Advances in Virology最新文献

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that causes a potentially fatal respiratory disease known as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and is responsible for the ongoing pandemic with increasing mortality. Understanding the host-virus interaction involved in SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology will enhance our understanding of the mechanistic basis of COVID-19 infection. The characterization of post-transcriptional gene regulatory networks, particularly pre-mRNA splicing, and the identification and characterization of host proteins interacting with the 5' and 3'UTRs of SARS-CoV-2 will improve our understanding of post-transcriptional gene regulation during SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that either SARS-CoV-2 infection or exogenous overexpression of the 5' and 3'UTRs of the viral genomic RNAs, results in reduced mRNA levels possibly due to modulation of host cell pre-mRNA splicing. Further, we have investigated the potential RNA-binding proteins interacting with the 5' and 3'UTRs, using in-silico approaches. Our results suggest that 5' and 3'UTRs indeed interact with many RNA-binding proteins. Our results provide a primer for further investigations into the UTR-mediated regulation of splicing and related molecular mechanisms in host cells.

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), researchers all over the world have tried to find an appropriate therapeutic approach for the disease. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has been shown as a necessary receptor to cell fusion, which is involved in infection due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It is commonly crucial for all organs and systems. When ACE2 is downregulated via the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, it results in the angiotensin II (Ang II)/angiotensin type 1 receptor axis overactivation. Ang II has harmful effects, which can be evidenced by dysfunctions in many organs experienced by COVID-19 patients. ACE2 is the SARS-CoV-2 receptor and has an extensive distribution; thus, some COVID-19 cases experience several symptoms and complications. We suggest strategy for the potential protective effect of ACE2 to the viral infection. The current review will provide data to develop new approaches for preventing and controlling the COVID-19 outbreak.

The monkeypox virus was still spreading in May 2022, with the first case identified in a person with travel ties to Nigeria. Using molecular docking-based techniques, we evaluated the efficiency of different bioactive chemicals obtained from plants against the monkeypox virus. A total of 56 plant compounds were evaluated for antimonekypox capabilities, with the top four candidates having a higher binding affinity than the control. We targeted the monkeypox profilin-like protein, which plays a key role in viral replication and assembly. Among the metabolites, curcumin showed the strongest binding affinity with a value of -37.43 kcal/mol, followed by gedunin (-34.89 kcal/mol), piperine (-34.58 kcal/mol), and coumadin (-34.14 kcal/mol). Based on ADME and toxicity assessments, the top four substances had no negative impacts. Furthermore, four compounds demonstrated resistance to deformability, which was corroborated by normal mode analysis. According to the bioactivity prediction study, the top compound target class was an enzyme, membrane receptor, and oxidoreductase. Furthermore, the study discovered that wortmannin, a gedunin analogue, can behave as an orthopoxvirus. The study found that these bioactive natural drug candidates could potentially work as monkeypox virus inhibitors. We recommended further experimental validation to confirm the promising findings of the study.

Respiratory viruses are the most involved pathogens in acute respiratory infections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, new elements have been brought to this topic, especially at the diagnostic and therapeutic level. The objective of this work is to describe the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in patients admitted to the Ibn Sina University Hospital of Rabat during a period characterized by the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2. We conducted a retrospective study from January 1 to December 31. We included all patients treated for acute respiratory infection and for whom a multiplex respiratory panel PCR was requested. Virus detection was performed using a FilmArray RP 2.1 plus BioFire multiplex respiratory panel. The study population was relatively adults with a mean age of 39 years. The sex ratio M/F was 1.20. The survey revealed a high prevalence of 42.3% of patients hospitalized in the adult intensive care unit whose respiratory distress was the most common reason for hospitalization (58%). The positivity rate was 48.1%. This rate was higher in the pediatric population 83.13% compared to adults 29.7%. Monoinfection was found in 36.4% of cases, and codetection in 11.7% of cases. This survey revealed that a total of 322 viruses were detected, HRV being the most incriminated virus (48.7%), followed by RSV in 13.8% of patients. Considering the five most detected viruses in our study (HRV, RSV, PIV3, ADV, and hMPV), we found that the incidence was significantly higher in the pediatric population. SARS-CoV-2 was detected only in adult's population. In our study, we found that influenza A and B viruses, PIV2, MERS, and all bacteria were not detected by this kit during the study period. Regarding the seasonal distribution, RSV and hMPV showed a significantly high incidence during autumn and summer and SARS-CoV-2 and CoV OC43 showed a high peak during winter. In this study, we found a lack of detection of influenza virus and a shift in the usual winter peak of RSV to the summer, while the detection of ADV and HRV was less affected. This difference in detection could be due on the one hand to the difference in stability between enveloped and nonenveloped viruses and on the other hand to the escape of certain viruses to the different sanitary measures introduced after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. These same measures were effective against enveloped viruses such as RSV and influenza viruses. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has modified the epidemiology of other respiratory viruses, either directly by viral interference or indirectly by the preventive measures taken.

The rising cases of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer cases in Nigeria are alarming. Only a few studies have looked at secondary school students in Nigeria's understanding of HPV infection and vaccine acceptance, whereas earlier studies have mostly focused on screening. In this study, 400 students from two secondary schools in Kano State, Nigeria, were engaged with the aim of assessing their level of knowledge and attitudes regarding HPV infection. The study further seeks to understand the respondent's opinion on HPV vaccination and sensitize them to the health effects of HPV infection, thereby communicating the findings to the authorities concerned with policy making. The study revealed that only 128 (32%) and 142 (35.5%) respondents have knowledge about HPV and cervical cancer, respectively. Furthermore, none of the respondents were administered the HPV vaccine, with 81% of them not ready to take the vaccine. It was observed that the majority of the respondents (91%) believed that early hospital visits could help in mitigating HPV or cervical cancer cases. Following their sensitization, the respondents were observed to have different levels of satisfaction, ranging from very satisfied and satisfied to not satisfied. Effective awareness creation amongst students as well as parents is therefore essential in HPV vaccination projects, as well as in reducing the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria.