Viruses-Basel最新文献

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and a dominant cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide. Alongside established risk factors, recent studies highlight oncoviruses like Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) as potential contributors. However, their role and association with BC development is still debatable.

Study design and methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis involved two distinct approaches: one assessing the worldwide prevalence of EBV and HPV coinfection in BC patients and another investigating the association between such coinfection and BC risk. A systematic search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted up to 5 May 2025. Studies using PCR to detect both viruses in breast tissue samples were included. Random-effects models were used to estimate pooled prevalence and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Out of 307 non-duplicate records, 16 studies were found to be eligible for quantitative analysis. The pooled prevalence of EBV/HPV coinfection among BC patients was 14% (95% CI: 12-16%; I² = 91.0%). Prevalence varied by region, ranging from 6% in South America to 22% in the Middle East. In addition, a general trend towards increasing EBV/HPV coinfection prevalence among women with BC over time was detected. Moreover, analyzing case-control studies to investigate the relationship between EBV/HPV coinfection and the risk of BC, the pooled odds ratio was 5.87 (95% CI: 2.31-14.93; I² = 0%, p = 0.91).

Conclusion: Our analysis shows that EBV and HPV coinfection prevalence varies by region and appears to be rising over time among women with breast cancer. Additionally, the strong statistical association between coinfection and breast cancer risk suggests a potential role for these oncoviruses in disease development, highlighting the possible preventive value of EBV and HPV vaccination.

Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), responsible for chickenpox and herpes zoster, has emerged as a significant contributor to cerebrovascular disease. Mounting evidence indicates that VZV reactivation may precipitate ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke through mechanisms of viral vasculopathy, immune evasion, and vascular inflammation. While antiviral therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, several adjunctive regimens exhibit encouraging results in controlling endothelial inflammatory response. This targeted review synthesized findings from 31 studies, including clinical cohorts, in vitro models, and pathological analyses, to evaluate the relationship between VZV and stroke, with emphasis on treatment management beyond antivirals. Evidence demonstrates that VZV antigens are frequently detected within cerebral arteries, where they induce transmural inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and thrombosis, thereby increasing stroke risk, particularly in the weeks following herpes zoster. Adjunctive therapies such as corticosteroids, statins, and resveratrol show promise in mitigating vascular inflammation, though clinical validation is limited. Preventive measures, especially zoster vaccination, significantly reduce herpes zoster incidence and may lower subsequent stroke risk, yet global uptake remains insufficient. Collectively, the data underscore the need for improved diagnostic tools, combination treatment strategies, and expanded vaccination programs to address the substantial public health burden of VZV-associated stroke.

Mycoviruses are widely distributed among different groups of filamentous fungi. An awareness of infections caused by mycoviruses was highlighted in the 1980s and 1990s, when the impact of these agents on phenotypes of agriculturally and medically important fungi was reported. However, for entomopathogenic fungi, mycovirus research has only expanded significantly in the last 15 years. Due to the agricultural importance of these fungi, reflected in their use at the forefront of biological control strategies, recent studies have extensively described novel viruses and their effects on their hosts in terms of altered morphological, phenotypical, and ecological characteristics. To summarise the historical progress of mycovirology and recent discoveries, here we describe the state of the art in the study of mycoviruses associated with entomopathogenic fungi. We have limited the review to the occurrence of mycoviruses in fungi of the genera Beauveria, Cordyceps, Entomophthora, Metarhizium, and Trichoderma and have compiled an inventory of the viruses reported to infect these entomopathogenic genera, as well as a comprehensive review of the biological effects described with respect to infection by mycoviruses in fungi that are relevant to the biological control of insects. Finally, we have outlined possible research scenarios in the light of recent discoveries in the field of mycovirology, such as the use of mycoviruses as virulence modulating factors: the main character sought in biological pest control.

People who are incarcerated experience a high rate of hepatitis C (HCV) worldwide, and HCV micro-elimination in prisons is an effective strategy to support treatment. In Victoria, British Columbia, administrative barriers limited HCV testing and treatment at Vancouver Island Correctional Centre (VIRCC), and people who were HCV RNA+ were lost to follow up. Cool Aid Community Health Centre (CACHC) is an inner-city, primary care clinic that serves a marginalized population. The CACHC HCV nurse coordinator with the VIRCC nurse held HCV testing 'blitzes' at VIRCC and offered phlebotomy for screening and pre-treatment bloodwork. Clients who tested HCV RNA+ were started on HCV treatment and if discharged before completion, CACHC followed them in the community. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify all clients who accessed HCV testing and treatment through the VIRCC partnership. To date, 230 clients were tested: 49 tested HCV antibody+, 11 tested HCV RNA+, and 10 started on treatment (6 SVR). Case management and consultation with the nurse coordinator and VIRCC nurse supported treatment starts for an additional 18 clients (14 SVR). This pragmatic and innovative approach to HCV care with people who are incarcerated demonstrated effective HCV testing and treatment. CACHC and VIRCC have established closer relationships and reduced barriers to reach and maintain continuity with this target population.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) have a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C (HCV) than the general population, but these individuals are often poorly served by traditional healthcare systems. The elimination of HCV as a threat to public health relies on the treatment of this population. Novel care models designed with input from PWID may help to better align care to the needs of PWID.

