Dried blood spot: A diagnostic detection method for HBV, HCV and HIV nucleic acid using a single drop of blood.

The global strategy to eradicate Hepatitis B (HBV), Hepatitis C (HCV), and HIV by 2030 is critical due to their impact and challenges to healthcare systems. HCV is curable, but HBV and HIV are only suppressible, with a vaccine available solely for HBV. Innovative diagnostic methods are needed, especially for high-risk populations like people who inject drugs (PWID).

Diaci v3.0: chromosome-level assembly, de novo transcriptome, and manual annotation of Diaphorina citri, insect vector of Huanglongbing.

Background: Diaphorina citri is an insect vector of "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas), the gram-negative bacterial pathogen associated with citrus greening disease. Control measures rely on pesticides with negative impacts on the environment, natural ecosystems, and human and animal health. In contrast, gene-targeting methods have the potential to specifically target the vector species and/or reduce pathogen transmission.

Use of non-barrier contraceptives among women with human immunodeficiency virus; a nationwide, matched cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the use of non-barrier contraceptives among women with HIV (WWH) compared to women from the general population (WGP) in Denmark.

Design: Nationwide population-based matched cohort study.

Methods: We included WWH aged 16-50, treated at an HIV specialized clinic, and included in The Danish HIV Cohort Study between 1995-2021 and an age-matched comparison cohort of WGP.

Association between asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and adverse pregnancy- and births outcomes. A systematic review.

Background: Existing guidelines for screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in pregnancy are based on studies completed more than 30 years ago. This evidence is characterized by a lack of consensus on the association between ASB and adverse pregnancy- and birth outcomes.

Aim: This systematic review aimed to investigate the association between untreated/treated ASB (≥10 colony-forming units (cfu) of the same bacteria per ml urine in two consecutive voided cultures without any symptoms) and pregnancy outcomes (pyelonephritis, chorioamnionitis, prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM)), and birth outcomes (preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA)).

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Infections in pregnancy are common, and although often not harmful to the woman or her unborn child, some infections may be associated with severe adverse outcomes. Pregnancy causes physiological and immunological adaptations which may make pregnant women more susceptible to infections and at increased risk of more severe illness. Infections in pregnancy represent a challenging area of concern for many specialists and general practitioners.

Deep immune cell phenotyping and induced immune cell responses at admission stratified by BMI in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: An observational multicenter cohort pilot study.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are linked to increased hospitalization and mortality in COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to characterize induced immune responses and deep immune cell profiles stratified by BMI in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods And Results: This observational multicenter cohort pilot study included 122 adult patients with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 in Denmark, stratified by BMI (normal weight, overweight, obese).

Effect of direct-acting antivirals on the titers of human pegivirus 1 during treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients.

Unlabelled: Coinfections with human pegivirus 1 (HPgV-1) are common in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. However, little is known about whether HPgV-1 is affected by direct-acting antivirals during HCV treatment. Metagenomic analysis and reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed on RNA from the plasma of 88 selected chronic HCV patients undergoing medical treatment.

An inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine based on a Vero cell culture-adapted high-titer virus confers cross-protection in small animals.

Rapidly waning immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) requires continued global access to affordable vaccines. Globally, inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been widely used during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In this proof-of-concept study we adapted an original-D614G SARS-CoV-2 virus to Vero cell culture as a strategy to enhance inactivated vaccine manufacturing productivity.

Psychosocial and sexual health among men with and without HIV who have sex with men: A cross-sectional nationwide study in Denmark.

Objectives: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men (MSM) since its onset. Despite important medical advancements in treatment, the enduring effects of living with HIV continue to adversely impact the health and well-being of this population. This cross-sectional nationwide study examined psychosocial and sexual health among MSM in Denmark, comparing those living with and without HIV.

Clinical trial: An open-label, randomised trial of different re-start strategies after treatment withdrawal in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may trigger a beneficial immune response leading to HBsAg loss, but clinical trials on re-start strategies are lacking.

Aim: To assess whether it is beneficial to undergo a prolonged flare after NA cessation.

Methods: One-hundred-and-twenty-seven patients with HBeAg negative, non-cirrhotic CHB with at least 24 months of viral suppression on NA therapy were included.

Cervical cancer screening integrated in routine clinical care of women with HIV.

Objective: To evaluate if integrated cervical cancer screening (CCS) for women with HIV (WWH) in routine HIV care resulted in increased adherence to screening, and to describe the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-specific genotypes and the incidence of cellular abnormalities.

Design: Cohort study.

Methods: WWH who accepted the offer of combined CCS and HIV care (group 1), WWH who declined the offer (group 2), and WWH not offered CCS within HIV care (group 3) between 2013 and 2019 were included.

The Adaptive Immune Response in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Is Characterized by Dysfunctional and Exhausted HBV-Specific T Cells.

