cell lines tested. Ex vivo studies demonstrated TPF's selective boosting of oncolytic virus infection in cancer cells without affecting healthy tissues. Effectiveness was notably high in pancreatic and ovarian tumor samples. Our study further indicates that TPF can downregulate the IFN pathway through a similar mechanism to DMF, making resistant cancer cells more vulnerable to viral infection. Furthermore, TPF's impact on gene therapy was assessed, revealing its ability to enhance the transduction efficiency of vectors such as lentivirus, adenovirus type 5, and adeno-associated virus type 2 across various cell lines. This data underscore TPF's potential role in not only oncolytic virotherapy but also in the broader application of gene therapy. Collectively, these findings position TPF as a promising agent in oncolytic virotherapy, warranting further exploration of its therapeutic potential.
Topics: Humans; Oncolytic Virotherapy; Cell Line, Tumor; Oncolytic Viruses; Virus Replication; Fumarates; Neoplasms; Dimethyl Fumarate; Herpesvirus 1, Human
PubMed: 38932212
DOI: 10.3390/v16060920 -
Viruses Jun 2024Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading non-genetic cause of congenital malformation in developed countries, causing significant fetal injury, and in some...
Human Cytomegalovirus Dysregulates Cellular Dual-Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation-Regulated Kinases and Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Proteins in Neural Astrocyte and Placental Models.
Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading non-genetic cause of congenital malformation in developed countries, causing significant fetal injury, and in some cases fetal death. The pathogenetic mechanisms through which this host-specific virus infects then damages both the placenta and the fetal brain are currently ill-defined. We investigated the CMV modulation of key signaling pathway proteins for these organs including dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinases (DYRK) and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) pathway proteins using human first trimester placental trophoblast (TEV-1) cells, primary human astrocyte (NHA) brain cells, and CMV-infected human placental tissue. Immunofluorescence demonstrated the accumulation and re-localization of SHH proteins in CMV-infected TEV-1 cells with Gli2, Ulk3, and Shh re-localizing to the CMV cytoplasmic virion assembly complex (VAC). In CMV-infected NHA cells, DYRK1A re-localized to the VAC and DYRK1B re-localized to the CMV nuclear replication compartments, and the SHH proteins re-localized with a similar pattern as was observed in TEV-1 cells. Western blot analysis in CMV-infected TEV-1 cells showed the upregulated expression of Rb, Ulk3, and Shh, but not Gli2. In CMV-infected NHA cells, there was an upregulation of DYRK1A, DYRK1B, Gli2, Rb, Ulk3, and Shh. These in vitro monoculture findings are consistent with patterns of protein upregulation and re-localization observed in naturally infected placental tissue and CMV-infected ex vivo placental explant histocultures. This study reveals CMV-induced changes in proteins critical for fetal development, and identifies new potential targets for CMV therapeutic development.
Topics: Humans; Hedgehog Proteins; Cytomegalovirus; Pregnancy; Placenta; Astrocytes; Female; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Signal Transduction; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; Phosphorylation; Trophoblasts; Dyrk Kinases; Cell Line; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38932210
DOI: 10.3390/v16060918 -
Viruses Jun 2024Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) infections can induce the process of host cellular autophagy but have rarely been identified within the molecular...
Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) infections can induce the process of host cellular autophagy but have rarely been identified within the molecular autophagy signaling pathway. In the present study, we demonstrated that ISKNV induces ROS-mediated oxidative stress signals for the induction of 5'AMP-activated protein kinase/mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (AMPK/mTOR)-mediated autophagy and upregulation of host antioxidant enzymes in fish GF-1 cells. We also examined ISKNV-induced oxidative stress, finding that reactive oxidative species (ROS) increased by 1.5-fold and 2.5-fold from day 2 to day 3, respectively, as assessed by the HDCFDA assay for tracing hydrogen peroxide (HO), which was blocked by NAC treatment in fish GF-1 cells. Furthermore, ISKNV infection was shown to trigger oxidative stress/Nrf2 signaling from day 1 to day 3; this event was then correlated with the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes such as Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD and was blocked by the antioxidant NAC. Using an MDC assay, TEM analysis and autophagy marker LC3-II/I ratio, we found that ROS stress can regulate autophagosome formation within the induction of autophagy, which was inhibited by NAC treatment in GF-1 cells. Through signal analysis, we found that AMPK/mTOR flux was modulated through inhibition of mTOR and activation of AMPK, indicating phosphorylation levels of mTOR Ser 2448 and AMPK Thr 172 from day 1 to day 3; however, this process was reversed by NAC treatment, which also caused a reduction in virus titer (TCID) of up to 1000 times by day 3 in GF-1 cells. Thus, ISKNV-induced oxidative stress signaling is blocked by antioxidant NAC, which can also either suppress mTOR/AMPK autophagic signals or reduce viral replication. These findings may provide the basis for the creation of DNA control and treatment strategies.
