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Abstract Background Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a human polyomavirus that is unequivocally linked to merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), has been found in association with keratinocytes carcinomas (KC), especially basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Nevertheless, there is scarce information about the possible involvement of MCPyV in the development of KC. Objectives To assess the presence of MCPyV DNA and Large-T Antigen (LT-Ag) via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in cases of KC, and to correlate its presence with immunohistochemical markers p16, p53, and ki67, tumor type and subtype, sun-exposed location, and epidemiological data. Methods The prevalence of MCPyV DNA, LT-Ag, and immunohistochemical markers p16, p53, and ki67 was assessed by PCR and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 127 cases of KC, these results were correlated with tumor type and subtype, sun-exposed location, and epidemiological data. Results The MCPyV DNA was detected in 42.57% (43 of 101) cases by PCR, the LT-Ag was detected in 16.4% (20 of 122) of cases, p16 in 81.5% (97 of 119), p53 in 66.4% (83 of 125), ki67 in 89% (73 of 82). No correlation between MCPyV LT-Ag and DNA confronted with tumor type, subtype, location site, and immunohistochemical markers was found. A single correlation between the MCPyV LT-Ag and cSCC tumors and peri-tumoral lymphocyte cells was noted. Study limitations Further steps need to be taken to better evaluate the MCPyV influence and its possible role in KC carcinogenesis, as the evaluation of the virus genome state, the gene sequence that encodes LT-Ag in the KC tumor cells, and in situ hybridization for viral DNA or RNA in these cells. Conclusions Despite the frequent detection of MCPyV in KC, the data available so far does not support the hypothesis of a causal relationship between them.

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Objetivo: comparar o risco de infecção pelo vírus BK em pacientes transplantados renais tratados com dois diferentes esquemas terapêuticos. Além disso, avaliou-se a influência de fatores sociodemográficos no risco de infecção pelo vírus entre os dois grupos de tratamento. Métodos: realizou-se a pesquisa com dados coletados entre 2019 e 2023 a partir de prontuários eletrônicos, em um hospital universitário de Fortaleza. A análise estatística foi feita utilizando o software JAMOVI, sendo aplicados os testes qui-quadrado para avaliar a associação entre os fatores de risco e infecção por BKV e os testes ANOVA e teste t de Student para avaliar a associação entre os fatores de risco e o tempo médio de internação. Resultados: a avaliação estatística pelo teste T de Student não apresentou diferenças significativas no tempo de internação entre pacientes do sexo masculino e feminino (p>0,05), e o tempo de internação dos pacientes também não foi estatisticamente relacionado com o uso de corticosteroides na terapia imunossupressora (p>0,05), positividade para o BKV (p>0,05) e também não foi diferente com relação aos diversos esquemas de imunossupressão adotados (p>0,05). A análise estatística com o teste qui-quadrado não identificou uma associação significativa entre os imunossupressores utilizados e a infecção pelo o vírus BK pós-transplante. Conclusão: a prevalência da infecção pelo vírus está muito mais relacionada com a intensidade da imunossupressão do que a natureza dos imunossupressores utilizados, ressaltando a importância do monitoramento dos níveis séricos.

Objective: the main objective of this study was to compare the risk of BK virus infection in kidney transplant patients treated with two different therapeutic regimens. Furthermore, the influence of sociodemographic factors on the risk of virus infection between the two treatment groups was evaluated. Methods: we carried out research with data collected between 2019 and 2023 from electronic medical records in a university hospital in Fortaleza. Statistical analysis was performed using the JAMOVI software, using the chi-square test to evaluate the association between risk factors and BKV infection and the ANOVA and Student's T-test to evaluate the association between risk factors and BKV infection. average pace of internationalization. Results: statistical evaluation using the Student's T-test showed no significant differences in the length of stay between male and female patients (p>0.05), and the length of stay of patients was also not statistically related to the use of corticosteroids. In immunosuppressive therapy (p>0.05), positivity for BKV (p>0.05) and also not indifferent regarding the different immunosuppression regimens adopted (p>0.05). Statistical analysis with the chi-square test does not include a significant association between the immunosuppressants used and post-transplant BK virus infection. Conclusion: the prevalence of virus infection is much more related to the intensity of immunosuppression than the nature of the immunosuppressants used, highlighting the importance of monitoring serum levels.

