Exploring the Replication and Pathogenic Characteristics of Alpha, Delta, and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2.

The variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 have exhibited different phenotypic characteristics in clinical settings which are yet to be fully explored. This study aimed to characterize the viral replication features of major VOCs of SARS-CoV-2 and their association with pathogenicity. The Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 isolated from the COVID-19 patients in Japan were propagated in VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells.

Twenty-five years of Nipah outbreaks in Southeast Asia: A persistent threat to global health.

Objectives: Nipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne zoonotic pathogen, poses persistent threats to global public health due to severe clinical manifestation and high case fatality rate (CFR). A critical examination of NiV outbreaks is essential for refining strategies and mitigating the impact of future infections. In this study, we provide a concise update on global NiV outbreaks that occurred during the past 25 years.

Bangladesh records persistently increased number of dengue deaths in recent years: Dissecting the shortcomings and means to resolve.

Objectives: Dengue, a life-threatening disease caused by the mosquito-borne dengue virus, has become a severe problem in recent years in Bangladesh, a South Asian country. In this study, we have critically analyzed the factors contributing to the escalation of the dengue burden in recent years in Bangladesh and discussed the strategies for effective control.

Design: This retrospective observational study analyzed the dengue data collected from the five most dengue-affected countries (Bangladesh, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines) from 2019 to 2023.

Comprehensive analysis of antigenic variations and genomic properties of hepatitis B virus in clinical samples in the mid-north east region of Bangladesh.

This investigation delineates an exhaustive analysis of the clinical, immunological, and genomic landscapes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection across a cohort of 22 verified patients. The demographic analysis unveiled a pronounced male bias (77.27%), with patient ages spanning 20 to 85 years and durations of illness ranging from 10 days to 4 years.

Recent Dengue Infection in Bangladesh: A Seasonal Endemic Progressing to Year-long Serious Health Concern.

Unlabelled: Dengue represents one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne viral diseases. Although the disease has been prevalent around the globe over the centuries, recent outbreaks of dengue have devasted the healthcare delivery system of many countries. Being a global infection, dengue virus (DENV) is endemically present mainly in Latin America and Caribbean countries as well as countries in South Asia.

A Narrative Review on the Specific Pattern of HBV Genotype in Bangladesh: Clinical Implications for Management.

Background And Aims: Bangladesh's unique epidemiological landscape presents an intriguing puzzle. This South Asian nation, with its complex sociodemographic and environmental factors, is home to a diverse array of hepatitis-B virus (HBV) genotypes, identified as Genotype C, with Genotypes D and A also making a significant contribution to the viral landscape. Reviewing such insights is necessary not only to underscore the country's regional diversity in HBV strains but also to bring into focus the clinical implications these genetic variations may have on disease progression and management.

Impact of the Route and Schedule of Immunization on the Serological and Virological Response of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Treated with HeberNasvac.

Unlabelled: HeberNasvac is a recently developed therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) administered by intranasal (IN) and subcutaneous (SC) routes in a 14 days/10 doses schedule. To compare different schedules and routes of immunizations, a group of patients received four different vaccination regimens in a placebo-controlled factorial study. Subsequently, patients were followed for a minimum time of 48 weeks.

Identification of Leading Compounds from (Dudsor) Extracts as a Potential Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 ACE2-RBDS1 Receptor Complex: An Insight from Molecular Docking ADMET Profiling and MD-simulation Studies.

Unlabelled: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are deadly and infectious disease that impacts individuals in a variety of ways. Scientists have stepped up their attempts to find an antiviral drug that targets the spike protein (S) of Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) (receptor protein) as a viable therapeutic target for coronavirus. The most recent study examines the potential antagonistic effects of 17 phytochemicals present in the plant extraction of on the anti-SARS-CoV-2 ACE2 protein.

Intranasal HBsAg/HBcAg-Containing Vaccine Induces Neutralizing Anti-HBs Production in Hepatitis B Vaccine Non-Responders.

Hepatitis B vaccine induces the production of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and prevents hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, 5-10% of individuals cannot develop anti-HBs even after multiple vaccinations (HB vaccine non-responders). We developed an intranasal vaccine containing both HBs antigen (HBsAg) and HB core antigen (HBcAg) and mixed it with a viscosity enhancer, carboxyl vinyl polymer (CVP-NASVAC).

Development of Therapy Based on the Exploration of Biological Events Underlying the Pathogenetic Mechanisms of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 296 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Approximately 15-25% of these people develop complications such as advanced chronic liver diseases (ACLDs). Mortality due to HBV-related complications accounted for an estimated 882,000 deaths in 2019.

