Search Results (188)

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, resulting in lifelong insulin dependence. While genetic susceptibility—particularly human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles—is a major risk factor, accumulating evidence implicates viral infections as potential environmental triggers in disease onset and progression. This narrative review synthesizes current findings on the role of viral pathogens in T1DM pathogenesis. Enteroviruses, especially Coxsackie B strains, are the most extensively studied and show strong epidemiological and mechanistic associations with beta-cell autoimmunity. Large prospective studies—including Diabetes Virus Detection (DiViD), The environmental determinans of diabetes in the young (TEDDY), Miljøfaktorer i utvikling av type 1 diabetes (MIDIA), and Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young (DAISY)—consistently demonstrate correlations between enteroviral presence and the initiation or acceleration of islet autoimmunity. Other viruses—such as mumps, rubella, rotavirus, influenza A (H1N1), and SARS-CoV-2—have been investigated for their potential involvement through direct cytotoxic effects, immune activation, or molecular mimicry. Interestingly, certain viruses like varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) may exert modulatory or even protective influences on disease progression. Proposed mechanisms include direct beta-cell infection, molecular mimicry, bystander immune activation, and dysregulation of innate and adaptive immunity. Although definitive causality remains unconfirmed, the complex interplay between genetic predisposition, immune responses, and viral exposure underscores the need for further mechanistic research. Elucidating these pathways may inform future strategies for targeted prevention, early detection, and vaccine or antiviral development in at-risk populations. Full article

Enteric diseases represent one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in poultry production, especially in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), significantly affecting the profitability of the sector. Turkey enteric complex (PEC) is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by diarrhea, stunting, poor feed conversion, and increased mortality in young turkeys. Its aetiologia includes multiple avian enteric viruses, including astrovirus, rotavirus, reovirus, parvovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus, which can act singly or in co-infection, increasing clinical severity. This study performs a systematic review of the literature on these viruses and a meta-analysis of their prevalence in different regions of the world. Phylogenetic analyses were used to assess the genetic diversity of the main viruses and their geographical distribution. The results show a wide regional and genetic variability, which underlines the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance. Health and production implications are discussed, proposing control strategies based on biosecurity, targeted vaccination, and optimized nutrition. These findings highlight the importance of integrated management to mitigate the impact of CSF in poultry. Full article

Porcine rotavirus (PoRV), a primary etiological agent of viral diarrhea in piglets, frequently co-infects with other enteric pathogens, exacerbating disease severity and causing substantial economic losses. Its genetic recombination capability enables cross-species transmission potential, posing public health risks. Globally, twelve G genotypes and thirteen P genotypes have been identified, with G9, G5, G3, and G4 emerging as predominant circulating strains. The limited cross-protective immunity between genotypes compromises vaccine efficacy, necessitating genotype surveillance to guide vaccine development. While conventional molecular assays demonstrate sensitivity, they lack rapid genotyping capacity and face technical limitations. To address this, we developed a novel diagnostic platform integrating reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) with CRISPR–Cas12a. This system employs universal primers for the simultaneous amplification of G4/G5/G9 genotypes in a single reaction, coupled with sequence-specific CRISPR recognition, achieving genotyping within 50 min at 37 °C with 10⁰ copies/μL sensitivity. Clinical validation showed a high concordance with reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). This advancement provides an efficient tool for rapid viral genotyping, vaccine compatibility evaluation, and optimized epidemic control strategies. Full article

Group A rotavirus (RV) causes gastrointestinal disease in infants worldwide, and there is currently no specific treatment to eliminate the virus. Due to its chemical properties, propolis is a promising compound for improving gastrointestinal infections. This study aimed to evaluate the action of stingless bee propolis against RV. The method involved determining the concentrations of the extracts that do not exhibit cytotoxicity in colon adenocarcinoma cells using the MTT assay and measuring the reduction in infectivity through a focus forming assay. The results showed that stingless bee propolis was non-cytotoxic up to 200 µg/mL. The reduction in RV infectivity exceeded 99% when using propolis from Plebeia droryana and Melipona quadrifasciata. Brazilian stingless bee propolis, whose active components are known for their activity against various viruses, was experimentally tested and demonstrated effective antiviral activity against RV, supporting its potential application as an antiviral agent. Full article

