Molecular Biomarkers for Viral Infection

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Viruses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4405

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
2. Center for Experimental Immunology and Immunobiology in Infectious Diseases and Cancer, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
Interests: animal models; viral infections; immune system; innate immunity; T cells; flow cytometry; real-time PCR
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Molecular biomarkers have emerged as invaluable tools in the diagnosis and management of viral infections, offering insights into disease progression, treatment efficacy, and prognosis. Several molecular agents may serve as biomarkers, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Importantly, their presence or alteration is crucial for the host's immune response. Nucleic acid-based biomarkers, like viral RNA or DNA, provide direct evidence of viral replication within host cells, enabling sensitive detection through techniques like PCR or next-generation sequencing. Additionally, host gene expression profiles offer insights into immune responses and viral pathogenesis, providing important data for disease severity prediction. Protein biomarkers, including viral antigens or host immune factors, serve as indicators of active infection, aiding in early diagnosis and in monitoring treatment response. Furthermore, metabolomic signatures reflect the dynamic interplay between the virus and host metabolism, offering potential targets for therapeutic intervention and personalized medicine approaches.

By discovering new, adjustable, and effective molecular biomarkers for viral infections, we can improve the diagnosis and treatment of the infection, providing great potential outcomes for patients.

Dr. Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • molecular biomarkers
  • viral infections

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 1551 KiB  
Article
Challenges in the Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Nervous System
by Samya Jezine Da Silva, Mauro Jorge Cabral-Castro, Cássia Cristina Alves Gonçalves, Diana Mariani, Orlando Ferreira, Amílcar Tanuri and Marzia Puccioni-Sohler
Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081247 - 3 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1317
Abstract
Neurological involvement has been widely reported in SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, viral identification in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is rarely found. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of virological and immunological biomarkers in CSF for the diagnosis of neuroCOVID-19. We [...] Read more.
Neurological involvement has been widely reported in SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, viral identification in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is rarely found. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of virological and immunological biomarkers in CSF for the diagnosis of neuroCOVID-19. We analyzed 69 CSF samples from patients with neurological manifestations: 14 with suspected/confirmed COVID-19, with 5 additional serial CSF samples (group A), and as a control, 50 non-COVID-19 cases (group B—26 with other neuroinflammatory diseases; group C—24 with non-inflammatory diseases). Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) was used to determine SARS-CoV-2, and specific IgG, IgM, neopterin, and protein 10 induced by gamma interferon (CXCL-10) were evaluated in the CSF samples. No samples were amplified for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR. The sensitivity levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM were 50% and 14.28%, respectively, with 100% specificity for both tests. CXCL-10 showed high sensitivity (95.83%) and specificity (95.83%) for detection of neuroinflammation. Serial CSF analysis showed an association between the neuroinflammatory biomarkers and outcome (death and hospital discharge) in two cases (meningoencephalitis and rhombencephalitis). The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and specific immunoglobulins in the CSF can be used for neuroCOVID-19 confirmation. Additionally, CXCL-10 in the CSF may contribute to the diagnosis and monitoring of neuroCOVID-19. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biomarkers for Viral Infection)
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Review

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14 pages, 686 KiB  
Review
Emerging Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers for Human Cytomegalovirus Infection During Pregnancy: Unmet Needs and Future Perspectives
by Salvatore Rotundo, Maria Teresa Tassone, Rosaria Lionello, Paolo Fusco, Francesca Serapide and Alessandro Russo
Viruses 2025, 17(5), 705; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17050705 - 14 May 2025
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Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection during pregnancy is a leading cause of congenital infections worldwide, posing significant risks to fetal health. Despite advances in prenatal care, managing HCMV infection remains challenging. Early detection, accurate risk assessment, and timely intervention are critical to mitigating the [...] Read more.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection during pregnancy is a leading cause of congenital infections worldwide, posing significant risks to fetal health. Despite advances in prenatal care, managing HCMV infection remains challenging. Early detection, accurate risk assessment, and timely intervention are critical to mitigating the adverse outcomes associated with congenital HCMV (cHCMV), such as neurodevelopmental delays and hearing loss. However, the current landscape of biomarkers for HCMV infection in pregnancy is marked by several unmet needs. These gaps in biomarker development and application limit our ability to predict fetal transmission, assess the risk of fetal damage, and prognosticate long-term outcomes. Addressing these challenges through the identification and validation of novel biomarkers could revolutionize the management of HCMV in pregnancy, leading to improved outcomes for both mothers and their children. This review examines the critical unmet needs regarding HCMV biomarkers during pregnancy, emphasizing the priority areas for further research and innovation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biomarkers for Viral Infection)
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15 pages, 1004 KiB  
Review
Interferon-Stimulated Genes and Immune Metabolites as Broad-Spectrum Biomarkers for Viral Infections
by Chien-Hsin Huang, Maudry Laurent-Rolle, Tyler L. Grove and Jack Chun-Chieh Hsu
Viruses 2025, 17(1), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17010132 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1697
Abstract
The type I interferon (IFN-I) response is a critical component of the immune defense against various viral pathogens, triggering the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs encode proteins with diverse antiviral functions, targeting various stages of viral replication and restricting [...] Read more.
The type I interferon (IFN-I) response is a critical component of the immune defense against various viral pathogens, triggering the expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). These ISGs encode proteins with diverse antiviral functions, targeting various stages of viral replication and restricting infection spread. Beyond their antiviral functions, ISGs and associated immune metabolites have emerged as promising broad-spectrum biomarkers that can differentiate viral infections from other conditions. This review provides an overview of the diagnostic potential of ISGs at transcript and protein levels, as well as their immune metabolites. We focus on their clinical applications and the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. We highlight the need for further research to facilitate the effective translation of these biomarkers into clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Biomarkers for Viral Infection)
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