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Comput Biol Chem 2021 Apr 5;92:107482. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Chemical Biology Laboratory, School of Basic Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 752050, India. Electronic address:

Complement system plays a dual role; physiological as well as pathophysiological. While physiological role protects the host, pathophysiological role can substantially harm the host, by triggering several hyper-inflammatory pathways, referred as "hypercytokinaemia". Emerging clinical evidence suggests that exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV2), tricks the complement to aberrantly activate the "hypercytokinaemia" loop, which significantly contributes to the severity of the COVID19. Read More

Curr Opin Immunol 2021 Apr 9;71:13-20. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Vaccines developed in high-income countries have been enormously successful in reducing the global burden of infectious diseases, saving perhaps 2.5 million lives per year, but even for successful cases, like the rotavirus vaccine, global implementation may take a decade or more. For unincentivized vaccines, the delays are even more profound, as both the supply of a vaccine from developing country manufacturers and vaccine demand from countries with the high disease burdens have to be generated in order for impact to be manifest. Read More

J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2021 Feb 24;1173:122587. Epub 2021 Feb 24.

Analytical Research & Development, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ 07065, USA. Electronic address:

Recent advances in biomedical and pharmaceutical processes has enabled a notable increase of protein- and peptide-based drug therapies and vaccines that often contain a higher-order structure critical to their efficacy. Hyphenation of chromatographic and spectrometric techniques is at the center of all facets of biopharmaceutical analysis, purification and chemical characterization. Although computer-assisted chromatographic modeling of small molecules has reached a mature stage across the pharmaceutical industry, software-based method optimization approaches for large molecules has yet to see the same revitalization. Read More

Vet Microbiol 2021 Mar 23;256:109048. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

PRRS Research Laboratory, Viral Diseases Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea. Electronic address:

The objective of this study was to assess protective efficacy of vaccination using CPD-attenuated chimeric PRRSV and Toll like receptor (TLR) agonists (HSP70 c-terminal domain and HSPX) as adjuvants through different inoculation routes. In this study, a chimeric PRRSV composed of two field isolates was synthesized and attenuated by CPD in NSP1 as described in the previous study. The infection of the CPD-attenuated chimeric PRRSV to pigs of 3 weeks-old showed no clinical signs without pathological lesions in necropsy, while it induced improved cross immunity between its parent strains. Read More

Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2021 Apr 7;236:110239. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy; Mediterranean Center for Disease Control (MCDC), Università degli studi di Sassari, Italy. Electronic address:

Contagious agalactia represents one of the most relevant infectious diseases of dairy sheep, with Mycoplasma agalactiae being the primary etiological agent. The early, sensitive, and specific identification of infected animals, as well as the development of efficient prophylactic tools, remain challenging. Here, we present a comprehensive characterization of M. Read More

Clin Immunol 2021 Apr 9:108725. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway. Electronic address:

Worldwide, scientists are looking for specific treatment for COVID-19. Apart from the antiviral approach, the interventions to support healthy immune responses to the virus are feasible through diet, nutrition, and lifestyle approaches. This narrative review explores the recent studies on dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle interventions that influence the microbiota-mediated immunomodulatory effects against viral infections. Read More

Microb Pathog 2021 Apr 9:104859. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Tecamachalco, Puebla, Mexico.

Fasciolosis is a worldwide emergent zoonotic disease that significantly constrains the productivity of livestock. We conducted an experimental trial with four groups of five goats each, vaccinated with 1 × 10 phage particles of cathepsin L1 (CLI: DPWWLKQ), CL1 (SGTFLFS), and CL2 (PPIRNGK) mimotopes combined with Quil A adjuvant. Animals received a booster four weeks later. Read More

J Immunol Methods 2021 Apr 9:113054. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Analytical Research & Development, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing severe respiratory illness in infants and elder adults. The development of an effective RSV vaccine is an important unmet medical need and an area of active research. The traditional method for testing neutralizing antibodies against RSV in clinical trials is the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), which uses 24-well plates and needs six days post infection to develop viral plaques. Read More

J Hepatol 2021 Jan 15. Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong; Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong; The Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The University of Hong Kong. Electronic address:

Background & Aims: Rat hepatitis E virus (Orthohepevirus species C; HEV-C1) is an emerging cause of viral hepatitis in humans. HEV-C1 is divergent from other HEV variants infecting humans that belong to Orthohepevirus species A (HEV-A). This study assessed HEV-C1 antigenic divergence from HEV-A and investigated the impact of this divergence on infection susceptibility, serological test sensitivity, and vaccine efficacy. Read More

Am J Ophthalmol 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Members of the SUN Working Group are listed online at ajo.com.

