RESUMEN
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is prevalent among domestic pigs and wild boar in Europe. This study focused on the genetic diversity of HEV subtypes 3c, 3e and 3f among swine and wild boar in Europe as well as their circulation. Phylogenetic analysis and Bayesian phylogenetic inference were applied on the selected ORF2 capsid HEV sequences to co-estimate the viral circulation, the mean evolutionary rates and the dated trees. The estimated mean values of the HEV ORF2 capsid gene evolutionary rate were 8.29 x 10-3, 5.96 x 10-3, and 1.107 x 10-2 substitutions/site/year, respectively for 3c, 3e and 3f. The majority of the HEV 3c and 3e supported clusters did not show intermixing between swine and wild boar. Thus, although the intermixing observed in a minority of HEV 3c and 3e supported clusters suggests that transmission/circulation of these subtypes between swine and wild boar can potentially occur, 3c and 3e European wild boar HEV populations remained mainly segregated. In contrast, one half of the HEV 3f supported clusters showed intermixing between swine and wild boar, providing evidence for transfer/circulation to swine. The data suggest that continued virologic surveillance in swine and wild boar is necessary, together with targeted measures to reduce the chance of HEV transmission to humans.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Hepatitis E , Hepatitis E , Filogenia , Sus scrofa , Enfermedades de los Porcinos , Animales , Virus de la Hepatitis E/genética , Virus de la Hepatitis E/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis E/aislamiento & purificación , Porcinos , Europa (Continente) , Sus scrofa/virología , Hepatitis E/veterinaria , Hepatitis E/virología , Hepatitis E/epidemiología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/virología , Enfermedades de los Porcinos/epidemiología , Variación GenéticaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate humoral and cell-mediated response after three doses of BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with Belimumab (BLM). METHODS: SLE patients were vaccinated with three doses of BNT162b2-mRNA vaccine (two-dose primary vaccination, third booster dose after 6 months). The humoral immune response was assessed one and 6 months after the second dose (T1, T2), and 6 months after the booster dose (T3). Serological assay was performed (The Liaison® SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG chemiluminescent). Spike-specific T-cell response was monitored 6 months after the second vaccine dose and the percentage of cytokines producing T cells was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Twelve patients [12F; median age 46 years (IQR 8.25); median disease duration 156 months (IQR 188)] were enrolled. At T1, all patients showed seroconversion (median anti-Spike IgG levels 1610 BAU/mL, IQR 1390). At T2--day of the third dose--a significant reduction of median anti-Spike IgG antibodies levels was observed [214 BAU/mL (IQR 94); p = 0.0009]. Anti-Spike IgG were significantly increased at T3, reaching a median value of 1440 BAU/mL (IQR 1316; p = 0.005). Despite declining humoral immunity, almost 60% of patients mounted a virus-specific CD4 + T-cell response 6 months after primary vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: BLM does not impair humoral response to primary BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. During the follow-up, a decline in antibody levels is evident and the third dose is crucial to increase the specific immune response. Finally, we observed a recall T-cell response to the Spike antigen 6 months after the first vaccination cycle.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Vacuna BNT162 , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Inmunoglobulina G , Anticuerpos Antivirales , InmunidadRESUMEN
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by a multifactorial etiology. The primary aim of this study was to estimate HCV and HBV infection prevalence in a cohort of SLE and Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE). We assessed the frequency of these infections in our cohort and the possible associations with disease clinical/laboratory features and disease activity status. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 2.2% in the CLE group, while no HBsAg positive patients were identified in the SLE group. Conversely, the prevalence of anti-HCV positive was 2.2% in the SLE group while no anti-HCV positive patients were identified in the CLE group. We found no significant association between anti-HBc positive status and clinical manifestations or disease activity status in either group of patients. Hemodialysis resulted significantly associated with anti-HBc positivity in SLE. In the present study, we found HBsAg positivity in CLE patients but not in the Systemic form (SLE); conversely, a similar prevalence of anti-HBc antibodies in both groups was observed. A possible protective role exerted by SLE in HBV infection may be hypothesized. A higher frequency of HCV infection in SLE compared to CLE suggests a possible involvement of HCV in some SLE-related clinical and immunological features.