Topics: Oxidative Stress; Autophagy; Virus Replication; Animals; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Signal Transduction; Cell Line; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Antioxidants; Reactive Oxygen Species; NF-E2-Related Factor 2
PubMed: 38932206
DOI: 10.3390/v16060914 -
Viruses Jun 2024African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various... (Review)
Review
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various forms, ranging from acute to asymptomatic. ASF has spread extensively globally, significantly impacting the swine industry. The complex and highly variable character of the ASFV genome makes vaccine development and disease surveillance extremely difficult. The overall trend in ASFV evolution is towards decreased virulence and increased transmissibility. Factors such as gene mutation, viral recombination, and the strain-specificity of virulence-associated genes facilitate viral variations. This review deeply discusses the influence of these factors on viral immune evasion, pathogenicity, and the ensuing complexities encountered in vaccine development, disease detection, and surveillance. The ultimate goal of this review is to thoroughly explore the genetic evolution patterns and variation mechanisms of ASFV, providing a theoretical foundation for advancement in vaccine and diagnostic technologies.
Topics: African Swine Fever Virus; Animals; Swine; African Swine Fever; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Virulence; Viral Vaccines; Evolution, Molecular; Immune Evasion; Mutation; Vaccine Development
PubMed: 38932205
DOI: 10.3390/v16060913 -
Viruses Jun 2024HPV16 is responsible for approximately 60% and 90% of global HPV-induced cervical and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. HPV16 intratype variants have been identified... (Review)
Review
HPV16 is responsible for approximately 60% and 90% of global HPV-induced cervical and oropharyngeal cancers, respectively. HPV16 intratype variants have been identified by HPV genome sequencing and classified into four phylogenetic lineages (A-D). Our understanding of HPV16 variants mostly derives from epidemiological studies on cervical cancer (CC) in which HPV16 B, C, and D lineages (previously named "non-European" variants) were mainly associated with high-grade cervical lesions and cancer. Although a predominance of HPV16 lineage A (previously named "European variants") has been observed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), epidemiological and in vitro biological studies are still limited for this tumor site. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the entire HPV genome has deepened our knowledge of the prevalence and distribution of HPV variants in CC and HNSCC. Research on cervical cancer has shown that certain HPV16 sublineages, such as D2, D3, A3, and A4, are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer, and sublineages A4, D2, and D3 are linked to a higher risk of developing adenocarcinomas. Additionally, lineage C and sublineages D2 or D3 of HPV16 show an elevated risk of developing premalignant cervical lesions. However, it is still crucial to conduct large-scale studies on HPV16 variants in different HPV-related tumor sites to deeply evaluate their association with disease development and outcomes. This review discusses the current knowledge and updates on HPV16 phylogenetic variants distribution in HPV-driven anogenital and head and neck cancers.
Topics: Humans; Papillomavirus Infections; Phylogeny; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Human papillomavirus 16; Female; Genetic Variation; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Genome, Viral; Anus Neoplasms; Male; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
PubMed: 38932197
DOI: 10.3390/v16060904 -
Viruses Jun 2024The menace of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among low- and middle-income countries with no access to a free HPV vaccine is a public health concern. HPV is one of...
