Determinants of the onset and prognosis of the post-COVID-19 condition: a 2-year prospective observational cohort study.

Background: At least 5-10% of subjects surviving COVID-19 develop the post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) or "Long COVID". The clinical presentation of PCC is heterogeneous, its pathogenesis is being deciphered, and objective, validated biomarkers are lacking. It is unknown if PCC is a single entity or a heterogeneous syndrome with overlapping pathophysiological basis.

Assessment of levels and trends of HIV infections among different subgroup populations of Gujarat State - Prioritization of the districts.

Background: In India, HIV prevalence varies by region and high-risk groups. General population rates have decreased in high prevalence states through HIV Sentinel Surveillance among pregnant women, while low-moderate prevalence states show variable trends. Gujarat, in western India, has mixed HIV prevalence according to 2017 Sentinel Surveillance data.

No increased in utero and peripartum HIV acquisition risk in HIV-exposed preterm infants.

Background: Limited data exist on the differential risk of HIV acquisition between infants born preterm versus those born at term to women living with HIV (WLHIV). With a reported increase in preterm delivery among pregnant WLHIV, understanding the risk of vertical transmission of HIV in preterm infants can inform strategies to optimise the timing of diagnostic testing, antiretroviral prophylaxis, and infant feeding.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and timing of HIV acquisition, in utero versus perinatal, among infants with perinatal HIV exposure born prior to 37 weeks completed gestation age compared to those born at term in the Botswana-based Mpepu study and explore predictors of infant HIV acquisition.

Prevention strategies for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and viral hepatitis in Europe.

The current prevention efforts for STIs, HIV and viral hepatitis in the WHO European Region, especially in the Central and Eastern subregions, are hindered by healthcare disparities, data gaps, and limited resources. In this comprehensive narrative review, we aim to highlight both achievements and persisting challenges while also exploring new developments that could significantly impact the prevention of these infections in the near future. While pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV has been broadly approved and implemented in 38 out of 53 countries in the region, challenges remain, including cost, limited licensing, and incomplete adherence.

Anti-CD4 antibody and dendrimeric peptide based targeted nano-liposomal dual drug formulation for the treatment of HIV infection.

Aims: Development and characterization of LAM and DTG loaded liposomes conjugated anti-CD4 antibody and peptide dendrimer (PD2) to improve the therapeutic efficacy and to achieve targeted treatment for HIV infection.

Main Methods: A 2-level full factorial design was used to optimize the preparation of dual drug loaded liposomes. Optimized dual drug loaded ligand conjugated liposomes were assessed for their cytotoxicity and cell internalization on TZM-bl cells.

Exploring the HIV-1 Rev Recognition Element (RRE)-Rev Inhibitory Capacity and Antiretroviral Action of Benfluron Analogs.

Human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1) remains one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease, and novel antiretroviral agents with alternative mechanisms are needed to cure this infection. Here, we describe an exploratory attempt to optimize the antiretroviral properties of benfluron, a cytostatic agent previously reported to exhibit strong anti-HIV activity likely based on inhibitory actions on virus transcription and Rev-mediated viral RNA export. After obtaining six analogs designed to modify the benzo[c]fluorenone system of the parent molecule, we examined their antiretroviral and toxicity properties together with their capacity to recognize the Rev Recognition Element (RRE) of the virus RNA and inhibit the RRE-Rev interaction.

Risk of lymphadenopathy from SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Korea: a self-controlled case series analysis.

Objectives: To assess the risk of lymphadenopathy following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination.

Methods: A self-controlled case series design was used to determine whether the risk of lymphadenopathy was higher in the 1-day to 42-day risk interval after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination compared to the control period. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted according to baseline characteristics, time since vaccination, and sensitivity analyses adjusted for the length of the risk interval.

Single-cell multi-omics analysis of COVID-19 patients with pre-existing autoimmune diseases shows aberrant immune responses to infection.

In COVID-19, hyperinflammatory and dysregulated immune responses contribute to severity. Patients with pre-existing autoimmune conditions can therefore be at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and/or associated sequelae, yet SARS-CoV-2 infection in this group has been little studied. Here, we performed single-cell analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with three major autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or multiple sclerosis) during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Identifying the Unmet Medical Needs of HIV-Positive Subjects in Korea: Results of a Nationwide Online Survey.

An online survey was conducted in Korea to identify the unmet medical needs of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). Participants (n = 105) were mostly male (93.3%), aged >40 years (75.

A Phase 3, randomized, non-inferiority study of a heterologous booster dose of SARS CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine in adults.