Asunto(s)
Hepatitis B , Hepatitis C , Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Humanos , Hepatitis B/complicaciones , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/complicaciones , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo/epidemiología , Lupus Eritematoso Cutáneo/complicaciones , Prevalencia , Virus de la Hepatitis BRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: We investigated the genetic diversity, molecular epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) isolated from SLE patients by means of phylogenetic analysis. METHODS: Consecutive SLE patients (ACR 1997 criteria) were enrolled: clinical/laboratory data were collected and nasal swab for SA identification was performed. On the basis of the translation elongation factor (tuf) gene, a phylogenetic analysis was performed to investigate relationships and to assess significant clades. Selective pressure analysis was used to investigate the evolution of the SA tuf gene. The gene sequences from non-SLE individuals, downloaded from the GenBank database, were compared through phylogenetic analysis with the tuf gene from SLE patients. RESULTS: We enrolled 118 patients [M/F 10/108; median (interquartile range (IQR)) age 45.5 (13.2) years; median (IQR) disease duration 120 (144) months]. Twenty-four patients (20.3%) were SA carriers (SA+), three of them MRSA. SA+ SLE showed significantly higher SLEDAI-2k values [SA+: median (IQR) 2 (3.75); SA-: 0 (2); P = 0.04]. The phylogenetic analysis, restricted to 21 non-MRSA SA+, revealed a statistically supported larger clade (A, n = 17) and a smaller one (B, n = 4). Patients located in clade A showed a significantly higher prevalence of joint involvement (88.2%) in comparison with clade B (50.0%, P < 0.0001) and SA- (62.7%, P < 0.0001). Haematological manifestations were significantly more frequent in clade A (64.7%) compared with B (50.0%, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: We suggest a possible role of SA nasal carriage status in SLE disease activity. Moreover, our findings support the hypothesis that bacterial genetic variants may be associated with specific disease features.
Asunto(s)
Genes Bacterianos/genética , Artropatías , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico , Cavidad Nasal/microbiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas , Staphylococcus aureus/genética , Correlación de Datos , Femenino , Variación Genética , Humanos , Inmunidad , Italia , Artropatías/diagnóstico , Artropatías/etiología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/diagnóstico , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/epidemiología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/microbiología , Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico/fisiopatología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Gravedad del Paciente , Filogenia , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/diagnóstico , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/inmunología , Evaluación de Síntomas/métodos , Evaluación de Síntomas/estadística & datos numéricosRESUMEN
We compared 19,207 cases of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7/S gene target failure (SGTF), 436 B.1.351 and 352 P.1 to non-variant cases reported by seven European countries. COVID-19 cases with these variants had significantly higher adjusted odds ratios for hospitalisation (B.1.1.7/SGTF: 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-2.9; B.1.351: 3.6, 95% CI: 2.1-6.2; P.1: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.4-4.8) and B.1.1.7/SGTF and P.1 cases also for intensive care admission (B.1.1.7/SGTF: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4-3.5; P.1: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.7-2.8).
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Cuidados Críticos , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , HumanosRESUMEN
Whole genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from two patients, a Chinese tourist visiting Rome and an Italian, were compared with sequences from Europe and elsewhere. In a phylogenetic tree, the Italian patient's sequence clustered with sequences from Germany while the tourist's sequence clustered with other European sequences. Some additional European sequences in the tree segregated outside the two clusters containing the patients' sequences. This suggests multiple SARS-CoV-2 introductions in Europe or virus evolution during circulation.