Methods: We designed and implemented a community-based, point-of-care testing program for HCV delivered by a syringe service program, combined with facilitated access to a healthcare provider, care navigation, and financial incentives. We collected participant demographics and drug use patterns, testing and treatment history, and communication preferences. Descriptive analyses include the number of people tested between 15 October 2021 and 1 February 2025, their seropositivity rate, and the number who completed pre-treatment laboratory tests, completed treatment and achieved cure by sustained virologic response (SVR12) by 1 August 2025.

Results: The program engaged 464 unique individuals, of whom 98 (21.1%) had a known diagnosis of HCV. Of 389 unique individuals who underwent point of care (POC) HCV antibody (Ab) testing, including 31 with a known prior diagnosis of HCV, 97 (24.9%) had a positive result. Of 439 unique individuals who underwent POC HIV Ab testing, only 1 had a positive result. Of 164 individuals with either a positive POC HCV Ab test or a known HCV diagnosis, 66 completed pre-treatment laboratory tests, identifying 52 viremic participants. Of those, 35 started and completed treatment. Among those who completed treatment, 9 (25.7%) achieved SVR12, 3 (8.6) failed to achieve SVR12, and 23 (65.7%) had outstanding laboratory orders for SVR12 determination.

Conclusions: An incentivized, community-based, point-of-care testing program with facilitated linkage to care successfully engaged a high-risk population in HCV and HIV testing and treatment. However, substantial attrition occurred at each step of the care cascade, particularly at SVR12 determination. Additional strategies are needed to optimize retention throughout the entire care cascade.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a major staple food, contributing significantly to food security and income generation for millions of people worldwide. In 2019, surveys were conducted across the seven agro-ecological zones (AEZs) of Côte d'Ivoire, the third highest producer of yam globally, to ascertain the current status of viral diseases. In the 324 fields surveyed, a total of 1242 yam leaf samples were collected and tested for the presence of Potyvirus yamtesselati (yam mosaic virus, YMV), Potyvirus yamplacidum (yam mild mosaic virus, YMMV), Cucumovirus CMV (cucumber mosaic virus, CMV), and the badnaviruses using PCR, RT-PCR, and RCA followed by Sanger or MinION sequencing. The incidence of yam viral disease varied across the AEZs, with the lowest mean incidence observed in yam farms within the AEZ VII (71.95%) and the highest in AEZ V (88.15%). Viral disease symptom severity was moderate across the country, with more severe symptoms identified in AEZs II and VI. The virus screening revealed a potyvirus detection rate of 35.83% in all the AEZs. YMMV infection (25.12%) is the most prevalent in the samples, followed by YMV infection (15.61%). RCA-MinION sequencing revealed the presence of badnaviruses belonging to the T15 episomal groups K8, K9, and K5. Also, the use of this technique enabled the amplification and sequencing of four full-length episomal badnaviruses, namely Dioscorea bacilliform AL virus in group K8 and Dioscorea bacilliform RT virus in group K5. CMV was not detected in all the samples. It is noteworthy that 22.13% of mixed infections were detected in asymptomatic samples. This study revealed the first occurrence of YMMV in all the AEZs of Côte d'Ivoire. Of the yam species, Dioscorea alata was more widespread (78.03%) than Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (21.92%) in the visited fields. Also, D. alata had a highest incidence of YMMV (23.67%) infection than Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata, while D. cayenensis-rotundata registered the highest incidence of YMV (15.84%) infection compared to D. alata. Phylogenetic analysis of representative of the various viruses detected in the country revealed that the sequences have high diversity for each virus species. This study revealed that viruses infecting yam are widespread and occur in mixed infection, which poses a real threat to yam production in Côte d'Ivoire.

Background: The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) season of 2023/2024 was conspicuously different from previous seasons, with an abrupt decrease in hospitalisation rates at the peak of the season, leading to two lower peaks instead of the expected one high peak of hospitalisations. Thus, we investigated whether there was an interference with other virus infection waves in the course of that RSV season.

