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Emerging Microbes & Infections Jun 2024, a group of multi-drug resistant, Gram-positive, aerobic and partially acid-fast bacteria, are emerging causes of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. However, the...
, a group of multi-drug resistant, Gram-positive, aerobic and partially acid-fast bacteria, are emerging causes of bacterial conjunctivitis and keratitis. However, the pathogenesis of keratitis is largely unknown. To address this, we used New Zealand White rabbits to develop the first eye infection model and conducted tests to study the pathogenesis mechanisms of . There is increasing evidence that biofilms play a significant role in ocular infections, leading us to hypothesize that biofilm formation is crucial for effective infection. In order to look for potential candidate genes which are important in biofilm formation and keratitis. We performed genome sequencing of two ocular isolates, -PW1004 and -PW899, to identify potential virulence factors. Through and studies, we characterized their biological roles in mediating keratitis. Our findings confirmed that is an ocular pathogen by fulfilling the Koch's postulates, and using genome sequence data, we identified encoding a mycolyltransferase, as a crucial gene in biofilm formation and causing keratitis in the rabbit model. This is the first report demonstrating the novel role of mycolyltransferase in causing ocular infections. Overall, our findings contribute to a better understanding of pathogenesis and provide a potential target for treatment. Specific inhibitors targeting TmytC could serve as an effective treatment option for infections.
PubMed: 38934251
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2373317 -
Intervirology Jun 2024This study aimed to investigate the differences between pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and intrafamilial infection and those without...
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to investigate the differences between pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and intrafamilial infection and those without intrafamilial infection.
METHODS
HBV DNA was extracted from the sera of 16 pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and their family members for gene sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. A total of 74 pregnant women with CHB were followed up from the second trimester to three months postpartum. Viral markers and other laboratory indicators were compared between pregnant women with CHB with and without intrafamilial infection.
RESULTS
The phylogenetic tree showed that HBV lines in the mother-spread pedigree shared a node, whereas there was an unrelated genetic background for HBV lines in individuals without intrafamilial infection. From delivery to three months postpartum, compared with those without intrafamilial infection, pregnant women with intrafamilial infection were related negatively to HBV DNA (β=-0.43, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: -0.76 to -0.12, p=0.009), HBeAg (β=-195.15, 95% CI: -366.35 to -23.96, p=0.027), and hemoglobin changes (β=-8.09, 95%CI: -15.54 to -0.64, p=0.035) and positively to changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (β=73.9, 95%CI:38.92-108.95, p<0.001) and albumin (β=2.73, 95% CI:0.23-5.23, p=0.033).
CONCLUSION
The mother-spread pedigree spread model differs from that of non-intrafamilial infections. Pregnant women with intra-familial HBV infection have less hepatitis flares and liver damage, but their HBV DNA and HBeAg levels rebound faster after delivery, than those without intra-familial infection by the virus.
PubMed: 38934174
DOI: 10.1159/000539994 -
Kidney Research and Clinical Practice May 2024Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are more susceptible to viral epidemics and are known to have higher incidence and death rates of coronavirus disease 2019...
BACKGROUND
Patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are more susceptible to viral epidemics and are known to have higher incidence and death rates of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) compared to the general population. We determined COVID-19 incidence and mortality among chronic hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplantation (KT) patients in Korea.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective cohort study and data regarding Korean ESKD adults (aged ≥18 years) were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea from October 2020 to December 2021. We examined and compared the incidence of COVID-19-related infections and deaths among the patients receiving HD, PD, and KT.
RESULTS
Of all ESKD patients, 85,018 (68.1%) were on HD, 8,399 (6.7%) on PD, and 31,343 (25.1%) on KT. The COVID-19 incidence was 1.3% for HD, 1.2% for PD, and 1.5% for KT. COVID-19 mortality was 16.3% for HD, 12.2% for PD, and 4.7% for KT. PD patients had a lower incidence of infection compared to HD patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.607-0.93), but KT patients had a significantly higher risk of infection (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13-1.44). Compared with HD, the risk of COVID-19-related death was not different for PD patients but was significantly lower for KT patients (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.88).
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 incidence was lower in PD patients than in HD patients, but mortality was not different between them. KT was associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 infection but lower mortality compared to HD.
PubMed: 38934044
DOI: 10.23876/j.krcp.23.287 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly infectious pathogen that targets pig intestines to cause disease. It is globally widespread and causes huge economic...
Nucleotide metabolism-related host proteins RNA polymerase II subunit and uridine phosphorylase 1 interacting with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus N proteins affect viral replication.