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Betacoronavirus/genética , Infecciones por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Coronavirus/genética , Genoma Viral/genética , Neumonía Viral/diagnóstico , ARN Viral/genética , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/diagnóstico , Viaje , Secuenciación Completa del Genoma/métodos , Betacoronavirus/aislamiento & purificación , COVID-19 , China , Coronavirus/clasificación , Coronavirus/aislamiento & purificación , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Infecciones por Coronavirus/transmisión , Alemania , Humanos , Italia , Epidemiología Molecular , Pandemias , Filogenia , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/transmisión , Mutación Puntual , ARN Viral/aislamiento & purificación , SARS-CoV-2 , Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Grave/virologíaRESUMEN
Neisseria meningitidis is one of the few commensal bacteria that can even cause large epidemics of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). N. meningitis serogroup C belonging to the hypervirulent clonal complex 11 (cc11) represents an important public health threat worldwide. We reconstructed the dispersal patterns of hypervirulent meningococcal strains of serogroup C:cc11 by phylogenomic time trees. In particular, we focused the attention on the epidemic dynamics of C:P1.5.1,10-8:F3-6;ST-11(cc11) meningococci causing outbreaks, as occurred in the Tuscany region, Italy, in 2015 to 2016. A phylogeographic analysis was performed through a Bayesian method on 103 Italian and 208 foreign meningococcal genomes. The C:P1.5.1,10-8:F3-6;ST-11(cc11) genotype dated back to 1995 (1992 to 1998) in the United Kingdom. Two main clades of the hypervirulent genotype were identified in Italy. The Tuscany outbreak isolates were included in different clusters in a specific subclade which originated in the United Kingdom around 2011 and was introduced in Tuscany in 2013 to 2014. In this work, phylogeographic analysis allowed the identification of multiple introductions of these strains in several European countries and connections with extra-European areas. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) combined with phylogeography enables us to track the dissemination of meningococci and their transmission. The C:P1.5.1,10-8:F3-6;ST-11(cc11) genotype analysis revealed how a hypervirulent strain may be introduced in previously naïve areas, causing a large and long-lasting outbreak.
Asunto(s)
Infecciones Meningocócicas/epidemiología , Infecciones Meningocócicas/microbiología , Neisseria meningitidis/clasificación , Neisseria meningitidis/genética , Filogenia , Teorema de Bayes , Genoma Bacteriano , Salud Global , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Neisseria meningitidis/patogenicidad , Filogeografía , Vigilancia en Salud Pública , Serogrupo , Secuenciación Completa del GenomaRESUMEN
Intra-host evolution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) has been shown by viral RNA analysis in subjects who naturally suppress plasma viremia to low levels, known as controllers. However, little is known about the variability of proviral DNA and the inter-relationships among contained systemic viremia, rate of reservoir reseeding and specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotypes, in controllers. Here, we analysed the proviral DNA quasispecies of the env V1-V2 region, in PBMCs and in anatomical compartments of 13 long-term controller monkeys after 3.2 years of infection with simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)SF162P4cy. A considerable variation in the genetic diversity of proviral quasispecies was present among animals. Seven monkeys exhibited env V1-V2 proviral populations composed of both clusters of identical ancestral sequences and new variants, whereas the other six monkeys displayed relatively high env V1-V2 genetic diversity with a large proportion of diverse novel sequences. Our results demonstrate that in SHIVSF162P4cy-infected monkeys there exists a disparate pattern of intra-host viral diversity and that reseeding of the proviral reservoir occurs in some animals. Moreover, even though no particular association has been observed between MHC haplotypes and the long-term control of infection, a remarkably similar pattern of intra-host viral diversity and divergence was found within animals carrying the M3 haplotype. This suggests that in animals bearing the same MHC haplotype and infected with the same virus, viral diversity follows a similar pattern with similar outcomes and control of infection.
