Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Human Neurosciences Department, Neurosurgery Division "Sapienza" University, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy.

Background: The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) reactivation after surgical procedure for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has been known and recognized since a long time. To date, only few studies, focused on this complication and at present its real incidence remains unknown. The aim of the present paper is to investigate the real incidence of postoperative Herpes Labialis in a cohort of patients treated alternatively with PBC or MVD to outline potentially significant differences among different treatments. Read More

Afr Health Sci 2018 Dec;18(4):1057-1065

Virology Unit, Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515 Ilorin-Nigeria.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common among HIV-infected individuals. Its contribution to morbidity and mortality became more apparent following introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) which improved survival among HIV-infected individuals.

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of both active and latent CMV infections among HIV-infected individuals on HAART in Ilorin, Nigeria. Read More

Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019 Jan 28;7(2):256-258. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

University of Rome G. Marconi, Rome, Italy.

Aim: To examine the efficacy and safety of Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in Vietnamese vitiligo patients.

Methods: We recruited thirty-one patients (14 males, 17 females), aged from 7 to 67 years, with both segmental vitiligo (SV) and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), treated three times weekly with NB-UVB. The starting dose for adults from 15 years old and children less than 15 years old was 200 mJ/cm and 150 mJ/cm, respectively, with 50 mJ/cm and 20 mJ/cm dose increments at each subsequent visit, respectively, until mild erythema lasting less than 24 hrs reported by patient, given for a period of 6 months. Read More

J Allergy Clin Immunol 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Immunology Division, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of NSW, Australia; CIRCA (Clinical Immunogenomics Research Consortia Australia), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Gain of function (GOF) mutations in PIK3CD cause a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent respiratory tract infections, susceptibility to herpes virus infections and impaired antibody responses. Previous work revealed defects in CD8 T and B cells that contribute to this clinical phenotype but less is understood about the role of CD4 T cells in disease pathogenesis.

Objective: To dissect the effects of increased phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K) signaling on CD4 T cell function. Read More

Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2019 Feb 1;43. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Kids Research Institute, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, New South Wales

Introduction: The Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance (PAEDS) network is a hospital-based active surveillance system employing prospective case ascertainment for selected serious childhood conditions, particularly vaccine preventable diseases and potential adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). PAEDS data is used to better understand these conditions, inform policy and practice under the National Immunisation Program, and enable rapid public health responses for certain conditions of public health importance. PAEDS enhances data available from other Australian surveillance systems by providing prospective, detailed clinical and laboratory information on children with selected conditions. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Background And Aims: Herpes simplex esophagitis (HSE) is the second most common cause of infectious esophagitis and occurs in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to reappraise the clinical course of HSE in different patient populations based on degree of immunocompetence and the presence or absence of underlying esophageal disease.

Methods: Patients with histopathologically confirmed HSE identified from the Mayo Clinic pathology database from 2006 to 2016 were included in this study. Read More

Vestn Oftalmol 2018 ;134(6):25-32

Perm State Medical University named after E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya St., Perm, Russian Federation, 614000; Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 91 Pervomaiskaya St., Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, 620041.

Purpose: To analyze ophthalmic pathologies in HIV-infected patients of the ophthalmic hospitals of Perm city.

Material And Methods: Medical records of 75 HIV patients registered in Perm Regional Centre for Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases who had received treatment in ophthalmic in-patient clinics of Perm in 2005-2015 years were analyzed retrospectively. Patient examination included traditional ophthalmological methods, as well as immunological (determination of CD4 cells and viral load), serological (detection of antibodies to herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, toxoplasma), general clinical methods, and consultations by allied specialists. Read More

Cells 2019 Feb 3;8(2). Epub 2019 Feb 3.

The Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.

