Statins enhance extracellular release of hepatitis C virus particles through ERK5 activation.

Statins, such as lovastatin, have been known to inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. Statins were reported to moderately suppress hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in cultured cells harboring HCV RNA replicons. We report here using an HCV cell culture (HCVcc) system that high concentrations of lovastatin (5-20 μg/mL) markedly enhanced the release of HCV infectious particles (virion) in the culture supernatants by up to 40 times, without enhancing HCV RNA replication, HCV protein synthesis, or HCV virion assembly in the cells.

Genotypic Analysis of Transmitted and Acquired HIV Drug Resistance in People Living with HIV/AIDS in Surabaya, Indonesia, from 2018 to 2019.

Background: Despite the availability of various effective antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has come with HIV drug resistance (HIVDR), which compromises its effectiveness in reducing HIV-related morbidity, mortality, and transmission. The emergence of transmitted (TDR) and acquired HIVDR (ADR) among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve and experienced individuals have been reported in several Indonesian regions. Therefore, continuous HIVDR surveillance is needed in Indonesia, especially in Surabaya, which is identified as having the highest prevalence of HIV infection in East Java; thus, this study aimed to identify the emergence of TDR and ADR among people living with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA).

Low clinical impact of HIV drug resistance mutations in oral pre-exposure prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Despite the widespread use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, scant information on HIV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) has been gathered over the past decade. This review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of pre-exposure prophylaxis and its two-way impact on DRM.

Methods: We systematically reviewed studies on DRM in pre-exposure prophylaxis according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines.

Spatial-temporal transmission dynamics of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in Indonesia.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) remains a serious health threat in Indonesia. In particular, the CRF01_AE viruses were the predominant HIV-1 strains in various cities in Indonesia. However, information on the dynamic transmission characteristics and spatial-temporal transmission of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in Indonesia is limited.

Further Characterization of the Antiviral Transmembrane Protein MARCH8.

The cellular transmembrane protein MARCH8 impedes the incorporation of various viral envelope glycoproteins, such as the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) and vesicular stomatitis virus G-glycoprotein (VSV-G), into virions by downregulating them from the surface of virus-producing cells. This downregulation significantly reduces the efficiency of virus infection. In this study, we aimed to further characterize this host protein by investigating its species specificity and the domains responsible for its antiviral activity, as well as its ability to inhibit cell-to-cell HIV-1 infection.

The role of CD4+, CD8+, CD4+/CD8+ and neutrophile to lymphocyte ratio in predicting and determining COVID-19 severity in Indonesian patients.

Background: Biomarkers that are cost-effective and accurate for predicting severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are urgently needed. We would like to assess the role of various inflammatory biomarkers on admission as disease severity predictors and determine the optimal cut-off of the neutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for predicting severe COVID-19.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in six hospitals in Bali and recruited real-time PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients aged >18 y from June to August 2020.

Subtype Distribution and Drug Resistance Patterns Among HIV-1 Strains Prevalent in Makassar, Indonesia.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is characterized by a large degree of genetic variability because of high rates of recombination and mutation, sizable population sizes, and rapid replication. Therefore, this study investigated HIV-1 subtype distribution and the appearance of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in viruses that are prevalent in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The HIV-1 , , and genes were amplified from 63 infected individuals and sequenced for a subtyping analysis.

Construction and evaluation of a self-replicative RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using yellow fever virus replicon.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is a global threat. To forestall the pandemic, developing safe and effective vaccines is necessary. Because of the rapid production and little effect on the host genome, mRNA vaccines are attractive, but they have a relatively low immune response after a single dose.

Japanese Encephalitis DNA Vaccines with Epitope Modification Reduce the Induction of Cross-Reactive Antibodies against Dengue Virus and Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Dengue Virus Infection.

Infection with viruses belonging to the genus , such as Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and dengue virus (DENV), is a worldwide health problem. Vaccines against JEV and DENV are currently available. However, the dengue vaccine possibly increases the risk of severe dengue due to antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

Antibiotic Resistance in Non-Typhoidal Strains Isolated from Chicken Meat in Indonesia.

The increase in antibiotic resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica (NTS) has been confirmed in Indonesia by this study. We confirmed the virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibilities of clinical NTS (n = 50) isolated from chicken meat in Indonesia and also detected antimicrobial resistance genes. Of 50 strains, 30 (60%) were non-susceptible to nalidixic acid (NA) and all of them had amino acid mutations in gyrA.

Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus by dry fogging hypochlorous acid solution and hydrogen peroxide solution.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is transmitted mainly by droplet or aerosol infection; however, it may also be transmitted by contact infection. SARS-CoV-2 that adheres to environmental surfaces remains infectious for several days. We herein attempted to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus adhering to an environmental surface by dry fogging hypochlorous acid solution and hydrogen peroxide solution.