Purpose: To determine classification criteria for acute retinal necrosis (ARN).

Design: Machine learning of cases with ARN and 4 other infectious posterior/ panuveitides.

Methods: Cases of infectious posterior/panuveitides were collected in an informatics-designed preliminary database, and a final database was constructed of cases achieving supermajority agreement on diagnosis, using formal consensus techniques. Read More

Lancet 2021 Apr 9. Epub 2021 Apr 9.

Public Health England Colindale, Colindale, London, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance at the University of Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Background: Increased understanding of whether individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 are protected from future SARS-CoV-2 infection is an urgent requirement. We aimed to investigate whether antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were associated with a decreased risk of symptomatic and asymptomatic reinfection.

Methods: A large, multicentre, prospective cohort study was done, with participants recruited from publicly funded hospitals in all regions of England. Read More

Public Health Nurs 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Family Medicine & School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

Objective: To measure COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and related factors to undercover nurses' concerns and fears.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Sample: The study included 639 nurses; 83% were women and 80% under 50 years. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2020 Dec;37(6):769-774

Hospital Clínico San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile.

We report the case of an older infant with no prior morbidity that approximately 3 weeks after receiving MMR vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella) was hospitalized for feverish symptoms, increased parotid volume and compromised consciousness. Aseptic meningitis was diagnosed, detecting pleocytosis in the CSF, predominantly mononuclear, and confirming by molecular biology, presence of parotid virus in CSF. A study was carried out by the Institute of Public Health of Chile, where serology (IgM and IgG) was positive. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2020 Dec;37(6):756-761

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 virus infection responsible for de pandemic in course, is a new clinical and physiopathological entity, whose control is still uncertain till we can provide an effective and universal vaccine. In the beginning it was described as a respiratory disease which affects mainly adults, children can have the disease too and in this group the disease can be different than the adult disease. Acute infection in children is mostly mild and when it requires hospital assistance it resolves with support therapy and without complications most of the time. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2020 Dec;37(6):701-709

Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Ciudad de México, México.

Oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) has been instrumental in controlling the polio epidemic, and stands out for its safety, efficacy, ease of oral administration, and low cost. However, despite these advantages, as it is a live attenuated virus vaccine, there is the possibility of mutations that confer neurovirulence. Therefore, surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is important, whether associated with live vaccines (VAPP) or vaccine-derived viruses (VDPV). Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2020 Dec;37(6):694-700

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco, Perú.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) produces the most frequent sexually transmitted viral infection in the world. A strategy to reduce infection rates for this virus is vaccination to young women between 9 and 13 years, so it is imperative to ensure the highest degree of acceptability to the vaccine.

Aim: To determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs associated with the acceptability of the HPV vaccine in the parents of a rural and urban area of ​​the Huanuco. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2021 Feb;38(1):88-98

Departamento de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

The coronavirus disease 2019, caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by the WHO. Protein S from the viral surface has been identified as the optimal antigen for vaccine development. In a pandemic, the traditional vaccine development process has had to be accelerated to advance in an adequate response to the problem, shortening the times. Read More

Rev Chilena Infectol 2021 Feb;38(1):27-30

Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González", México.

Background: Condylomas are the most frequent sexually transmitted infection worldwide, and thus, have a close relation to HIV infection. The site and serology vary, and some pose higher risk of malignancy.

Aim: To describe the prevalence, characteristics and associated factors to the presence of anogenital condylomas in patients with HIV/AIDS. Read More

Rev Med Chil 2020 Dec;148(12):1711-1714

Integrante Comisión de Evaluación de Productos Farmacéuticos Nuevos, ANAMED/ISP, Chile.