The primary envelopment/de-envelopment of Herpes viruses during nuclear exit is poorly understood. In Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), proteins pUL31 and pUL34 are critical, while pUS3 and some others contribute; however, efficient membrane fusion may require additional host proteins. We postulated that vesicle fusion proteins present in the nuclear envelope might facilitate primary envelopment and/or de-envelopment fusion with the outer nuclear membrane. Read More

Natl Health Stat Report 2018 Oct(119):1-17

Objective-This report compares prevalence of and change over time for five infectious disease outcomes for the Los Angeles County (LAC) and the U.S. populations. Read More

Prim Care 2019 Mar 24;46(1):157-173. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Residency in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Florida Department of Health, Palm Beach County, 800 Clematis, West Palm Beach, FL 33401, USA.

This article discusses sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening and focuses on reportable STIs. This includes gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus. Hepatitis B and C, trichomonas, and herpes are covered as well. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2019 Jan 31. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

a Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine , University of Genoa and Ospedale Policlinico San Martino , Genoa , Italy.

Introduction: TNF-α inhibitors can be administered either as monotherapy or in combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs or DMARDs in the treatment of chronic immune-mediated diseases. Areas covered: Patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors are at high risk of infections. An update is made on the risk of infection in patients receiving TNF-α inhibitors and the strategies for mitigating against the development of these serious adverse events. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2019 Mar 26;6(2):e529. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Center for Systems Biology (CSB), Department of Neurology (J.L., R.N.), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH); CSB, Department of Radiology (B.P., S.S., M.Z.), MGH, Boston; Neuroimmunology Program (T.A.), Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona; Pediatric Neuroimmunology Unit (T.A.), Neurology Department, Sant Joan de Déu Children's Hospital, University of Barcelona; Neuroimmunology Program (J.P., J.D.), IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Neurology (J.D.), University of Pennsylvania, PA; Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) (J.D.), Barcelona, Spain; and Institute for Innovation in Imaging (J.C.), Department of Radiology, MGH, Boston.

Objective: To develop an endogenous rodent model of postinfectious anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Methods: Six mice were inoculated intranasally with herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and subsequently treated with acyclovir for 2 weeks. Serum was collected at 3, 6, and 8 weeks postinoculation and tested for NMDAR antibodies through a cell-based assay. Read More

Viruses 2019 Jan 28;11(2). Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is an oncogenic alphaherpesvirus that infects chickens and integrates its genome into the telomeres of latently infected cells. MDV encodes two proteins, UL12 and UL29 (ICP8), that are conserved among herpesviruses and could facilitate virus integration. The orthologues of UL12 and UL29 in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) possess exonuclease and single strand DNA-binding activity, respectively, and facilitate DNA recombination; however, the role of both proteins in the MDV lifecycle remains elusive. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 24:1-6. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a Departments of Pediatrics , University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora , CO , USA.

There are two licensed herpes zoster vaccines. One is a live vaccine (ZVL) based on an attenuated varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The other is a recombinant vaccine (RZV) based on the VZV glycoprotein E (gE) combined with AS01B, a multicomponent adjuvant system. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2019 Jan 24:1-32. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

a Departments of Dermatology , Royal Melbourne Hospital , Victoria , Australia.

Purpose Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a steroid-sparing immunosuppressant used extensively to treat both common and rare dermatological conditions. Its lymphocyte specificity makes it a favourable therapeutic option particularly for patients who cannot tolerate alternative immunosuppressants. However, the side effect profile of MMF has not been extensively evaluated. Read More

Clin Infect Dis 2019 Jan 19. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Emory Vaccine Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

An immunocompetent adult received corticosteroids for chest pain, which later was clinically found to be herpes zoster (HZ). She developed severe disease and rapid viral dissemination that elicited an exceptionally strong varicella zoster virus-specific B-cell and CD8 T-cell response. Clinicians should consider atypical HZ presentation prior to corticosteroid administration. Read More

Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2018 Dec;26(4):337-338

Associate Professor Suzana Ljubojević Hadžavdić, MD, PhD, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;

Herpes zoster (HZ) is an acute, cutaneous viral infection caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) (1). It is a frequent medical condition with an incidence rate of 2-3 cases per 1000 person/years in the general population and 7-10 cases per 1000 person/years after the age of 50 (1,2). Risk factors and triggers for reactivation of HZV have not yet been determined precisely, but are likely to include malignancies, immune deficiencies, solid organ and bone marrow transplant recipients, autoimmune diseases, psychological conditions, emotional stress, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and other patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies (1,3). Read More

Mini Rev Med Chem 2019 Jan 18. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, No.163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023. China.

