INTERVIROLOGY

Combination therapy with secretome of Reovirus-infected Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Metformin improves Anti-Cancer Effects of Irinotecan on Colorectal Cancer Cells (CRC) In vitro
Elhamipour M, Soleimanjahi H, Abdoli A, Sharifi N, Karimi H, Soleyman Jahi S and Kvistad R
Irinotecan, a topoismorase1 inhibitor, has been used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. It was shown that mono-therapy alone is largely ineffective. The combination therapy was used for anti-tumor activity. The synergistic anti-cancer effects of oncolytic Reovirus-infected secretome in combination with Irinotecan and Metformin are evaluated in vitro. The aim of research is to assess anti-cancer impacts of ReoT3D, Irinotecan, Metformin in combination, against murine colorectal cancer cells (CT26).
The fitness of molnupiravir-signed SARS-CoV-2 variants: imputation analysis based on prescription counts and GISAID analyses by country
Focosi D, McNally D and Maggi F
Molnupiravir is one of the oral direct-acting antivirals against SARS-CoV-2, largely deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic since the 2022 Omicron wave. While efficacy has been questioned in post-marketing clinical trials (leading to the EMA withdrawing its authorization), growing concerns have mounted regarding its possible mutagenic effects on the virus. While it has been assumed that either all the host viral load was cleared by the drug or that drug-generated variants were not fit enough to survive, several lineages with a high transition/transversion ratio (a signature of molnupiravir action) have been recently reported from GISAID.
Human papillomavirus genotype distribution patterns in Zimbabwe; is the bivalent vaccine sufficient?
Marembo T, Fitzpatrick MB and Dube Mandishora RS
Vaccination against Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary preventative strategy that has been shown to reduce the burden of HPV related diseases. Zimbabwe introduced the bivalent vaccine (HPV 16/18) in the vaccination program targeting prepubescent girls in 2018. This review is an analysis of the distribution of HPV genotypes from various studies conducted in Zimbabwe to ascertain the effectiveness of the bivalent vaccine and make recommendations for future HPV vaccine choices.
New Potential MicroRNA Biomarkers in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Elite Controllers, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infections, and Coinfections with Hepatitis B Virus or Hepatitis C Virus
Mahmud Hussen B, Noori M, Sayad B, Ebadi Fard Azar M, Sadri Nahand J, Bayat M, Babaei F, Karampour R, Bokharaei-Salim F, Mirzaei H, Moghoofei M and Bannazadeh Baghi H
This research aimed to evaluate the specific microRNA (miRNA) including miR-17-5p, miRN-140-3p miR-191-5p, miR-200c-3p, and miR-N367 and cellular factors (p21, SDF-1, XCL1, CCL-2, and IL-2) in controlling replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in ECs.
Seroprevalence of Enterovirus D68 Infection among Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Shi Y, Ran Q, Wang X and Shi L
Human enterovirus D68 (EV-D68), which belongs to enteroviruses of the small RNA family, is a type of enterovirus that can cause acute respiratory tract infection and central nervous system diseases. This study systematically analysed and summarized EV-D68 antibody studies in databases and identified the seropositivity rates of different regions, ages, and sexes.
Comparison of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Technique with Oxford Nanopore Technologies Next-Generation Sequencing for Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern
Ahmadi Z, Maleki A, Eybpoosh S, Fereydouni Z, Tavakoli M, Kashanian S, Farhan Asadi L, Nemati AH and Salehi-Vaziri M
The rapid emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and their potential to endangering the global health has increased the demand for a fast-tracking method in comparison to the next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a gold standard assay, particularly in developing countries. This study was designed to evaluate the performance of a commercial multiplex real-time PCR technique (GA SARS-CoV-2 OneStep RT-PCR Kit, Iran) for identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) compared to the Oxford Nanopore NGS assay.
Challenges and Pragmatic Solutions for Assessing the Reliability of HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring in Resource-Constrained Settings
Demosthenes JP, Ghale BC, Alex D, Ramalingam VV, Fletcher GJ, Abraham P and Kannangai R
HIV-1 RNA detection is the most reliable method for monitoring treatment response among people living with HIV. Effective quality control measures that include internal quality control (IQC) are challenging in resource-constrained settings.
Clinical Value of Serum miR-106a in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Human Papillomavirus-Positive Cervical Cancer
Rao X, Jiang J, Wang Y, Ma X and Liu S
Cervical cancer (CC) is a prevailing malignant tumor in women, mainly caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. This study investigated miR-106a expression in the serum of HPV-positive CC patients and estimated its value in diagnosis and prognosis.
Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 5 Variability in Treatment-Naïve Patients in South Africa
Maunye TK, Gededzha MP, Blackard JT, Rakgole JN and Selabe SG
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 5 was originally identified in South Africa, where it represents 35-60% of all HCV infections. There are limited data on resistance-associated variants (RAVs) in South Africa. Thus, we investigated variability within the NS3/NS4A, NS5A, and NS5B genes of treatment-naïve individuals with HCV genotype 5 infection at the Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Prevalence of Epstein-Barr Virus in Normal, Premalignant, and Malignant Uterine Cervical Samples in Iran
Chavoshpour-Mamaghani S, Shoja Z and Jalilvand S
It is suggested that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may play an important role in cervical cancer development. Most studies found a higher rate of EBV in cervical cancer samples in comparison to premalignant and normal groups. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of EBV in cervical samples.