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Productos del Gen env/genética , Variación Genética , VIH/genética , Provirus/genética , Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida del Simio/virología , Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia de los Simios/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Genotipo , Leucocitos Mononucleares/virología , Macaca fascicularis , Complejo Mayor de Histocompatibilidad/genética , CuasiespeciesRESUMEN
In a recent testing in the metropolitan area of Naples, Italy, on 945 irregular immigrants or refugees, 87 HBsAg chronic carriers were identified, 53 of whom were infected by HBV-genotype E. The aim of the present study was to identify the genetic diversity of HBV-genotype E in these 53 immigrants. The 53 immigrant patients with HBV-genotype-E infection were born in Africa, central or eastern Asia, eastern Europe or Latin America. These patients had been seen for a clinical consultation at one of the four first-level units from January 2012 to 2013. The first dataset contained 53 HBV-S gene isolates plus 128 genotype/subgenotype specific reference sequences downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The second dataset, comprising the 53 HBV-S gene isolates, previously classified as HBV-genotype E, was used to perform the time-scaled phylogeny reconstruction using a Bayesian approach. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all 53 HBV-S isolates belonged to HBV-genotype E. Bayes factor analysis showed that the relaxed clock exponential growth model fitted the data significantly better than the other models. The time-scaled Bayesian phylogenetic tree of the second dataset showed that the root of the tree dated back to the year 1990 (95% HPD:1984-2000). Four statistically supported clusters were identified. Cluster A dated back to 2012 (95% HPD:1997-2012); cluster B dated back to 2008 (95% HPD:2001-2015); cluster C to 2006 (95% HPD:1999-2013); cluster D to 2004 (95% HPD:1998-2011). This study disclosed the genetic evolution and phylogenesis in a group of HBV-genotype-E-infected immigrants. J. Med. Virol. 89:1015-1024, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asunto(s)
Variación Genética , Genotipo , Virus de la Hepatitis B/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B Crónica/epidemiología , Hepatitis B Crónica/virología , Adulto , Portador Sano/epidemiología , Portador Sano/virología , Emigrantes e Inmigrantes , Evolución Molecular , Femenino , Virus de la Hepatitis B/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Filogenia , RefugiadosRESUMEN
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the main cause of diseases liver related infecting more than 200 milion persons worldwide. HBV infection shows high level of prevalence in South-East Europe and in Mediterranean basin. In Tunisia, a country with an intermediate level endemicity, HbsAg prevalence ranges from 2 to 5%. Most of the HBV isolates from Tunisia were classified as subgenotype D7 whose circulation is restricted to a specific area of North Africa including Maghreb region. In this paper, the phylogeny of HBV-D7 isolated from 38 Tunisian patients was investigated by analyzing the S gene region of HBV. A Bayesian coalescent-based framework was used to estimate the origin of the HBV-D7 in the country. The Tunisian D7 isolates were found to share a common ancestor whose origin was traced back to 1958. Population dynamics indicated that HBV-D7 epidemic in Tunisia grew exponentially from 1960s to 1990s. After that, the curve reached a plateau around the years 2000 likely due to the implementation of the infant vaccination program in 1996. Epidemiological data suggested that the exponential growth phase was likely sustained by intra-familial transmission events occurring during infancy. Further characterization of HBV-D7 isolates should be performed to evaluate, in the post-vaccination era, the emergence of new transmission routes, and to monitor the efficacy of the vaccination program. J. Med. Virol. 89:469-475, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Genotipo , Virus de la Hepatitis B/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B/virología , Adulto , Análisis por Conglomerados , Femenino , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Antígenos de Superficie de la Hepatitis B/genética , Virus de la Hepatitis B/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Epidemiología Molecular , Filogenia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Túnez/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Few reports are available on HCV molecular epidemiology among IDUs in Eastern Europe, and none in Montenegro. The aim of this study was to investigate the HCV genotype distribution in Montenegro among IDUs and to perform Bayesian and evolutionary analysis of the most prevalent HCV genotype circulating in this population. Sixty-four HCV-positive IDUs in Montenegro were enrolled between 2013 and 2014, and the NS5B gene was sequenced. The Bayesian analysis showed that the most prevalent subtype was HCV-3a. Phylogenetic data showed that HCV-3a reached Montenegro in the late 1990s, causing an epidemic that exponentially grew between the 1995 and 2005. In the dated tree, four different entries, from 1990 (clade D), 1994 (clade A) to 1999 (clade B) and 2001 (clade C), were identified. In the NS5B protein model, the amino acids variations were located mainly in the palm domain, which contains most of the conserved structural elements of the active site. This study provides an analysis of the virus transmission pathway and the evolution of HCV genotype 3a among IDUs in Montenegro. These data could represent the basis for further strategies aimed to improve disease management and surveillance program development in high-risk populations.