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A 65-year-old male patient was admitted for recurrent lymph node enlargement for 5 years and elevated creatinine for 6 months. This patient was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma 5 years ago and underwent multiple lines of anti-tumor therapy, including cytotoxic chemotherapy; epigenetic modifying drugs such as chidamide and azacitidine; the immunomodulator lenalidomide; and targeted therapy such as rituximab, a CD20-targeting antibody, and brentuximab vedotin, which targets CD30. Although the tumor was considered stable, multiple virus activation (including BK virus, JC virus, and cytomegalovirus) accompanied by the corresponding organ damage (polyomavirus nephropathy, cytomegalovirus retinitis, and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy) occurred during anti-tumor treatment. Anti-tumor therapy was suspended and ganciclovir was used. The serum viral load decreased and organ functions were stabilized. The purpose of this report was to raise clinicians′ awareness of opportunistic virus reactivation during anti-tumor treatment.

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Abstract Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare skin cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation. The risk factors include sun exposure, advanced age, immunosuppression (such as transplant recipients, patients with lymphoproliferative neoplasms, or patients with HIV), and Merkel cell polyomavirus infection. Clinically, Merkel cell carcinoma appears as a cutaneous or subcutaneous plaque or nodule, but this tumor diagnosis is rarely made clinically. Therefore, histopathology and immunohistochemistry are usually necessary. Primary tumors without evidence of metastases are treated with complete surgical excision and appropriate surgical margins. The presence of occult metastasis in a lymph node is frequent and a sentinel lymph node biopsy should be performed. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy increases local tumor control. Recently, agents that block the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway have shown objective and durable tumor regression in patients with advanced solid malignancies. The first anti-PD-L1 antibody used in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma was avelumab, but pembrolizumab and nivolumab have also shown efficacy. This article describes the current state of knowledge of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and staging of Merkel cell carcinoma, as well as new strategies for its systemic treatment.

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Abstract Background: Human Polyomaviruses such as MCPyV and HPyV6 are frequently found as part of healthy skin microbiota and have been associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), pruritic and dyskeratotic dermatoses, respectively. Their presence in other types of skin conditions varies greatly depending on lesion type and population. Objectives: To analyse comparatively the presence of MCPyV and HPyV6 in nonmelanoma skin cancers and healthy skin. Methods: The authors utilized qPCR techniques to quantify these pathogens in NMSC, premalignant diseases, and healthy skin of 87 patients. Results: MCPyV was detected in over 40% of samples, while HPyV6 was in 9.6%. MCPyV load was higher in squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) compared to basal cell carcinomas (BCC) (p = 0.016) and HPyV6 showed a higher percentage of infected cells in areas of low solar exposure as well as normal skin (p = 0.012). A fair agreement (kappa = 0.301) was found between MCPyV detection in lesions and their respective perilesional skin, indicating a random process of local dissemination of the virus. Study limitations: The lack of a larger sampling of different lesion types and protein expression analyses limits the correlation findings. Conclusions: This is the first report of HPyV6 detection in the healthy skin of a Brazilian population, but the role of both polyomaviruses in NMSC has yet to be demonstrated.