Methods: We analysed RSV seasons since 2016 in children who were hospitalised due to an RSV infection in Eastern Bavaria and investigated epidemiological features of RSV seasons after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic at local, regional, and national levels.

Results: Analysing patterns of four RSV seasons prior to and three seasons after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we found that the paediatric RSV hospitalisation wave of the 2023/2024 season was weaker and less pronounced than expected. When we compared detailed local, regional, and national surveillance data of other viral infections, we found that paediatric RSV hospitalisation waves were anticyclical to SARS-CoV-2 infection waves, but not to rhinovirus or influenza waves in the general population.

Discussion: Our data suggests that concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection waves in the general population may disrupt infection chains of RSV in children and, thus, decrease RSV-associated hospitalisation. This factor should be taken into account when assessing the effects of the upcoming RSV prophylaxis in the future.

The convergence of artificial intelligence and synthetic biology is innovating and accelerating the design of novel viral genomes, expanding both therapeutic opportunities and dual-use risk. This review articulates a countermeasure strategy for emerging and engineered viruses leveraging the programmable CRISPR modality. Building on mounting in vitro and in vivo evidence that Cas9 degrades DNA viruses (e.g., Orthopoxviruses, HSV-1, ASFV), while Cas13 targets RNA viral genomes (e.g., Influenza A, Dengue, RSV), both leading to reduced viremia, diminished disease burden, and alleviated symptoms. Here, we outline a rapid-response pipeline to position CRISPR-based countermeasures in translational and pandemic-response frameworks, linking real-time sequencing to AI-assisted gRNA selection and multiplexed cassette design to achieve viral targeting efficacy. To minimize resistance and off-target risk, we emphasize multi-gRNA cocktails, continuous genomic surveillance, and adaptive gRNA rotation. We also propose governance mechanisms, such as pre-cleared gRNA repositories, transparent design logs, standardized off-target/safety screening, and alignment with evolving nucleic-acid-synthesis screening frameworks to enable emergency deployment while preserving security. Furthermore, compressing the time from sequence to treatment and complementary to vaccines and small-molecule antivirals, CRISPR represents a technologically agile and strategically essential capability to combat both natural outbreaks and AI-enabled biothreats. Collectively, programmable CRISPR antivirals represent an auditable, rapidly adaptable foundation for next-generation biodefense preparedness.

Wild boars inhabit fields, hills, and farms across Japan, where they are fed on by numerous arthropods, including mosquitoes and ticks. Consequently, they are frequently exposed to arthropod-borne pathogens. In Toyama Prefecture, blood samples from captured wild boars have long been collected for classical swine fever virus antibody testing, with detailed records kept on the capture locations. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) using 3059 serum samples collected from wild boars over the past six years. A previously developed single-round infectious particles (SRIPs) assay system was employed for the analysis. We also examined the geographic distribution of antibody-positive wild boars. The results showed that antibody positivity rates for both JEV and SFTSV increased annually from 2019 to 2024. Geographical analysis revealed that JEV antibody-positive wild boars were distributed throughout Toyama Prefecture, whereas SFTSV antibody-positive wild boars were concentrated mainly in the northwestern region and along the western prefectural border. These findings suggest that JEV continue to pose an infection risk across the entire prefecture, while SFTSV has been actively spreading in the northwestern area during 2023-2024, raising concern over an increasing risk of human infection.

The diversity of clinical presentations and outcomes of COVID-19 suggests the influence of host-intrinsic factors that modulate the infectious process. Therefore, a study was conducted with professionals from a hospital in the state of Sergipe, in the Northeast region of Brazil, aiming to identify in this population the effect of rs12329760 and rs2070788, SNPs of the TMPRSS2 enzyme that facilitates the infectious process. Recruitment of the 363 participants followed a non-probabilistic method using a QR code that led to the Informed Consent Form (ICF) and a clinical-epidemiological questionnaire based on self-reported information on the number of positive tests, the presence/absence of symptoms, and severity. Buccal epithelial cells were collected, DNA was extracted using a silica column, and SNP amplification was performed by qPCR. The data were processed using PSPP software, using chi-squared tests for associations in three statistical genetic models (additive, dominant, and recessive). The results showed that, in this population, rs12329760 did not influence any of the outcomes, while rs2070788 was significant in both the additive and recessive models. The action of the G allele is evident in the most severe cases, and it is associated with increased TMPRSS2 expression and potentially increased viral entry efficiency.