Oesophageal and oral ulcer tuberculous associated with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and SARS-CoV-2 infection

Oesophageal involvement due to tuberculosis (TB) and coinfection with HTLV-1 is rare and can be complicated by the presence of other infections that affect the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, such as COVID-19. We present the case of a 27-year-old male patient, with 3 months of illness, weight loss, dysphagia, and ulcers in the oral cavity. Tomography showed oesophageal perforation and after oesophageal ulcer biopsy, TB was diagnosed, in addition to infection by HTLV-1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). The patient responded satisfactorily to antituberculous treatment and corticosteroids. Considering the association between rare extrapulmonary tuberculosis and other immunosuppressive pathologies, it is crucial to identify these pathologies in such patients.

2022 IDSOG Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 4-6 August 2022

This journal issue includes s of papers presented at the conference. Topics discusses are: stillbirth during a pandemic;analysis of the female genital tract (FGT) metabolome;effectiveness of REGEN-COV antibody combination to reduce risk of hospitalization;patterns of nucleic acid amplification testing;delta variant neutralizing antibody response following maternal COVID19 vaccination;integrated prenatal and hepatitis c virus care increases linkage;extended interval gentamicin dosing in obstetrics;maternal and infant cytomegalovirus detection among women living with HIV.

Special Issue. (Special Issue.)

This special issue contains 13 articles that discuss public health articles such as public perception, knowledge and factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability, determinants of enrolment in health insurance scheme among HIV patients, hypertension and associated factors among patients attending HIV clinic, determinants of visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure variability among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes mellitus, short-term outcomes among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, association of erectile dysfunction with coronary artery disease, psychological correlates of COVID safety protocol adherence, ophthalmic services utilisation and associated factors, safe duration of silicon catheter replacement in urological patients, and leadership in health and medical education.

19th Seminar on Tropical Pathology and Public Health 12th Biotechnology Week 1st Physical Therapy Week, Virtual, 23-25 November 2022

These proceedings comprise 85 articles spanning diverse fields such as bacteriology, molecular biology, biotechnology, dermatology, infectious and parasitic diseases, epidemiology, physiotherapy, immunology, mycology, parasitology, pathology, collective health, and virology. The articles delve into a wide range of research topics, from repurposing drugs for Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections to utilising artificial intelligence for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. In bacteriology, investigations explore the correlation between smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection in gastric adenocarcinoma patients, as well as the resistance profiles of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in tracheostomised children. Molecular biology studies focus on gene polymorphisms related to diseases like paracoccidioidomycosis. Biotechnology research emphasises bioactive molecules in species like Croton urucurana and the development of computational models for cytotoxicity prediction. Dermatology articles address stability characterisation in vegetable oil-based nanoemulsions. The section on infectious and parasitic diseases encompasses studies on COVID-19 vaccine response in pregnant women and the impact of infection prevention measures in rehabilitation hospitals. Epidemiology investigations analyse trends in premature mortality, tuberculosis in diabetic patients, and public adherence to non-pharmacological COVID-19 measures. Physiotherapy research covers topics such as telerehabilitation through a developed game and the prevalence of congenital anomalies. Immunology studies explore immune responses in HIV and Leishmaniasis, whilst mycology investigates the biotechnological potential of fungi from the cerrado biome. Parasitology research evaluates treatment efficacy against vectors parasites such as Aedes aegypti and Toxoplasma gondii. Pathology articles discuss intentional intoxication in cattle and the influence of curcumin on acute kidney injury therapy. Collective health studies focus on intervention plan development in healthcare settings and pesticide use in horticulture. Lastly, virology research investigates parvovirus occurrence in hospitalised children during the COVID-19 pandemic, hidden hepatitis B virus infection in inmates, and the prevalence of HPV and HTLV-1/2 infections in specific populations.

[Antiviral and virucidal activity of sodium deoxyribonucleate and its complex with iron against viruses of different kingdoms and families].