Diarrhea is a common disease in sika deer. The causes of diarrhea in sika deer are complex and involve a variety of pathogens. Additionally, new virulent pathogens are continuously emerging, which poses a serious threat to deer’s health and particularly affects fawns’ survival rate. In the present study, feces samples were collected from fawns with diarrhea in Jilin Province, in the northeast of China. The viral communities were investigated using the metagenomic method. Viral metagenome data revealed that the viruses in the fecal samples were mainly from 21 families in 14 orders. The major viruses in high abundance were astrovirus, rotavirus, coronavirus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus. In addition, a large number of phages, which mainly belonged to the family Siphoviridae, were identified. Then, the known causative virus species were investigated via RT-qPCR. The results showed that the infection rates of bovine coronavirus, bovine rotavirus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus were 59.44%, 58.89%, and 21.67%, respectively, and mixed infections were commonly seen in the samples. A bovine rotavirus strain was successfully isolated from the positive samples. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the genotype of the strain was G6-P[1]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3, indicating the recombination of rotavirus. This study revealed the profiles and characteristics of viruses that cause sika deer diarrhea, which will be helpful for understanding diarrhea diseases in sika deer. Full article

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has one of the highest rates of morbidity and mortality among children under five years old worldwide. It is estimated that 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrheal diseases occur annually, leading to up to 443,832 deaths. Approximately 90% of these cases are viral, with human norovirus being the main cause in countries that have implemented rotavirus vaccines. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and genetic diversity of norovirus in child outpatients and inpatients under five years old at the Regional Hospital of Antofagasta. From 1 January to 31 October 2019, a total of 121 stool samples were collected to detect the presence of norovirus GI and GII using Taqman™-based real-time RT-PCR. Norovirus RNA was detected in 50 (41.3%) samples, of which 96% were typed as GII.4 Sydney (42% GII.4 Sydney[P16] and 54% GII.4 Sydney[P4 New Orleans]). Furthermore, most (92%) of the positive specimens were from children under two years of age and a majority were detected in April (38%) and May (20%). Our findings highlight the high burden of norovirus in hospitalized children with AGE and the importance of molecular strain surveillance to support vaccine development. Full article

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are a major cause of acute dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young animals worldwide. In rabbits, RVAs are associated with enteric disease, likely in combination with other pathogens. We report the identification and characterization of a lapine RVA strain in an Italian rabbit breeding farm. Increased mortality rates associated with enteric symptoms were reported in the facility in post-weaning rabbits around 40 days of age. By quantitative RT-PCR, an RVA strain was identified in the intestinal contents of deceased rabbits. A PCR-based enrichment protocol coupled with Nanopore sequencing allowed the reconstruction of the nearly complete genome of a rabbit RVA strain, Rabbit-wt/ITA/36-9/2022/G3P[14], with a genotype constellation (G3-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M3-A9-N2-T6-E5-H3) conserved among lapine RVAs. Each of the 11 gene segments displayed high nucleotide identity and phylogenetic clustering with lapine rotavirus strains, as well as two Belgian human G3P[14] strains, which had been shown to have a zoonotic (lapine) origin. However, the NSP2 gene of strain 36-9 clustered closer with a group of rare human G3P[9] strains, suggesting a common path during their evolution. Gathering sequence data on animal RVAs is pivotal to reconstructing the history of homologous and heterologous RVAs in various mammals, including humans. Full article

Rotavirus (RV) is the most common cause of severe acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children under five years of age. This review summarizes current knowledge on RV infections, with a particular focus on viral structure, pathophysiological mechanisms, and age-dependent clinical presentation. Special attention is given to systemic manifestations, including central nervous system involvement, autoimmune responses such as type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, and rare associations with biliary atresia. The mechanisms of RV-induced diarrhea and vomiting are discussed in detail. Clinical severity scoring systems—such as the Vesikari and Clark scales—and dehydration assessment tools—the Clinical Dehydration Scale (CDS) and the Dehydration: Assessing Kids Accurately (DHAKA) score—are compared. The review highlights differences in disease course between children under and over five years, emphasizing that RV is not limited to early childhood. A major section addresses the global effectiveness of vaccination programs, their role in reducing disease burden, coverage challenges, and decreased efficacy in low-income countries. Particular focus is placed on high-risk groups, including preterm and immunocompromised infants. Full article