Differences between Chronically Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Pregnant Women with and without Intrafamilial Infection: From Viral Gene Sequences to Clinical Manifestations
Gao F, Li X, Wang X, Liu H, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Jia Y, Zhao Z and Bai G
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.
Molecular Characterization of Enteric Viruses Causing Acute Gastroenteritis among Children under 5 Years Old in Distrito Central, Honduras
Ortiz-Quintero J, Cabrera Y, Bourdett-Stanziola L and Ferrera A
Diarrheal diseases constitute a significant public health problem in terms of mortality and morbidity. In Honduras and around the world, RVs have consistently emerged as the single most important etiologic agent in acute childhood diarrhea. However, other viruses, such as NoVs and HAstVs, have also been shown to be responsible for viral gastroenteritis. Unfortunately, the country has limited information concerning the etiologic role of these viral agents in acute gastroenteritis. This study investigated the frequency, genotypes, and epidemiological characteristics of RV-A, NoVs, and HAstVs among children under 5 years old in Distrito Central, Honduras.
Nanoparticles with a Lipid Core Can Enhance the Infection of Epithelial Cells with an Enterovirus
Vergez I, Nekoua MP, Rubrecht C, Fasquelle F, Scuotto A, Alidjinou EK, Betbeder D and Hober D
The effect of maltodextrin-based nanoparticles with an anionic phospholipid core (lipid-based nanoparticles [NPLs]) on the infection of a human tumoral cell line with poliovirus (PV) has been studied.
An Outbreak of Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis Caused by Coxsackievirus A24 in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India 2023
Behera SP, Mishra N, Yadav R, Shukla A, Kumari M, Rajput S, Fatma I, Tiwari A, Srivastava P, Tiwari S, Singh R, Ranawade SS, Murhekar M and Dwivedi GR
Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) outbreaks are caused mostly by viruses. During July-August 2023, there was a sudden spike in acute hemorrhage conjunctivitis cases in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. To identify the etiological and gain molecular epidemiology of the agent, the study was conducted.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 MicroRNAs: An Update
Duan Y, Sun L and Li Q
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), an important human pathogen, is capable of latent infection in neurons and productive (lytic) infection in other tissue cells. Once infected with HSV-1, the immune system of the organism cannot eliminate the virus and carries it lifelong. HSV-1 possesses approximately 150 kb of double-stranded linear genomic DNA and can encode at least 70 proteins and 37 mature microRNAs (miRNAs) derived from 18 precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs).
Impact of Age and Clinico-Biochemical Parameters on Clinical Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Wani SA, Gulzar B, Khan MS, Majid S and Bhat IA
The surge in novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection leading to coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has overwhelmed the health system. To help health-care workers and policy makers prioritize treatment and to decrease the burden on health systems caused by COVID-19, clinical severity along with various clinico-biochemical parameters was evaluated by designing a cross-sectional study comprising 236 SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals from Kashmir Valley, India.
Global Prevalence of Preexisting Antibodies against Human Adenoviruses, Surveyed from 1962 to 2021
Luo H, Zhou Q, Feng J, Wu Y, Chen H, Mao M and Qi R
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are extensively used as vectors for vaccines development and cancer therapy. People who already have antibodies against HAdVs, on the other hand, would have an impact on the preventative or therapeutic effect. This review focuses primarily on the prevalence of pre-existing antibodies against HAdVs in distinct geographical populations.
Evaluation of MicroRNA Expression Pattern (miR-28, miR-181a, miR-34a, and miR-31) in Patients with COVID-19 Admitted to ICU and Diabetic COVID-19 Patients
Khatami A, Taghizadieh M, Sadri Nahand J, Karimzadeh M, Kiani SJ, Khanaliha K, Kalantari S, Chavoshpour S, Mirzaei H, Donyavi T and Bokharaei-Salim F
MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, with regulatory performance in inflammatory responses and infection are the prevalent manifestations of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This study aimed to evaluate whether PBMC miRNAs are diagnostic biomarkers to screen the ICU COVID-19 and diabetic COVID-19 subjects.
Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Santimano AJ, Al-Zoubi RM, Al-Qudimat AR, Al Darwish MB, Ojha LK, Rejeb MA, Hamad Y, Elrashid MA, Ruxshan NM, El Omri A, Bawadi H, Al-Asmakh MA, Yassin A, Aboumarzouk OM, Zarour A and Al-Ansari AA
The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at a higher risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. This review aimed to provide healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with a comprehensive overview of the available information regarding the efficacy of vaccines in pregnant women.
Broad Antiviral Spectrum of Glycyrrhizic Acid for Human and Veterinary Medicine: Reality or Fiction?
García-Salazar G, Urbán-Morlán Z, Mendoza-Elvira S, Quintanar-Guerrero D and Mendoza S
Emerging virus infections provoke health problems in people and animals, which generate social and economic issues worldwide. This has spurred the search for new pharmacological strategies to confront them.
GSK-3β as a Potential Coordinator of Anabolic and Catabolic Pathways in Hepatitis C Virus Insulin Resistance
Das GC and Hollinger FB
Chronic hepatitis C infection can result in insulin resistance (IR). We have previously shown that it occurs through the interaction of pathways for glucose homeostasis, insulin signaling, and autophagy. But it is not known how soon the pathways are activated and how IR is related to the signals generated by catabolic and anabolic conditions occurring in infected cells. We have extended our studies to a cell culture system mimicking acute infection and to downstream pathways involving energy-sensor AMPK and nutrient-sensor mTOR that are active in catabolic and anabolic processes within the infected cells.