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Objective:To isolate and culture WU polyomavirus (WUPyV), and to analyze the genome-wide evolutionary patterns, homology and population dynamics.Methods:Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the nasopharyngeal aspirate samples of hospitalized children with respiratory tract infection in Beijing Friendship Hospital during 2020 to 2022. Primary human airway epithelial cells cultured at the air-liquid interface were used to isolate and culture WUPyV. Whole genome sequence of the isolated strain was obtained by Sanger sequencing. For phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis, the whole genome was compared with the published whole genome sequences in GenBank database.Results:The detection rate of WUPyV was 4.7% (31/659) during 2020 to 2022, and a clinical strain BJ0593 of WUPyV type Ⅲc was successfully isolated. The homology of the whole genome and gene fragments of WUPyV was high. The average evolutionary rate of VP2 gene was about 1.256×10 -4 substitution/site every year, and the population dynamics of WUPyV tended to be flat in the last decade. Conclusions:This study successfully isolated a clinical WUPyV type Ⅲ strain for the first time, which provided the basis for further investigation on the molecular evolution and pathogenicity of WUPyV.

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Objective To analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of polyomavirus nephropathy (PyVN) after kidney transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 44 patients who were diagnosed with PyVN after kidney transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. The causes of puncture and the time of pathological diagnosis were analyzed. Histological grading was carried out according to Banff 2018 classification. Clinical data and pathological characteristics of patients at all grades were statistically compared. BK viral DNA loads in the blood and urine were measured and renal allograft function were assessed. Clinical prognosis of all patients was compared among different groups and the risk factors affecting clinical prognosis were also analyzed. Results The time interval between pathological diagnosis of PyVN and kidney transplantation was 16(8, 29) months, and the increase of serum creatinine level was the main cause for puncture. Among 44 patients, 19 cases were classified as grade ⅠPyVN, 21 cases of grade Ⅱ PyVN and 4 cases of grade Ⅲ PyVN, respectively. Under optical microscope, there was no significant difference in the positive rate of virus inclusion bodies among different groups (P=0.148). Inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial fibrosis and polyomavirus load in grade Ⅱ PyVN patients were all more or higher than those in grade Ⅰ counterparts. Inflammatory cell infiltration and polyomavirus load in grade Ⅲ patients were more or higher than those in grade Ⅰ counterparts. Polyomavirus load in grade Ⅲ patients was more or higher than that in grade Ⅱ counterparts. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05/3). Upon diagnosis, BK viral DNA load was detected in the blood and urine of 39 patients. Among them, 38 patients were positive for BK virus in the urine and 30 patients were positive for BK virus in the blood. The serum creatinine level upon diagnosis was higher compared with that at postoperative 1 month. The serum creatinine level at the final follow-up was significantly higher than that upon diagnosis. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.001, P=0.049). There was no significant difference in the serum creatinine level among patients with different grades of PyVN at postoperative 1 month (P=0.554). The serum creatinine level of patients with grade Ⅱ PyVN upon diagnosis was significantly higher than that of those with grade Ⅰ PyVN (P=0.007). The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates of renal allografts were 95%, 69% and 62%, respectively. The survival rates of renal allografts significantly differed among patients with different grades of PyVN. The higher the grade, the lower the survival rate (P=0.014). Univariate and multivariate Cox's regression analyses prompted that intrarenal polyomavirus load and serum creatinine level upon diagnosis were the independent risk factors for renal allograft dysfunction (all P < 0.05). Conclusions PyVN mainly occurs within 2 years after kidney transplantation. Clinical manifestations mainly consist of increased serum creatinine level, BK viremia and BK viruria. Postoperative routine monitoring of BK virus contributes to early diagnosis and protection of renal allografts. Banff 2018 classification may effectively predict the prognosis of renal allografts.

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Abstract Viruses have been frequently identified in several human neoplasms, but the etiological role of these viruses in some tumors is still a matter of controversy. Polyomaviruses stand out among the main viruses with oncogenic capacity, specifically the Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Recent revisions in the taxonomy of polyomaviruses have divided the Polyomaviridae family into six genera, including 117 species, with a total of 14 currently known human-infecting species. Although the oncogenicity of polyomaviruses has been widely reported in the literature since 1950, the first description of a polyomavirus as an etiological agent of a neoplasm in humans was made only in 2008 with the description of MCPyV, present in approximately 80% of cases of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), with the integration of its genome to that of the tumor cells and tumor-specific mutations, and it is considered the etiological agent of this neoplasm since then. MCPyV has also been detected in keratinocyte carcinomas, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in individuals with and without immunosuppression. Data on the occurrence of oncogenic viruses potentially involved in oncogenesis, which cause persistence and tissue injury, related to the Merkel cell polyomavirus are still scarce, and the hypothesis that the Merkel cell polyomavirus may play a relevant role in the genesis of other cutaneous carcinomas in addition to MCC remains debatable. Therefore, the present study proposes to explore the current knowledge about the presence of MCPyV in keratinocyte carcinomas.