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly infectious pathogen that targets pig intestines to cause disease. It is globally widespread and causes huge economic losses to the pig industry. PEDV N protein is the protein that constitutes the core of PEDV virus particles, and most of it is expressed in the cytoplasm, and a small part can also be expressed in the nucleus. However, the role of related proteins in host nucleotide metabolic pathways in regulating PEDV replication have not been fully elucidated. In this study, PEDV-N-labeled antibodies were co-immunoprecipitated and combined with LC-MS to screen for host proteins that interact with N proteins. Bioinformatics analyses showed that the selected host proteins were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy confirmed that the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and uridine phosphorylase 1 (UPP1) interacted with the N protein. RPB2 is the main subunit of RNA polymerase II and plays an important role in eukaryotic transcription. UPP1 is an enzyme that catalyzes reversible phosphorylation of uridine to uracil and ribo-1-phosphate to promote catabolism and bio anabolism. RPB2 overexpression significantly promoted viral replication, whereas UPP1 overexpression significantly inhibited viral replication. Studies on interactions between the PEDV N and host proteins are helpful in elucidating the pathogenesis and immune escape mechanism of PEDV.
PubMed: 38933700
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1417348 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024There are no microbiological regulatory limits for viruses in animal feed and feed ingredients.
INTRODUCTION
There are no microbiological regulatory limits for viruses in animal feed and feed ingredients.
METHODS
A performance objective (PO) was proposed in this study to manufacture a spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) batch absent of any infectious viral particles. The PO levels of -7.0, -7.2, and -7.3 log TCID/g in SDPP were estimated for three batch sizes (10, 15, and 20 tons).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A baseline survey on the presence of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) in raw porcine plasma revealed a concentration of -1.0 ± 0.6 log TCID/mL as calculated using a TCID-qPCR derived standard curve. The mean African swine fever virus (ASFV) concentration in raw plasma was estimated to be 0.6 log HAD/mL (0.1-1.4, 95% CI) during a pre-clinical scenario (collected from asymptomatic and undetected viremic pigs). Different processing scenarios (baseline: spray-drying + extended storage) and baseline + ultraviolet (UV) radiation were evaluated to meet the PO levels proposed in this study. The baseline and baseline + UV processing scenarios were >95 and 100% effective in achieving the PO for PEDV by using different batch sizes. For the ASFV in SDPP during a pre-clinical scenario, the PO compliance was 100% for all processing scenarios evaluated. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms of virus inactivation in feed storage to further advance the implementation of feed safety risk management efforts globally.
PubMed: 38933699
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1371774 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024
Topics: Inflammasomes; Humans; Virus Diseases; Animals; Host-Pathogen Interactions
PubMed: 38933692
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1438310 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remain major public health threats globally and worse when they co-exist in susceptible individuals. The study...
INTRODUCTION
tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remain major public health threats globally and worse when they co-exist in susceptible individuals. The study examined TB treatment outcomes and their predictive factors among people living with HIV (PLHIVs).
METHODS
a review of TB/HIV co-infected patients who had TB treatments across comprehensive antiretroviral therapy (ART) sites with ≥500 patients was conducted in seven United States of America President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported States in Nigeria. Data on patient background, HIV and TB care, and TB treatment outcomes were collected using an Excel abstraction template. The data was analyzed using SPSS and an association was examined using a chi-square test while binary logistic regression was used to determine predictors of TB treatment outcomes (P< 0.05).
RESULTS
two thousand six hundred and fifty-two co-infected patients participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 37 ± 14 years. A majority had TB treatment success (cured = 1059 (39.9%), completed = 1186 (44.7%)). Participants who had pulmonary TB, virally suppressed and commenced isoniazid (INH) before TB diagnosis were more likely to have a favorable TB treatment outcome compared to those who had extrapulmonary TB (AOR = 7.110, 95% CI = 1.506 - 33.565), virally unsuppressed (AOR = 1.677, 95% CI = 1.036 - 2.716) or did not commence INH before TB diagnosis (AOR = 1.486, 95% CI = 1.047 - 2.109).
CONCLUSION
site of infection, immune status, exposure to ART, and INH prophylaxis were found to predict TB treatment outcomes among PLHIVs. Stakeholders should ensure early commencement of ART and INH prophylaxis for PLHIVs.
Topics: Humans; Nigeria; HIV Infections; Adult; Female; Antitubercular Agents; Male; Tuberculosis; Middle Aged; Coinfection; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult; Anti-HIV Agents; Isoniazid; Retrospective Studies; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
PubMed: 38933432
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.149.35719 -
The Pan African Medical Journal 2024the provision of essential preconception care services for HIV-positive pregnant women is crucial to prevent HIV transmission to infants. This includes pregnancy...
INTRODUCTION
the provision of essential preconception care services for HIV-positive pregnant women is crucial to prevent HIV transmission to infants. This includes pregnancy intention screening services, adequate viral load monitoring and suppression before conception, and necessary nutritional support. In Nyeri County, the prevalence of Mother-to-Child Transmission (MTCT) of HIV is 5.3%, which is higher than the global threshold of 5%. This study aims to evaluate the impact of pre-conception care services in preventing HIV transmission to infants in Nyeri County. The study objectives are to assess the utilization of pre-conception care services among HIV-positive women, specifically focusing on pregnancy intention screening, viral load monitoring and suppression, and access to nutritional assessment services before pregnancy. Additionally, the study aims to investigate the relationship between the provision of pre-conception care services and infant HIV outcomes.