Glycyrrhizic acid (GA), a triterpene isolated from the roots and rhizomes of licorice, named Glycyrrhiza glabra, is the principal bioactive ingredient of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. GA has been used in the clinical treatment of hepatitis, bronchitis, gastric ulcer, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), certain cancers and skin diseases. It has a direct effect on anti-HBV (hepatitis B virus) via affecting the HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) to extracellular secretion, improving liver dysfunction in patients with chronic hepatitis B, and ultimately improving the immune status of HBV. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Feb;100(2):365-367

AIDS Clinical Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

We describe a Venezuelan visitor to Japan who was diagnosed with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). The patient was also diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Epstein-Barr virus infection by the Western blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, respectively. The cause of HLH was considered to be these two infections at first; however, the patient did not recover with antiretroviral/anti-herpes virus therapy. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2019 Jan 1;17(1):388-392. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Department of Stomatology, The Second Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250033, P.R. China.

This study aimed to investigate the micro ribonucleic acid-138 (miR-138) expression in oral herpes simplex (HS) and its effect on the expression of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) lytic gene -acting factor infected cell protein 0 (ICP0). Forty-five rat models with oral HS were successfully established (the observation group) and another 40 healthy rats were selected as the control group. The miR-138 expression in serum of rats in the two groups were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Read More

Microb Pathog 2019 Jan 8;128:245-249. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

University of Tunis El Manar, Center of Biotechnology of Borj Cedria, LR15CBBC05 Olive Biotechnology, 2050, Tunis, Tunisia.

(1) Many studies demonstrated that olive oil and the leaves have several biological activities, but the works on olive twigs remain very limited. In this report, we investigated for anti-coxsackievirus B-3 (CVB-3) and anti-herpes virus type 2 (HSV-2) activities of olive twigs from two Tunisian varieties: Chemlali (CM) and Chétoui (CT). Extraction from the olive twigs was carried out using successively hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Read More

Immunotherapy 2019 Mar 11;11(4):321-333. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China, 210008.

There is currently interest in the risk of infections during treatment with new targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), specifically the Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib. Tofacitinib has been studied extensively in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and has been shown to be effective and generally safe. East Asian countries have a high background rate of tuberculosis (TB) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and the risk of recurrence or reactivation of infections such as TB, HBV and herpes zoster during DMARD therapy is of particular interest in the region. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

e University of Minnesota , Minnesota , USA.

Zoster Vaccine Live (ZVL) is marketed in the US since 2008, and a non-live adjuvanted Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (RZV) was approved in 2017. Literature suggests that waning of ZVL efficacy may necessitate additional vaccination. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccination with RZV in immunocompetent adults aged 50+ years old, including those previously vaccinated with ZVL. Read More

Front Pediatr 2018 18;6:402. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Division of Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.

Activated phosphoionositide-3 kinase delta syndrome (APDS) is a rare disorder caused by activating mutations in phosphoionositide 3-kinase delta (PI3Kδ). This syndrome usually presents in childhood with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and immune deficiency as is seen in the case discussed in this report. Patients with APDS also experience other complications including lymphoid hyperplasia, autoimmunity, increased susceptibility to herpes viruses, especially Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus, and an increased incidence of B-cell lymphoma. Read More

Kidney Res Clin Pract 2018 Dec 31;37(4):323-337. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.

Infectious complications have been considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation, especially in the Asian population. Therefore, prevention, early detection, and prompt treatment of such infections are crucial in kidney transplant recipients. Among all infectious complications, viruses are considered to be the most common agents because of their abundance, infectivity, and latency ability. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 17;9:2922. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States.

