Herpe

Background Herpes zoster (HZ) or shingles, arises from the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV), mainly affecting older and immunocompromised individuals. Despite the efficacy of vaccines, vaccination rates in Saudi Arabia are low. Thus, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the Saudi Arabian population toward HZ and its vaccination. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the public perception in Saudi Arabia toward HZ and its vaccination, during the period from January to March 2024...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a third-generation lentivirus-based vector encoding the feline erythropoietin (EPO) (feEPO) gene in vitro and in rodent models in vivo. This vector incorporates a genetic mechanism to facilitate the termination of the therapeutic effect in the event of supraphysiologic polycythemia, the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) "suicide gene." ANIMALS: CFRK cells and replication-defective lentiviral vectors encoding feEPO were used for in vitro experiments...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of intravenous tocilizumab (TCZ) injection in patients with moderate-to-severe active thyroid eye disease (TED). METHODS: Patients with active and moderate-to-severe TED who did not respond to conventional therapies were treated with TCZ from June 2019 to January 2021. The medical records of the patients were evaluated before the treatment. We analyzed patient demographics, including the duration of Graves' disease and TED, and assessed subjective symptoms, such as diplopia and ocular movement, clinical activity score (CAS), modified NOSPECS score, and exophthalmos before treatment and at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after the first drug injection...

Human herpes virus is a family of DNA viruses that includes herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella zoster virus (VZV). HSV-1 and HSV-2 are fairly common and result in oral and genital lesions. Recurrent infections of herpes include lesions on the lips resulting in pain and possibly societal stigma, making adequate treatment of these conditions crucial. VZV is the cause of chicken pox and shingles. Acyclovir and other nucleoside analogues have been the gold standard of treatment for HSV and VZV, but newer, more effective treatments are being developed, which is beneficial regarding the issue of resistance to standard antivirals...

Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) are the preferred treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Despite their therapeutic benefits, these targeted agents have been associated with an increased risk of invasive infections. We describe a 68-year-old male who developed multiple bacterial, fungal and viral infections while on treatment with acalabrutinib. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of concomitant CNS infections with Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus, along with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) pneumonia while on acalabrutinib...

Viruses target mitochondria to promote their replication, and infection-induced stress during the progression of infection leads to the regulation of antiviral defenses and mitochondrial metabolism which are opposed by counteracting viral factors. The precise structural and functional changes that underlie how mitochondria react to the infection remain largely unclear. Here we show extensive transcriptional remodeling of protein-encoding host genes involved in the respiratory chain, apoptosis, and structural organization of mitochondria as herpes simplex virus type 1 lytic infection proceeds from early to late stages of infection...

Ocular herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infections can lead to visual impairment. Long-term acyclovir (ACV) prophylaxis reduces the frequency of recurrences but is associated with drug resistance. Novel therapies are needed to treat drug-resistant HSV-1 infections. Here, we describe the effects of trifluridine (TFT) in combination with ACV or ganciclovir (GCV) on HSV-1 replication and drug-resistance emergence. Wild-type HSV-1 was grown under increasing doses of one antiviral (ACV, GCV, or TFT) or combinations thereof (ACV + TFT or GCV + TFT)...

OBJECTIVE: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Despite the increasing prevalence of IBD in non-white populations, little is known regarding racial disparities in VPD burden. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzing the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample, we identified adults with IBD hospitalized for a principal diagnosis of VPD. The primary outcome investigated was hospitalization for VPD stratified by patient-reported race...

BACKGROUND: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) represents a significant global health challenge, and its progression, resistance to therapy, and metastasis are strongly influenced by the tumor microenvironment, including factors like hypoxia. This study explores the impact of High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) overexpression on CRC cell migration, while identifying potential genes associated with this process. METHODS: To explore this, we developed oncolytic virotherapy, resulting in HSVHMGB1, an oncolytic Herpes simplex virus that expresses HMGB1...

One kind of angioproliferative disorder is Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Growth of spindle-shaped cells, edema, inflammation, and neoangiogenesis are its defining features. Because it lacks the typical indicators of malignancy, it is classified as an intermediate neoplasm. People who are immunocompromised, receiving organ transplants, or receiving antiretroviral therapy are linked to KS. Although lymph node involvement by KS is extremely uncommon, when it does occur, it usually manifests as either the epidemic form in (Human Immuno-deficiency) HIV-positive patients or the endemic form in Africans...