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Abstract Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer that usually appears as a flesh-colored or bluish-red nodule on the face, head, or neck. MCC is primarily found in older adults. Case presentation: An 85-year-old white man visited the breast care service of the Servicio de Mastología del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology, or INOR by its acronym in Spanish) in Havana, Cuba, due to an increase in volume, color change, and a burning sensation in the right breast. The patient had suffered thermal trauma to the right hemithorax 18 years before the consultation, which was treated with a skin graft of the thigh. Imaging studies (ultrasound, mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography) showed a nodule with imaging features suggestive of malignancy. CCM diagnosis was confirmed by core needle biopsy, reporting positivity of CD-56, CK-7, and Ki-67 markers. Conclusions. Typically, MCC presents as a rapidly growing, firm skin nodule in sun-exposed areas, contrary to the present case, in which the lesion appeared on grafted skin on the right hemithorax. Recognizing imaging findings suggestive of this neoplasm is of great importance for its diagnosis in unusual areas of the body, such as the breast.

Resumen Introducción. El carcinoma de células de Merkel (CCM) es un cáncer neuroendocrino de la piel agresivo y muy poco frecuente que, por lo general, aparece como un nódulo de color carne o rojo azulado en la cara, cabeza o cuello. El CCM ocurre principalmente en adultos mayores. Presentación del caso. Hombre de 85 años, blanco, que asistió al Servicio de Mastología del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiobiología (INOR), en La Habana, Cuba, por aumento de volumen, cambio de color y temperatura en la mama derecha. El paciente había sufrido trauma térmico en el hemitórax derecho 18 años antes de la consulta, el cual fue tratado mediante injerto cutáneo del muslo. En los estudios de imagen (ultrasonido, mamografía, resonancia magnética y tomografía computarizada) se observó un nódulo con características imagenológicas sugestivas de malignidad. El diagnóstico de CCM se confirmó mediante biopsia por punción con aguja gruesa, donde se reportó positividad de marcadores CD-56, CK-7 y Ki-67. Conclusiones. Característicamente, el CCM se presenta como nódulos cutáneos firmes de rápido crecimiento en las áreas expuestas al sol, a diferencia del presente caso, en el que la lesión apareció en la piel injertada en el hemitórax derecho. Reconocer hallazgos imagenológicos sugestivos de esta neoplasia es de gran importancia para el diagnóstico en zonas inusuales del cuerpo como la mama.

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Abstract Introduction: Few studies have investigated pre-donation factors that could affect renal recovery after living kidney donation (LKD). We retrospectively investigated the role of John Cunningham virus (JCV) infection and other pre-donation factors on the magnitude of kidney function decline after LKD. Methods: Urine JCV viral loads, glomerular filtration rate, and blood pressure were evaluated in 60 consecutive LK donors before donation. Suboptimal compensatory hypertrophy was defined as an eGFR <60% of the pre-donation eGFR. Results: LKD (40% JCV infected) were followed for 3.2±1.6 years. No association was found between age, gender, and baseline hypertension with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years post-donation eGFR <60% of the pre-donation eGFR. Mean eGFR recovery at the 3rd year after donation was lower in JCV infected donors vs non-infected donors (61.8% vs 71.0%, p=0.006). Conclusion: We hypothesized that JCV could shift glomeruli into a hyperfiltration state before nephrectomy, modulating the magnitude of compensatory hypertrophy after donation. Conversely, JCV might curtail the ability of the remaining kidney to promote hyperfiltration. Longer follow up is needed to determine whether JCV viruria ultimately leads to lower eGFR over time or if it is a protective factor for the remaining kidney.