MARCH8 Targets Cytoplasmic Lysine Residues of Various Viral Envelope Glycoproteins.

The host transmembrane protein MARCH8 is a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase that downregulates various host transmembrane proteins, such as MHC-II. We have recently reported that MARCH8 expression in virus-producing cells impairs viral infectivity by reducing virion incorporation of not only HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein but also vesicular stomatitis virus G-glycoprotein through two different pathways. However, the MARCH8 inhibition spectrum remains largely unknown.

An affinity-matured human monoclonal antibody targeting fusion loop epitope of dengue virus with in vivo therapeutic potency.

Dengue virus (DENV), from the genus flavivirus of the family flaviviridae, causes serious health problems globally. Human monoclonal antibodies (HuMAb) can be used to elucidate the mechanisms of neutralization and antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of DENV infections, leading to the development of a vaccine or therapeutic antibodies. Here, we generated eight HuMAb clones from an Indonesian patient infected with DENV.

A PCR amplicon-based SARS-CoV-2 replicon for antiviral evaluation.

The development of specific antiviral compounds to SARS-CoV-2 is an urgent task. One of the obstacles for the antiviral development is the requirement of biocontainment because infectious SARS-CoV-2 must be handled in a biosafety level-3 laboratory. Replicon, a non-infectious self-replicative viral RNA, could be a safe and effective tool for antiviral evaluation.

A potent neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody specific to dengue virus type 1 Mochizuki strain recognized a novel epitope around the N-67 glycan on the envelope protein: A possible explanation of dengue virus evolution regarding the acquisition of N-67 glycan.

The analysis of neutralizing epitope of dengue virus (DENV) is important for the development of an effective dengue vaccine. A potent neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody named 7F4 was previously reported and, here, we further analyzed the detailed epitope of this antibody. 7F4 recognized a novel conformational epitope close to the N-67 glycan on the envelope protein.

The Dominance of CRF01_AE and the Emergence of Drug Resistance Mutations Among Antiretroviral Therapy-Experienced, HIV-1-infected Individuals in Medan, Indonesia.

Background: human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is a serious public health threat worldwide. Medan is one example of big cities in Indonesia with a high prevalence of HIV-1 infection; however, quite a limited study had conducted for detecting the circulation of HIV-1 subtypes in Medan. In addition, a serious factor that can implicate the treatment of HIV-1-infected individuals is the emergence of drug resistance mutations.

Identification of HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance mutations among HIV-1-infected individuals residing in Pontianak, Indonesia.

Introduction: The present study investigated the HIV-1 subtype classification in addition to prevalence of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced and ART-naïve residents of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Methods: Whole blood samples collected from 30 HIV-1-infected individuals, comprising 19 ART-experienced and 11 ART-naïve individuals, were subjected to RNA and DNA extraction, followed by HIV-1 genes amplification and sequencing analysis. HIV-1 subtyping was classified on viral genes encoding reverse transcriptase (RT gene) and protease (PR gene) accompanied by the and genes.

Paravertebral compartment syndrome after exercise: a case report.

Background: Paravertebral compartment syndrome occurring without trauma is quite rare. We report a case of compartment syndrome that occurred after spinal exercises.

Case Presentation: A 23-year-old Japanese rower developed severe back pain and was unable to move 1 day after performing exercises for the spinal muscles.

Multiplexed -Targeting CRISPR-Cas9 Protects T Cells from Acute HIV-1 Infection with Inhibition of Viral Escape.

HIV-1 cure strategy by means of proviral knock-out using CRISPR-Cas9 has been hampered by the emergence of viral resistance against the targeting guide RNA (gRNA). Here, we proposed multiple, concentrated gRNA attacks against HIV-1 regulatory genes to block viral escape. The T cell line were transduced with single and multiple gRNAs targeting HIV-1 and using lentiviral-based CRISPR-Cas9, followed by replicative HIV-1 challenge in vitro.

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmitted drug resistance among treatment-naive individuals residing in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The presence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected individuals naive to antiretroviral therapy, may affect the effectiveness of treatment. Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia, recorded the highest number of cumulative HIV infection cases in the country. This study aimed to identify on the appearance of TDR, as well as to identify HIV-1 subtypes circulating among treatment-naive individuals in Jakarta.

2018-2019 Update on the Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 in Indonesia.

The HIV type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic has continued to grow in Indonesia; however, continuous updates on the epidemiology of HIV-1 in Indonesia remain challenging because it is the biggest archipelago in the world. Furthermore, the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) has had a negative impact on the treatment of infected individuals. In this study, we performed HIV-1 subtyping and the detection of HIVDR in 105 HIV-1-infected individuals residing in various cities in Indonesia during 2018-2019.