Genotype 1 hepatitis C virus envelope features that determine antiviral response assessed through optimal covariance networks.

The poor response to the combined antiviral therapy of pegylated alfa-interferon and ribavarin for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be linked to mutations in the viral envelope gene E1E2 (env), which can result in escape from the immune response and higher efficacy of viral entry. Mutations that result in failure of therapy most likely require compensatory mutations to achieve sufficient change in envelope structure and function. Compensatory mutations were investigated by determining positions in the E1E2 gene where amino acids (aa) covaried across groups of individuals.

Hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein signatures are associated with treatment failure and modulation of viral entry and neutralization.

Background: A major challenge for antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is viral resistance, potentially resulting from the high variability of HCV envelope glycoproteins and subsequent selection of strains with enhanced infectivity and/or immune escape.

Methods: We used a bioinformatics and functional approach to investigate whether E1/E2 envelope glycoprotein structure and function were associated with treatment failure in 92 patients infected with HCV genotype 1.

Results: Bioinformatics analysis identified 1 sustain virological response (R)-related residue in E1 (219T) and 2 non-SVR (NR)-related molecular signatures in E2 (431A and 642V) in HCV genotype 1a.

Hepatitis B virus mutations potentially conferring adefovir/tenofovir resistance in treatment-naive patients.

Anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapy leads to the emergence of mutant viral strains during the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with nucleos(t)ides analogues. The existence of HBV variants with primary antiviral resistance may be important for treatment choice. We studied two patients with chronic HBV infection by sequencing the HBV polymerase gene.

Tick-borne encephalitis in eastern France.

Each y a few cases of TBE infection are described in Alsace, France which lies at the occidental limit of the endemic zone of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Hence we carried out a retrospective epidemiological and clinical study of TBE infection in Alsace. Data were collected from serological results sent to the Institut de Virologie (Université Louis Pasteur) in Strasbourg.

Establishment of a national network of validated and qualified laboratories for neutralizing anti-vaccinia antibodies titration.

A Proficiency Testing Study (PTS) was organized in France by the French Health Products Safety Agency (Afssaps) aiming at assessing the performance of laboratories in performing a neutralizing anti-vaccinia antibodies titration method by plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). The ultimate goal was to establish a national network of qualified and validated laboratories. Five laboratories were included in the PTS and four submitted their data.

Evaluation of three commercially available hepatitis C virus antibody detection assays under the conditions of a clinical virology laboratory.

Background: Most studies evaluating antibody detection assays are conducted on samples from healthy blood donors but not on samples of hospitalized patients which can show non-specific reactions.

Objectives: To compare the performance of three commercial automated assays for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, Monolisa anti-HCV Plus version 2, Axsym anti-HCV 3.0 and Vitros anti-HCV, on a population of hospitalized patients.

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Nef and CD4 physical interaction in living human cells by using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer.

CD4 down-regulation by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Nef protein is a key function for virus virulence. This activity may be mediated by a direct Nef-CD4 interaction. We investigated the formation, in situ, of such a complex between proteins using bioluminescence resonance energy transfer technology and co-immunoprecipitations.

Persistent multiple pulmonary nodules in a nonimmunocompromised woman after varicella-related myelitis treated with acyclovir.

Persistent multiple pulmonary nodules were observed on the chest X ray of a nonimmunocompromised woman 6 months after she was treated with acyclovir for a varicella-related myelitis without respiratory symptoms. Early antiviral therapy given for varicella infections might decrease the intensity of clinical symptoms without actually preventing the occurrence of varicella-zoster virus-related lesions such as the persistent pulmonary nodules reported here.

In vivo inactivation of Nef ITAM motif of chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency virus SHIVsbg-YE correlates with absence of increased virulence in Chinese rhesus macaques.

SHIVsbg, expressing Vpu, Tat, Rev, and Env proteins of HIV-1 Lai, was shown to be infectious for rhesus macaques. In this study, we mutated SHIVsbg Nef amino acids 17-18 from RQ to YE, conferring to SHIVsbg-YE the ability to replicate in vitro in unstimulated macaque PBMC. Juvenile macaques inoculated intravenously or orally with SHIVsbg-YE developed persistent infection.