INTRODUCTION: The urgent problem of modern medicine is the fight against acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI). To combat ARVI, drugs of wide antiviral potency are needed, as well as immunomodulating drugs. Such antiviral and immunomodulatory effects has sodium deoxyribonucleate (DNA-Na) and its complex with iron (DNA-Na-Fe) developed on the basis of double-stranded DNA of natural origin. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess antiviral and virucidal activity of DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe against viruses of different kingdoms and families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antiviral and virucidal activity of DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe was assessed in cell cultures infected with viruses. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe had antiviral activity against adenovirus at concentrations of 2501000 mcg/ml. Antiviral effect of both drugs was not detected in case of poliovirus. DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe had antiviral activity against coronavirus in all administration schemes. EC50 for DNA-Na ~ 2500 mcg/ml, for DNA-Na-Fe ~ 1000 mcg/ml. In cells treated with DNA-Na-Fe, secretion of following proinflammatory cytokines was detected: Interleukin (IL) 1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-18, interferon- (IFN-), IFN-, as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines: IL-4, IL-10, antagonist of IL-1 receptor. Evidently, DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe have antiviral effect, but mechanism of action does not seem to be associated with specific effect on viral replication. Presence of virucidal activity of drugs against representatives of Coronaviridae, Adenoviridae, Picornaviridae, Retroviridae, Herpesviridae in vitro test in range of 1.03.0 lg TCID50 was identified. CONCLUSION: Presence of simultaneous antiviral and virucidal activity of DNA-Na and DNA-Na-Fe against adeno- and coronaviruses shows their prospects for prevention and treatment of ARVI.

Special Issue: Understanding the impact of aging on the susceptibility and response to COVID-19 infection. (Special Issue: Understanding the impact of aging on the susceptibility and response to COVID-19 infection.)

This journal issue includes 15 articles that discuss continent-wide evolutionary trends of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants;use of convalescent plasma therapy in hospitalised adult patients with non-critical COVID-19;evidence for preserved insulin responsiveness in the aging rat brain;SARS-CoV-2 infection in HIV-infected patients;different patterns of excess all-cause mortality by age and sex in Hungary during the 2nd and 3rd waves of the COVID-19 pandemic;mutational landscape of the newly emerging Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant and comparison of mutations with VOCs and VOIs.

Current epidemiological situation of TB in the world, Ukraine and the Czech Republic

In 2021, 6.5 million cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported globally;however, the WHO estimates that 10.6 million people (134/ 100,000) developed the condition. As many as 1.6 million people (20/100,000) died of TB. The increase in TB mortality to the 2017 level may be explained by worse access to the diagnosis and treatment of TB due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Europe, TB primarily affects vulnerable populations such as migrants, homeless people, prisoners or HIV-positive persons. The WHO estimates the incidence of TB in Ukraine to be 71/ 100,000. Approximately a third of cases are multidrug-resistant and one in five patients is HIV-positive. The Czech Republic is among countries With the lowest TB rates globally. In 2021, 357 cases (34/100,000) were reported to the national TB registry. Data for 2022 are not available as yet but the total number of TB cases is expected to rise in the Czech Republic, resulting from more reported cases of TB in Ukrainians due to the war in Ukraine. Fortunately, TB rates in Ukrainian refugees are considerably lower than those estimated When the war started.

Anti-viral compounds from Jatropha curcas seed extract with anti-HIV-1 and anti-SARS-CoV-2 action

Many studies have dealt with the medicinal properties of Jatropha curcas;however, there are limited studies on the scope of its antiviral potential. This is a fact associated with the current challenges posed by HIV-AIDS and COVID-19, which has reinforced the need to expand the knowledge about its antiviral resource. Based on the search for natural products with anti-HIV-1 and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activities, this work analyzed the extract of J. curcas seed, the structure of the plant whose antiviral references were not found in the literature, and the compounds that can potentiate it as a candidate for herbal medicine. GC-MS analysis was used to screen for the active substances of the J. curcas seeds, and the literature was searched to find those with anti-HIV-1 and anti-SARS-CoV-2 indication. The results showed they have 27 compounds, of which glycerol 1-palmitate, stigmasterol and gamma-sitosterol were shown to have antiviral action in the literature. Regarding glycerol 1-palmitate, no detailed description of its antiviral action was found. Stigmasterol and gamma-sitosterol act as anti-HIV-1 and anti-SARS-CoV-2, respectively, inhibiting the reverse transcriptase of HIV-1, the proteases 3CLpro, PLpro and the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2. However, despite the fact that the extract of J. curcas seeds consist of antiviral compounds that fight against the etiological agents of HIV-AIDS and COVID-19, it is concluded that there is a need to deepen this evidence, by in vitro and in vivo assays.

