Search results for "VIROLOGY"
showing 10 items of 2354 documents
Comparison of CRISPR and Marker-Based Methods for the Engineering of Phage T7
2020
This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Viruses.
Improvement of In Vivo Expression of Genes Delivered by Self-Amplifying RNA Using Vaccinia Virus Immune Evasion Proteins.
2017
Among nucleic acid–based delivery platforms, self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vectors are of increasing interest for applications such as transient expression of recombinant proteins and vaccination. saRNA is safe and, due to its capability to amplify intracellularly, high protein levels can be produced from even minute amounts of transfected templates. However, it is an obstacle to full exploitation of this platform that saRNA induces a strong innate host immune response. In transfected cells, pattern recognition receptors sense double-stranded RNA intermediates and via activation of protein kinase R (PKR) and interferon signaling initiate host defense measures including a translational shutdow…
BNT162b2 Vaccine Encoding the SARS-CoV-2 P2 S Protects Transgenic hACE2 Mice against COVID-19.
2021
BNT162b2 is a highly efficacious mRNA vaccine approved to prevent COVID-19. This brief report describes the immunogenicity and anti-viral protective effect of BNT162b2 in hACE2 transgenic mice. Prime-boost immunization with BNT162b2 elicited high titers in neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, which correlated with viral clearance and alleviated lung lesions in these mice after viral challenge.
2018
In many viral infections, a large number of different genetic variants can coexist within a host, leading to more virulent infections that are better able to evolve antiviral resistance and adapt to new hosts. But how is this diversity maintained? Why do faster-growing variants not outcompete slower-growing variants, and erode this diversity? One hypothesis is if there are mutually beneficial interactions between variants, with host cells infected by multiple different viral genomes producing more, or more effective, virions. We modelled this hypothesis with both mathematical models and simulations, and found that moderate levels of beneficial coinfection can maintain high levels of coexist…
Generation of a novel next-generation sequencing-based method for the isolation of new human papillomavirus types
2018
Abstract With the advent of new molecular tools, the discovery of new papillomaviruses (PVs) has accelerated during the past decade, enabling the expansion of knowledge about the viral populations that inhabit the human body. Human PVs (HPVs) are etiologically linked to benign or malignant lesions of the skin and mucosa. The detection of HPV types can vary widely, depending mainly on the methodology and the quality of the biological sample. Next-generation sequencing is one of the most powerful tools, enabling the discovery of novel viruses in a wide range of biological material. Here, we report a novel protocol for the detection of known and unknown HPV types in human skin and oral gargle …
Viral resistance in HCV infection.
2018
The introduction of new multi-genotypic direct acting antivirals (DAA) in clinical practice has revolutionized HCV treatment, permitting the achievement of >95% rates of sustained virological response in many patients. However, virological failures can occur particularly if the treatments are sub optimal and/or with too short duration. Failure is often associated with development of resistance. The wide genetic variability in terms of different genotypes and subtypes, together with the natural presence and/or easy development of resistance during treatment, are intrinsic characteristics of HCV that may affect the treatment outcome and the chances of achieving a virological cure. This review…
Measles in Italy: Viral strains and crossing borders
2019
In 2017, Italy experienced one of the largest outbreaks of measles in recent years, with 5404 notified cases and 4347 confirmed cases. A further 2029 cases were notified during the first 6 months of 2018, and 1516 of them were laboratory-confirmed. The B3 and D8 genotypes were identified as those responsible for the outbreak. Possible transmission routes can be established by monitoring the circulating measles virus strains in support of the national health authorities to warn people and travellers. Keywords: Outbreak, Measles, Genotype identification, Surveillance
MPLA-coated hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) nanocapsules induce vigorous T cell responses in cord blood derived human T cells.
2016
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most prevalent serious liver infection in the world. A frequent route of infection represents mother-to-child transmission. Efficient control of HBV replication depends on antigen-specific cellular immune response mediated by dendritic cells (DCs). Aim of the present study was to evaluate optimized adjuvant combinations, efficiently maturing monocyte-derived neonatal and adult dendritic cells (moDCs). In addition, the potential of polymeric HBsAg-nanocapsules (HBsAg-NCs) was investigated regarding up-take by moDCs and the subsequent induction of specific T cell responses in a human co-culture model. Simultaneous stimulation of moDCs with MPLA…
First Report on the Latvian SARS-CoV-2 Isolate Genetic Diversity
2021
Remaining a major healthcare concern with nearly 29 million confirmed cases worldwide at the time of writing, novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused more than 920 thousand deaths since its outbreak in China, December 2019. First case of a person testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection within the territory of the Republic of Latvia was registered on 2nd of March 2020, 9 days prior to the pandemic declaration by WHO. Since then, more than 277,000 tests were carried out confirming a total of 1,464 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country as of 12th of September 2020. Rapidly reacting to the spread of the infection, an ongoing sequenci…
Genetic characterization of influenza viruses from influenza-related hospital admissions in the St. Petersburg and Valencia sites of the Global Influ…
2016
Abstract Background Continuous surveillance for genetic changes in circulating influenza viruses is needed to guide influenza prevention and control. Objectives To compare intra-seasonal influenza genetic diversity of hemagglutinin in influenza A strains isolated from influenza hospital admissions collected at two distinct sites during the same season. Study design Comparative phylogenetic analysis of full-length hemagglutinin genes from 77 isolated influenza A viruses from the St. Petersburg, Russian Federation and Valencia, Spain sites of the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) during the 2013/14 season. Results We found significant variability in A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm…