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Viruses 2022 Jun 13;14(6). Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, 208 N McFarland Street, RM 250 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.

A corticosteroid antagonist impairs Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1) productive infection and explant-induced reactivation from latency, suggesting corticosteroids and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mediate certain aspects of these complex virus-host interactions. GR-hormone complexes regulate transcription positively and negatively, in part, by binding GR response elements (GREs). Recent studies revealed infected cell protein 0 (ICP0), ICP4, and ICP27 promoter/cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) are cooperatively transactivated by GR and Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), which forms a feed-forward transcription loop. Read More

Biomolecules 2022 Jun 13;12(6). Epub 2022 Jun 13.

Shanghai Institute of Blood Transfusion, Shanghai Blood Center, No. 1191 Hongqiao Road, Shanghai 200051, China.

PBX4 belongs to the pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox (PBX) transcription factors family and acts as a transcriptional cofactor of HOX proteins participating in several pathophysiological processes. Recent studies have revealed that the dysregulation of PBX4 is closely related to multiple diseases, especially cancers. However, the research on PBX4's potential roles in 33 cancers from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is still insufficient. Read More

Mol Biol Evol 2022 Jun 22. Epub 2022 Jun 22.

Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. MEDEA, Bioinformatics, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy.

Primate herpes simplex viruses are species-specific and relatively harmless to their natural hosts. However, cross-species transmission is often associated with severe disease, as exemplified by the virulence of macacine herpesvirus 1 (B virus) in humans. We performed a genome-wide scan for signals of adaptation of simplexviruses to their hominin hosts. Read More

Front Immunol 2022 1;13:887892. Epub 2022 Jun 1.

Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.

Objectives: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can induce herpes zoster (HZ) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Immune cells play an important role in regulating HZ and PHN pathogenesis, but the dynamic immune profiles and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to screen dynamic immune signatures during HZ progression and elucidate the mechanism of VZV-specific T cells in PHN. Read More

J Transl Med 2022 Jun 11;20(1):268. Epub 2022 Jun 11.

Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei City, 252, Taiwan.

Background: This study aims to provide 12-year nationwide epidemiology data to investigate the epidemiology and comorbidities of and therapeutic options for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by analyzing the National Health Insurance Research Database.

Methods: 6306 patients identified as having CFS during the 2000-2012 period and 6306 controls (with similar distributions of age and sex) were analyzed.

Result: The patients with CFS were predominantly female and aged 35-64 years in Taiwan and presented a higher proportion of depression, anxiety disorder, insomnia, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, renal disease, type 2 diabetes, gout, dyslipidemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren syndrome, and herpes zoster. Read More

Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022 May 29;64:103931. Epub 2022 May 29.

Department of Neurology, University Medicine Essen, Essen; Germany/Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.

Background: Cladribine is a synthetic deoxyadenosine analogue approved for the treatment of highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). Cladribine is considered to be a semi-selective immune-reconstitution therapy (IRT) that induces long-term remission following short course of treatment. Here, we evaluated the effect of cladribine on immune cell reduction and reconstitution during the first two years of treatment. Read More

J Clin Virol 2022 May 28;153:105194. Epub 2022 May 28.

Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, Telangana, India.

Background: We enhanced surveillance of hospitalizations of all ages for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) along with infectious aetiologies, including the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).

Methods: From October 2018 to September 2020, we screened neurological patients for AES in all age groups in Maharashtra and Telangana States. AES cases were enrolled at study hospitals along with other referrals and sampled with cerebrospinal fluid, acute and convalescent sera. Read More

Rev Med Interne 2022 Jun 4. Epub 2022 Jun 4.

Service de médecine interne, PHU3, CHU de Nantes, 1, Places Alexis-Ricordeau, 44093 Nantes, France.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex multifactorial autoimmune disease depending on both intrinsic and environmental factors. Among the latter, the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) has long been suggested as one of the responsible factors for the onset and activity of lupus disease. It is a herpes virus with a very specific tropism for B lymphocytes and therefore closely linked to the immune system. Read More

Virol Sin 2022 Jun 6. Epub 2022 Jun 6.

Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China. Electronic address:

Latent varicella-zoster virus (VZV) may be reactivated to cause herpes zoster, which affects one in three people during their lifetime. The currently available subunit vaccine Shingrix is superior to the attenuated vaccine Zostavax® in terms of both safety and efficacy, but the supply of its key adjuvant component QS21 is limited. With Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that were recently approved by the FDA for COVID-19 mRNA vaccines as carriers, and oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs (CpG ODNs) approved by the FDA for a subunit hepatitis B vaccine as immunostimulators, we developed a LNP vaccine encapsulating VZV-glycoprotein E (gE) and CpG ODN, and compared its immunogenicity with Shingrix in C57BL/6J mice. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022 Jun 31;78:103897. Epub 2022 May 31.

Department of Neurology, Larkin Community Hospital Palm Springs Campus, Hialeah, FL, United States.