Recurrent viral diseases often occur after the viruses evade the hosts' immune system, by inducing exhaustion of antiviral T cells. In the present study, we found that functionally exhausted herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) -specific CD8 T cells, with elevated expression of lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), an immune checkpoint receptor that promotes T cell exhaustion, were frequent in symptomatic (SYMP) patients with a history of numerous episodes of recurrent corneal herpetic disease. Similarly, following UV-B induced virus reactivation from latency the symptomatic wild-type (WT) B6 mice that developed increase virus shedding and severe recurrent corneal herpetic disease had more exhausted HSV-specific LAG-3CD8 T cells in both trigeminal ganglia (TG) and cornea. Read More

J Mol Med (Berl) 2019 Jan 4. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Model Systems for Infection and Immunity, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), a tumor of endothelial origin predominantly affecting immunosuppressed individuals. Up to date, vaccines and targeted therapies are not available. Screening and identification of anti-viral compounds are compromised by the lack of scalable cell culture systems reflecting properties of virus-transformed cells in patients. Read More

Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019 Jan 3;56(1):18-32. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

a Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital , Tianjin Medical University Eye Institute, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University , Tianjin , China.

Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, as negative co-stimulatory molecules, are indispensable for regulating both physiological and pathological immune responses. The PD-1/PD-L1-mediated signaling pathway has been studied extensively in cancer research and has become a hotspot for biopharmaceuticals and immunotherapy. Furthermore, monoclonal antibodies to PD-1 have just been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat certain types of malignancies. Read More

Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;53(12):899-903

National Center for Children's Health of China, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children' s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing 100045, China.

To investigate the clinical characteristics, prognosis and affected branches of vestibular neuritis in children. Twenty-five patients with vestibular neuritis in ENT department, Beijing Children's Hospital, from October 2015 to October 2016, were collected. All patients were 4-14 (mean 9. Read More

Nat Prod Res 2018 Dec 22:1-5. Epub 2018 Dec 22.

b Department of Health Basic Sciences , State University of Maringá , Maringá , Paraná , Brazil.

The antiviral potential of natural polysaccharide compounds has been demonstrated, especially against enveloped viruses and members of the Herpesviridae family. Two polysaccharide fractions obtained from Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) leaves, that were active against Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were studied to investigate their mode of action. Both polysaccharides - SFW (crude faction) and SSFK (homogeneous alkaline fraction) - exerted antiviral effects on the initial stages of HSV-1 infection by inhibiting viral adsorption and penetration. Read More

Rev Chil Pediatr 2018 Aug;89(4):521-524

Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, USA.

Introduction: Scarlet fever is a common illness in pediatrics caused by group A beta-hemolytic strep tococcus (GABHS), which usually occurs after an episode of pharyngitis, and has an overall excellent prognosis. Hepatitis secondary to scarlet fever is a rare complication described in adults and even less frequently in children. Our objective was to describe a case of hepatitis secondary to scarlet fever in a pediatric patient. Read More

Chem Biol Drug Des 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.

A series of ribo- and deoxyribonucleosides bearing 2-aminopurine as a nucleobase with 7,8-difluoro- 3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-[1,4]benzoxazine (conjugated directly or through an aminohexanoyl spacer) was synthesized using an enzymatic transglycosylation reaction. Nucleosides 3-6 were resistant to deamination under action of adenosine deaminase (ADA) Escherichia coli and ADA from calf intestine. The antiviral activity of the modified nucleosides was evaluated against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1, strain L2). Read More

Mar Drugs 2018 Dec 15;16(12). Epub 2018 Dec 15.

G.P. Somov Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, FEB RAS, Vladivostok 690087, Russia.

The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro antioxidant and antiviral activities of echinochrome A and echinochrome-based antioxidant composition against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The antioxidant composition, which is a mixture of echinochrome A, ascorbic acid, and α-tocopherol (5:5:1), showed higher antioxidant and antiviral effects than echinochrome A. We suppose that echinochrome A and its composition can both directly affect virus particles and indirectly enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms in the hosting cell. Read More

Vopr Virusol 2018 ;63(5):218-223

National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology named after the honorary academician N.F. Gamaleya, Moscow, 123098, Russian Federation.

