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Topic Review
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
The Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay is a versatile technique, which can be used for several applications. It has enormously contributed to the study of infectious diseases.
  • 1.4K
  • 24 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Next-Generation Sequencing in the Human Respiratory Virome Study
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is widely used to study microorganisms, allowing the elucidation of bacteria and viruses inhabiting different body systems and identifying new pathogens. 
  • 1.4K
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Human Coronavirus (HCoV)
Coronaviruses (CoVs) were identified in the 1930s as zoonotic spherical pathogens causing mostly respiratory or enteric diseases. Coronaviruses vary in size and are enveloped with club-shaped spikes on their surface. A helically symmetrical nucleocapsid comprising positive-sense single-stranded RNA is one of the largest virus genomes, ranging from 26 to 32 kilobases in length. Although CoVs are distributed mainly among mammals and birds, since 1960 seven species of human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have been described and some HCoVs infections (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2) have resulted in lethal epidemics. The global range and high fatality rate of the newest HCoV pandemic has made SARS-CoV-2 the focus of the scientific world.
  • 1.4K
  • 17 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Hydroa Vacciniforme, EBV, and Lymphoma
Hydroa vacciniforme (HV) is a rare form of photosensitivity disorder in children or adolescence and is frequently associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, whereas HV-like lymphoproliferative disorders (HVLPD) describe a spectrum of EBV-associated T-cell or natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoproliferations with HV-like cutaneous manifestations, including EBV-positive HV, atypical HV, and HV-like lymphoma. 
  • 1.4K
  • 23 Dec 2020
Topic Review
HERC5 and the ISGylation Pathway
Mammalian cells have developed an elaborate network of immunoproteins that serve to identify and combat viral pathogens. Interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a 15.2 kDa tandem ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) that is used by specific E1–E2–E3 ubiquitin cascade enzymes to interfere with the activity of viral proteins. Recent biochemical studies have demonstrated how the E3 ligase HECT and RCC1-containing protein 5 (HERC5) regulates ISG15 signaling in response to hepatitis C (HCV), influenza-A (IAV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections.
  • 1.4K
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Influenza Virus Infections in Cats
In the past, cats were considered resistant to influenza. Today, we know that they are susceptible to some influenza A viruses (IAVs) originating in other species. Usually, the outcome is only subclinical infection or a mild fever. However, outbreaks of feline disease caused by canine H3N2 IAV with fever, tachypnoea, sneezing, coughing, dyspnoea and lethargy are occasionally noted in shelters. In one such outbreak, the morbidity rate was 100% and the mortality rate was 40%. Recently, avian H7N2 IAV infection occurred in cats in some shelters in the USA, inducing mostly mild respiratory disease. Furthermore, cats are susceptible to experimental infection with the human H3N2 IAV that caused the pandemic in 1968. Several studies indicated that cats worldwide could be infected by H1N1 IAV during the subsequent human pandemic in 2009. In one shelter, severe cases with fatalities were noted. Finally, the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 IAV can induce a severe, fatal disease in cats, and can spread via cat-to-cat contact. 
  • 1.4K
  • 16 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Arenaviridae Nucleoprotein
Arenaviridae is a family of viruses harbouring important emerging pathogens belonging to the Bunyavirales order. Like in other segmented negative strand RNA viruses, the nucleoprotein (NP) is a major actor of the viral life cycle being both (i) the necessary co-factor of the polymerase present in the L protein, and (ii) the last line of defence of the viral genome (vRNA) by physically hiding its presence in the cytoplasm. The NP is also one of the major players interfering with the immune system. Several structural studies of NP have shown that it features two domains: a globular RNA binding domain (NP-core) in its N-terminal and an exonuclease domain (ExoN) in its C-terminal. Further studies have observed that significant conformational changes are necessary for RNA encapsidation. We here present the architecture and latest structural data available on Arenaviridae NP.  
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Jul 2020
Topic Review
NK Cells in Viral Infections
NK cells are usually defined as immune cells that belong to the innate immune response. They were described as cells capable of killing several tumour cell lines without previous antigen presentation. It was shown then that NK cells lack the TCR and BCR receptors capable of binding specific antigens, and consequently, it was assumed that these cells lack antigen recognition.
  • 1.4K
  • 12 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Filovirus
Filoviruses are among the deadliest infectious agents known to man, causing severe hemorrhagic fever, with up to 90% fatality rates. The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa resulted in over 28,000 infections, demonstrating the large-scale human health and economic impact generated by filoviruses. Zaire ebolavirus is responsible for the greatest number of deaths to date and consequently there is now an approved vaccine, Ervebo, while other filovirus species have similar epidemic potential and remain without effective vaccines. Recent clinical success of REGN-EB3 and mAb-114 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapies supports further investigation of this treatment approach for other filoviruses.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Adenoviruses
Adenoviruses represent exceptional candidates for wide-ranging therapeutic applications, from vectors for gene therapy to oncolytics for cancer treatments. The first ever commercial gene therapy medicine was based on a recombinant adenovirus vector, while most recently, adenoviral vectors have proven critical as vaccine platforms in effectively controlling the global coronavirus pandemic.
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Zika Virus and Infantile Microcephaly
Zika virus is a newly emerging disease with little previous information related to its clinical, epidemiological and socioeconomic effects. The complexityof prevention, treatment and care to infected women and neonates, makes Zika one of the major public health problems. We provide an overview of Zika virus infection and the risk of microcephaly in the context of perinatal public health.