Introduction: Vero Cell, AstraZeneca, Janssen, mRNA-1273 (Moderna), and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized for emergency use in Nepal. These vacines have been linked to some adverse effects, including fever, myalgia, and headache. Furthermore Bell's Palsy a rare adverse effect was also reported to be associated with the use of mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine in some patients. Read More

BMC Immunol 2022 Jun 3;23(1):27. Epub 2022 Jun 3.

GC Biopharma Corp., 107, Ihyeon-ro 30beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a pathogen that causes chickenpox and shingles in humans. Different types of the varicella vaccines derived from the Oka and MAV/06 strains are commercially available worldwide. Although the MAV/06 vaccine was introduced in 1990s, little was known about immunological characteristics. Read More

Viruses 2022 05 11;14(5). Epub 2022 May 11.

Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.

HLA-B*57:01 is an HLA allelic variant associated with positive outcomes during viral infections through interactions with T cells and NK cells, but severe disease in persons treated with the anti-HIV-1 drug abacavir. The role of HLA-B*57:01 in the context of HSV infection is unknown. We identified an HLA-B*57:01-restricted CD8 T-cell epitope in the ICP22 (US1) protein of HSV-2. Read More

Biology (Basel) 2022 May 23;11(5). Epub 2022 May 23.

Laboratory of the Biology and Pathology of the Eye, Institute of Biology and Medical Genetics, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic.

The aim of this study was to find out whether protease inhibitor 9 () and granzyme B () molecules that contribute to immune response and the immunological privilege of various tissues are expressed in healthy and pathological human corneas. Using cryosections, cell imprints of control corneoscleral discs, we showed that was expressed particularly in the endothelium, the superficial and suprabasal epithelium of healthy corneas, limbus, and conjunctiva. was localized in healthy corneal and conjunctival epithelium, while the endothelium showed weak immunostaining. Read More

PLoS One 2022 25;17(5):e0268530. Epub 2022 May 25.

Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

Background: COVID-19 has so far affected more than 250 million individuals worldwide, causing more than 5 million deaths. Several risk factors for severe disease have been identified, most of which coincide with advanced age. In younger individuals, severe COVID-19 often occurs in the absence of obvious comorbidities. Read More

Microbiol Spectr 2022 May 24:e0041422. Epub 2022 May 24.

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Hospitalgrid.414350.7, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

While circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is becoming a powerful marker for noninvasive identification of infectious pathogens in liquid biopsy specimens, a microbial cfDNA baseline in healthy individuals is urgently needed for the proper interpretation of microbial cfDNA sequencing results in clinical metagenomics. Because noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) shares many similarities with the sequencing protocol of metagenomics, we utilized the standard low-pass whole-genome-sequencing-based NIPT to establish a microbial cfDNA baseline in healthy people. Sequencing data from a total of 107,763 peripheral blood samples of healthy pregnant women undergoing NIPT screening were retrospectively collected and reanalyzed for microbiome DNA screening. Read More

Radiology 2022 06;303(3):726-730

From the Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Section, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Ark (S.V.); Department of Clinical Imaging, Hamad General Hospital (L.A.), and Department of Neuroradiology, Neuroscience Institute (M.A., A.H.E.B.), Hamad Medical, PO Box 3050, Alsadd, Doha, Qatar; and Department of Clinical Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Doha, Qatar (A.H.E.B.).

History: Part one of this case appeared 4 months previously and may contain larger images. A 21-year-old immunocompetent man who was a long-term resident of Qatar presented to the emergency department with recurrent episodes of unprovoked generalized tonic-clonic seizures lasting 2-3 minutes that spontaneously resolved and were associated with postictal confusion. The patient also had progressive mild diplopia, intermittent dizziness, and numbness in the left arm over the course of 3 months. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2022 4;13:902626. Epub 2022 May 4.

Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Emodin is an anthraquinone derivative that is widely present in natural plants and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic and anticancer and so on. Through reviewing studies on antiviral effect of emodin in the past decades, we found that emodin exhibits ability of inhibiting the infection and replication of more than 10 viruses and , including herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), coxsackievirus B (CVB), hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza A virus (IAV), SARS-CoV, viral haemorrhagic septicaemia rhabdovirus (VHSV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV-2) and Zika virus (ZIKV). Therefore, this review aims to summarize the antiviral effect of emodin, in order to provide reference and hopes to support the further investigations. Read More

Front Immunol 2022 3;13:872542. Epub 2022 May 3.

Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China.

Background: Common vaccinations may have impacts on dementia risk, but current evidence is inconsistent. We therefore investigated the association between vaccinations and dementia risk by systematic review and meta-analysis approach.

Methods: We conducted an extensive search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies that compared the risk of dementia in vaccinated versus unvaccinated populations. Read More

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2022 May;58(3):121-128

From MedVet, Columbus, Ohio (T.W.).

The objective of this study was to determine the complication risk and prevalence after phacoemulsification in cats with presumed congenital/inherited cataracts. Twelve client-owned cats were included in the study. This retrospective study spanned 13 yr and involved 22 eyes. Read More

Molecules 2022 Apr 30;27(9). Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Science, 119991 Moscow, Russia.