Increased protease activity and a significant amount of granzyme B were observed in in organs of mice infected with acute herpes simplex virus HSV-1 with the introduction of Stimforte (100 or 250 µg/mouse). Thus, this drug activates killer cells, which play an extremely important role in the suppression of HSV-1 infection. Although the administration of Stimforte (100 μg/mouse) to intact mice results in the activation of IFN-β production and does not activate the production of IFN-λ, Stimforte administration to animals infected with HSV-1 reduces production of IFN-β in serum, brain and lungs, whereas the production of IFN-λ considerably increases as the result of administration of 100 μg/mouse of Stimforte. Read More

Vaccine 2019 Jan 4;37(2):226-234. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Berry Technology Solutions, USA.

Background: Coverage levels for many recommended adult vaccinations are low. The cost-effectiveness research literature on adult vaccinations has not been synthesized in recent years, which may contribute to low awareness of the value of adult vaccinations and to their under-utilization. We assessed research literature since 1980 to summarize economic evidence for adult vaccinations included on the adult immunization schedule. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2018 Dec 3;143(24):1755-1758. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Klinische Arbeitsgemeinschaft AIDS Deutschland (KAAD), Sektion der Deutschen AIDS-Gesellschaft (DAIG).

Guidelines from 3 clinical societies and peer-reviewed publications have been reviewed for recent changes in the management of opportunistic infections. Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazol administered intravenously is an option to treat cerebral toxoplasmosis if oral therapy is not feasible. CD4 T cell cut-off for starting prophylaxis with trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole is now 200/µl. Read More

Inflamm Intest Dis 2018 Nov 12;3(1):11-15. Epub 2018 Jul 12.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

Background: Patients with moderate-severe inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are commonly treated with long-term immunosuppressive therapies involving immunomodulators such as thiopurines, biologics (anti-TNF and anti-adhesion molecules), or novel small molecules such as Janus kinase inhibitors.

Summary: Some infections seen with immunosuppressive therapy in IBD are preventable with vaccines. IBD-specific immunosuppressive therapy is generally initiated by gastroenterologists. Read More

Acta Pharm Sin B 2018 Oct 23;8(6):933-943. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.

Five new sulfur-enriched alkaloids isatithioetherins A-E (-), and two pairs of scalemic enantiomers (+)- and (-)-isatithiopyrin B ( and ) and isoepigoitrin and isogoitrin and ), along with the known scalemic enantiomers epigoitrin and goitrin ( and ), were isolated and characterized from an aqueous extract of the roots. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including 2D NMR and theoretical calculations of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra based on the quantum-mechanical time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Compounds - represent a novel group of sulfur-enriched alkaloids, biogenetically originating from stereoselective assemblies of epigoitrin-derived units. Read More

Indian J Dermatol 2018 Nov-Dec;63(6):484-489

Department of VD Serology and Department of STD, Institute of Serology, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Context: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) constitute important public health problem worldwide. Syndromic diagnosis of vaginal/cervical discharge (VCD) is often inaccurate leading to over- or under-treatment.

Aims: This study aimed to ascertain the laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of VCD and their relative frequency in a group of patients presenting to a STI clinic in eastern India and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of clinical diagnosis. Read More

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2018 Dec 3;113(12):e180328. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

BACKGROUND Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) have DNA genome with a limited genetic variability and have been classified into two clades. OBJECTIVES To identify and characterise six HHV-2 isolates derived from Brazilian women. METHODS HHV-2 isolates were performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of 2250 pb of the glycoprotein B (gB) coding regions. Read More

Pharmaceutics 2018 Dec 3;10(4). Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biotechnology, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Gal. Gustavo Cordeiro de Farias, Petrópolis, Natal 59.072-570, Brazil.

Chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) is a hydrophilic drug with low entrapment efficiency in hydrophobic nanoparticles (NP). Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus worldwide known as a common human pathogen. This study aims to develop chloroquine-loaded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles (CQ-NP) to improve the chloroquine anti- HSV-1 efficacy. Read More

Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2018 Nov 24. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Beijing Key Laboratory of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Peking University People's Hospital & Peking University Institute of Hematology, Beijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China. Electronic address:

This long-term follow-up study evaluated the effects of corticosteroid prophylaxis on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)-free, relapse-free survival (GRFS) based on a controlled open-label randomized trial in which 228 allotransplant recipients were categorized as low risk (n = 83, group A) or high risk; patients at high risk were randomly assigned to receive (n = 72, group B) or not receive (n = 73, group C) low-dose methylprednisolone prophylaxis. The cumulative incidences of chronic GVHD, relapse, nonrelapse mortality, leukemia-free survival, overall survival, and GRFS were 60%, 19%, 16%, 68%, 73%, and 46%, respectively, in all cases. Compared with the patients in group C, the cases in group B experienced a lower cumulative incidence of moderate to severe chronic GVHD (42% versus 20%; P = . Read More

Comput Biol Chem 2019 Feb 17;78:9-17. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Department of Physics, Madras Christian College, East Tambaram, Chennai, 600059, Tamilnadu, India.

Valacyclovir is the l-valyl ester prodrug of the antiviral drug acyclovir that exhibits activity against Herpes simplex virus types and varicella zoster virus. An explicit surface analysis on the title compound was carried out theoretically using the wavefunction analyser multiwfn software, inorder to study the reactivity of the compound. The input wavefunction files were generated by Gaussian 09W software using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) as the basis set. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Feb 22;79:50-57. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Electronic address:

Objectives: This study was performed to determine the trends in seroprevalence of four major sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis) over a 10-year period (2005-2014) in pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Methods: Pregnant women (15-49 years old) who were enrolled in the antenatal care-based national HIV surveillance were included. Serological tests for HIV, HBV, HSV-2, and syphilis were done on serum/plasma samples. Read More

Turk J Haematol 2018 Nov 23. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

University of Health Sciences, Ankara Child Health and Diseases Hematology Oncology Training and Research Hospital. Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology.

Phytomedicine 2018 Dec 16;51:94-103. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

ICMR Virus Unit, ID and BG Hospital, General Block 4, 57 Dr. Suresh Chandra Banerjee Road, Beliaghata, Kolkata 700010, India.. Electronic address:

Background: Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), a highly contagious pathogen, is responsible for causing lifelong oral to genital infection in human. Boswellia serrata oleo-gum-resin possesses a strong traditional background of treating diverse skin ailments including infection but its effect on HSV-1 has not been examined yet.

Purpose: To exploit its potential, we aimed to explore the antiviral activity of methanol extract of B. Read More

J Adolesc Health 2018 Nov 14. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Electronic address:

Purpose: Syndemic theory suggests that the convergence of social, environmental, and ecological factors can interact to exacerbate behavioral health problems and are often intensified by social conditions and disparities. This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to determine gender and racial/ethnic specific classes for sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk.

Methods: LCA included 18 measured socioeconomic, depression, substance use, and sexual behavioral variables from 1,664 young adults ages 18-25 in the NHANES. Read More

Ocul Immunol Inflamm 2018 Nov 16:1-3. Epub 2018 Nov 16.

b Ophthalmology , University of Rochester David and Ilene Flaum Eye Institute , Rochester , New York , USA.

Purpose: To describe an uncommon presentation of ocular infection caused by human herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2).

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 32-year-old female with no prior history of mucocutaneous herpesvirus infection presented with a minimally painful hypertensive granulomatous panophthalmitis and optic neuropathy that was initially suspected to be orbital cellulitis. Read More

J Virol 2019 Feb 17;93(3). Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Human herpesvirus 6B (HHV-6B) DNA is frequently detected in human samples. Diagnostic assays distinguishing HHV-6B reactivation from latency are limited. This has impaired strategies to diagnose and treat HHV-6B-associated diseases. Read More

Lung Cancer 2018 Nov 12;125:115-120. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

Departments of Medicine, Medical Oncology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. Electronic address:

Background: Herpes Virus Entry Mediator (HVEM) is an important immune checkpoint in cancer recognition. HVEM expressed on tumor cell membranes activates immune cell signaling pathways leading to either inhibition of activity (B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator, BTLA) or activation of immune activity (LIGHT). The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of HVEM expression and its association with PDL1 expression in NSCLC. Read More