Comparison of Whole Blood and Plasma for Monitoring Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr Virus.

Monitoring Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after transplantation is recommended to enable preemptive therapy. However, the most suitable sample type remains unclear. Patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell or liver transplantation were included in this study. Viral loads in sequential whole-blood and plasma samples were retrospectively analyzed. EBV DNA was detected more frequently in whole blood (55%) than in plasma (18%). The detection rate of CMV DNA was similar between the two sample types. The correlation of viral loads between the two sample types were 0.515 and 0.688 for EBV and CMV, respectively. Among paired samples in which EBV DNA was detected in whole blood, the plasma EBV detection rate was significantly higher in patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than in those who underwent liver transplantation. The viral DNA load in whole blood and plasma showed similar trends. The EBV detection rate was higher in whole blood, and a high correlation was observed between CMV DNA loads and whole blood and plasma. These results indicate that whole blood is more sensitive for monitoring both EBV and CMV, whereas plasma is a potential alternative sample for monitoring CMV.

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can lead to infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) and, more rarely, EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH), which is characterized by a life-threatening hyperinflammatory cytokine storm with immune dysregulation. Interferon-gamma (IFNγ) has been identified as a critical mediator for primary HLH; however, the detailed role of IFNγ and other cytokines in EBV-HLH is not fully understood. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize the immune landscape of EBV-HLH and compared it with EBV-IM. Three pediatric patients with EBV-HLH with different backgrounds, one with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1 (XLP1), two with chronic active EBV disease (CAEBV), and two patients with EBV-IM were enrolled. The TUBA1B + STMN1 + CD8 + T cell cluster, a responsive proliferating cluster with rich mRNA detection, was explicitly observed in EBV-IM, and the upregulation of SH2D1A-the gene responsible for XLP1-was localized in this cluster. This proliferative cluster was scarcely observed in EBV-HLH cases. In EBV-HLH cases with CAEBV, upregulation of LAG3 was observed in EBV-infected cells, which may be associated with an impaired response by CD8 + T cells. Additionally, genes involved in type I interferon (IFN) signaling were commonly upregulated in each cell fraction of EBV-HLH, and activation of type II IFN signaling was observed in CD4 + T cells, natural killer cells, and monocytes but not in CD8 + T cells in EBV-HLH. In conclusion, impaired responsive proliferation of CD8 + T cells and upregulation of type I IFN signaling were commonly observed in EBV-HLH cases, regardless of the patients' background, indicating the key features of EBV-HLH.

MicroRNA expression profiling of urine exosomes in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can damage the central nervous system in infants; however, its prognosis cannot be predicted from clinical evaluations at the time of birth. Urinary exosomes can be used to analyze neuronal damage in neuronal diseases. To investigate the extent of neuronal damage in patients with cCMV, exosomal miRNA expression in the urine was investigated in cCMV-infected infants and controls. Microarray analysis of miRNA was performed in a cohort of 30 infants, including 11 symptomatic cCMV (ScCMV), 7 asymptomatic cCMV (AScCMV), and one late-onset ScCMV cases, and 11 healthy controls (HC). Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed the distinct expression profile of ScCMV. The patient with late-onset ScCMV was grouped into the ScCMV cluster. Pathway enrichment analysis of the target mRNAs differed significantly between the ScCMV and HC groups; this analysis also revealed that pathways related to brain development were linked to upregulated pathways. Six miRNAs that significantly different between groups (ScCMV vs. HC and ScCMV vs. AScCMV) were selected for digital PCR in another cohort for further validation. Although these six miRNAs seemed insufficient for predicting ScCMV, expression profiles of urine exosomal miRNAs can reveal neurological damage in patients with ScCMV compared to those with AcCMV or healthy infants.

Nanopore sequencing in distinguishing between wild-type and vaccine strains of Varicella-Zoster virus.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of varicella vaccines into routine pediatric immunization programs has led to a considerable reduction in varicella incidence. However, there have been reports of varicella, herpes zoster, and meningitis caused by the vaccine strain of varicella-zoster virus (VZV), raising concerns. Establishing the relationship between the wild-type and vaccine strains in VZV infections among previously vaccinated individuals is crucial. Differences in the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among vaccine strains can be utilized to identify the strain. In this study, we employed nanopore sequencing to identify VZV strains and analyzed clinical samples. METHODS: We retrospectively examined vesicle and cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients with VZV infections. One sample each of the wild-type and vaccine strains, previously identified using allelic discrimination real-time PCR and direct sequencing, served as controls. Ten samples with undetermined VZV strains were included. After DNA extraction, a long PCR targeting the VZV ORF62 region was executed. Nanopore sequencing identified SNPs, allowing discrimination between the vaccine and wild-type strains. RESULTS: Nanopore sequencing confirmed SNPs at previously reported sites (105,705, 106,262, 107,136, and 107,252), aiding in distinguishing between wild-type and vaccine strains. Among the ten unknown samples, nine were characterized as wild strains and one as a vaccine strain. Even in samples with low VZV DNA levels, nanopore sequencing was effective in strain identification. CONCLUSION: This study validates that nanopore sequencing is a reliable method for differentiating between the wild-type and vaccine strains of VZV. Its ability to produce long-read sequences is remarkable, allowing simultaneous confirmation of known SNPs and the detection of new mutations. Nanopore sequencing can serve as a valuable tool for the swift and precise identification of wild-type and vaccine strains and has potential applications in future VZV surveillance.

