Search Results (1,447)

Conessine is a steroidal alkaloid found in many plants. The pharmacological efficacies of conessine on various ailments, including antiviral effects against Zika, Herpes, and Coronavirus, were reported. However, the effect of conessine on the influenza virus was still unknown. In this study, conessine exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against influenza A virus (IAV) infection. We examined the effect of conessine on IAV using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Influenza A/PR8/34 and wild-type A/PR8/34. The fluorescence-activated cell sorting, fluorescence microscopy, cytopathic effect analysis, and plaque assay demonstrated that conessine significantly inhibits IAV infection. Consistently, immunofluorescence results showed that conessine strongly reduces the expression of IAV proteins. The time-of-drug-addition assay revealed that conessine could affect the viral attachment and entry into the cells upon IAV infection. Further, conessine eradicated the virus before binding to the cells in the early stage of viral infection. Our results suggest that conessine has strong anti-viral efficacy against IAV infection and could be developed as an anti-influenza viral agent. Full article

The Guinea Pig X Virus (GPXV), a newly identified gammaherpesvirus, provides an opportunity to study viral evolution and host–virus dynamics. This study characterizes the GPXV genome and investigates its phylogenetic relationships and divergence from related viruses through comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses. Virus propagation was conducted in Vero cells, followed by genomic DNA extraction and pan-herpesvirus nested PCR. Sanger sequencing filled gaps in the initial genome assembly, and whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Phylogenetic analyses focused on ORF8 (glycoprotein B), ORF9 (DNA polymerase catalytic subunit), ORF50 (RTA: replication and transcription activator), and ORF73 (LANA: latency-associated nuclear antigen). Results showed that GPXV ORFs showed variable evolutionary relationships with other gammaherpesviruses, including divergence from primate-associated viruses and clustering with bovine and rodent viruses. In addition to phylogenetics, a comprehensive comparative analysis of protein-coding genes between GPXV and the previously described Guinea Pig Herpes-Like Virus (GPHLV) revealed divergence. Twenty-four non-ORF genomic features were unique to GPXV, while 62 shared ORFs exhibited low to high sequence divergence. These findings highlight GPXV’s distinct evolutionary trajectory and its potential role as a model for studying host-specific adaptations and gammaherpesvirus diversity. Full article

Background: Agents responsible for the initiation of autoimmune responses are still under investigation. The aim of this study was to determine Nogo-A and NfL levels in CSF samples from newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and pseudotumour cerebri (PTC) patients positive for HHV6-A IgG autoantibody. Methods: Initial CSF samples from 42 patients were analysed by ELISA. Independent samples t tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, crosstabulation with Fisher’s exact tests and Pearson/Spearman correlation analyses were used for group comparisons. Results: Anti-HHV6A IgG positivity was highest in MS, followed by NMOSD and then PTC (6.7%), but no significant difference in positivity was found among the groups (p = 0.367). No significant difference was found among the groups for NfL or Nogo-A levels (p = 0.373, p = 0.975, respectively). Anti-HHV6A negative MS cases had lower Nogo-A levels than positive cases (p = 0.046). In addition, anti-HHV6A negative PTC cases had lower Nogo-A levels than positive cases (p = 0.015). Anti-HHV6A positive MS patients had lower Nogo-A levels than the PTC positive group and this difference was very close to significant (p = 0.063). Conclusions: Anti-HHV6A positivity was found mainly in the MS group. Anti-HHV6A was found to be associated with Nogo-A levels, especially in the MS and PTC groups. Anti-HHV6A autoantibodies might play a role in the pathophysiology of MS. Full article

Recently, essential rose oils and rose products have gained increasing importance in both the cosmetic and food industries, as well as in the composition of medicinal products. We investigated the in vitro antiviral activity of essential oil and floral water from Rosa damascena Mill against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in rabbit retinal cells (RRCs). The composition of the main chemical components in the rose essential oil was determined by means of gas chromatographic analysis. The effect on the viral replication cycle was determined using the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibition assay. The virucidal activity, the effect on the adsorption stage of the virus to the host cell, and the protective effect on healthy cells were evaluated using the endpoint dilution method. The effects were determined as deviation in the viral titer, Δlg, for the treated cells from the one for the untreated viral control. The identified main active components of rose oil are geraniol (28.73%), citronellol (21.50%), nonadecane (13.13%), nerol (5.51%), heneicosane (4.87%), nonadecene (3.93), heptadecane (2.29), farnesol (2.11%), tricosane (1.29%), eicosane (1.01%), and eugenol (0.85%). The results demonstrated that both rose products do not have a significant effect on the virus replication but directly affect the viral particles and reduce the viral titer by Δlg = 3.25 for floral water and by Δlg = 3.0 for essential oil. Significant inhibition of the viral adsorption stage was also observed, leading to a decrease in the viral titers by Δlg = 2.25 for floral water and by Δlg = 2.0 for essential oil. When pretreating healthy cells with rose products, both samples significantly protected them from subsequent infection with HSV-1. This protective effect was more pronounced for the oil (Δlg = 2.5) compared to the one for the floral water (Δlg = 2.0). We used the in silico molecular docking method to gain insight into the mechanism of hindrance of viral adsorption by the main rose oil compounds (geraniol, citronellol, nerol). These components targeted the HSV-1 gD interaction surface with nectin-1 and HVEM (Herpesvirus Entry Mediator) host cell receptors, at N-, C-ends, and N-end, respectively. These findings could provide a structural framework for further development of anti-HSV-1 therapeutics. Full article

