VirusDisease最新文献

High oncogenic risk types of human papillomaviruses are mainly transmitted via sexual contact and are the main cause of cervical cancer in females in developing countries. Molecular detection of HPV infection enables early cancer detection; however, it is not widely used in low-income countries due to resource constraints. The aim of this study was to assess economical yet sensitive HPV detection and genotyping assays for both physician and self-collected cervical samples in a resource limited diagnostic setting. A previously reported polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) based HPV detection and genotyping protocol was verified using direct DNA sequencing to accurately identify the HPV 16 and 18 genotypes in a routine-diagnostic set-up. Then the HPV prevalence in a cohort of 433 clinically normal females was performed using PCR-RFLP diagnostic tool. Finally, the performance of the PCR-RFLP HPV screening tool was further evaluated against self-collected samples. HPV 16 and 18 genotyping with the PCR-RFLP consistently agreed with the sequencing data. The HPV prevalence in the screening cohort was 5.8%. HPV 16 and 18 were the most common high-risk HPV genotypes detected in the study cohort. Self-sampling vs physician collected samples from the same subject resulted in an overall concordance of 93% for HPV detection. The PCR-RFLP protocol can be used effectively under low resource settings for HPV 16/18 diagnosis and genotyping. The self-sampling approach can be recommended to increase HPV screening among women in Sri Lanka.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13337-024-00875-w.

Influenza viruses are known to cause severe respiratory infections in humans, often associated with significant morbidity and mortality rates. Virus replication relies on various host factors and pathways, which also determine the virus's infectious potential. Nonetheless, achieving a comprehensive understanding of how the virus interacts with host cellular components is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies. One of the key components among host factors, the nuclear pore complex (NPC), profoundly affects both the Influenza virus life cycle and the host's antiviral defenses. Serving as the sole gateway connecting the cytoplasm and nucleoplasm, the NPC plays a vital role as a mediator in nucleocytoplasmic trafficking. Upon infection, the virus hijacks and alters the nuclear pore complex and the nuclear receptors. This enables the virus to infiltrate the nucleus and promotes the movement of viral components between the nucleus and cytoplasm. While the nucleus and cytoplasm play pivotal roles in cellular functions, the nuclear pore complex serves as a crucial component in the host's innate immune system, acting as a defense mechanism against virus infection. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the intricate relationship between the Influenza virus and the nuclear pore complex. Furthermore, we emphasize their mutual influence on viral replication and the host's immune responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis affecting millions of people worldwide. Along with vaccine development, there is also a priority to discover new drugs and treatments. One approach involves modulating the immune system to manage inflammation and cytokine storms. Patients with a high severity of complications exhibit a high level of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-6, in the airways and other infected tissues. Several studies have reported the function of the endocannabinoid system in regulating inflammation and different immune responses. Cannabinoids are a class of natural chemicals found in the Cannabis plant. Recently, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids and their mediatory immunosuppression mechanisms through the endocannabinoid system have engrossed scientists in the health field for infectious conditions. Research suggests that the immune system can regulate cytokine activation through cannabinoid receptors, particularly with Cannabidiol (CBD), the second most prevalent compound in cannabis. While CBD has been deemed safe by the World Health Organization and shows no signs of abuse potential, excessive CBD use may lead to respiratory depression. CBD shows promise in reducing immune cell recruitment and cytokine storms in organs affected by SARS-CoV2. However, before clinical use, it's crucial to evaluate cannabinoid-based medications' active ingredient concentrations and potential interactions with other drugs, along with associated side effects. Indication-based dosing, consistent formulations, and ensuring purity and potency are essential. This review highlights cannabinoids' effects on COVID-19 management and prognosis, drawing from preclinical and clinical studies.

The inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) by small molecule chemical inhibitors was previously shown to impair severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) replication, however, mechanisms underlying antiviral activity remains unexplored. In this study, reduced growth of SARS-CoV-2 in p38-α knockout Vero cells, together with enhanced viral yield in cells transfected with construct expressing p38α, suggested that p38-MAPK is essential for the propagation of SARS-CoV-2. The SARS-CoV-2 was also shown to induce phosphorylation (activation) of p38, at time when transcription/translational activities are considered to be at the peak levels. Further, we demonstrated that p38 supports viral RNA/protein synthesis without affecting viral attachment, entry, and budding in the target cells. In conclusion, we provide mechanistic insights on the regulation of SARS-CoV-2 replication by p38 MAPK.