Varicella zoster virus central nervous system infection - a retrospective study from a tertiary center in Greece.

Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) infection due to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) can complicate the primary infection or the reactivation, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients with confirmed VZV CNS infection in a tertiary hospital in Greece.

Methods: Data about patients hospitalized from January 2018 to September 2023 with CNS infection by VZV, confirmed by a syndromic polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), were retrospectively collected and evaluated.

Evaluation of a near-patient SARS-CoV-2 novel rapid diagnostic platform.

The goal of this study is to test a novel device and methodology based on the "Pebble" platform and real-time quantitative colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (qcLAMP) during SARS-CoV-2 detection using crude samples and extracted RNA. The new method employs an inexpensive lightweight device aimed toward rapid point-of-care testing. An extensive evaluation was performed consisting of 1,693 clinical samples across five independent clinical testing centers.

Corrigendum to "Consensus recommendation for prenatal, neonatal and postnatal management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection from the European congenital infection initiative (ECCI)" [The Lancet Regional Health - Europe 40 (2024) 100892].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.

Consensus recommendation for prenatal, neonatal and postnatal management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection from the European congenital infection initiative (ECCI).

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection carries a significant burden with a 0.64% global prevalence and a 17-20% chance of serious long-term effects in children. Since the last guidelines, our understanding, particularly regarding primary maternal infections, has improved.

Influenza transmission during COVID-19 measures downscaling in Greece, August 2022: evidence for the need of continuous integrated surveillance of respiratory viruses.

After the near absence of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased activity of mainly influenza A(H3N2) was detected at the beginning of August 2022 in Greece on three islands. Of 33 cases with respiratory symptoms testing negative for SARS-CoV-2 with rapid antigen tests, 24 were positive for influenza: 20 as A(H3N2) subtype and four as A(H1N1)pdm09 subtype. Phylogenetic analysis of selected samples from both subtypes was performed and they fell into clusters within subclades that included the 2022/23 vaccine strains.

Overview of Mpox Outbreak in Greece in 2022-2023: Is It Over?

In May 2022, for the first time, multiple cases of mpox were reported in several non-endemic countries. The first ever case of the disease in Greece was confirmed on 8 June 2022, and a total of 88 cases were reported in the country until the end of April 2023. A multidisciplinary response team was established by the Greek National Public Health Organization (EODY) to monitor and manage the situation.

Rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants: Validation of the simplexa SARS-CoV-2 variant direct assay.

The circulation of certain SARS-CoV-2 variants may have a great impact on the epidemiological status of a geographical area; therefore, it is important that their presence is monitored. Currently, the gold standard method used to identify newly emerged variants is sequencing of either genes or whole genomes. However, since this method is relatively expensive and has a long turnaround time, other rapid strategies should also be employed.

Comparison of two point-of-care respiratory panels for the detection of influenza A/B virus.

Background: Rapid and accurate diagnostics of patients with suspected seasonal influenza or pathogens of the upper respiratory tract is crucial. Fast detection is important especially for influenza A/B virus, so that isolation measures should be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

Methods: We compared the performance of two syndromic testing methodologies (QIAstat-Dx RP, BioFire RP2plus) against the Alere™ i as the comparator method.

Convalescent Plasma Treatment of Patients Previously Treated with B-Cell-Depleting Monoclonal Antibodies Suffering COVID-19 Is Associated with Reduced Re-Admission Rates.

Patients receiving treatment with B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibodies, such as anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab and obinutuzumab, either for hematological disease or another diagnosis, such as a rheumatological disease, are at an increased risk for medical complications and mortality from COVID-19. Since inconsistencies persist regarding the use of convalescent plasma (CP), especially in the vulnerable patient population that has received previous treatment with B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibodies, further studies should be performed in thisdirection. The aim of the present study was to describe the characteristics of patients with previous use of B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibodies and describe the potential beneficial effects of CP use in terms of mortality, ICU admission and disease relapse.

Evaluation of STANDARD M10 SARS-CoV-2 assay as a diagnostic tool for SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab samples.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to an urgent need for rapid diagnostic testing in order to inform timely patients' management. This study aimed to assess the performance of the STANDARD™ M10 SARS-CoV-2 assay as a diagnostic tool for COVID-19. A total of 400 nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs were tested against a reference real-time RT-PCR, including 200 positive samples spanning the full range of observed Ct values.

Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) and Cancers: Emergency Bell or False Alarm?

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), the sole member of Polyomavirus associated with oncogenesis in humans, is the major causative factor of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare, neuroendocrine neoplasia of the skin. Many aspects of MCPyV biology and oncogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. However, it has been established that oncogenic transformation is the outcome of the integration of the viral genome into the host DNA.

SARS-CoV-2 modulates inflammatory responses of alveolar epithelial type II cells PI3K/AKT pathway.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infects through the respiratory route and triggers inflammatory response by affecting multiple cell types including type II alveolar epithelial cells. SARS-CoV-2 triggers signals its Spike (S) protein, which have been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of COVID19.

Aim: Aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of SARS-CoV2 on type II alveolar epithelial cells, focusing on signals initiated by its S protein and their impact on the expression of inflammatory mediators.

From Traditional Ethnopharmacology to Modern Natural Drug Discovery: A Methodology Discussion and Specific Examples.