Secukinumab (SEC) is a recombinant, fully human monoclonal antibody that is selective for interleukin-17A (IL-17A). SEC may increase the risk of developing infections such as oral herpes and oral candidiasis. The aim of this case report and literature review was to describe chronic hyperplastic candidiasis (CHC) in a patient with psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with SEC. CHC is a rare and atypical clinical entity. A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy of the oral mucosa for histopathological diagnosis (PHD). The differential diagnosis includes hairy tongue, hairy leukoplakia, oral lichen planus (OLP), oral lichenoid reaction (OLR), leukoplakia, frictional keratosis, morsication, oral psoriasis, syphilis, and oral lesions associated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In addition to the usual factors (xerostomia, smoking, antibiotics, vitamin deficiency, immunosuppression, comorbidities), the new biological therapies/immunotherapies are a predisposing factor for oral candidiasis. The therapeutic approach must be multidisciplinary and in consultation with a clinical immunologist. Dentists and specialists (oral medicine, dermatologists, rheumatologists) must be familiar with the oral adverse events of the new biological therapies. Simultaneous monitoring of patients by clinical immunology and oral medicine specialists is crucial for timely diagnosis and therapeutic intervention to avoid possible adverse events and improve quality of life (QoL). Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumors, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Oncolytic treatments, particularly oncolytic viruses (OVs), have emerged as promising candidates by selectively infecting and lysing tumor cells while stimulating anti-tumor immunity. Various virus-based therapies are under investigation, including genetically engineered herpes simplex virus (HSV), adenovirus, poliovirus, reovirus, vaccinia virus, measles virus, and Newcastle disease virus, each exploiting unique tumor-selective mechanisms. While some, such as HSV-based therapies including G207 and Delytact^TM, have demonstrated clinical progress, significant challenges persist, including immune evasion, heterogeneity in patient response, and delivery barriers due to the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, combination strategies integrating OVs with immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy, and radiation are promising but require further clinical validation. Non-viral oncolytic approaches, such as tumor-targeting bacteria and synthetic peptides, remain underexplored. This review highlights current advancements while addressing critical gaps in the literature, including the need for optimized delivery methods, better biomarker-based patient stratification, and a deeper understanding of GBM’s immunosuppressive microenvironment. Future research should focus on enhancing OV specificity, engineering viruses to deliver therapeutic genes, and integrating OVs with precision medicine strategies. By identifying these gaps, this review provides a framework for advancing oncolytic therapies in GBM treatment. Full article

Background: Immunization is a highly effective intervention for controlling over 20 life-threatening infectious diseases, significantly reducing both morbidity and mortality rates. One notable achievement in vaccination efforts was the global eradication of smallpox, which the World Health Assembly declared on 8 May 1980. Additionally, there has been a remarkable 99.9% reduction in wild poliovirus cases since 1988, decreasing from more than 350,000 cases that year to just 30 cases in 2022. Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of various interventions designed to increase vaccination uptake among adults. Search Methods: A thorough search was conducted in the CENTRAL, Embase Ovid, Medline Ovid, PubMed, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus databases for primary studies. This search was conducted in August 2021 and updated in November 2024. Selection Criteria: Randomized trials were eligible for inclusion in this review, regardless of publication status or language. Data Analysis: Two authors independently screened the search outputs to select potentially eligible studies. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for each randomized controlled trial (RCT). A meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, and the quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Main Results: A total of 35 randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review, with the majority conducted in the United States. The interventions targeted adults aged 18 and older who were eligible for vaccination, involving a total of 403,709 participants. The overall pooled results for interventions aimed at increasing influenza vaccination showed a risk ratio of 1.41 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.73). Most studies focused on influenza vaccination (18 studies), while the remaining studies examined various other vaccines, including those for hepatitis A, COVID-19, hepatitis B, pneumococcal disease, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), herpes zoster, and human papillomavirus (HPV). The results indicate that letter reminders were slightly effective in increasing influenza vaccination uptake compared to the control group (RR: 1.75, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.16; 6 studies; 161,495 participants; low-certainty evidence). Additionally, participants who received education interventions showed increased levels of influenza vaccination uptake compared to those in the control group (RR: 1.88, 95% CI: 0.61, 5.76; 3 studies; 1318 participants; low-certainty evidence). Furthermore, tracking and outreach interventions also led to an increase in influenza vaccination uptake (RR: 1.87, 95% CI: 0.78, 4.46; 2 studies; 33,752 participants; low-certainty evidence). Conclusions: Letter reminders and educational interventions targeted at recipients are effective in increasing vaccination uptake compared to control groups. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with eye infections. Specifically, the acute consequences of eye infections have been extensively studied. This review gathers information on possible collateral damage caused by HSV-1 in the retina, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a neurodegenerative disease. The synthesis and accumulation of Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a key hallmark in these types of pathologies. AMD is a disease of multifactorial origin, and viral infections play an important role in its development. It is known that once this virus has entered the eye, it can infect adjacent cells, thus having the ability to infect almost any cell type with great tropism. In the retina, retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are primarily involved in AMD. This work reviews publications that show that RPE can produce Aβ, and once they are infected by HSV-1, the release is promoted. Also, all the information available in the literature that explains how these events may be interconnected has been compiled. This information is valuable when planning new treatments for multifactorial neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

