Clonal succession after prolonged antiretroviral therapy rejuvenates CD8 T cell responses against HIV-1.

Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection is characterized by a dynamic and persistent state of viral replication that overwhelms the host immune system in the absence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The impact of prolonged treatment on the antiviral efficacy of HIV-1-specific CD8 T cells has nonetheless remained unknown. Here, we used single-cell technologies to address this issue in a cohort of aging individuals infected early during the pandemic and subsequently treated with continuous ART.

Immunologic Control of HIV-1: What Have We Learned and Can We Induce It?

Purpose Of Review: A large amount of data now exists on the virus-specific immune response associated with spontaneous or induced immunologic control of lentiviruses. This review focuses on how the current understanding of HIV-specific immunity might be leveraged into induction of immunologic control and what further research is needed to accomplish this goal.

Recent Findings: During chronic infection, the function most robustly associated with immunologic control of HIV-1 is CD8 T cell cytotoxic capacity.

Antigenic Restimulation of Virus-Specific Memory CD8 T Cells Requires Days of Lytic Protein Accumulation for Maximal Cytotoxic Capacity.

In various infections or vaccinations of mice or humans, reports of the persistence and the requirements for restimulation of the cytotoxic mediators granzyme B (GrB) and perforin (PRF) in CD8 T cells have yielded disparate results. In this study, we examined the kinetics of PRF and GrB mRNA and protein expression after stimulation and associated changes in cytotoxic capacity in virus-specific memory cells in detail. In patients with controlled HIV or cleared respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza virus infections, all virus-specific CD8 T cells expressed low PRF levels without restimulation.

Factors Associated With Influenza in an Emergency Department Setting.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) become more overcrowded during peak respiratory virus season. Distinguishing influenza from other viruses is crucial to implement social distancing practices, early treatment, and prompt disposition.

Objectives: We sought to determine factors associated with influenza among a prospective cohort of consecutive ED patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI).

Using a novel rapid viral test to improve triage of emergency department patients with acute respiratory illness during flu season.

Background: Acute respiratory illnesses (ARI) are mostly viral in etiology and cause significant morbidity and mortality. Point of care PCR (POC-PCR) is a promising new technology for rapid virus identification but utility in the Emergency Department (ED) is not yet defined.

Objectives: Primarily, to investigate the value of POC-PCR in rapidly identifying RSV and influenza in the setting of ED triage.

Impact of Rapid Molecular Respiratory Virus Testing on Real-Time Decision Making in a Pediatric Emergency Department.

Acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) are usually viral [influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)] and account for 25% of emergency department (ED) peak-season visits. Laboratory PCR testing is accurate albeit slow, whereas rapid antigen testing is inaccurate. We determined the impact of bedside PCR (molecular point-of-care test; mPOCT) on pediatric ARI management.

Characterizing Readmissions After Bariatric Surgery.

Introduction: Readmissions are an important quality metric for surgery. Here, we compare characteristics of readmissions across laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and adjustable gastric band (LAGB).

Methods: Demographic, intraoperative, anthropometric, and laboratory data were prospectively obtained for 1775 patients at a single academic institution.

The Influence of Resected Gastric Weight upon Weight Loss after Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Bariatric surgery is an effective and enduring treatment for obesity. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has emerged as an increasingly prevalent surgical intervention. Further investigation is required to determine optimal standardization of SG.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis type VII secreted effector EsxH targets host ESCRT to impair trafficking.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) disrupts anti-microbial pathways of macrophages, cells that normally kill bacteria. Over 40 years ago, D'Arcy Hart showed that Mtb avoids delivery to lysosomes, but the molecular mechanisms that allow Mtb to elude lysosomal degradation are poorly understood. Specialized secretion systems are often used by bacterial pathogens to translocate effectors that target the host, and Mtb encodes type VII secretion systems (TSSSs) that enable mycobacteria to secrete proteins across their complex cell envelope; however, their cellular targets are unknown.

Active transport of bile acids decreases mucin 2 in neonatal ileum: implications for development of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common gastrointestinal emergency of premature infants, but its etiology remains unclear. We have previously shown that mucin 2 (Muc2) positive goblet cells are significantly decreased in NEC. We have also shown that ileal bile acids (BAs) are significantly increased during the development of this disease.