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 12:1-6. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA.

This open-label, single-center, Phase 3 study (NCT03546842) assessed the immunogenicity and safety of the nine-valent human papillomavirus (9vHPV; HPV6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine in Vietnamese males and females, with the aim to support 9vHPV vaccine licensure in Vietnam. Participants aged 9-26 years received three 9vHPV vaccine doses (Day 1, Month 2, Month 6). Serum samples were obtained on Day 1 (pre-vaccination) and at Month 7 (one month post-Dose 3) for the measurement of anti-HPV antibodies. Read More

Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021 Apr 12:1-4. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

University of Antwerp, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Master of Nursing and Midwifery, Campus Drie Eiken, Wilrijk, Belgium.

: The Belgian Superior Health Council recommends seasonal influenza vaccination for people working in the health care sector in order to reduce the risk of the influenza virus being transmitted to people at risk. The aim of this study is to provide more insight into the current vaccination rate in nurses and health care professionals in emergency services in Flanders. In addition, the influence of influenza vaccination on absenteeism will be investigated, as well as the motivation to get vaccinated or not. Read More

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2021 Apr 12:1-13. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research Center, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

: There are currently no specific drugs and universal vaccines for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), hence urgent effective measures are needed to discover and develop therapeutic agents. Applying peptide therapeutics and their related compounds is a promising strategy to achieve this goal. This review is written based on the literature search using several databases, previous studies, scientific reports, our current knowledge about the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and our personal analyses on the potential of the antiviral peptides for the treatment of COVID-19. Read More

Ann Intern Med 2021 Apr 13. Epub 2021 Apr 13.

University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland (K.M.N.).

Multiple candidate vaccines to prevent COVID-19 have entered large-scale phase 3 placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials, and several have demonstrated substantial short-term efficacy. At some point after demonstration of substantial efficacy, placebo recipients should be offered the efficacious vaccine from their trial, which will occur before longer-term efficacy and safety are known. The absence of a placebo group could compromise assessment of longer-term vaccine effects. Read More

Oral Dis 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.

Eur J Immunol 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Viral Immunology Systems Program (VISP), The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia.

Long-lived T memory stem cells (T ) are key to both naturally-occurring, and vaccine-conferred protection against infection. These cells are characterised by the CD45RA CCR7 CD95 phenotype. Significant heterogeneity within the T population is recognised, but distinguishing surface markers and functional characterisation of potential subsets are lacking. Read More

Biotechnol Bioeng 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Grup d'Enginyeria Cel·lular i Bioprocessos, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Campus de Bellaterra, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193, Barcelona, Spain.

The importance of developing new vaccine technologies towards versatile platforms that can cope with global virus outbreaks has been evidenced with the most recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are a highly immunogenic, safe and robust approach that can be used to base several vaccine candidates on. Particularly, HIV-1 Gag VLPs are a flexible system comprising a Gag core surrounded by a lipid bilayer that can be modified to present diverse types of membrane proteins or antigens against several diseases, like Influenza, dengue, west Nile virus or HPV, where it has been proven successful. Read More

J Neurol 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

MS Center and Neurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) appeared in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has quickly become a global pandemic. The disease is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type-2 (SARS-CoV-2), an RNA beta coronavirus phylogenetically similar to SARS coronavirus. To date, more than 132 million cases of COVID19 have been recorded in the world, of which over 2. Read More

JAMA Intern Med 2021 Apr 12. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles.

Elife 2021 Apr 12;10. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States.

A minor subset of individuals infected with HIV-1 develop antibody neutralization breadth during the natural course of the infection, often linked to chronic, high-level viremia. Despite significant efforts, vaccination strategies have been unable to induce similar neutralization breadth and the mechanisms underlying neutralizing antibody induction remain largely elusive. Broadly neutralizing antibody responses can also be found in individuals who control HIV to low and even undetectable plasma levels in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, suggesting that high antigen exposure is not a strict requirement for neutralization breadth. Read More

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2021 Apr 12:1-2. Epub 2021 Apr 12.

School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.