Isolation, identification, and S1 gene sequencing of two strains of Avian Infectious bronchitis virus

Objective: Epidemiology and genetic variations of the infectious bronchitis virus(IBV) in Fujian province were studied. Method: Two strains of virus isolated from the diseased chickens in Fujian in 2021 were identified by chicken embryo pathogenicity test, electron microscope observation, and RT-PCR. S1 genes of the isolates were cloned, sequenced, and analyzed using biological software. Result: The two IBV strains were code named FJ-NP01 and FJ-FZ01. The full length of S1 of FJ-NP01 was 1 629 nt encoding 543 amino acids, and that of FJ-FZ01, 1 620 nt encoding 540 amino acids. The S1 gene cleavage site of FJ-FZ01 was HRRRR, same as all reference strains of genotype I branch;while that of FJ-NP01 HRRKR differed from the reported site of IBV isolated from genotype IV but same as that of TC07-2 reference strain of genotype VI. The homology of nucleotide and amino acid between the two isolates was 83.2% and 79.6%, respectively, but merely 75.7%-76.3%and 77.1%-83.5% with the Mass-type conventional vaccines H120 and H52, respectively. Further analysis showed that FJ-NP01was from a recombination event between CK CH GD LZ12-4 and L-1148, the homology of nucleotide acid between 1438-1506 nt of FJ-NP01 with CK CH GD LZ12-4 was 97%, and 95.9% between the other nucleotide acid of S1 gene with L-1148. Conclusion: It appeared that the IBV epidemic experienced in the province was complex in nature and that the existing Mass vaccines would not provide sufficient immune protection to deter the spread.

Modern aspects of COVID-19 in HIV-positive patients (literature review)

The article is devoted to the global problems of modern medicine - HIV infection and the COVID-19 pandemic. The review of the literature highlights current ideas about the pathogenesis and course of COVID-19 in patients with HIV infection, and also touches upon the problems of concomitant pathology and mental health of patients with HIV in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been shown that HIV-positive patients are a risk group for the severe course of COVID-19, in particular, individuals with severe immunodeficiency (CD4+ T lymphocytes 200 cells/l) due to the development of synergetic lung damage by SARS-CoV-2 and secondary infectious agents such as cytomegalovirus and Pneumocystis carinii. It has been proven that one of the targets of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is CD4+ T cells, which in COVID-19 leads to a more rapid progression of immunodeficiency in patients with HIV infection and, thus, significantly increases the risk of secondary diseases and death. Particular attention should be paid to middle-aged and elderly people living with HIV, who, compared with HIV-negative patients, are more likely to have concomitant pathology - arterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus, which are the risk factors for severe COVID-19. The results of studies on the effect of antiretroviral drugs on the course of COVID-19 showed that HIV-infected patients receiving tenofovir + emtricitabine have a lower risk of severe COVID-19 and associated hospitalization than patients receiving other HIV treatment regimens. Clinical and preclinical data support the potential use of tenofovir in the treatment of novel coronavirus infection.

History repeats itself: an ethic for two pandemics

The emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the 1980s brought ethical conflicts that meant a bioethics challenge. Among others, issues of confidentiality, stigmatization, justice, duty of care and investigation arose. Bioethical reflection had been focused on conflicts involving respect for individual autonomy, nevertheless HIV highlighted the needs of the community. Almost four decades later, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the ethical conflicts typical of public health back to the bioethical scene. Quarantines, various restrictions on mobility, the obligation of masks, poorly protected health care, rationing of scarce resources, rushed research, the vaccines allocation, stigmatization and discrimination, the immune passport, or the moralization of infectious disease have highlighted the need for an ethical framework that helps to reflect and justify public health decisions. In this article we review and analyze the ethical conflicts that arose with HIV and how they have reappeared and been reinterpreted with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mortality risk in COVID-19 patients with HIV-comorbidity: meta-analysis

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 or known as COVID-19 is a disease caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Comorbidities that are risk factors for COVID-19 death include hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), kidney failure, and cancer. This study aims to estimate the magnitude of the risk of death in COVID-19 patients with comorbid HIV, with a meta-analysis of the primary studies conducted by the previous authors. Subjects and Method: This study is a systematic review and meta-analysis with the following PICO, population: COVID-19 patients. Intervention: HIV comorbidity. Comparison: without co-morbid HIV. Outcome: Mortality. The articles used in this study were obtained from four databases, namely PubMed, Google Scholar, Springerlink, and Science direct, using the search keys "HIV/AIDS" AND "Mortality" OR "death" AND "COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2. The included article is a full-text English language with a cohort study design from 2020 to 2021 and reports the adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) in a multivariate analysis. Article selection is done by using PRISMA flow diagram. Articles were analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: A total of 9 cohort studies involving 3,397,186 COVID-19 patients from America, Europe, and Africa were selected for a systematic review and meta-analysis. The data collected showed that COVID-19 patients with HIV comorbidities had a mortality risk of 3.30 times compared to COVID-19 patients without HIV comorbidities (aOR = 3.30;95% CI = 2.87 to 3.81;p<0.001). Conclusion: HIV increases mortality risk in COVID-19 patients.