Comparison of plasma proteomic profiles of patients with Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and infectious mononucleosis.

Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection occasionally causes EBV-infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) and EBV-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH). Although EBV-IM is mostly mild and self-limiting, EBV-HLH is a life-threatening disease characterized by excessive immune activation. However, the pathogenesis of EBV-HLH is yet to be fully elucidated. A diagnostic biomarker for EBV-HLH is desirable because early diagnosis and treatment are critical for the effective management of patients. In this study, the proteomic profiling of plasma was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify proteins specific to EBV-IM and EBV-HLH. Furthermore, pathway analysis was performed for the proteins upregulated in patients with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH. Compared to healthy controls, 63 and 18 proteins were upregulated in patients with EBV-IM and EBV-HLH, respectively. Pathway and process enrichment analyses revealed that the complement system was the most enriched category of upregulated proteins in EBV-IM, whereas proteins related to immune effector processes were the most enriched in EBV-HLH. Among the 18 proteins upregulated in EBV-HLH, seven were exclusive to EBV-HLH. These specific proteins were associated with three pathways, and apolipoprotein E was commonly found in all the pathways. Proteomic analysis may provide new insights into the host response to EBV infection and the pathogenesis of EBV-related diseases.

Catheter-related bloodstream infection caused by Lacticaseibacillus paracasei: A case report and literature review.

Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) caused by Lactobacillus spp. and Lacticaseibacillus spp. are rare, and their clinical course and optimal treatment remain uncertain. In this report, we present a 46-year-old male patient who experienced clinically diagnosed Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CRBSI on four separate occasions, despite receiving systemic administration of antibiotics and antimicrobial lock therapy. The patient did not develop L. paracasei bacteremia after catheter removal. This case report furthers our knowledge of CRBSI caused by Lactobacillus and related genera and highlights the need for further research.

A Rare Case of a Common Inferior Pulmonary Vein Presumed to Be a Remnant of the Common Pulmonary Vein.

A 74-year-old woman with an implanted physiological DDD pacemaker visited our department complaining of palpitations due to atrial fibrillation (AF). Catheter ablation therapy for AF was scheduled. Preoperative multidetector computed tomography showed that the inferior pulmonary vein (PV) was a common trunk, and the left and right superior PVs branched from the center of the left atrial roof. In addition, mapping of the left atrium before AF ablation revealed no potential in either the inferior PV or common trunk. We performed left and right superior PV and posterior wall isolation. After ablation, AF was not observed on pacemaker recordings.

The clinical relevance of mild cognitive impairment in acute heart failure: A comparison with cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Although mild cognitive impairment (MCI) has received much attention as a precursor of dementia, its prognostic role has not been fully clarified in patients with heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 274 patients admitted for acute decompensated HF. Cognitive function was evaluated using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). According to the previous definition, MMSE of 0-23, 24-27, and 28-30 were classified as CI (n = 132), MCI (n = 81), and normal cognitive function (n = 61). The primary endpoint was cardiac events, defined as the composite of unplanned HF hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality. During a mean follow-up period of 4.9 ±â€¯3.1 years, 145 patients experienced cardiac events. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (p = 0.043), low cardiac index (p = 0.022), and low serum albumin level (p = 0.041) had a significant association with cognitive abnormalities. Both CI and MCI were significantly associated with cardiac events after Cox multivariable adjustment [CI: p = 0.001, adjusted HR 2.66 (1.48-4.77); MCI: p = 0.025, adjusted HR 1.90 (1.09-3.31), normal cognitive function group: reference]. Patients with MCI had a significantly higher risk of unplanned HF hospitalization [p = 0.033, adjusted HR 1.91 (1.05-3.47)], but not all-cause mortality (p = 0.533) or cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.920), while CI was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (p = 0.025) and cardiovascular mortality (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Even MCI had a significant risk of cardiac events in patients with acute decompensated HF. This risk was mainly derived from unplanned HF hospitalization.

