Encefalitis por Virus Herpes Simplex con PCR persistentemente positivo en líquido cefalorraquídeo. A propósito de un caso neonatal

RESUMEN Las infecciones por herpes virus en la etapa neonatal pueden causar una alta morbimortalidad. La persistencia del virus, a pesar del tratamiento de primera línea, puede llevar a consecuencias devastadoras para el paciente. Presentamos el caso de un paciente neonato con persistencia de Virus Herpes Simplex en LCR, en el cual fue necesario iniciar foscarnet para contener la infección.

ABSTRACT Herpes virus infections in the neonatal stage can cause high morbidity and mortality. The persistence of the virus, despite first-line treatment, can lead to devastating consequences for the patient. We present the case of a neonatal patient with persistence of Herpes Simplex Virus in the CSF, in whic foscarnet treatment was required to contain the infection.

Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in a young man recovering from traumatic pneumothorax

We describe a case of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in an HIV-negative 21-year-old man recovering from abdominal and thoracic trauma. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs collected at 12 time points over a 95-day span all tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Genotyping revealed canonical beta-variant E484K and N501Y mutations at earlier time points. Human rhinovirus, coronavirus NL63 and respiratory syncytial virus B were detected at different time points by RT-PCR. Full blood analysis at time point 9 (day 82) showed leukopenia with lymphocytosis. The patient's NP swab tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-PCR 101 days after the first positive test. The prolonged duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding in the context of trauma presented here is unique and has important implications for COVID-19 diagnosis, management and policy guidelines

Viral infections and implications for male reproductive health / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Viral infections have haunted humankind since times immemorial. Overpopulation, globalization, and extensive deforestation have created an ideal environment for a viral spread with unknown and multiple shedding routes. Many viruses can infect the male reproductive tract, with potential adverse consequences to male reproductive health, including infertility and cancer. Moreover, some genital tract viral infections can be sexually transmitted, potentially impacting the resulting offspring's health. We have summarized the evidence concerning the presence and adverse effects of the relevant viruses on the reproductive tract (mumps virus, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes virus, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C viruses, Ebola virus, Zika virus, influenza virus, and coronaviruses), their routes of infection, target organs and cells, prevalence and pattern of virus shedding in semen, as well as diagnosis/testing and treatment strategies. The pathophysiological understanding in the male genital tract is essential to assess its clinical impact on male reproductive health and guide future research.

PCR en tiempo real: una metodología útil para la detección y cuantificación de granulovirus / Real Time PCR: a useful methodology for detection and quantitation of granulovirus

El uso de baculovirus como agentes de control biológico de insectos plaga, se ha convertido en una estrategia efectiva que se ha implementado gradualmente en diferentes sistemas productivos a nivel mundial. Para el desarrollo de un bioplaguicida a base de baculovirus, es necesario contar con una metodología para determinar el título viral en el producto en proceso y terminado. Para tal fin, en este trabajo se diseñó y optimizó una técnica de cuantificación viral (Betabaculovirus) mediante PCR cuantitativo (q-PCR). Se utilizó una sonda TaqMan diseñada sobre el gen de granulina, altamente conservado. Para la técnica de q-PCR se determinó la especificidad, sensibilidad y reproducibilidad, encontrando que puede detectar y cuantificar aislamientos del género Betabaculovirus provenientes de cinco especies diferentes de insectos (granulovirus de Tecia solanivora, Phthorimaea operculella,Erinnyis ello, Tuta absoluta y Spodoptera frugiperda) incluso de diferente origen geográfico, pero no detecta aislamientos del género Alphabaculovirus (nucleopoliedrovirus de Spodoptera ornithogalli, Diatraea saccharalis o S. frugiperda). El límite mínimo de detección de la técnica fue de 6,4 x 10-4 ng de ADN, lo que equivale a 1,25 x 10(5) copias del gen. Así mismo, la variación intra e inter ensayos fue mínima, demostrando la reproducibilidad de la misma. La aplicabilidad de la técnica fue evaluada para la detección de granulovirus en muestras de larva, suelo, y para determinar la concentración viral en un bioplaguicida formulado como concentrado emulsionable. En conclusión, la técnica de q-PCR desarrollada fue reproducible, sensible y específica, con aplicabilidad en estudios de persistencia viral en campo, control de infecciones en crías de insectos y control de calidad de bioplaguicidas a base de betabaculovirus.