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Poxvirus Regulation of Host Apoptosis
Apoptosis is a form of cellular suicide initiated either via extracellular (extrinsic apoptosis) or intracellular (intrinsic apoptosis) cues. This form of programmed cell death plays a crucial role in development and tissue homeostasis in multicellular organisms and its dysregulation is an underlying cause for many diseases. Intrinsic apoptosis is regulated by members of the evolutionarily conserved B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family, a family that consists of pro- and anti-apoptotic members. Bcl-2 genes have also been assimilated by numerous viruses including pox viruses, in particular the sub-family of chordopoxviridae, a group of viruses known to infect almost all vertebrates. The viral Bcl-2 proteins are virulence factors and aid the evasion of host immune defenses by mimicking the activity of their cellular counterparts. Viral Bcl-2 genes have proved essential for the survival of virus infected cells and structural studies have shown that though they often share very little sequence identity with their cellular counterparts, they have near-identical 3D structures.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Feb 2021
Topic Review
HBVcccDNA
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a major public health concern, with more than 250 million chronically infected people who are at high risk of developing liver diseases, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although antiviral treatments efficiently control virus replication and improve liver function, they cannot cure HBV infection. Viral persistence is due to the maintenance of the viral circular episomal DNA, called covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in the nuclei of infected cells. cccDNA not only resists antiviral therapies, but also escapes innate antiviral surveillance. This viral DNA intermediate plays a central role in HBV replication, as cccDNA is the template for the transcription of all viral RNAs, including pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which in turn feeds the formation of cccDNA through a step of reverse transcription. The establishment and/or expression of cccDNA is thus a prime target for the eradication of HBV.
  • 1.3K
  • 27 May 2021
Topic Review
Human Polyomaviruses NCCR Genetic diversity
The genomes of polyomaviruses are characterized by their tripartite organization with an early region, a late region and a noncoding control region (NCCR). The early region encodes proteins involved in replication and transcription of the viral genome, while expression of the late region generates the capsid proteins. Transcription regulatory sequences for expression of the early and late genes, as well as the origin of replication are encompassed in the NCCR. Cell tropism of polyomaviruses not only depends on the appropriate receptors on the host cell, but cell-specific expression of the viral genes is also governed by the NCCR.
  • 1.3K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Solid-State NMR
Solid-state NMR is a structural biology approach that can provide information about large molecular assemblies at the atomic level. Contrary to solution-state NMR, it does not have any theoretical size limitation, and is performed on solids, i.e. sediments, crystals or powders which are filled into so-called 'NMR rotors'. To average some interactions, solid-state NMR requires to spin the rotors at the 'magic' angle and at high spinning frequencies. The NMR chemical shifts give a fingerprint of molecules, which can be used to characterize structural differences, and can be applied to different types of proteins such as viral capsids, membrane proteins, amyloid fibrils, etc...
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Herpesvirus Infection in Strix Owls
The herpesvirus partial DNA polymerase gene was detected using polymerase chain reaction in oropharyngeal swabs of 16 out of 170 owls examined that were captured in or near nest boxes. Herpesvirus was detected in Ural owls (Strix uralensis), in both adults and young, but not in tawny owls (Strix aluco). In yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), as the main prey of tawny owls and Ural owls in the area, herpesvirus was detected in the organs of 2 out of 40 mice captured at the same locations as the owls. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the herpesvirus sequences detected in the Ural owls differed from the herpesvirus sequences detected in the yellow-necked mice. The results indicate that herpesvirus infection exists in the breeding wild Ural owl population. However, herpesvirus-infected owls did not show any clinical or productivity deviances and, based on a phylogenetic comparison of detected herpesvirus sequences and sequences obtained from Genbank database, it seems that mice and other rodents are not the source of owl infections. The most probable transmission pathway is intraspecific, especially from adults to their chicks, but the origin of herpesvirus in owls remains to be investigated.
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Human Herpesviruses (HHVs)
Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are highly widespread among humans and therefore are among the pathogens most responsible for gestational infections. HHVs are classified into three subfamilies (alpha-, beta- and gammaherpesvirinae), and they are able to establish permanent latency within the host in specific cells. The alphaherpesvirinae family includes herpes simplex type-1 (HSV-1 or HHV-1), herpes simplex type-2 (HSV-2 or HHV-2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV or HHV-3). The betaherpesvirinae family includes cytomegalovirus (CMV or HHV-5), HHV-6A/B and HHV-7. The gammaherpesvirinae family consists of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV or HHV-4) and Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV-8).
  • 1.3K
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
HIV-1 Entry and Membrane Fusion
HIV-1 (human immunodeficiency virus type 1) infection begins with the attachment of the virion to a host cell by its envelope glycoprotein (Env), which subsequently induces fusion of viral and cell membranes to allow viral entry. Upon binding to primary receptor CD4 and coreceptor (e.g., chemokine receptor CCR5 or CXCR4), Env undergoes large conformational changes and unleashes its fusogenic potential to drive the membrane fusion.
  • 1.3K
  • 05 May 2021
Topic Review
Plant Virus–Host Interactions
Plant viruses are obligate parasites that need to usurp plant cell metabolism in order to infect their hosts. Imaging techniques have been used for quite a long time to study plant virus–host interactions, making it possible to have major advances in the knowledge of plant virus infection cycles.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Hepatitis E and Pregnancy
The adverse relationship between viral hepatitis and pregnancy in developing countries had been interpreted as a reflection of retrospectively biased hospital-based data collection by the West. However, the discovery of hepatitis E virus (HEV) as the etiological agent of an epidemic of non-A, non-B hepatitis in Kashmir, and the documenting of the increased incidence and severity of hepatitis E in pregnancy via a house-to-house survey, unmasked this unholy alliance. The pathogenesis of the association is complex and several mechanisms are under intense studies. Management is multidisciplinary and needs a close watch for the development and management of acute liver failure. The development of vaccine is seen as a breakthrough in the control of hepatitis E. 
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Oct 2021
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