Resumo Introdução Poucos estudos investigaram fatores anteriores à doação que poderiam afetar a recuperação renal após doação renal de doador vivo (LKD, do inglês Living Kidney Donation). Investigamos retrospectivamente o papel da infecção pelo vírus John Cunningham (JCV) e outros fatores de risco pré-doação na magnitude do declínio da função renal após LKD. Métodos: Cargas virais de JCV na urina, taxa de filtração glomerular e pressão arterial foram avaliadas consecutivamente em 60 doadores renais vivos antes da doação. Hipertrofia compensatória subótima foi definida como uma TFGe <60% da TFGe pré-doação. Resultados: LKD (40% infectados pelo JCV) foram acompanhados por 3,2±1,6 anos. Não foi encontrada nenhuma associação entre idade, sexo e hipertensão basal com a TFGe pós-doação no 1º, 2º, 3º e 4º anos <60% da TFGe pré-doação. A recuperação média da TFGe no 3º ano após a doação foi menor em doadores infectados pelo JCV vs doadores não infectados (61,8% vs 71,0%, p=0,006). Conclusão: Levantamos a hipótese de que o JCV pode levar os glomérulos a um estado de hiperfiltração antes da nefrectomia, modulando a magnitude da hipertrofia compensatória após a doação. Por outro lado, o JCV pode limitar a capacidade do rim remanescente de promover a hiperfiltração. É necessário um acompanhamento mais longo para determinar se a virúria por JCV leva, em última instância, a uma menor TFGe ao longo do tempo ou se é um fator de proteção para o rim remanescente.

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Carcinoma de células de Merkel é um tumor neuroendócrino raro e agressivo de pele que usualmente apresenta-se como lesão única na região de cabeça ou pescoço. Relata-se um caso de topografia e apresentação atípicas, com presença de múltiplos e simultâneos tumores na perna esquerda de rápida evolução, associados à linfonodomegalia inguinal palpável, com diagnóstico confirmado por meio de histopatologia e imuno-histoquímica. Realizada exérese de linfonodo inguinal esquerdo e das lesões cutâneas com margem de segurança

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin tumor usually presenting as a single lesion in the head or neck region. We report a case of atypical topography and presentation, with multiple and simultaneous tumors on the left leg of rapid progression associated with palpable inguinal lymphadenopathy and diagnostic confirmation by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Exeresis of the left inguinal lymph node and skin lesions with a safety margin was performed

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Abstract BK virus nephropathy in kidney transplantation is widely recognized as an important cause of graft dysfunction and loss. In the case of transplants of organs other than kidney, BK virus nephropathy in native kidneys has been recognized as a cause of chronic kidney disease, which is related with immunosuppression; however, the diagnosis is usually late because the renal dysfunction is attributed to other causes, such as toxicity by anticalcineurinic drugs, interstitial nephritis due to medications, hemodynamic changes, diabetes, hypertension, etc. We report a case of BK virus nephropathy in a patient who underwent heart transplantation due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. The kidney biopsy reported active chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis associated with late stage polyomavirus nephritis and the blood viral load for BK virus was positive (logarithm 4.5). The immunosuppressive treatment was reduced, and after two years of follow-up, the patient had stable renal function with a serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL (GFR of 23.4 mL/min/1.73m2). We recommend that the BK virus be considered as a cause of renal dysfunction in heart transplant recipients, with the aim of detecting its replication in time to reduce immunosuppressive therapy before irreversible compromise of renal function may manifest.