Objective: Our purpose was to present a case of a patient diagnosed with herpes zoster ophthalmicus with multiple ocular manifestations. Case presentation: A 70-year-old Caucasian male presented to the hospital for headache and skin hyperesthesia on the scalp and forehead on the left side. The diagnoses of herpes zoster ophthalmicus and acute conjunctivitis were made for the left eye. The patient was followed up for 6 months and during that period the following diagnoses were made for the same eye: peripheral sterile corneal infiltrates, episcleritis, and hypertensive anterior uveitis...

The aim of our minireview is to provide a brief overview of the diagnosis, clinical aspects, treatment options, management, and current literature available regarding herpes simplex keratitis (HSK). This type of corneal viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), which can affect several tissues, including the cornea. One significant aspect of HSK is its potential to cause recurrent episodes of inflammation and damage to the cornea. After the initial infection, the HSV can establish a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglion, a nerve cluster near the eye...

Escalation of ecological concern due to biodegradable plastics has attracted the attention of many contemporary researchers. This study searched to investigate the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutyleneadipate-co-terephthalate (PLA-PBAT) bio-microplastics on 3-month-old zebrafish to elucidate their potential toxic mechanisms. Acute toxicity assessments revealed 96 h-LC50 value of 12.69 mg/L for PLA-PBAT. Sub-chronic exposure of over 21 days revealed deviations in critical behavioral patterns and physiological indicators...

BACKGROUND: The Oka varicella vaccine strain remains neurovirulent and can establish lifelong latent infection, raising safety concerns about vaccine-related herpes zoster. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a skin-attenuated and neuro-attenuated varicella vaccine candidate (v7D vaccine). METHODS: We did this randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 2a clinical trial in Jiangsu, China. Healthy children aged 3-12 years with no history of varicella infection or vaccination were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to receive a single subcutaneous injection of the v7D vaccine at 3·3 log10 plaque forming units (PFU; low-dose v7D group), 3·9 log10 PFU (medium-dose v7D group), and 4·2 log10 PFU (high-dose v7D group), or the positive control varicella vaccine (vOka vaccine group)...

BACKGROUND: Telitacicept, an innovative drug used for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), can effectively control disease progression and achieve favorable outcomes. While case reports have mentioned the use of Telitacicept in lupus nephritis (LN) treatment, its safety and efficacy in treating patients with LN have not been explored. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Telitacicept in managing patients with LN. METHODS: In a single-center, real-world retrospective study, 30 LN patients with poor response or adverse reactions to conventional glucocorticoids at our Hospital were enrolled to receive Telitacicept...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a lifelong pathogen characterized by asymptomatic latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia (TG), with periodic outbreaks of cold sores caused by virus reactivation in the TG and subsequent replication in the oral mucosa. While antiviral therapies can provide relief from cold sores, they are unable to eliminate HSV-1. We provide experimental results that highlight non-thermal plasma (NTP) as a new alternative therapy for HSV-1 infection that would resolve cold sores faster and reduce the establishment of latent infection in the TG...

BACKGROUND: The cost effectiveness of childhood varicella vaccination is uncertain, as evidenced by variation in national health policies. Within the European Economic Area (EEA), only 10 of 30 countries offer universally funded childhood varicella vaccination. This study estimates the cost effectiveness of universal childhood varicella vaccination for one EEA country (Ireland), highlighting the difference in cost effectiveness between alternative vaccination strategies. METHODS: An age-structured dynamic transmission model, simulating varicella zoster virus transmission, was developed to analyse the impact of three vaccination strategies; one-dose at 12 months old, two-dose at 12 and 15 months old (short-interval), and two-dose at 12 months and five years old (long-interval)...

BACKGROUND: Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) has severe impact on the sport horse population. OBJECTIVE: Study the influence of EHM on the likelihood of affected horses to return to their previous performance and investigate the association of clinical variables with prognosis. ANIMALS: Twenty-six horses positive for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) were admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) during a natural EHM outbreak at an international jumping event...

One of the probable hypotheses for the onset of autoimmunity is molecular mimicry. This study aimed to determine the HLA-II risk alleles for developing Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) in order to analyze the molecular homology between candidate pathogen-derived epitopes and potentially self-antigens (thyroid peroxidase, TPO) based on the presence of HLA risk alleles. HLA-DRB1/-DQB1 genotyping was performed in 100 HT patients and 330 ethnically matched healthy controls to determine the predisposing/protective alleles for HT disease...

Satellite glial cells (SGCs) are the main type of glial cells in sensory ganglia. Animal studies have shown that these cells play essential roles in both normal and disease states. In a large number of pain models, SGCs were activated and contributed to the pain behavior. Much less is known about SGCs in humans, but there is emerging recognition that SGCs in humans are altered in a variety of clinical states. The available data show that human SGCs share some essential features with SGCs in rodents, but many differences do exist...