Ethnopharmacology, through the description of the beneficial effects of plants, has provided an early framework for the therapeutic use of natural compounds. Natural products, either in their native form or after crude extraction of their active ingredients, have long been used by different populations and explored as invaluable sources for drug design. The transition from traditional ethnopharmacology to drug discovery has followed a straightforward path, assisted by the evolution of isolation and characterization methods, the increase in computational power, and the development of specific chemoinformatic methods.

Portable real-time colorimetric LAMP-device for rapid quantitative detection of nucleic acids in crude samples.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification is known for its high sensitivity, specificity and tolerance to inhibiting-substances. In this work, we developed a device for performing real-time colorimetric LAMP combining the accuracy of lab-based quantitative analysis with the simplicity of point-of-care testing. The device innovation lies on the use of a plastic tube anchored vertically on a hot surface while the side walls are exposed to a mini camera able to take snapshots of the colour change in real time during LAMP amplification.

Circulating miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy.

Introduction: Disease recurrence is a major concern in patients with localized prostate cancer (PCa) following treatment with radiotherapy (RT), and few studies have evaluated the clinical relevance of microRNAs (miRNAs) prior and post-RT.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the significance of miRNAs in the outcomes of prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and to identify the related pathways through bioinformatics analysis.

Materials And Methods: The expression levels of miR-21, miR-106b, miR-141 and miR-375 involved in the response to radiotherapy were assessed by RT-qPCR in the serum of PCa patients (n=56) prior- and post-RT.

Parvovirus B19 detection analysis in thyroid tissue paired samples: an observational study from a tertiary surgical oncology department.

Purpose: In the present study, we sought to investigate the presence of Parvovirus B19 in both abnormal and normal adjacent thyroid tissue specimens after total thyroidectomy as well as the extent that this phenomenon occurs in a population group referred to a tertiary surgical oncology department.

Methods: We detected Parvovirus B19 by Real-Time PCR in both abnormal and normal adjacent thyroid tissue specimens from 41 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid disease (cancerous or benign). Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid gland weight, maximum size of the predominant thyroid nodule as well as sex and age of the patients were also evaluated in respect to the Parvovirus B19 presence.

SARS-CoV-2/ACE2 Interaction Suppresses IRAK-M Expression and Promotes Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Production in Macrophages.

The major cause of death in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients is due to de-regulation of the innate immune system and development of cytokine storm. SARS-CoV-2 infects multiple cell types in the lung, including macrophages, by engagement of its spike (S) protein on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 receptor initiates signals in macrophages that modulate their activation, including production of cytokines and chemokines.

The Role of Coronavirus RNA-Processing Enzymes in Innate Immune Evasion.

Viral RNA sensing triggers innate antiviral responses in humans by stimulating signaling pathways that include crucial antiviral genes such as interferon. RNA viruses have evolved strategies to inhibit or escape these mechanisms. Coronaviruses use multiple enzymes to synthesize, modify, and process their genomic RNA and sub-genomic RNAs.

SARS-CoV-2 Antigenemia as a Confounding Factor in Immunodiagnostic Assays: A Case Study.

Humoral immunity has emerged as a vital immune component against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Nevertheless, a subset of recovered Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) paucisymptomatic/asymptomatic individuals do not generate an antibody response, constituting a paradox. We assumed that immunodiagnostic assays may operate under a competitive format within the context of antigenemia, potentially explaining this phenomenon.

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 among vaccinated health care workers.

Background: Vaccination against COVID-19 is among the most effective measures to stop the spread of the disease. However, acceptance of vaccination against COVID-19 among HCWs has not been universal and emergence of new variants with increased transmissibility, reduced neutralization by BNT162b2 vaccine-elicited sera and ability to cause breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals is concerning. The aim of this study was to compare viral load, clinical presentation at diagnosis and type of exposure among vaccinated (with BNT162b2) and non-vaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs).

Association between HPV detection in swab samples and tissue specimens and ophthalmic pterygium recurrence.

Purpose: To investigate the presence of HPV on the ocular surface after surgical excision of HPV infected pterygia and the possible correlation of HPV with pterygium postoperative recurrence.

Materials And Methods: Both exfoliative pterygium swab samples and respective tissue specimens were received and analyzed with real-time PCR for the detection of HPV-infected pterygia. In addition, swab samples from patients that had HPV-infected pterygia with no recurrence after 1 year of follow-up, as well as swab samples from patients with healthy conjunctiva, were analyzed.

p-cymene impairs SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A (H1N1) viral replication: In silico predicted interaction with SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein and H1N1 nucleoprotein.

Therapeutic regimens for the COVID-19 pandemics remain unmet. In this line, repurposing of existing drugs against known or predicted SARS-CoV-2 protein actions have been advanced, while natural products have also been tested. Here, we propose that p-cymene, a natural monoterpene, can act as a potential novel agent for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 and other RNA-virus-induced diseases (influenza, rabies, Ebola).

SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Transmission Clusters and Containment Measures in Ten European Regions during the First Pandemic Wave.

Background: The spatiotemporal profiling of molecular transmission clusters (MTCs) using viral genomic data can effectively identify transmission networks in order to inform public health actions targeting SARS-CoV-2 spread.

Methods: We used whole genome SARS-CoV-2 sequences derived from ten European regions belonging to eight countries to perform phylogenetic and phylodynamic analysis. We developed dedicated bioinformatics pipelines to identify regional MTCs and to assess demographic factors potentially associated with their formation.