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Euro Surveillance : Bulletin Europeen... May 2024A measles outbreak with 51 cases occurred in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, between January and March 2024. The outbreak was triggered by an imported case, and 37...
A measles outbreak with 51 cases occurred in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, between January and March 2024. The outbreak was triggered by an imported case, and 37 (72.5%) subsequent cases were previously vaccinated individuals. Epidemiological investigations showed that vaccinated measles cases were symptomatic and infectious. In a highly vaccinated population, it is important to raise awareness among healthcare professionals to suspect and test for measles virus when an outbreak is declared, irrespective of the vaccination status of the patients.
Topics: Humans; Measles; Switzerland; Disease Outbreaks; Measles Vaccine; Vaccination; Male; Female; Adult; Adolescent; Child; Measles virus; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; Infant
PubMed: 38818746
DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2024.29.22.2400275 -
New Microbes and New Infections 2024The measles virus is an RNA virus belonging to the family. It leads to an acute communicable illness that primarily involves the respiratory tract. Vaccination has... (Review)
Review
The measles virus is an RNA virus belonging to the family. It leads to an acute communicable illness that primarily involves the respiratory tract. Vaccination has significantly reduced the overall incidence and mortality worldwide; however, outbreaks still occur globally each year due to several factors. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been a major hurdle since 2020. Despite the World Health Organization's goal to eradicate measles by 2023, there has been an increase in measles incidence in India, with 61,562 cases in 2022. Vaccination is a crucial preventive measure, and coverage needs to be increased through education, advocacy, and outreach to isolated communities.
PubMed: 38818247
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101433 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Apr 2024The genome of the Nipah virus (NiV) encodes a variety of structural proteins linked to a diverse array of symptoms, including fevers, headaches, somnolence, and... (Review)
Review
The genome of the Nipah virus (NiV) encodes a variety of structural proteins linked to a diverse array of symptoms, including fevers, headaches, somnolence, and respiratory impairment. In instances of heightened severity, it can also invade the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in more pronounced problems. This work investigates the effects of NiV on the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the vital physiological layer responsible for safeguarding the CNS by regulating the passage of chemicals into the brain selectively. To achieve this, the researchers (MMJAO, AM and MNMD) searched a variety of databases for relevant articles on NiV and BBB disruption, looking for evidence of work on inflammation, immune response (cytokines and chemokines), tight junctions (TJs), and basement membranes related to NiV and BBB. Based on these works, it appears that the affinity of NiV for various receptors, including Ephrin-B2 and Ephrin-B3, has seen many NiV infections begin in the respiratory epithelium, resulting in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. The virus then gains entry into the circulatory system, offering it the potential to invade brain endothelial cells (ECs). NiV also has the ability to infect the leukocytes and the olfactory pathway, offering it a "Trojan horse" strategy. When NiV causes encephalitis, the CNS generates a strong inflammatory response, which makes the blood vessels more permeable. Chemokines and cytokines all have a substantial influence on BBB disruption, and NiV also has the ability to affect TJs, leading to disturbances in the structural integrity of the BBB. The pathogen's versatility is also shown by its capacity to impact multiple organ systems, despite particular emphasis on the CNS. It is of the utmost importance to comprehend the mechanisms by which NiV impacts the integrity of the BBB, as such comprehension has the potential to inform treatment approaches for NiV and other developing viral diseases. Nevertheless, the complicated pathophysiology and molecular pathways implicated in this phenomenon have offered several difficult challenges to researchers to date, underscoring the need for sustained scientific investigation and collaboration in the ongoing battle against this powerful virus.
Topics: Blood-Brain Barrier; Nipah Virus; Humans; Henipavirus Infections; Animals; Viral Tropism
PubMed: 38812392
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2305090 -
Open Veterinary Journal Apr 2024Canine distemper (CD) is a worldwide spread disease that has been described in 12 families of mammals, especially in the Carnivora order, being better studied in...
BACKGROUND
Canine distemper (CD) is a worldwide spread disease that has been described in 12 families of mammals, especially in the Carnivora order, being better studied in domestic canines where vaccination represents the best means of control. CD is controlled by vaccination, but many cases of the disease still occur in vaccinated animals.
AIM
The aim of this work was to study antigen-specific epitopes that can subsidize the development of a new vaccine approach.
METHODS
Mapping of T cell reactive epitopes for CD virus (CDV) was carried out through enzyme-linked immunospot assays using 119 overlapped synthetic peptides from the viral hemagglutinin protein, grouped in 22 pools forming a matrix to test the immune response of 32 animals.
RESULTS
Evaluations using the criteria established to identify reactive pools, demonstrated that 26 animals presented at least one reactive pool, that one pool was not reactive to any animal, and six pools were the most frequent among the reactive peptides. The crisscrossing of the most reactive pools in the matrix revealed nine peptides considered potential candidate epitopes for T cell stimulation against the CDV and those were used to design an protein, containing also predicted epitopes for B cell stimulation, and further analyzed using immune epitope databases to ensure protein quality and stability.
CONCLUSION
The final optimized protein presents characteristics that qualify it to be used to develop a new prototype epitope-based anti-CDV vaccine.
Topics: Distemper Virus, Canine; Animals; Distemper; Epitope Mapping; Dogs; Viral Vaccines; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay
PubMed: 38808294
DOI: 10.5455/OVJ.2024.v14.i4.9 -
Journal of Ethnopharmacology Oct 2024WuHuTang (WHT) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound for treating asthma, and the evidence supports that it has a good effect on acute asthma attacks in children...
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
WuHuTang (WHT) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound for treating asthma, and the evidence supports that it has a good effect on acute asthma attacks in children and adults. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important factor in the pathogenesis of acute asthma attacks, and the effect on dendritic cells is the key to its pathogenesis. Previous studies have confirmed that the pathogenesis of viruses is related to exosomes. However, there are few studies on the exosomes induced by RSV. Whether WHT can improve the changes caused by RSV-induced exosomes or not is worthy of further exploration.
AIM OF THE STUDY
We aim to study the effects of RSV-induced exosomes on the function and autophagy of dendritic cells, and to observe the intervention effect of WHT serum on the above effects.
METHODS
The co-culture model of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by RSV (BMSCs-Exo-RSV) and dendritic cells was established, and then WHT serum was used to intervene. After 24 h of intervention, the CCK-8 method, flow cytometry, Elisa, RT-qCPR, and Western blot were used to detect the above-mentioned culture model.
RESULTS
RSV-induced exosomes had certain effects on viability, apoptosis, and costimulatory molecules generation of dendritic cells. At the same time, the levels of IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α, and autophagy increased, while the levels of IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β decreased, and the AKT/TSC/mTOR pathway was inhibited. WHT serum could activate this pathway and reverse the above changes in dendritic cells.
CONCLUSION
This study reveals that the pathogenic effect of RSV is related to the exosomes induced by RSV. The exosomes induced by RSV affect the function of dendritic cells by inhibiting the AKT/TSC/mTOR pathway, which can be activated by WHT to reverse the effects caused by RSV-induced exosomes.
Topics: Dendritic Cells; Exosomes; Autophagy; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Animals; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases; Apoptosis; Coculture Techniques; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses; Cells, Cultured; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Cytokines; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Cell Survival
PubMed: 38806137
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118397 -
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 -
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