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Consumidores de Drogas , Evolución Molecular , Hepacivirus/genética , Hepatitis C/epidemiología , Hepatitis C/virología , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/complicaciones , Adulto , Teorema de Bayes , Femenino , Genotipo , Hepacivirus/clasificación , Hepatitis C/complicaciones , Hepatitis C/transmisión , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Montenegro/epidemiología , Prevalencia , ARN Viral/genética , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/epidemiología , Abuso de Sustancias por Vía Intravenosa/virología , Proteínas no Estructurales Virales/química , Proteínas no Estructurales Virales/genética , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is endemic in Eastern European and Balkan region countries. In 2012, Bulgaria showed the highest rate (67.13 cases per 100,000) in Europe. Nevertheless, HAV genotypes and strains circulating in this country have never been described. The present study reports the molecular characterization of HAV from 105 patients from Bulgaria. METHODS: Anti-HAV IgM positive serum samples collected in 2012-2014 from different towns and villages in Bulgaria were analysed by nested RT-PCR, sequencing of the VP1/2A region and phylogenetic analysis; the results were analysed together with patient and geographical data. RESULTS: Phylogenetic analysis revealed two main sequence groups corresponding to the IA (78/105, 74%) and IB (27/105, 26%) sub-genotypes. In the IA group, a major and a minor cluster were observed (62 and 16 sequences, respectively). Most sequences from the major cluster (44/62, 71%) belonged to either of two strains, termed "strain 1" and "strain 2", differing only for a single specific nucleotide; the remaining sequences (18/62, 29%) showed few (1 to 4) nucleotide variations respect to strain 1 and 2. Strain 2 is identical to the strain previously responsible for an outbreak in the Czech Republic in 2008 and a large multi-country European outbreak caused by contaminated mixed frozen berries in 2013. Most sequences of the IA minor cluster and the IB group were detected in large/medium centers (LMCs). Overall, sequences from the IA major cluster were more frequent in small centers (SCs), but strain 1 and strain 2 showed an opposite relative frequency in SCs and LMCs (strain 1 more frequent in SCs, strain 2 in LMCs). CONCLUSIONS: Genotype IA predominated in Bulgaria in 2012-2014 and phylogenetic analysis identified a major cluster of highly related or identical IA sequences, representing 59% of the analysed cases; these isolates were mostly detected in SCs, in which HAV shows higher endemicity than in LMCs. The distribution of viral sequences suggests the existence of some differences between the transmission routes in SCs and LMCs. Molecular characterization of an increased number of isolates from Bulgaria, regularly collected over time, will be useful to explore specific transmission routes and plan appropriate preventing measures.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Hepatitis A/genética , Hepatitis A/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Bulgaria/epidemiología , Niño , Preescolar , República Checa/epidemiología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Femenino , Genotipo , Hepatitis A/epidemiología , Anticuerpos de Hepatitis A/sangre , Virus de la Hepatitis A/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Masculino , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Población Urbana , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Nipah virus, member of the Paramyxoviridae family, is classified as a Biosafety Level-4 agent and category C priority pathogen. Nipah virus disease is endemic in south Asia and outbreaks have been reported in Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Bangladesh. Bats of the genus Pteropus appear to be the natural reservoir of this virus. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic diversity of Nipah virus, to estimate the date of origin and the spread of the infection. The mean value of Nipah virus N gene evolutionary rate, was 6.5 × 10(-4) substitution/site/year (95% HPD: 2.3 × 10(-4)-1.18 × 10(-3)). The time-scaled phylogenetic analysis showed that the root of the tree originated in 1947 (95% HPD: 1888-1988) as the virus entered in south eastern Asiatic regions. The segregation of sequences in two main clades (I and II) indicating that Nipah virus had two different introductions: one in 1995 (95% HPD: 1985-2002) which correspond to clade I, and the other in 1985 (95% HPD: 1971-1996) which correspond to clade II. The phylogeographic reconstruction indicated that the epidemic followed two different routes spreading to the other locations. The trade of infected pigs may have played a role in the spread of the virus. Bats of the Pteropus genus, that are able to travel to long distances, may have contributed to the spread of the infection. Negatively selected sites, statistically supported, could reflect the stability of the viral N protein.