INASL-SAASL Consensus Statements on NAFLD Name Change to MAFLD.

There is an ongoing debate on the change of terminology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Experts from the Indian National Association for Study of the Liver (INASL) and the South Asian Association for Study of the Liver (SAASL) involved in diagnosing, managing, and preventing NAFLD met in March 2022 to deliberate if the name change from NAFLD to MAFLD is appropriate, as proposed by a group of experts who published a "consensus" statement in 2020. Proponents of name change to MAFLD opined that NAFLD does not reflect current knowledge, and the term MAFLD was suggested as a more appropriate overarching term.

Antiviral Response across Genotypes after Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with the Therapeutic Vaccine NASVAC or Pegylated Interferon.

An open-level, randomized and treatment-controlled clinical trial has shown that a therapeutic vaccine containing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) (NASVAC) is endowed with antiviral and liver protecting capacity and is safer than pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The present study provides information about the role of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in this phase III clinical trial. From a total of 160 patients enrolled in this trial, the HBV genotypes of 133 patients were characterized, and NASVAC induced a stronger antiviral effect (HBV DNA reduction below 250 copies per mL) than Peg-IFN.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenic and Protective Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 and Implications of COVID-19 Vaccines.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has devastated the world with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has imparted a toll of at least 631 million reported cases with 6.57 million reported deaths. In order to handle this pandemic, vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been developed and billions of doses of various vaccines have been administered.

Safety profile, antiviral capacity, and liver protection of a nasal therapeutic vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis B: Five-year-follow-up outcomes after the end of treatment.

Introduction: There is a pressing need to develop novel drugs for treating patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), as commercially available antiviral drugs are endowed with safety and efficacy concerns.

Methods: A phase III clinical trial was conducted with a therapeutic vaccine containing two antigens of the hepatitis B virus (HBV; named NASVAC) in 78 patients with CHB expressing both HBV DNA and elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the blood. Five years after the end of treatment (EOT), 60 NASVAC-recipient patients were enrolled in this long-term follow-up study to evaluate the safety, antiviral potential, and liver-protective capacity of NASVAC.

Action Mechanisms and Scientific Rationale of Using Nasal Vaccine (HeberNasvac) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B.

Nasvac (HeberNasvac) is a novel therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This product is a formulation of the core (HBcAg) and surface (HBsAg) antigens of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), administered by nasal and subcutaneous routes, in a distinctive schedule of immunizations. In the present review article, we discuss the action mechanisms of HeberNasvac, considering the immunological properties of the product and their antigens.

Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis by Obeticholic Acid: Current Status.

Unlabelled: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the major and prevalent liver diseases from the national and global perspectives. It appears that considerable numbers of the general population have been suffering from NAFLD. When a patient with NAFLD also exhibits inflammation of the liver, the condition is regarded as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Development of Therapeutic Vaccine for Chronic Hepatitis B: Concept, Cellular and Molecular Events, Design, Limitation, and Future Projection.

Four decades have passed since the first usage of the therapeutic vaccine in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). However, there is no approved regimen of vaccine therapy for the treatment of CHB. This is mainly attributable to faulty conception, an improper understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of CHB, and the impaired design of vaccine therapy for CHB.

A comprehensive design for prevention and management of COVID-19 in a tertiary medical institution in Bangladesh.

Introduction: Containment of the further spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and reducing fatality due to coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) represent a pressing challenge to global health services. Here, we present a management blueprint for both the containment of SARS-CoV-2 and treatment of COVID-19 through a comprehensive approach.

Methodology: A cohort of 130 consecutive patients identified as positive for SARS-CoV-2 by testing of nasal swab by polymerase chain reaction were managed at a peripheral city of Bangladesh between 1 April and 31 May, 2020.

Dengue Infections during COVID-19 Period: Reflection of Reality or Elusive Data Due to Effect of Pandemic.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) devastated the overall health management strategy of most countries. In this scenario, the present study provided insights into the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dengue infection. This ecological study retrieved data from WHO/Government reporting system from 22 major dengue epidemic countries.

Leaf Juice on Mild and Moderate COVID-19 Patients: Implications in OMICRON Era.

Unlabelled: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has shattered the public health delivery system of most of the countries of the world. COVID-19 displays variable clinical presentations. The severe COVID-19 represents a fulminant pathological condition and most of the patients run a downhill course if extensive medical measures are not adopted.

Identification of a novel variant of hepatitis B virus isolated from patient co-infected with hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major public health concern worldwide. Co-infection of hepatitis B patients with other pathogens intensifies the severity of the disease. We report a novel variant of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Bangladesh isolated from a patient co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who exhibited liver cirrhosis.