Journal of Virus Eradication最新文献

While low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially in Southern and Eastern Africa, bear the largest burden of the HIV globally, investigators working on the front lines in these regions are leading a limited number of research efforts, particularly related to HIV cure. Conducting HIV cure research in high-burden HIV LIMCs provides an unparalleled opportunity to formulate innovative research strategies, design trials tailored to the local context, evaluate clinical outcomes within key and vulnerable populations, meaningful involvement of stakeholders, and to shape policies in areas where HIV prevention and cure interventions can yield the most significant impact. Further, the high prevalence of infection, with varied HIV strains affecting large diverse populations, creates a unique environment for studies that would not be feasible in any other part of the world. This underscores the critical importance of addressing obstacles to unlock the full potential of research efforts in these regions. In this viewpoint, we identify significant challenges facing early career investigators in LMICs, particularly in Africa, that hinder their full engagement in HIV cure research. Drawing examples from the International AIDS Society's Research-for-Cure Academy, we provide practical recommendations to overcome barriers that include limited access to funding, effective mentors, educational and career development opportunities, coupled with inadequate investment in infrastructure that contribute towards the limited number of investigators from high-burden HIV LIMCs who are spearheading cutting-edge cure research. Addressing these challenges is crucial to empower investigators who possess unique insights and expertise, and who are well positioned to lead HIV cure-related research efforts. We acknowledge and welcome initiatives that promote capacity building and knowledge exchange between early-career investigators in LMICs and their peers and scientific leaders from high-income countries (HICs). Prioritizing investment in global collaboration and partnership will play a pivotal role in empowering the next generation of African scientists and clinicians. To expedite advancements of cure-related strategies that will be effective in high-burden HIV LMICs, we endorse the sustainable expansion of these pivotal initiatives in these regions, to enhance their effectiveness and hasten progress in the pursuit of a global HIV cure.

Objectives

To explore epidemiological changes of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in a long-time span and evaluate the impact of mass immunisation.

Method

Data on JE cases from hospitals and the county Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Guizhou Province was collected between 2005 and 2021. Epidemiological changes were analyzed according to a series of policy implementations and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Results

A total of 5138 JE cases and 152 deaths were reported in Guizhou Province during 2005–2021. The average incidence and case fatality rates were 0.83/100,000 and 2.96%, respectively. The JE prevalence showed a declining trend over the years with the reduced incidence gap between age groups and narrowing of the high-epidemic regions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the JE activity reached its nadir in 2020. The inclusion in the Expanded Program on Immunization of the JE vaccine and catch-up immunisations showed a significant impact on the JE declining incidence rate.

Conclusions

The implementation of JE immunisation programs has played a crucial role in controlling its spread. Continued efforts should be made to maintain high coverage of the JE vaccine and strengthen disease surveillance systems, ensuring JE effective control and eventual elimination.

West Nile virus (WNV) is an important neurotropic virus that accounts for the emergence of human arboviral encephalitis and meningitis. The interaction of WNV with signaling pathways plays a key role in controlling WNV infection. We have investigated the roles of the AKT and ERK pathways in supporting WNV propagation and modulating the inflammatory response following WNV infection. WNV established a productive infection in neuronal cell lines originated from human and mouse. Expression of IL-11 and TNF-α was markedly up-regulated in the infected human neuronal cells, indicating elicitation of inflammation response upon WNV infection. WNV incubation rapidly activated signaling cascades of AKT (AKT-S6-4E-BP1) and ERK (MEK-ERK-p90RSK) pathways. Treatment with AKT inhibitor MK-2206 or MEK inhibitor U0126 abrogated WNV-induced AKT or ERK activation. Strong activation of AKT and ERK signaling pathways could be detectable at 24 h after WNV infection, while such activation was abolished at 48 h post infection. U0126 treatment or knockdown of ERK expression significantly increased WNV RNA levels and viral titers and efficiently decreased IL-11 production induced by WNV, suggesting the involvement of ERK pathway in WNV propagation and IL-11 induction. MK-2206 treatment enhanced WNV RNA replication accompanied with a moderate decrease in IL-11 production. These results demonstrate that engagement of AKT and ERK signaling pathways facilitates viral infection and may be implicated in WNV pathogenesis.

Functional cure, defined as durable loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA suppression off therapy, is an increasingly important goal in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Although novel treatments aimed at achieving functional cure are being developed and tested in clinical trials, it is important to assess the perspectives of people living with HBV towards these potential treatments and their participation in HBV functional cure research. We have performed a scoping review that revealed that there is limited knowledge regarding patient perspectives of HBV functional cure research and then identified gaps in knowledge for further investigation. Our work highlights the need for further studies in patient perspectives in HBV functional cure research.

Within the United States (US), 2.4 million individuals are living with chronic hepatitis B, but less than 20% are diagnosed. Isolated anti-hepatitis B core (iAHBc) antibodies indicate serology in an individual that is positive for anti-HBc antibodies, while negative for surface antigen (HBsAg) and surface antibodies (anti-HBs). A result of iAHBc could indicate a chronic occult bloodstream infection, necessitating further testing. This study assesses the prevalence and risk factors associated with anti-HBc and iAHBc within community high-risk screening in Greater Philadelphia. Participants (n = 177) were screened for HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc during community screening events in 2022. Chi-square tables and Firth logistic regression were used to describe the data and to assess the odds of iAHBc. The findings indicate that there was an iAHBc prevalence of 7.3% (n = 13) within our study. The odds of anti-HBc were increased for immigrants from the Western Pacific (4.5%) and Africa (11.9%). Individuals born in Africa had 7.93 greater odds for iAHBc than those born in the Americas, and these odds are multiplied by 1.01 for every 1-year increase in age. Our data show a high burden of iAHBc within high-risk and often hard-to-reach communities. Triple panel screening should be incorporated into all HBV screening programs, in accordance with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) universal screening recommendations, to ensure a comprehensive picture of the disease burden and reduce the risk of missing people with occult hepatitis B and those at risk for viral reactivation or liver complications.