Bovine rotavirus (BRV) is one of the main pathogens that cause acute diarrhea in calves under one month of age. Passive immunization has been recognized as an effective way to prevent and treat BRV infection. Recent studies have shown that 10% of bovine antibodies possess an ultra-long CDR H3 domain, which has been shown to be the smallest antigen-binding domain. Due to the extremely small size of ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies, the phage display method was utilized to obtain ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies targeting BRV, providing a new approach for the prevention and/or treatment of BRV. Here, we report the preparation of BRV-specific bovine ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies obtained by constructing and screening a phage display library containing approximately 8.55 × 10⁹ individual clones. Through three rounds of bio-panning, we identified 92 candidate clones, of which 79 exhibited specific binding activity in phage ELISAs. The recombinant bovine ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies could specifically bind to BRV in ELISAs and cell immunofluorescence assays. The neutralizing activity was further confirmed through virus neutralization tests. In the calf model experiment, the recombinant bovine ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies could relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, reduce both the amount and duration of virus release, and increase the survival in calves experimentally infected with BRV. Therefore, BRV-specific bovine ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies could serve as an effective agent for the prevention and treatment of BRV infection. At the same time, the development of ultra-long CDR H3 antibodies using phage display screening technology provides a new approach for developing biological agents for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in bovines. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is a vaccine-preventable disease that leads to hospitalization in children less than 5 years of age. Immunizations to prevent rotavirus have greatly altered the epidemiology of significant diarrheal illness. It has been reported that routine immunization rates in children were impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Contrary to this fact, rates of many childhood illnesses also decreased. Methods: The Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) contains the health records of all military beneficiaries. We queried the MDR before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess for alterations in immunization rates and hospitalization rates and to assess for risk factors for significant (hospitalizations) rotavirus disease. Results: Our study included a cohort of 1.27 million children under the age of 5 years old. There were 186 unique cases of rotavirus-related hospitalizations over the 5-year study period. During COVID-19 Years 1 and 2, there was a decrease in rotavirus-related hospitalizations compared to the pre-pandemic period. During Year 3, there was a return to the pre-pandemic level of rotavirus hospitalization rates. Patients in the northern United States were less likely to be hospitalized from rotavirus when compared to those in the south. The patients at greatest risk were the youngest beneficiaries. Rotavirus vaccination rates declined in this age group during all three years of the pandemic. Conclusions: As the pandemic resulted in less frequent rotavirus immunizations in the Military Health System (MHS), there was not an increase in rotavirus-related hospitalizations above the pre-pandemic baseline. Full article

Background and objectives: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a significant cause of morbidity in children, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Viral pathogens, including rotavirus (RoV), norovirus (NoV), and adenovirus (HAdV), are among the leading causes of AGE. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteric pathogens associated with AGE among hospitalized children in Northern Jordan. Materials and Methods: A total of 195 stool samples were collected from hospitalized children with AGE during the winter seasons of 2022–2024. Multiplex real-time qPCR assays were performed to detect common pathogens. The prevalence of each pathogen was determined, and co-infections were analyzed. Clinical symptoms, demographic characteristics, and associations between specific pathogens and disease severity were evaluated. Results: Viral pathogens were the predominant cause of AGE, with NoV detected in 53 cases (27.2%; of which 19.0% were NoV GI and 8.2% NoV GII), followed by RoV (24.1%), HAdV (20.0%), HAstV (13.3%), and SaV (12.3%). Co-infections were observed in several cases, particularly among viral infections evoked by RoV, HAdV, and NoV GI. Bacterial and parasitic infections were less prevalent, with Salmonella and Campylobacter spp. detected in 23.1% and 13.8%, respectively. Additionally, Cryptosporidium was identified in two cases (0.5%). Conclusions: Viral pathogens, particularly NoV, RoV, and HAdV, are the leading causes of AGE among hospitalized children in Jordan. Co-infections among viral pathogens were common, whereas bacterial and parasitic infections played a limited role in the disease burden. These findings emphasize the importance of continued surveillance and vaccination efforts, particularly for RoV, to reduce AGE-related hospitalizations in children. Full article

