The potential of IFN-λ, IL-32γ, IL-6, and IL-22 as safeguards against human viruses: a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Many studies have investigated the antiviral activity of cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-22 (IL-22), interleukin-32 gamma (IL-32γ), and interferon-lambda (IFN-λ) in diverse populations. This study aims to evaluate the role of these cytokines in inhibition of various human and animal viruses when administered exogenously. A comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review were conducted on all the relevant studies from three databases. Standard mean differences (SMDs) of overall viral inhibition were used to generate the difference in the antiviral efficacy of these cytokines between control and experimental groups. A total of 4,618 abstracts for IL-6, 3,517 abstracts for IL-22, 2,160 abstracts for IL-32γ, and 1,026 abstracts for IFN-λ were identified, and 7, 4, 8, and 35 studies were included, respectively, for each cytokine. IFN-λ (SMD = 0.9540; 95% CI: 0.69-0.22) and IL-32γ (SMD = 0.459; 95% CI: 0.02-0.90) showed the highest influence followed by IL-6 (SMD = 0.456; CI: -0.04-0.95) and IL-22 (SMD = 0.244; 95% CI: -0.33-0.81). None of the cytokines represented heterogeneity (tau² > 0), but only IFN-λ indicated the funnel plot asymmetry (p = 0.0097). Results also indicated that IFN-λ and IL-32γ are more potent antivirals than IL-6 and IL-22. The collective findings of this study emphasize that exogenously administered pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically IFN-λ and IL-32, exhibit a significant antiviral activity, thereby underscoring them as potent antiviral agents. Nonetheless, additional research is required to ascertain their clinical utility and potential for integration into combinatorial therapeutic regimens against viral infections.

Prevalence of HPV types in HIV-positive and negative females with normal cervical cytology or dysplasia.

The burden of HPV varies by country and HIV status. The study aimed to evaluate HPV types prevalent in HIV-positive females compared with HIV-negative females in the local population of the federal capital territory in Pakistan. METHOD: The selected female population consisted of 65 already diagnosed HIV-positive females and 135 HIV-negative females. Cervical scrap was collected and analyzed for HPV and cytology. RESULTS: The prevalence of HPV in HIV-positive patients was 36.9%, higher than HIV-negative patients (4.4%). 12.30% had cervical cytology interpreted as "LSIL" and 87.69% had cytology interpreted as "NIL." The high-risk type was detected in 15.39% while 21.54% showed low-risk HPV types. Among the high-risk types, HPV18 (6.15%), HPV16 (4.62%), HPV45 (3.07%), HPV33 (1.53%), HPV58 (3.07%), and HPV68 (1.53%) were found. In patients with LSIL, high-risk HPV accounts for 62.5%. Risk factors, such as age, marital status, educational status, residence, parity, other STDs, and contraceptives, were analyzed to find the correlation with HPV infection Age ≤35 years (OR 1.21, 95% CI, 0.44-3.34), illiterate and incomplete secondary education (OR 1.08, 95% CI, 0.37-3.15), and those reported not to use contraceptives (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 0.67-5.42) have an association for increased risk of HPV infection. CONCLUSION: HPV18, HPV16, HPV58, HPV45, HPV68, and HPV33 were identified among high-risk HPV types. High-risk HPV was detected in 62.5% of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. The data is useful for health policymakers to develop a strategy for HPV screening and prophylactic vaccination to prevent cervical cancer.