METHODS
this cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study employed stratified sampling to select eight level 4 and level 5 hospitals in Nyeri County. The target population consisted of HIV-infected women seeking postnatal care in these facilities, with a sample size of 252 women who had HIV-exposed infants under two years old and were receiving post-natal care at the respective hospitals. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, marital status, and education level, were collected. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics.
RESULTS
our findings revealed that only 34.2% of HIV-positive women seeking postnatal care had received information or services related to pregnancy intention screening, a crucial aspect of pre-conception care. Almost half (46.4%) of the women who participated in the study had undergone viral load measurements before pregnancy, which is another critical component of preconception care. Additionally, 85.6% of these women had received nutritional services during pregnancy from their healthcare providers. Interestingly, all women who received any pre-conception care services reported that their infants were alive and tested HIV-negative.
CONCLUSION
preconception care is crucial in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Efforts should be made to ensure that all HIV-infected women planning to conceive have access to preconception care services.
Topics: Humans; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; Female; HIV Infections; Pregnancy; Adult; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Preconception Care; Cross-Sectional Studies; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; Viral Load; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Mass Screening; Adolescent; Postnatal Care; Prevalence; Pregnancy Outcome
PubMed: 38933429
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2024.47.144.37196 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a global health concern, with 25% of cases attributed to (). Viral infections like influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial...
INTRODUCTION
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a global health concern, with 25% of cases attributed to (). Viral infections like influenza A virus (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) increase the risk of , leading to severe complications due to compromised host immunity.
METHODS
We evaluated the efficacy of an anti-PhtD monoclonal antibody (mAb) cocktail therapy (PhtD3 + 7) in improving survival rates in three viral/bacterial coinfection models: IAV/, hMPV/, and RSV/.
RESULTS
The PhtD3 + 7 mAb cocktail outperformed antiviral mAbs, resulting in prolonged survival. In the IAV/ model, it reduced bacterial titers in blood and lungs by 2-4 logs. In the hMPV/ model, PhtD3 + 7 provided greater protection than the hMPV-neutralizing mAb MPV467, significantly reducing bacterial titers. In the RSV/ model, PhtD3 + 7 offered slightly better protection than the antiviral mAb D25, uniquely decreasing bacterial titers in blood and lungs.
DISCUSSION
Given the threat of antibiotic resistance, our findings highlight the potential of anti-PhtD mAb therapy as an effective option for treating viral and secondary pneumococcal coinfections.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Mice; Superinfection; Coinfection; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections; Metapneumovirus; Influenza A virus; Disease Models, Animal; Pneumococcal Infections; Female; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Paramyxoviridae Infections; Antibodies, Viral
PubMed: 38933273
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1364622 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is one of the greatest threats to Mediterranean aquaculture, infecting more than 170 fish species and causing mortalities up to 100% in...
Nervous necrosis virus (NNV) is one of the greatest threats to Mediterranean aquaculture, infecting more than 170 fish species and causing mortalities up to 100% in larvae and juveniles of susceptible species. Intensive aquaculture implies stressed conditions that affect the welfare of fish and their ability to fight against infections. In fact, a higher susceptibility to NNV has been related to poor welfare conditions. In order to analyze the physiological link between stressed conditions and increased susceptibility to NNV, as well as its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease, we reared shi drum () juveniles (30.7 ± 3.10 g body weight), which are expected to be asymptomatic upon NNV infection, at three stocking densities (2, 15, and 30 kg/m) for 27 days and subsequently challenged them with NNV. We firstly characterized the stressed conditions of the specimens before and after infection and recorded the mortalities, demonstrating that stressed specimens reared at 30 kg/m suffered mortalities. However, the viral loads in different tissues were similar in all experimental groups, allowing horizontal and vertical transmission of the virus from asymptomatic specimens. All of these data suggest that shi drum tolerates wide ranges of culture densities, although high densities might be a setback for controlling NNV outbreaks in this species. In an attempt to understand the molecular pathways orchestrating this susceptibility change in stressed conditions, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of four tissues under mock- and NNV-infected conditions. In addition to the modification of the exceptive pathways such as cell adhesion, leukocyte migration, cytokine interaction, cell proliferation and survival, and autophagy, we also observed a heavy alteration of the neuroactive ligand-receptor pathway in three of the four tissues analyzed. Our data also point to some of the receptors of this pathway as potential candidates for future pharmacological treatment to avoid the exacerbated immune response that could trigger fish mortalities upon NNV infection.
Topics: Animals; Nodaviridae; Fish Diseases; RNA Virus Infections; Disease Susceptibility; Aquaculture; Viral Load
PubMed: 38933269
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1304603