The use of baculovirus as a biocontrol agent is an effective strategy, which has been gradually implemented in different production systems worldwide. For the development of a biopesticide based on baculovirus, it is necessary to have a methodology to determine the viral concentration in the process and in the finished product. In this study, a technique for viral quantification by quantitative PCR (q-PCR) was designed and optimized; therefore we used a TaqMan probe designed on granulin gene which is highly conserved. The specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility of the technique were determined. The q-PCR was able to detect and quantify isolates from the genus Betabaculovirus from five different insects species (granulovirus from Tecia solanivora, Phthorimaea operculella, Erinnys ello, Tuta absoluta and Spodoptera frugiperda) even from different geographic origins, while other isolates of baculovirus as from the genus Alphabaculovirus (nucleopolyhedrovirus from Spodoptera ornithogalli, Diatraea saccharallis or S. frugiperda) were not detected. The minimum detection limit of the technique was 6.4 x 10-4 ng /µl of DNA, equivalent to 1.25 x 10³ gene copies. Additionally, intra- and inter-assays variation was minimal, demonstrating the reproducibility of technique. The applicability of the technique was evaluated for detecting granulovirus from samples of larva and soil, and to determine the virus concentration in the biopesticide formulated as emulsifiable concentrate. In conclusion, quantitative PCR was a technique reproducible, sensitive and specific to allow viral persistence studies in field, viral infection control in rearing and quality control of a biopesticide based on betabaculovirus.

A infecção das células progenitoras hematopoiéticas pelo HIV e a relação com a persistência viral e anormalidades hematológicas / Infection of hematopoietic progenitor cells by HIV and the relation with viral persistence and hematological abnormalities

O vírus da imunodeficiência humana causa infecção persistente apesar da terapia com antirretrovirais. Isso leva a crer que existem outros reservatórios virais além dos já conhecidos. Estudos recentes mostram que o vírus pode invadir as células progenitoras hematopoiéticas, causar infecção ativa assim como latente e morte celular. Essas célulasinfectadas latentemente podem persistir por vários anos e contribuir para a viremia residual e a persistência viral. A morte celular causada pela invasão e replicação do vírus pode estar associada a anormalidades hematopoiéticas. Palavras-chave. Células progenitoras hematopoiéticas; vírus da imunodeficiência adquirida; reservatórios virais

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes persistent infection despite antiretroviral therapy. This suggests the existence of other viral reservoirs beyond those already known. Recent studies show that HIV can invade hematopoietic progenitor cells, generating active infection as well as latent infection and cell death. The latently infected HPCs may persist for several years and contribute to residual viremia and viral persistence. Cell death caused by the invasion and replication of the virus may be associated with hematopoietic abnormalities.

Prevalence of the TT virus viremia in Patients on Hemodialysis and General Populations / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: The TT virus (TTV) is a recently discovered, single-stranded circular DNA virus in the serum of the patients with post-transfusion hepatitis and it is thought to be one of the causative agents of cryptogenic hepatitis. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence and clinical significance of TTV viremia in general populations and patients on hemodialysis. METHODS: Sera of 115 general populations and 69 patients on hemodialysis were examined for TTV viremia by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction using primers deduced from the N22 region. RESULTS: The TTV was detected in 26.1% (18 of 69) of the patients on hemodialysis and was not different from the 20.9% (24 of 115) prevalence in general populations. Two patients on hemodialysis that revealed biochemical evidence of acute hepatitis were the sole TTV infection without other hepatitis virus infection but the mean alanine aminotransferase level was not significantly different according to the TTV viremia. The TTV was persistently detected in the sera of eight of thirteen patients (61.5%) 12 month later without any evidence of hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: TTV is widespread in general populations and shows similar prevalence in patients on hemodialysis. Viral persistence and nonparenteral transmission may be possible. The relationship between the TTV viremia and hepatitis was not proved.