This systematic review investigates the immunosuppressive environment in HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), characterized by dysfunctional and exhausted HBV-specific T cells alongside an increased infiltration of HBV-specific CD4+ T cells, particularly regulatory T cells (Tregs). Heightened expression of checkpoint inhibitors, notably PD-1, is linked with disease progression and recurrence, indicating its potential as both a prognostic indicator and a target for immunotherapy. Nevertheless, using PD-1 inhibitors has shown limited effectiveness.

Neutralizing antibody and CD8 T cell responses following BA.4/5 bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccination in adults with and without prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

As severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants continue to emerge, it is important to characterize immune responses against variants which can inform on protection efficacies following booster vaccination. In this study, neutralizing breadth and antigen-specific CD8 T cell responses were analyzed in both infection-naïve and infection-experienced individuals following administration of a booster bivalent Wuhan-Hu-1+BA.4/5 Comirnaty mRNA vaccine.

Barriers to HIV testing and possible interventions to improve access to HIV healthcare among migrants, with a focus on migrant women: Results from a European survey.

Background: According to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports, women and migrants are more likely to have delayed HIV diagnosis (CD4 <350 cells/mm). As a follow-up to a previously published systematic review revealing a range of barriers to HIV testing among migrant women, the aim of the present study was to identify barriers to HIV testing from the perspective of service providers and to formulate possible interventions to improve access to HIV healthcare among migrants in Europe, with an emphasis on migrant women.

Methods: Between November 2021 and February 2022 an online survey, consisting of 20 questions, was forwarded to 178 stakeholders and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working with migrant populations in 33 countries from the World Health Organization (WHO) European region.

Full-length sequence analysis of hepatitis C virus genotype 3b strains and development of an infectious 3b cDNA clone.

HCV genotype 3b is a difficult-to-treat subtype, associated with accelerated progression of liver disease and resistance to antivirals. Moreover, its prevalence has significantly increased among persons who inject drugs posing a serious risk of transmission in the general population. Thus, more genetic information and antiviral testing systems are required to develop novel therapeutic options for this genotype 3 subtype.

Discrimination between the effects of pulsed electrical stimulation and electrochemically conditioned medium on human osteoblasts.

Background: Electrical stimulation is used for enhanced bone fracture healing. Electrochemical processes occur during the electrical stimulation at the electrodes and influence cellular reactions. Our approach aimed to distinguish between electrochemical and electric field effects on osteoblast-like MG-63 cells.

Psychiatric Diagnoses Among HIV-Exposed and HIV-Unexposed Uninfected Children: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study.

This nationwide registry-based cohort study aimed to compare the risk of psychiatric diagnoses among HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) children with a matched comparison group of HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children, born in Denmark. We hypothesized that HEU children had an increased risk of psychiatric diagnoses and that this increased risk may differ by sex and age. All HEU children born in Denmark between year 2000 and 2020 were included.

Perception and Emotional Experiences of Infant Feeding Among Women Living With HIV in a High-Income Setting: A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study.

Background: The recommendation of breastfeeding avoidance for women living with HIV in high-income settings may be influenced by cultural beliefs and come at an emotional cost. This multicenter, longitudinal, convergent mixed methods study aimed to compare differences in attitudes, concerns, and experiences surrounding breastfeeding in women living with HIV of Nordic and non-Nordic origin.

Setting: High-income setting.

Peer-delivered point-of-care testing and linkage to treatment for hepatitis C virus infection among marginalized populations through a mobile clinic in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Globally, many people with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are marginalized and have very limited access to traditional healthcare services, including HCV testing and treatment. Models of care attuned to the needs of the marginalized population at risk are needed. This study aimed to evaluate the testing and treatment uptake of a community-based, peer-led model of care offering point-of-care testing.

Patient-reported outcomes in clinical HIV care: protocol for a single-centre, multistage, mixed-methods study in Denmark.

Introduction: People with HIV-1 (PWH) have worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared with the general population. Using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) may help reorient the focus of HIV care towards improving HRQoL. This study aims to develop, implement and evaluate the use of PROs in HIV care.

Impact of a TLR9 agonist and broadly neutralizing antibodies on HIV-1 persistence: the randomized phase 2a TITAN trial.

Inducing antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free virological control is a critical step toward a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) cure. In this phase 2a, placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial, 43 people (85% males) with HIV-1 on ART were randomized to (1) placebo/placebo, (2) lefitolimod (TLR9 agonist)/placebo, (3) placebo/broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies (bNAbs) or (4) lefitolimod/bNAb. ART interruption (ATI) started at week 3.

Hepatitis C virus RNA is 5'-capped with flavin adenine dinucleotide.

RNA viruses have evolved elaborate strategies to protect their genomes, including 5' capping. However, until now no RNA 5' cap has been identified for hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes chronic infection, liver cirrhosis and cancer. Here we demonstrate that the cellular metabolite flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is used as a non-canonical initiating nucleotide by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, resulting in a 5'-FAD cap on the HCV RNA.