Resumo A nefropatia pelo vírus BK no transplante renal é amplamente reconhecida como uma importante causa de disfunção e perda do enxerto. No caso de transplantes de órgãos que não sejam rins, a nefropatia pelo vírus BK em rins nativos tem sido reconhecida como uma causa de doença renal crônica, que está relacionada com imunossupressão; entretanto, o diagnóstico é geralmente tardio porque a disfunção renal é atribuída a outras causas, tais como toxicidade por drogas anticalcineurínicas, nefrite intersticial devido a medicamentos, alterações hemodinâmicas, diabetes, hipertensão, etc. Relatamos um caso de nefropatia pelo vírus BK em um paciente que foi submetido a transplante cardíaco devido à cardiomiopatia periparto. A biópsia renal relatou nefrite túbulo-intersticial crônica ativa associada à nefrite por poliomavírus em estágio avançado e a carga viral sanguínea para o vírus BK foi positiva (logaritmo 4,5). O tratamento imunossupressor foi reduzido, e após dois anos de acompanhamento, o paciente apresentava função renal estável com creatinina sérica de 2,5 mg/dL (TFG de 23,4 mL/min/1,73m2). Recomendamos que o vírus BK seja considerado como uma causa de disfunção renal em receptores de transplante cardíaco, com o objetivo de detectar sua replicação a tempo de reduzir a terapia imunossupressora antes que um comprometimento irreversível da função renal possa se manifestar.

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JC virus (JCV) is a member of polyomaviridae family that infects approximately 70% of the population worldwide. JCV constantly stays in a latent state after the primary infection. In immunosuppressed individuals, especially under the circumstances of low cellular immune function, JCV may be reactivated and lead to severe clinical manifestations. In recent years, the correlation between JCV and complications after renal transplantation has captivated widespread attention. JCV-associated nephropathy (JCVAN) has been reported. Here, latest research progresses on the epidemiology, molecular biology, in vivo infection process, JCV and complications after renal transplantation, and the relationship between JCV and BKV were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the adjustment of immunosuppressive regimen following renal transplantation.

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Aims@#Psittacine birds such as parrots, macaws, cockatoos, lovebirds and parakeets, are widely reared as household pets or at aviary due to their attractive features. However, the status of virus-causing diseases of psittacine species in Malaysia is fairly under-documented. Therefore, this study was aimed to detect the presence of three common avian viruses that infect psittacine birds, i.e. beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus and avian papillomavirus. @*Methodology and results@#Faecal samples from twelve asymptomatic captive psittacine birds of different species were collected from an undisclosed animal garden in Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. Briefly, the sample was homogenised and resuspended with SM buffer with the ratio 1:1 (weight of sample/g: volume of SM buffer/mL) before centrifugation at 1,000 × g for 20 min. The supernatant was collected and filtered before subjected to genomic DNA extraction using a commercialised kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to screen the V1, VP1 and L1 genes of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV), avian polyomavirus and avian papillomavirus, respectively. Findings revealed that the samples were negative for BFDV and avian polyomavirus. However, positive results of 1.5 kbp PCR amplicon were detected for avian papillomavirus in four out of the 12 samples (33.33%), which was from the white-crested cockatoo, African grey parrot, yellow-collared macaw and Senegal parrot. Sequence analysis of the L1 gene from the Senegal parrot Poicephalus senegalus revealed 93% identity to a reference Psittacus erithacus timneh avian papillomavirus.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This study added to the limited prevalence data of three important avian viruses which infect captive psittacines in Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia. Avian papillomavirus, but not BFDV and avian polyomavirus, was detected in the collected captive psittacine birds. Therefore, a routine screening can be performed to monitor the health status of birds despite their asymptomatic manifestation, in order to prevent possible virus transmission.

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Objective:To investigate the role of polyomavirus enhancer activator 3 (PEA3) in hyperoxia-induced injury of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (AEC Ⅱ) and the underlying mechanism.Methods:AEC Ⅱ cells were cultured in vitro and divided into hyperoxia group and normoxia group.After 24 h, 48 h and 72 h of hyperoxia or air treatment, cells were collected and the best treatment time was selected at 48 h. AEC Ⅱ cells were divided into 3 groups: control group, negative control group (transfected with negative control) and PEA3 over expression group (transfected with PEA3 overexpression plasmid). Each group was further divided into hyperoxia subgroup and normoxia subgroup.Cells were harvested at 48 h after hyperoxia or normoxia treatment.Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Nod-like receptor domain 3 (NLRP3), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, surfactant protein C (SP-C), aquaporins 5 (AQP5), PEA3 and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) levels were detected.Differences were compared by the t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Results:The interaction of grouping and treatment duration had significant effects on ROS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, SP-C and AQP5 levels in AEC Ⅱ cells ( F=19.857, 20.132, 23.133, 18.673, 28.341, 27.333 and 34.217, respectively, all P<0.05). At 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, ROS level in hyperoxia group was 1.78, 1.94 and 2.26 times higher than that in normoxia group ( t=18.649, 17.486 and 19.385, respectively all P<0.05). NLRP3 and MCP-1 levels were significantly upregulated in hyperoxia group.IL-1β level was 1.33, 1.69, and 1.65 times higher in hypoxia group at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h than that of normoxia group; IL-6 level was 1.26, 1.56 and 2.12 timers higher; IL-8 level was 1.13, 1.47 and 2.34 times higher; and IL-18 level was 1.46, 1.72 and 1.95 times higher, respectively (all P<0.05). The protein expression of SP-C was downregulated, while that of AQP5 was significantly upregulated in hypoxia group.The RNA expression of SP-C was 22%, 63% and 72% lower in hypoxia group than that in normoxia group at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h ( t=3.982, 16.328 and 20.259, P<0.05, respectively), and that of AQP5 was 1.92, 5.23 and 7.36 times higher ( t=14.631, 18.945 and 19.521, respectively, all P<0.05). There were significant differences in ROS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, SP-C and AQP5 levels at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h in hyperoxia group ( F=22.343, 20.566, 23.701, 19.222, 32.146, 40.278 and 37.107, respectively, all P<0.05). After 48 h of PEA3 overexpression, compared with the hyperoxic negative control group, ROS level in hyperoxic AEC Ⅱ cells overexpressing PEA3 decreased by 34% ( t=14.635, P<0.05). NLRP3 and MCP-1 were downregulated in hyperoxic AEC Ⅱ cells after overexpression of PEA3.IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-18 levels decreased by 29%, 22%, 27% and 18%, respectively ( t=15.895, 17.872, 18.749 and 15.274, all P=0.000). SP-C was upre-gulated and AQP5 was downregulated by overexpression of PEA3 in hyperoxic AEC Ⅱ cells.In addition, PEA3 and MnSOD levels were significantly enhanced. Conclusions:Overexpression of PEA3 can alleviate the increase of ROS level in AEC Ⅱ cells, block the activation of various inflammatory pathways and reduce the transformation from AEC Ⅱ to AEC Ⅰ cells via enhancing MnSOD level.

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BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN) is a common cause of allograft failure. However, differentiation between BKPyVAN and type I T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) is challenging when simian virus 40 (SV40) staining is negative, because of the similarities in histopathology. This study investigated whether donor-derived cell-free DNA (ddcfDNA) can be used to differentiate BKPyVAN. Target region capture sequencing was applied to detect the ddcfDNAs of 12 recipients with stable graft function, 22 with type I TCMR, 21 with proven BKPyVAN, and 5 with possible PyVAN. We found that urinary ddcfDNA levels were upregulated in recipients with graft injury, whereas plasma ddcfDNA levels were comparable for all groups. The median urinary concentrations and fractions of ddcfDNA in proven BKPyVAN recipients were significantly higher than those in type I TCMR recipients (10.4 vs. 6.1 ng/mL,

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Abstract INTRODUCTION: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by reactivation of JC virus (JCV). METHODS: We described the profile of laboratory-confirmed PML cases among AIDS patients. RESULTS: A total of 43 HIV patients with clinical conditions compatible with PML were obtained; 5 cases were confirmed by JCV testing. The main clinical finding was mental confusion. Median CD4 count was 54 cells/mm³. CONCLUSIONS: Three of the five confirmed PML cases died; the time between diagnosis and death was 2, 5, and 6 months. It is important to consider JCV infection as a differential diagnosis.