Secreted viral proteins are crucial in virus–host interactions, as they modify the host microenvironment to promote infection. These secreted proteins could alter immune and inflammatory responses, allowing viruses to evade defense mechanisms such as cytotoxic T cell activation and antibody neutralization. Some secreted proteins mimic host molecules to suppress antiviral responses, making them valuable targets for antivirals and diagnostics. Notable examples include BARF1 from Epstein–Barr virus, associated with gastric cancer; vIL-10 from Epstein–Barr virus, which regulates immune responses and contributes to autoimmune diseases; NS1 from dengue virus, associated with vascular permeability and early diagnosis; and NSP4 from rotavirus as an enterotoxin, among others. The study of these proteins improves our understanding of viral pathogenesis and helps to develop innovative treatments for infectious and non-infectious diseases, taking advantage of the evolutionary adaptations of viruses. This review explores their impact on the infection cycle, disease progression, and key processes, such as cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and cell signaling. Research on these proteins deepens our basic knowledge of virology and generates alternative methods for detecting biomarkers and creating more effective therapies, as well as implementing some emerging technologies, such as biosensors and plasmon resonance, for the diagnosis of viral diseases. Full article

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of family physicians and family health personnel who are responsible for childhood vaccination services in primary care regarding meningococcal, rotavirus, and human papillomavirus vaccines. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022. A total of 700 healthcare professionals from all geographical regions in Turkey were included in the study. The participants filled out an online questionnaire consisting of 39 questions created with Google Forms. Results: Of the participants, 340 (48.6%) are family physicians, and 360 (51.4%) are family health personnel. Most participants are from the Marmara region, Turkey’s most densely populated region. The most recommended vaccine among the participants was rotavirus (84.3%), while the least recommended vaccine was human papilloma virus (47.6%). The number of family physicians recommending meningococcal and human papilloma virus vaccines was significantly higher than that of family health personnel (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant correlation between seeing a patient with these viruses in one’s professional life or considering the severity of these three diseases to be severe and recommending these vaccines (p < 0.001 for both). However, lack of knowledge about vaccines and doses, the high cost of vaccines, and concerns about side effects were among the reasons for not recommending vaccines. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals involved in childhood immunization should be trained to increase their knowledge and awareness on this issue. The training plan and curriculum should take into account the issues raised in our research, such as age, occupation, region of residence, and professional experience. In general, knowledge about the efficacy and safety of vaccines will help healthcare professionals develop their confidence in vaccines and willingness to recommend childhood vaccines to others. Full article

Equine rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of debilitating diarrhoea in neonatal foals globally. The aim of this study was to characterise RVA viruses currently circulating in Ireland and to identify risk factors associated with disease outbreaks. Of the 377 samples submitted during 2023 and 2024, 48 foals from 36 outbreaks were confirmed to be RVA-positive by real-time PCR. The viruses detected were genotyped by VP7 and VP4 gene sequencing. In 2024, the attending veterinary surgeon was contacted, and epidemiological data were collected. These included the vaccination status of the foal’s dam and the clinician’s opinion of the hygiene standard and stocking density on the farm. During the study period, 37 G3 RVAs were detected on 26 premises and 7 G14 RVAs were detected on 6 premises. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the viruses characterised were of the G3A subtype and the P[12]genotype and were closely related to viruses previously identified in Europe and Japan. Farm hygiene standards and stocking rates, with some exceptions, were considered satisfactory by the clinicians. However, vaccination coverage needs to be improved as the dams of the affected foals were unvaccinated on 68% of farms. Full article

Background: To provide clues and a diagnostic basis for patients with fever of unknown origin through urinary proteomics analysis. Methods: For the first time, an attempt was made to conduct a full-library search for viruses in urine samples. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology was employed to analyze the urinary proteomes of patients with fever of unknown origin, and to search for and identify viral protein fragments. In this study, there is no need to pre-determine the types of substances present in the samples. As long as the relevant sequences of viruses are available in the database, virus searches can be performed on the samples. Results: In the urine samples, multiple specific peptides from various viruses, such as the monkeypox virus, salivirus A, human herpesvirus 8 type P, Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, rotavirus A, Orf virus (strain NZ2), human herpesvirus 2 (strain HG52), human adenovirus E serotype 4, influenza A virus, human coronavirus NL63, parainfluenza virus 5 (strain W3), Nipah virus, and hepatitis C virus genotype 2k (isolate VAT96), could be observed. It was found that the detection amounts of multiple viruses in febrile patients were much higher than those in the control group. Among them, the increase multiple of salivirus A was as high as more than 4200 times, and the increase multiples of multiple viral proteins were higher than 20 times. Conclusions: Viral fragments in urinary proteins can be reliably identified using mass spectrometry, which provides clues for the investigation of unexplained fever and may also be applied to the exploration of any unknown diseases. Full article