Proteomic Analysis Reveals Novel Plasma Biomarkers for Neurological Complications in Patients With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a leading cause of nonhereditary neurological complications. When considering antiviral treatment, it is important to differentiate between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. This study aimed to identify candidate plasma biomarkers for neurological complications of cCMV infection using proteomic analysis. METHODS: This study retrospectively enrolled five patients with symptomatic cCMV infection, four with asymptomatic cCMV infection with isolated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and five with asymptomatic cCMV infection. The plasma samples were collected during neonatal period. The peptides were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of differentially expressed proteins were validated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A total of 456 proteins were identified and quantified. The levels of 80 proteins were significantly different between patients with and without cCMV-related symptoms including isolated SNHL. The levels of 31 proteins were significantly different between patients with and without neuroimaging abnormalities. The plasma concentrations of Fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 4 in patients with cCMV-related symptoms were significantly higher than those in patients with asymptomatic cCMV infection. Moreover, plasma peptidylprolyl isomerase A levels were significantly higher in patients with neuroimaging abnormalities than in those without. CONCLUSIONS: Proteomic analysis of patients with cCMV infection showed that Fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 4 and peptidylprolyl isomerase A could be novel diagnostic biomarkers for neurological complications of cCMV infection.

Usefulness of the 2-year iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine-based risk model for post-discharge risk stratification of patients with acute decompensated heart failure.

PURPOSE: A four-parameter risk model that included cardiac iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging and readily available clinical parameters was recently developed for prediction of 2-year cardiac mortality risk in patients with chronic heart failure. We sought to validate the ability of this risk model to predict post-discharge clinical outcomes in patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and to compare its prognostic value with that of the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) and Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) risk scores. METHODS: We studied 407 consecutive patients who were admitted for ADHF and survived to discharge, with definitive 2-year outcomes (death or survival). Cardiac MIBG imaging was performed just before discharge. The 2-year cardiac mortality risk was calculated using four parameters, namely age, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class, and cardiac MIBG heart-to-mediastinum ratio on delayed images. Patients were stratified into three groups based on the 2-year cardiac mortality risk: low- (< 4%), intermediate- (4-12%), and high-risk (> 12%) groups. The ADHERE and GWTG-HF risk scores were also calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the incidence of cardiac death among the three groups stratified using the 2-year cardiac mortality risk model (p < 0.0001). The 2-year cardiac mortality risk model had a higher C-statistic (0.732) for the prediction of cardiac mortality than the ADHERE and GWTG-HF risk scores. CONCLUSION: The 2-year MIBG-based cardiac mortality risk model is useful for predicting post-discharge clinical outcomes in patients with ADHF. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000015246, 25 September 2014.

Comparison of lower limb joint moment and power during turning gait between young and old adults using hierarchical Bayesian inference.

Age-related differences in lower limb joint moment (JM), and joint power (JP) during turning remain unclear. The present study investigated age-related differences in lower limb JM and JP during turning between young adults (YAs) and old adults (OAs). We introduced the hierarchical Bayesian inference for comparing and identifying differences in JM, angular velocity(ω), and JP at each stance phase in the two age groups. This study included 16 healthy YAs and 16 healthy OAs (8 men and 8 women in each group). Participants performed 90° step turns to the right at a self-selected natural speed. On comparing the age groups, during 90° step turning, the OA group exhibited larger extention hip JM and JP to control (brake) the upper body in the sagittal plane, exhibited larger abductor moment in each lower limb joint for preventing the body from leaning in the frontal plane during the mid-stance phase, and exhibited larger hip JP and ω and smaller ankle JM in the transverse plane to rotate the body during the mid-stance phase. Our findings suggested that the overall reliance on the hip joint to control body motion in each anatomical plane during step turning is higher in the OA group than in the YA group. In addition, the hierarchical Bayesian inference is useful for comparing the time courses of JM, ω, and JP.

An Investigation of Japanese Neonatal and Maternal Antibody Status against Pertussis.

To clarify the pertussis immune status of the Japanese population, we investigated levels of serum pertussis toxin (PT)-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody in infants and mothers between April 2016 and March 2018. A total of 206 infants (n = 22, < 32 weeks of gestational age [wGA]; n = 70, 32-36 wGA; n = 114, ≥ 37 wGA) and 170 mothers were enrolled. The maternal seroprevalence and antibody geometric mean titer (GMT) were 52.4% and 10.7 EU/mL, respectively. The antibody GMT, seroprevalence, and mean ratio of infant to maternal antibody titers of infants at < 32 wGA were 3.2 EU/mL, 13.6%, and 42.5%, respectively, and were significantly lower than those of infants at 32-36 wGA (9.7 EU/mL, 54.3%, and 110.2%) and infants at ≥ 37 wGA (12.1 EU/mL, 57.9%, and 112.6%). Of the 21 infants who underwent a second examination, five were positive in the first examination. Of those five, the GMT for PT had decreased by an average of 52.6% at 4.3- week intervals. In the second examination, two infants were seropositive. Approximately half of the mothers and infants were negative for anti-PT antibody. Thus, new vaccination strategies, such as the vaccination of pregnant women, are needed to prevent pertussis infection in early infancy.