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@#Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the skin, with poor clinical outcomes. Typical conditions include a rapidly growing, solitary dome-shaped, violaceous nodule. Several root causes have been identified - sun exposure, age, lighter skin, immunocompromised state, and polyomavirus infection. Wide local excision is the best treatment. The tumour is radiotherapy-responsive. However, the success rate of the treatment with chemotherapy is rather limited. Immunotherapy has shown promising results. Early detection is important to prevent morbidity and mortality. Case Report: In this literature work, we reported on a particular case of MCC, as exhibited by an 84-year-old Chinese woman, and discussed the clinical features and management of MCC. Discussion: We highlighted that MCC cases have a link to the polyomavirus 5. Patients who were identified with the Polyomavirus 5, and underwent immunotherapy, were seen to depict much better prognosis.

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ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of human polyomavirus (BK and JC viruses) infection in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy blood donors. Methods: The study included 250 healthy blood donors. Five-milliliter blood was drawn into sterile EDTA tubes and PBMCs were isolated from whole blood. The isolated PBMCs were counted and stored at −70 °C for future investigation. DNA was extracted and subjected to simple, sensitive and specific semi-nested PCR as well as QPCR using both general and specific primers for different assays. Results: Of 250 blood samples, 66 (26.4%) were positive for BKV DNA (146-34,514 copies/106 cells). JC DNA was found in 45 (18%) blood samples (65-21,250 copies/106 cells). Co-infection with these viruses were found in 11 (4.4%) out of 250 blood samples. Discussion: Our study provides important data on polyomavirus infection in peripheral blood mononuclear leukocytes in immunocompetent individuals. These data indicate significant differences between the prevalence of BKV and JCV infection in healthy blood donors. The prevalence of BK and JC virus infection is higher in the age range 30-39 years compared to other age ranges.

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Objective: Polyomavirus infection is reported in a wide range of mammalian and avian hosts, including asymptomatic infection, acute systemic disease, and tumor induction.This study aims to obtain and characterize the complete genome of rodent polyomaviruses, PyVs-HMU. The host of virus was a Rattus norvegicus in the residential areas of Hainan Island, China. Methods: The liver samples of Rattus norvegicus were collected from the residential areas of Hainan Island, and then processed with a viral particle-protected, nucleic acid purification method. The extracted RNA and DNA were amplified by sequence-independent PCR. The amplified viral nucleic acid libraries for the samples of Rattus norvegicus were then sequenced using an Illumina GAII sequencer for a single read of 100 bp in length. The raw sequence reads were then filtered using previously described criteria to obtain valid sequences. Results: We obtained the complete genome of a novel polyomaviruses, PyVs-HMU. The genomic sequence of PyVs-HMU has been submitted in GenBank under accession number MK372231. The complete genome of PyVs-HMU is 5318 nucleotides (nt) in length with a G+C content of 45.36%. The complete PyV-HMU sequences display the representative genome organization of polyomaviruses. The genome contain antigens of spliced small T (STAg), middle T (MTAg) and large T(LTAg), and a noncoding control region (NCCR) separate the late region of structural VP1, VP2, and VP3 proteins. The STAg, LTAg, VP1, VP2, VP3 and MTAg encoded proteins of 194, 776, 384, 347, 228 and 414 amino acids (aa) respectively. Phylogenetic analyses depend on LTAg amino acid sequence revealed that the PyV-HMU to be a relative lineage beside a cluster comprising RnorPyV1(KR065723). Conclusions: The discovery of PyV-HMU expands the geographic range of polyomavirus and will provide further insights into the ecology and evolution of PyVs in rodents and humans. The identification of the novel rodent PyVs will provide basic data for the control of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases.