Peptides Derived from Glycoproteins H and B of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Are Capable of Blocking Herpetic Infection in vitro.

Aims: The aim of this study was to design peptides derived from glycoproteins H (gH) and B (gB) of herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) with the potential to block herpetic infection and to evaluate their ability to inhibit HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection in vitro.

Methods: A library of continuous 15-25 residue stretches (CRSs) located at the surface of gH and gB from HSV-1 and HSV-2 was created. These CRSs were analyzed, and only those that were highly flexible and rich in charged residues were selected for the design of the antiviral peptides (AVPs).

Full-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of four neurovirulent Mexican isolates of porcine rubulavirus.

We report the complete genome sequences of four neurovirulent isolates of porcine rubulavirus (PorPV) from 2015 and one historical PorPV isolate from 1984 obtained by next-generation sequencing. A phylogenetic tree constructed using the individual sequences of the complete HN genes of the 2015 isolates and other historical sequences deposited in the GenBank database revealed that several recent neurovirulent isolates of PorPV (2008-2015) cluster together in a separate clade. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome sequences revealed that the neurovirulent strains of PorPV that circulated in Mexico during 2015 are genetically different from the PorPV strains that circulated during the 1980s.

Prediction of antiviral peptides derived from viral fusion proteins potentially active against herpes simplex and influenza A viruses.

There are very few antiviral drugs available to fight viral infections and the appearance of viral strains resistant to these antivirals is not a rare event. Hence, the design of new antiviral drugs is important. We describe the prediction of peptides with antiviral activity (AVP) derived from the viral glycoproteins involved in the entrance of herpes simplex (HSV) and influenza A viruses into their host cells.

[Herpes simplex virus type 1: a possible sexually transmitted agent among college students].

Objective: To study the factors associated with the presence of antibodies against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and to screen for HSV-1 in genital samples.

Materials And Methods: Students answered a survey and provided biological samples (blood and genital discharge). The detection of IgG and IgM antibodies against HSV-1 was performed by an ELISA test.

[Could influenza virus produce the first pandemic of the XXI century?].

Since the last decade of the XX century has been increasing the frequency of outbreaks with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses among poultry and direct transmission of these viruses to humans. These events have ignited great concern about the pandemic potential of these viruses, for that reason the study and characterization of the previously influenza viruses involved in pandemics or outbreaks has been considered of great importance. This review presents and compares the different influenza viruses involved in the XX century pandemics and outbreaks, with emphasis in the cellular receptors used by avian and human influenza viruses.

Analysis of human rotavirus G1P[8] strains by RFLP reveals higher genetic drift in the VP7 than the VP4 gene during a 4-year period in Mexico.

Several studies have demonstrated that rotaviruses of the G1P[8] genotype are among the most important worldwide. Sequence analysis of G1P[8] strains has revealed high genetic variability of VP4 and VP7 genes. The aim of this study was to investigate by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis the genetic variability of the VP7 and VP4 genes within rotaviruses of the G1P[8] genotype.