Awareness towards COVID-19 prevention and factors related to the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine among people living with HIV/AIDS

Objective: To understand the awareness level towards coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) prevention and the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine among people living with HIV/AIDS, and to discuss the related factors. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among people living with HIV/AIDS who visited the HIV clinic in the PLA General Hospital from June to December 2021.A general descriptive analysis, univariate and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze data. Results: A total of 169 questionnaires were analyzed. Among them, 93.5%(158/169) would like to know more about COVID-19 related knowledge, 88.2%(149/169) were reminded to inject vaccine, 98.8%(167/169) would be far away from medium and high risk areas, 97.0%(164/169) would persuade others to follow the disease preventive requirements, 14.2%(24/169) thought that the propaganda was exaggerated, 30.8%(52/169) were worried about the safety of the vaccine, 80.5%(136/169) thought that they would feel relieved after the vaccination, and 98.2%(166/169) agreed that vaccination was the most effective way to fight against COVID-19. However, only 60.4%(102/169) were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccine. The major factors affecting vaccination intention were age and feeling safe after vaccination. Conclusions: People living with HIV/AIDS are more cautious about COVID-19 vaccination, therefore the coverage rate is relatively low.It is necessary for health providers to understand the specific situation of people living with HIV, and to enhance the heath education on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine especially among people with HIV/AIDS in order to improve the willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Impact of an automated reminder for HIV testing in general practice patient monitoring software during the COVID-19 pandemic

In 2017, the French National Health Authority (HAS) reassessed its human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening strategy and in 2018, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) set the goal of screening 95% of people living with HIV by 2030. The HAS recommends an approach based on target population and gives the general practitioner (GP) a key role in its implementation. It is therefore important to facilitate HIV testing by GPs and to reduce missed opportunities. To this end, a pilot study was conducted on a panel of 2,000 GPs over a 10-month period in 2020 in order to evaluate the impact of a pop-up displayed within prescription assistance software reminding about the frequency of targeted screening recommended by the HAS. The pop-up was displayed for patients with a history of sexually transmitted infection and/or hepatitis C and/or tuberculosis in the previous 12 months and without a known HIV serology or diagnosis. The impact was measured by comparing the prospective follow-up of consultations made during the "pilot" in 2020 with the retrospective follow-up of consultations made during the "pre-pilot" period in 2019. The results showed a significant increase in HIV serology prescriptions during the pilot study, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficulties in objectively identifying target patient profiles and in organizing regular follow-ups to HIV testing were also revealed. This pop-up tool represents an additional means of facilitating the prescription of HIV testing by GPs.

Estimating spatially disaggregated probability of severe COVID-19 and the impact of hand washing interventions: the case of Zimbabwe

The severity of COVID-19 disease varies substantially between individuals, with some infections being asymptomatic while others are fatal. Several risk factors have been identified that affect the progression of SARS-CoV-2 to severe COVID-19. They include age, smoking and presence of underlying comorbidities such as respiratory illness, HIV, anemia and obesity. Given that respiratory illness is one such comorbidity and is affected by hand hygiene, it is plausible that improving access to hand washing could lower the risk of severe COVID-19 among a population. In this paper, we estimate the potential impact of improved access to hand washing on the risk of respiratory illness and its knock-on impact on the risk of developing severe COVID-19 disease across Zimbabwe. We use a geospatial model that allows us to estimate differential clinical risk at the district level. Results show that the current risk of severe disease is heterogeneous across the country, due to differences in individual characteristics and household conditions. This study demonstrates how household level improved access to handwashing could lead to reductions in the risk of severe COVID-19 of up to 16% from the estimated current levels across all districts. Taken alongside the likely impact on transmission of SARS-CoV-2 itself, as well as countless other pathogens, this result adds further support for the expansion of access to hand washing across the country. It also highlights the spatial differences in risk of severe COVID-19, and thus the opportunity for better planning to focus limited resources in high risk areas in order to potentially reduce the number of severe cases.

Hypothesis of a potential antiviral drug

The approval of mRNA vaccine technique against COVID-19 opens a door to research and the creation of new drugs against different infectious pathologies or even cancer, since for several diseases the therapeutic options are limited, and different viral diseases are treated only symptomatically. For these reasons, this study proposed a hypothesis supported by biological studies, that it provides a theoretical basis for the possible development of a drug that used the mRNA technique and the ribonucleolytic action of a ribonuclease for a possible antiviral therapy, and analyzed a future perspective of this technique in order to provide a bibliographic basis on this hypothesis and motivate researchers to carry out biological studies on this topic.Copyright © 2022, Health Biotechnology and Biopharma. All rights reserved.

