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.

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.

Influenza burden in febrile infants and young children in a pediatric emergency department.

Background: In France, epidemiologic data in children in ambulatory settings are scarce. We aimed to measure the burden of influenza in young children.

Methods: Febrile children younger than 36 months were consecutively recruited in a pediatric emergency department during the 2002 epidemic peak.

Resistance of herpes simplex virus type 1 to acyclovir: thymidine kinase gene mutagenesis study.

By site-directed mutagenesis, we investigate the role of six mutations of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (TK) gene in the acquisition of resistance to acyclovir (ACV). TK activity was not impaired by substitutions located at codons 17, 161 and 374 and these mutations were thus related to TK gene polymorphism. Mutations His105Pro, Leu364Pro and Asp162Ala lead to the loss of TK activity that could result in ACV-resistance.

Human parainfluenza virus type 4 infections: a report of 20 cases from 1998 to 2002.

Background: Human Parainfluenza Viruses (HPIV) type 4 are responsible for respiratory infections. Unlike HPIV types 1-3, they are associated with mild infections and appear to be infrequent. Thus, they often go undetected.

In vitro susceptibility of adenovirus to antiviral drugs is species-dependent.

Adenovirus infections are a frequent and serious complication following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The antiviral drugs cidofovir and ribavirin have been used as first-line therapy for disseminated infections with variable results. In the present study, in vitro susceptibility to these two drugs was evaluated on HEp-2 cells in adenovirus reference strains representing serotypes of each of the six species and in clinical isolates.

S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase activity is required for the outcome of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection and represents a new potential therapeutic target.

All the available antiherpetic drugs are directed against viral proteins. Their extensive clinical use has led to the emergence of resistant viral strains. There is a need for the treatment of herpes infections due to resistant strains, especially for immunocompromised patients.

HSV excretion after bone marrow transplantation: a 4-year survey.

Background: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) oral excretions are common after bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Objective: We report a 4-year systematic survey of HSV excretions in an adult population who underwent BMT (289 transplantations).

Study Design: Patients received either intravenous ACV treatment when mucositis occurred or systematic intravenous ACV prophylaxis from initiation of the BMT conditioning until the end of aplasia.

Natural polymorphism of cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase lies in two nonconserved regions located between domains delta-C and II and between domains III and I.

We described the natural polymorphism of cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase in 42 unrelated isolates susceptible to ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir. All variations, including an eight-amino-acid deletion, were located between domains delta-C and II and between domains III and I, suggesting that these specific residues are not involved in enzymatic functions.

Cytomegalovirus and adenovirus infections and diseases among 75 paediatric unrelated allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipients.

Viral infections remain a major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. A population of children who underwent unrelated allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in a single centre has been followed-up for viral infections and diseases. We describe the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and adenovirus among 75 children transplanted between 1989 and 2000.

Herpes simplex virus resistance to antiviral drugs.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are efficiently treated with antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (ACV). However, resistance has been reported, mainly among immunocompromised patients (prevalence around 5%) and particularly allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients (prevalence reaching 30%). Resistance to ACV is associated with mutations on one of the two viral enzymes involved in the ACV mechanism of action: thymidine kinase (TK) and DNA polymerase.

A screening dye-uptake assay to evaluate in vitro susceptibility of herpes simplex virus isolates to acyclovir.

The widespread use of acyclovir (ACV) could increase the prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) ACV-resistant isolates, and a screening assay are thus important for routine surveillance of the ACV susceptibility of HSV. A screening dye-uptake assay was developed, based on the conventional dye-uptake assay [J. Biol.

Detection of measles vaccine in the throat of a vaccinated child.

Measles vaccine is widely used, most often in association with mumps and rubella vaccines. We report here the case of a child presenting with fever 8 days after vaccination with a measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Measles virus was isolated in a throat swab taken 4 days after fever onset.