This report presents two cases of herpes simplex keratitis recurrence after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination in patients on herpetic prophylaxis due to recurrent herpetic keratitis. A 58-year-old man with a history of a previous penetrating keratoplasty presented with blurred vision and evidence of corneal endothelitis 48 h after the first dose of the m-RNA vaccination, and a 24-year-old male student came with a dendritic ulcer 72 h post first vaccination dose. The original prophylactic treatment of 400 mg of acyclovir twice daily was increased to five times per day for a week for both patients. The grafted patient additionally received an increase in Dexamethasone 0.1% from twice daily to four times a day. Improvement was noted within two days and documented at the weekly review, during which both patients returned to their prophylactic antiviral regime without further recurrence. At the time of their second dose of vaccination, both patients followed the same regime with an increase in treatment as per the first dose of vaccination without recurrence. Our findings suggest that patients with recurrent herpetic disease receiving prophylactic treatment need close monitoring when experiencing even subtle symptoms of recurrence and may benefit from an increase in their dose to therapeutic levels during the first days after the COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aetiology of Bell’s palsy remains unclear and is typically diagnosed by exclusion. This study investigated the potential role of neurotropic viruses and explored the relationship between facial nerve impairment and vestibular dysfunction to improve the understanding of the condition. Methods: Antibodies against herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) were assessed using ELISA. Vestibular function was evaluated through computerised videonystagmography, rotatory chair, and clinical vestibulospinal assessments. Facial nerve lesion localisation was determined by stapedial reflex testing. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of 51 patients with Bell’s palsy, 62.7% exhibited vestibular dysfunction, and 70.6% were IgG-positive for at least one neurotropic virus. Vestibular impairment was significantly more common in seropositive patients. Statistically significant associations were observed between vestibular dysfunction and viral IgG seropositivity (p < 0.0001), the severity of vestibular dysfunction and facial paresis (p = 0.0126), and the side of vestibular impairment and the side of facial palsy (p < 0.0001), with 90.6% of cases showing ipsilateral involvement. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that neurotropic viruses may act as a common pathological factor in both Bell’s palsy and associated vestibular dysfunction. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has a global prevalence of 64%. Established antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir (ACV), have been successfully used over the past decades. However, due to growing viral resistance against approved antivirals and the lack of effective vaccines, new concepts are essential to target HSV-1 infections. Here, we present data on the inhibitory effect of the procaine-based substance ProcCluster^® (PC) in reducing HSV-1 replication in vitro. Non-toxic PC concentrations significantly decreased HSV-1 replication in infected cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed an accumulation of viral proteins in early and recycling endosomes, resulting in reduced viral release. The combination of PC with ACV resulted in an enhanced antiviral effect. Based on these results, PC alone, as well as in combination with ACV, appears to be a promising substance with antiviral potential against HSV-1 infections. Full article