Prospect of Vaccinia virus vector vaccine for wildlife

Against a pandemic of emerged infectious disease, COVID-19, new generation vaccines based on nucleic acids or recombinant viruses, which had not been used as vaccines in humans, have been inoculated and shown to be successful. They are, however, heat-labile and need a cold-chain including deep-freezers for storage and transportation. Vaccinia virus (VAC) vector vaccine (VACV) is a pioneer of new generation of vaccines constructed by using molecular biological technology. VACV, which has contributed to eradication of smallpox, has excellent characteristics of vaccinia virus such as a high heat-stability and long-lasting immunological effects. It is possible to distinguish the immunological responses of vaccination from those of natural infections. We started our developmental researches 35 years ago, using attenuated VAC strains established in Japan. In this article, we first describe the early researches of VACVs;development of two VACVs for Bovine leukemia virus and Rinderpest morbillivirus antigens and their protective immunity in large mammals, sheep and cows. Second, application of VACV is described;Rabies-VACV, which has already been licensed, used in the field in Europe and USA, and resulted in a prominent decrease of rabies. Then, current status of VACV research is described;non-replicating VACVs in mammalian cells have been developed as new-generation and ultimately-safe vaccines. We discuss the possibility of future application of VACV for wildlife.

Exacerbation of psoriasis vulgaris induced by vaccine COVID-19 in HIV patient: a case report

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic and inflammatory skin disease. Many triggering factors can cause exacerbation of psoriasis, such as infection, trauma, and drugs. Several vaccines are known to cause new lesions or exacerbation of psoriasis, including Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), influenza, tetanus-diphtheria, and pneumococcal polysaccharide. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 vaccine is known to cause the appearance of new lesions or exacerbation of psoriasis. Case presentation: A woman, 31 years old, came to the clinic with itchy reddish patches with white scales on her face, chest, stomach, back, arms, and both legs, and increased since 2 weeks ago. Previously, the patient got the first COVID-19 vaccine (Sinovac), and three days later, red patches appeared with white scales on the chest, stomach, and back. The patient had been diagnosed with psoriasis 3 years ago. Dermatology examination showed reddish patches with white scales on the face, chest, stomach, back, arms, and both legs. Auspitz sign and Kaarvetsvlek phenomen were positive. PASI score was 9,2. Dermoscopy examination showed red dot distribution on light pink background and white scales. She was treated with desoximetasone cream 0,05% twice a day and cetirizine tablet 10 mg once a day. After 2 months of therapy, reddish patches were decreased, and the PASI score was 6,9. Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine can cause exacerbations in psoriasis patients, but this vaccine can still be given to psoriasis patients. It is based on the documented efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in the prevention of severe COVID-19 infection and fatality. Psoriasis patients should be consulted before getting vaccinated for COVID-19, and prompt clinical visits should be available if exacerbation develops.

Possession of exotic animals and zoonotic diseases: an approach from the Mexican context

The possession of exotic animals as pets is a social practice that has become more visible in Mexico in recent years, so it is interesting to understand its environmental and social implications and those related to human health. The present study aims to identify the main species of exotic animals kept as pets and the zoonotic diseases reported in these species. We analyzed official figures of seizures of exotic fauna in Mexico and reviewed specialized literature on zoonotic diseases documented in Mexico in these species. We identified zoonoses in species of fauna that can be acquired legally and illegally in the country, reported in environments in which animals coexist with other species and are in direct contact with people, which represents an important factor in the spread and propensity of this type of disease. We conclude that the sanitary regulation of wildlife markets, the monitoring and studying microorganisms associated with wildlife are valuable strategies to prevent the emergence of zoonoses.

Enhancing vaccination of key populations: lessons and actions

Vaccination is effective in preventing the increase of disease, especially emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), and it is particularly important for people in close contact with infected sources and susceptible populations who are at increased risk of getting infectious diseases due to behavior, occupation or health. Despite targeted vaccination guidelines, inadequate vaccination of the key populations fails to receive widespread attention, resulting in a high-risk transition of disease from key populations to general populations. Strengthening the vaccination of the susceptible groups can effectively block the spread of pathogens to general populations, and reduce the consumption of medical resources in universal vaccination, which has significant economic value. In this review, we describe the prevalence of EIDs, analyze the experience and lessons of infectious disease vaccination in key populations through several cases, and further explore the causes for the decline in vaccination rates of key populations. According to the trends of EIDs, a plan to strengthen the vaccination of key populations is proposed to effectively prevent the transition of EIDs from key populations to general populations.