Differential susceptibility of adenovirus clinical isolates to cidofovir and ribavirin is not related to species alone.

Background: We have previously reported that human adenovirus (HAdV) reference strains clearly show species-dependent resistance to ribavirin, whereas different species of HAdV are equally sensitive to cidofovir. All the serotypes tested were susceptible to cidofovir, whereas only serotypes from species C were sensitive to ribavirin. Here, we aimed to extend these investigations to clinical isolates.

Drug targets in herpes simplex and Epstein Barr Virus infections.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) are Herpesviridae. Although infections are often subclinical, HSV can cause mild to severe diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients. EBV infections are also often asymptomatic but this virus may be associated to carcinoma in immunocompetent patients and to severe diseases in immunocompromised patients.

Characterization of naturally occurring parainfluenza virus type 2 (hPIV-2) variants.

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses (hPIV) are respiratory pathogens responsible for upper and lower respiratory tract infections. In most labs, the clinical diagnosis of hPIV is routinely done using techniques based on the detection of viral antigens such as immunofluorescence assay or/and viral isolation.

Study Design: Five hPIV-2 isolated from respiratory samples exhibited unusual phenotypic and antigenic characteristics.

Genotypic detection of acyclovir-resistant HSV-1: characterization of 67 ACV-sensitive and 14 ACV-resistant viruses.

Infections due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) resistant to acyclovir (ACV) represent an important clinical concern in immunocompromised patients. In order to switch promptly to an appropriate treatment, rapid viral susceptibility assays are required. We developed herein a genotyping analysis focusing on thymidine kinase gene (TK) mutations in order to detect acyclovir-resistant HSV in clinical specimens.

[New targets for new anti-herpes drugs].

Although infections are often subclinical, herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause mild to severe diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients. There are few drugs licensed for the treatment of HSV infections. Most target the viral DNA polymerase, such as acyclovir that remains the reference treatment some thirty years after its discovery! Extensive clinical use of this drug has led to the emergence of resistant strains, mainly in immunocompromised patients, these infections can be managed with only two drugs, foscarnet and cidofovir, both much more toxic than acyclovir.