Due to waning immunity following primary immunization with COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses may be required. The present study assessed a heterologous booster of SII-NVX-CoV2373 (spike protein vaccine) in adults primed with viral vector and inactivated vaccines. In this Phase 3, observer-blind, randomized, active controlled study, a total of 372 adults primed with two doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (n = 186) or BBV152 (n = 186) at least six months ago, were randomized to receive a booster of SII-NVX-CoV2373 or control vaccine (homologous booster of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BBV152).

Safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant protein RBD fusion heterodimer vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

In response to COVID-19 pandemic, we have launched a vaccine development program against SARS-CoV-2. Here we report the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of a recombinant protein RBD fusion heterodimeric vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 (PHH-1V) evaluated in a phase 1-2a dose-escalation, randomized clinical trial conducted in Catalonia, Spain. 30 young healthy adults were enrolled and received two intramuscular doses, 21 days apart of PHH-1V vaccine formulations [10 µg (n = 5), 20 µg (n = 10), 40 µg (n = 10)] or control [BNT162b2 (n = 5)].

CAR-T Cell Therapy for HIV Cure.

The HIV-1 latent reservoir is considered the major barrier to achieve the eradication, although some evidences indicate that curing HIV-1 is a feasible goal [...

Combinatorial Effects of miRNAs in HSV-2 Infection of Macrophages: An In Silico and In Vitro Integration Approach.

The rising issues of herpes simplex virus (HSV)-2 drug ramifications have encouraged the researchers to look for new and alternative approaches that pose minimum adversities in the host while efficiently reducing the HSV-2 infection. Although microRNAs (miRNAs), as unorthodox approaches, are gaining popularity due to eliciting highly reduced immunogenic reactions, their implications in HSV-2 research have been rarely explored. In this study, a pool of cellular miRNAs with significance in HSV-2-induced inflammatory and immune responses have been identified.

HIV drug resistance in the era of contemporary antiretroviral therapy: A clinical perspective.

Contemporary antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have high barriers to the development of drug resistance. However, resistance to earlier antiretrovirals and uncommon cases of resistance to contemporary ART illustrate the continued need for good clinical management of HIV drug resistance. Here, we describe HIV drug-resistance mechanisms, the interaction of HIV drug-resistant mutations and the patterns of drug resistance to contemporary ART.

Selective loss of CD107a TIGIT+ memory HIV-1-specific CD8+ T cells in PLWH over a decade of ART.

The co-expression of inhibitory receptors (IRs) is a hallmark of CD8+ T-cell exhaustion (Tex) in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). Understanding alterations of IRs expression in PLWH on long-term antiretroviral treatment (ART) remains elusive but is critical to overcoming CD8+ Tex and designing novel HIV-1 cure immunotherapies. To address this, we combine high-dimensional supervised and unsupervised analysis of IRs concomitant with functional markers across the CD8+ T-cell landscape on 24 PLWH over a decade on ART.

Caecum OX40+CD4 T-cell subset associates with mucosal damage and key markers of disease in treated HIV-infection.

Background: Blood OX40-expressing CD4 T-cells from antiretroviral (ART)-treated people living with HIV (PWH) were found to be enriched for clonally-expanded HIV sequences, hence contributing to the HIV reservoir. OX40-OX40L is also a checkpoint regulator of inflammation in multiple diseases. We explored gut mucosal OX40+CD4+ T-cells and their potential significance in HIV disease.

Monocyte to lymphocyte ratio and hemoglobin level to predict tuberculosis after antiretroviral therapy initiation.

Objective: To determine the performance of the baseline monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), baseline anemia severity and combination of these biomarkers, to predict tuberculosis (TB) incidence in people with HIV (PWH) after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation.

Design: Multicenter, retrospective cohort study.

Methods: We utilized the data from study A5175 (Prospective Evaluation of Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-limited Settings: PEARLS).

SAMHD1 expression is a surrogate marker of immune infiltration and determines prognosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancer.

Purpose: The lack of validated surrogate biomarkers is still an unmet clinical need in the management of early breast cancer cases that do not achieve complete pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Here, we describe and validate the use of SAMHD1 expression as a prognostic biomarker in residual disease in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: SAMHD1 expression was evaluated in a clinical cohort of early breast cancer patients with stage II-III treated with NACT.

Long-term prognosis and overall mortality in patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare but fatal opportunistic infection and mainly occurs in patients with immunosuppressive conditions. Despite the increasing number of patients receiving immunosuppressive treatments, studies on PML are still lacking due to its low prevalence and incidence. We retrospectively reviewed patients diagnosed with PML in two tertiary hospitals in South Korea from 1999 to 2021.

Host Cell-Virus Interaction 2.0: Viral Stratagems of Immune Evasion, Host Cellular Responses and Antiviral Counterattacks.

As rightly stated by the author Mira Grant in her novel Countdown, "There is nothing so patient, in this world or any other, as a virus searching for a host" [...