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent infections with overlapping distribution, particularly in resource-poor regions. STH/HSV-2 co-infections may impact female reproductive health. However, many aspects of STH/HSV-2 co-infections, including the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating female genital tract (FGT) immunity and their potential contribution to pathologies such as chronic inflammation, impaired mucosal defense, and reproductive tract cancers remain unclear. In this study we investigated the miRNA expression profiles in murine FGT tissues following single or co-infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb) and HSV-2 and explored predicted miRNA-mRNA targets and pathways. An analysis of miRNA sequencing data was conducted to determine differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs between infected FGT tissues and uninfected controls. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was conducted to predict the immune-related target genes of the DE miRNAs and reveal enriched canonical pathways, top diseases, and biological functions. Selected representative DE miRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR. Our results showed a total of eight DE miRNAs (mmu-miR-218-5p, mmu-miR-449a-5p, mmu-miR-497a-3p, mmu-miR-144-3p, mmu-miR-33-5p, mmu-miR-451a, mmu-miR-194-5p, and mmu-miR-192-5p) in the comparison of Nb-infected versus uninfected controls; nine DE miRNAs (mmu-miR-451a, mmu-miR-449a-5p, mmu-miR-144-3p, mmu-miR-376a-3p, mmu-miR-192-5p, mmu-miR-218-5p, mmu-miR-205-3p, mmu-miR-103-3p, and mmu-miR-200b-3p) in the comparison of HSV-2-infected versus uninfected controls; and one DE miRNA (mmu-miR-199a-5p) in the comparison of Nb/HSV-2 co-infected versus uninfected controls (p-value < 0.05, |logFC| ≥ 1). Core expression analysis showed that, among other canonical pathways, the DE miRNAs and their predicted mRNA targets were involved in neutrophil degranulation, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling, natural killer cell signaling, interferon alpha/beta signaling, and ISGylation. Additionally, cancer was predicted as one of the significantly enriched diseases, particularly in the co-infected group. This is the first study to provide insights into the FGT miRNA profiles following Nb and HSV-2 single and co-infection, as well as the predicted genes and pathways they regulate, which may influence host immunity and pathology. This study highlights the role of miRNAs in regulating FGT immunity and pathology in the context of STH/HSV-2 co-infection. Full article

The varicella-zoster virus is a human herpesvirus that causes varicella as the primary infection and HZ as the reactivation of a latent infection. Ten to twenty percent of cases of herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) involve the ophthalmic branch of the fifth cranial nerve. Any area of the eye may be affected by the condition. HZ has a lifetime risk of more than 30%. Complications from herpes zoster can significantly lower quality of life. The goal of HZ vaccinations is to stop HZ activation and PHN formation. Despite the uncommon possibility of side effects such as eye problems, the majority of vaccines on the market now are safe. The purpose of this review is to discuss VZV infection and analyze and summarize the ocular complications following VZV vaccination. Full article

We report a case of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) anterior uveitis evolving into an acute iris transillumination-like syndrome with secondary pigmentary glaucoma, highlighting diagnostic challenges and treatment considerations. A 61-year-old immunocompetent woman presented with unilateral anterior uveitis characterized by keratic precipitates and mild anterior chamber inflammation. The condition was initially treated with topical and subconjunctival corticosteroids without antiviral therapy. After an initial resolution of symptoms, upon the cessation of treatment, the patient developed features resembling unilateral acute iris transillumination (UAIT) syndrome with elevated intraocular pressure, diffuse pigment dispersion, and progressive iris transillumination defects. Aqueous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing confirmed the presence of HSV-1. Despite the initiation of antiviral therapy, the condition progressed to severe pigmentary glaucoma, with unreliable intraocular pressure measurements due to prior LASIK surgery. Cataract extraction, pars plana vitrectomy, and Ahmed valve implantation were performed, with only partial recovery of visual acuity. This case illustrates that HSV-1 uveitis can mimic or transition into a UAIT-like syndrome, possibly due to steroid use without concurrent antiviral treatment, which may exacerbate viral replication and damage to the iris pigment epithelium. Aqueous PCR testing aids in differential diagnosis, but indicative medical history and clinical findings should remain instrumental. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for herpetic etiology in anterior uveitis cases and initiate prompt antiviral treatment to prevent potentially sight-threatening complications. Full article

Background: Older adults living in aged care are at risk of poor health outcomes due to influenza, pneumococcal disease, and herpes zoster infections. Despite these conditions being vaccine-preventable, little is known about vaccine uptake rates in the residential elderly care setting in Australia. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study examining the medical records of residents of 31 aged care homes in Australia (n = 1108). Data were extracted from medical records for the period March 2023 to September 2023. The proportion of residents vaccinated against influenza, pneumococcal disease, and herpes zoster was calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify possible demographic and other characteristics associated with the vaccination uptake. Results: This study included 1108 residents. Two-thirds (68%) were female, and the median age was 87 years. All residents had one or more comorbidities. Most (92.6%) had received an influenza vaccine within the prior two years, but only 38.3% had received a pneumococcal vaccine, and 16.8% had received herpes zoster vaccination. In all models, receipt of the other vaccines was a significant predictor for vaccine administration. The other factor associated with influenza vaccination was non-consumption of alcohol and younger age for herpes zoster vaccination. Conclusions: While there is a high uptake of influenza vaccines, there is a low uptake of both pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccines in residents of aged care facilities. Further research into the barriers and enablers of vaccine uptake should be undertaken, with the goal of increasing the vaccination uptake in this vulnerable population. Full article