Pyrimidine nucleoside analogues are widely used to treat infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and DNA viruses from the herpes family. It has been shown that 5-substituted uracil derivatives can inhibit HIV-1, herpes family viruses, mycobacteria and other pathogens through various mechanisms. Among the 5-substituted pyrimidine nucleosides, there are not only the classical nucleoside inhibitors of the herpes family viruses, 2'-deoxy-5-iodocytidine and 5-bromovinyl-2'-deoxyuridine, but also derivatives of 1-(benzyl)-5-(phenylamino)uracil, which proved to be non-nucleoside inhibitors of HIV-1 and EBV. Read More

ACS Chem Biol 2022 May 6;17(5):1269-1281. Epub 2022 May 6.

Department of Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, Center for Discovery in Cancer Research, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.

Covalent antibody recruiting molecules (cARMs) constitute a proximity-inducing chemical strategy to modulate the recognition and elimination of cancer cells by the immune system. Recognition is achieved through synthetic bifunctional molecules that use covalency to stably bridge endogenous hapten-specific antibodies like anti-dinitrophenyl (anti-DNP), with tumor antigens on cancer cell surfaces. To recruit these antibodies, cARMs are equipped with the native hapten-binding molecule. Read More

Burns Trauma 2022 29;10:tkac016. Epub 2022 Apr 29.

Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Northern Entrance, Perth Children's Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, WA, 6009, Australia.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that burn patients are at increased risk of hospital admission for infection, mental health conditions, cardiovascular disease and cancer for many years after discharge for the burn injury itself. Burn injury has also been shown to induce sustained immune system dysfunction. This change to immune function may contribute to the increased risk of chronic disease observed. Read More

Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y) 2022 Apr;18(4):196-206

Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and liver transplant recipients are at increased risk for infections from vaccine-preventable diseases. Gastroenterologists and hepatologists should assess patient immunization history, and necessary vaccinations should be given as soon as possible. Vaccines demonstrate superior immunogenicity when given earlier in the course of liver disease and prior to transplant. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2022 Apr 30;39:102895. Epub 2022 Apr 30.

Department of Dentistry-Oral Health Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; College of Dental Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address:

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) as an adjunctive treatment to topical antiviral therapy for the treatment of children having herpetic gingivostomatitis.

Materials And Methods: 45 individuals (age group 12-18 years) with herpetic gingivostomatitis (HG) were divided into three groups on the basis of provision of treatment. (a) Group A: topical anti-viral therapy (TAT) (n = 14, mean age = 17. Read More

Vaccine 2022 May 26;40(23):3109-3126. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Centre for Applied Health Economics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, The Circuit, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia; Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Australia.

People who are homeless experience higher rates of vaccine-preventable disease, including COVID-19, than the general population, and poorer associated health outcomes. However, delivering vaccinations to people who are homeless is complex, and there is a lack of evidence to inform practice in this area. The aim of this systematic review is to: (a) identify, (b) analyse the characteristics of, and (c) evaluate the outcomes of, strategies to improve vaccination rates in people who are homeless. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2022 Apr 27:1-5. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research (CHEAR) Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) to prevent against herpes zoster (HZ) and related complications in immunocompetent adults ≥50 y and immunocompromised adults ≥19 y. In 2019, a statistical safety signal for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) following RZV was identified using data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). Subsequently, the U. Read More

Elife 2022 Apr 27;11. Epub 2022 Apr 27.

Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Host proteins sense viral products and induce defence mechanisms, particularly in immune cells. Using cell-free assays and quantitative mass spectrometry, we determined the interactome of capsid-host protein complexes of herpes simplex virus and identified the large dynamin-like GTPase myxovirus resistance protein B (MxB) as an interferon-inducible protein interacting with capsids. Electron microscopy analyses showed that cytosols containing MxB had the remarkable capability to disassemble the icosahedral capsids of herpes simplex viruses and varicella zoster virus into flat sheets of connected triangular faces. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022 Jun 21;26:101549. Epub 2022 Apr 21.

NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, 550 1st Ave., New York, NY, 10016, USA.

Purpose: Herpes zoster (HZ) has been identified as a potential association with the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccination. This study evaluated this possible association in a cohort of patients receiving the vaccination.

Methods: Epic electronic health records of adult patients who received at least one COVID-19 vaccination between January 12, 2020 and 9/30/2021 within the NYU Langone Health were reviewed to analyze a new diagnosis of herpes zoster within 3 months before compared to 3 months after vaccination. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2022 Apr 25. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (Imas12), Hospital Universitario, 12 de Octubre, Avda Córdoba s/n. 28041, RITIP, Madrid, Spain.

The long-term response of two infants with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) post herpes simplex encephalitis treated with rituximab is reported here. Rituximab may improve the course of the disease and should be considered early as second-line treatment. Data on the long-term effect of rituximab in B cell depletion and immunoglobulins levels in infants are needed. Read More