ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), a newly described oncogenic virus, has been found in association with tumours other than Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). As yet, little is known about the involvement or influence of MCPyV on the development of these tumours and its prevalence in various populations. AIM: To assess the prevalence of MCPyV DNA in cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). METHODS: The prevalence of MCPyV DNA was assessed in 96 cases of NMSC in a Brazilian population comprising 76 subjects, and these results were correlated with epidemiological and demographical data. RESULTS: MCPyV DNA was detected in 23 of 69 (33.3%) basal cell carcinomas, in 2 of 11 (18%) squamous cell carcinomas, 2 of 4 Bowen disease case, 0 of 1 MCC and 4 of 11 other skin disorders. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent detection of MCPyV DNA in NMSC, its possible role in the development of NMSC still needs further investigation.
ABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an emergent arbovirus that has attracted attention in the last year as a possible causative agent of congenital malformation; it shows a remarkably increased microcephaly risk during otherwise healthy pregnancies. We present here an analysis of all ZIKV sequences available in Genbank up to April 2016, studying the mutations in the whole polyprotein and their possible structural implications for the proteins E, NS1, NS3 and NS5. This study suggests that microcephaly is not a consequence of any particular amino acid substitution but, conceivably, is a feature of ZIKV itself. Moreover, the structural analysis of ZIKV proteins, together with the mutational landscape of ZIKV and a structure-sequence comparison with other flaviviruses, allows the suggestion of regions that could be exploited as anti-ZIKV targets, including some allosteric sites found in the NS3 and NS5 proteins of DENV.
Subject(s)
Mutation , Protein Conformation , Viral Proteins/chemistry , Viral Proteins/genetics , Zika Virus/genetics , DNA Mutational Analysis , Models, Molecular , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Zika Virus/classificationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Urine monitoring programs represent an important strategy for early diagnosis of reactivation of BK polyomavirus (BKV) in kidney transplant recipients. This study analyzes a BKV urine screening model in kidney transplant patients. METHODS: Urinary screening for BKV reactivation was performed by urinary decoy cell and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in samples from 32 consecutive kidney transplant patients, collected in a 6-month follow-up period. PCR in plasma samples and BKV immunohistochemical studies to assess BKV renal disease, if a kidney biopsy was indicated, were performed. RESULTS: The urinary screening for BKV among 32 renal receptors was positive in 18 patients (56%) by the concomitant use of the decoy cells and/or qualitative PCR at some time during the study period. Transfusion before transplantation was significantly associated with urinary decoy cell positive screening (odds ratio = 11; 95% confidence interval = 1.47 to 82.4; P < .05); and so was male sex (odds ratio = 2.02; 95% confidence interval = 1.07 to 3.83; P < .05). The clinical management of screening positive cases consisted of decreasing or changing the immunosuppression regimen. Sixteen renal biopsies were performed. Immunohistochemistry for SV40 T antigen was negative in all biopsies. After 1 year of follow-up, no patient developed BKV-associated nephropathy, and there was no difference in renal function between patients positive and negative for BKV urinary screening. CONCLUSIONS: Early urinary monitoring is effective in detection of BKV replication and represents a good strategy to minimize the deleterious effects caused by the presence of the virus on preservation of graft function.
Subject(s)
DNA, Viral/urine , Kidney Diseases/urine , Kidney Transplantation , Polyomavirus Infections/urine , Tumor Virus Infections/urine , Adult , BK Virus/genetics , Biopsy , Female , Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Immunosuppressive Agents/adverse effects , Kidney Diseases/diagnosis , Kidney Diseases/etiology , Kidney Diseases/pathology , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Odds Ratio , Pilot Projects , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Polyomavirus Infections/diagnosis , Polyomavirus Infections/etiology , Sex Factors , Transplant Recipients , Tumor Virus Infections/diagnosis , Tumor Virus Infections/etiology , UrinalysisABSTRACT
Two different procedures for inoculation of HSV on corneas of BALB/c mice were evaluated. The first was by the use of HSV suspensions directly on the corneas and the other was after corneal scarification. Animals by this later method presented greater morbidity and mortality than those of first group, suggesting that inoculation of HSV without scarification of the cornea should be the method of choice for the study of HSV ophthalmic infection. This model showed also be an efficient experimental system to testing antiviral drugs.