The menace of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among low- and middle-income countries with no access to a free HPV vaccine is a public health concern. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Nigeria, while the most known types of HPV genotypes being transmitted are the high-risk HPV-16 and 18 genotypes. In this study, we explored the predictors of self-reported HPV infections and HPV genital warts infection among a population of students, non-academic staff, and academic staff of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) University located in Lapai, Nigeria. We also assessed their knowledge about HPV infections and genotypes, and sexual behaviors. An online cross-sectional study was conducted by setting up a structured questionnaire on Google Forms and it was distributed to the university community via Facebook and other social media platforms of the university. The form captured questions on HPV infection, and knowledge about HPV infection and genotypes, as well as the sexual health of the participants. All variables were described using frequencies and percentage distribution; chi-squared test statistics were used to explore the association between HPV infection (medical records of HPV infection) and the participants' profile, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the factors associated with HPV genital warts infection among the population. This study reveals those participants between the ages of 26-40 years (81.3%) and those currently not in a sexually active relationship-single/divorced (26.4%)-who have self-reported having the HPV-16 and -18 genotypes. Moreover, participants between 26-40 years of age (OR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.22-0.89) reported themselves to be carriers of HPV genital warts. Therefore, this study reveals the factors associated with HPV infection and genital warts peculiar to IBB university students and staff. Hence, we suggest the need for HPV awareness programs and free HPV vaccine availability at IBB university.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Male; Female; Condylomata Acuminata; Nigeria; Students; Universities; Adult; Young Adult; Self Report; Papillomavirus Infections; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sexual Behavior; Genotype; Risk Factors; Papillomaviridae
PubMed: 38932194
DOI: 10.3390/v16060902 -
Viruses Jun 2024The diversity of and species in tomatoes was assessed via high-throughput sequencing of 154 symptomatic foliar samples collected from 2002 to 2017 across seven...
The diversity of and species in tomatoes was assessed via high-throughput sequencing of 154 symptomatic foliar samples collected from 2002 to 2017 across seven Brazilian biomes. The first pool (BP1) comprised 73 samples from the North (13), Northeast (36), and South (24) regions. Sixteen begomoviruses and one were detected in BP1. Four begomovirus-like contigs were identified as putative novel species (NS). NS#1 was reported in the semi-arid (Northeast) region and NS#2 and NS#4 in mild subtropical climates (South region), whereas NS#3 was detected in the warm and humid (North) region. The second pool (BP2) comprised 81 samples from Southeast (39) and Central-West (42) regions. Fourteen viruses and subviral agents were detected in BP2, including two topileviruses, a putative novel begomovirus (NS#5), and two alphasatellites occurring in continental highland areas. The five putative novel begomoviruses displayed strict endemic distributions. Conversely, tomato mottle leaf curl virus (a monopartite species) displayed the most widespread distribution occurring across the seven sampled biomes. The overall diversity and frequency of mixed infections were higher in susceptible (16 viruses + alphasatellites) in comparison to tolerant (carrying the -1 or -3 introgressions) samples, which displayed 9 viruses. This complex panorama reinforces the notion that the tomato-associated diversity is yet underestimated in Neotropical regions.
Topics: Solanum lycopersicum; Brazil; Plant Diseases; Metagenomics; Phylogeny; Geminiviridae; Animals; Genetic Variation; Genome, Viral; Begomovirus; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
PubMed: 38932191
DOI: 10.3390/v16060899 -
Viruses May 2024Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection poses significant risks to fetal development, particularly affecting the nervous system. This study reports a fetal autopsy...
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection poses significant risks to fetal development, particularly affecting the nervous system. This study reports a fetal autopsy case, examining cCMV infection and focusing on CMV DNA measurements in various fetal organs before formalin fixation, a novel approach for comprehensive CMV DNA evaluations in fetal organs affected by cCMV. A 20-week-old male fetus was diagnosed with cCMV following the detection of CMV DNA in ascites obtained via abdominocentesis in utero. After the termination of pregnancy, multiple organs of the fetus, including the cerebrum, thyroid gland, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and adrenal glands, were extracted and examined for CMV DNA loads using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological examination involved hematoxylin-eosin and CMV-specific immunostaining. A correlation was found between CMV DNA loads and pathology, with higher CMV-infected cell numbers observed in organs positively identified with both staining methods, exhibiting CMV DNA levels of ≥1.0 × 10 copies/mL, compared to those detected solely by CMV-specific immunostaining, where CMV DNA levels ranged from 1.0 × 10 to 1.0 × 10 copies/mL. These results highlight a quantifiable relationship between the organ infection extent and CMV DNA concentration, providing insights into cCMV pathogenesis and potentially informing future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cCMV infection.
Topics: Cytomegalovirus Infections; Humans; Cytomegalovirus; DNA, Viral; Viral Load; Male; Female; Fetus; Pregnancy; Adult; Autopsy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious
PubMed: 38932183
DOI: 10.3390/v16060891