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Variación Genética , Infecciones por Henipavirus/transmisión , Infecciones por Henipavirus/virología , Virus Nipah/genética , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside/genética , Animales , Asia/epidemiología , Teorema de Bayes , Evolución Biológica , Quirópteros/virología , Brotes de Enfermedades , Reservorios de Enfermedades , Evolución Molecular , Infecciones por Henipavirus/epidemiología , Humanos , India/epidemiología , Malasia/epidemiología , Filogenia , Filogeografía , Singapur/epidemiología , PorcinosRESUMEN
In 2009 an influenza A epidemic caused by a swine origin H1N1strain, unusual in human hosts, has been described. The present research is aimed to perform the first phylogenetic investigation on the influenza virus A (H1N1) strains circulating in Montenegro, from December 1, 2009, when the first case of death due to H1N1 was confirmed, and the epidemic began causing a total of four fatalities. The phylogenetic analysis of the strains circulating showed the absence of a pure Montenegrin cluster, suggesting the occurrence of multiple re-introductions in that population from different areas till as far as the early 2010. The time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for the complete dataset has been dated in early 2008, pre-dating the first Montenegrin identification of H1N1 infection. These data suggest that virus was spreading undetected, may be as a consequence of unidentified infections in returning travelers. Anyhow, the estimated TMRCA of Montenegrin strains is fully consistent to that found in different areas. Compatibly with the time coverage of the study period here analyzed, molecular dynamic of Montenegrin strains follows similar trend as in other countries. J. Med. Virol. 88:1905-1913, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Variación Genética , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/genética , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/genética , Gripe Humana/virología , Animales , Humanos , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/química , Gripe Humana/epidemiología , Montenegro/epidemiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/epidemiología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/virología , Filogenia , Porcinos/virologíaRESUMEN
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a DNA virus belonging to Hepadnaviridae family. Chronic infection with HBV is one major risk factor of hepatic disease. In Madagascar, former studies classified the country as part of high endemic area, as HBV prevalence can reach 23% in general population. However, this prevalence differs largely between urban and rural areas and is estimated to be, respectively, 5% and 26%. The aims of the present study were to describe the genetic diversity of HBV strains from different regions of Madagascar, and to describe the viral gene flow throughout the country by using phylogenetic analysis. This is the first large-scale molecular and phylogenetic study analyzing HBV sequences from 28 different Malagasy areas, never sampled in the past. In this study, the most prevalent genotype/sub-genotypes was E. Migration analysis showed a gene flow from zone 3 (rural) to zone 2 (suburban), and a greater gene flow from the middle part of Madagascar to the north than to the south. It is important to study the HBV infections in Madagascar and to monitor the potential spread of this viral strain inside this country. J. Med. Virol. 88:2138-2144, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Flujo Génico , Variación Genética , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis B/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Estudios Transversales , ADN Viral/genética , Femenino , Genotipo , Humanos , Madagascar , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Prevalencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) is an enveloped non-segmented negative strand RNA virus of 19 kb in length belonging to the family Filoviridae. The virus was isolated and identified in 1976 during the epidemic of hemorrhagic fever in Zaire. The most recent outbreak of EBOV among humans, was that occurred in the forested areas of south eastern Guinea, that began in February 2014 and is still ongoing. The recent Ebola outbreak, is affecting other countries in West Africa, in addiction to Guinea: Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. In this article, a selective pressure analysis and homology modeling based on the G Glycoprotein (GP) sequences retrieved from public databases were used to investigate the genetic diversity and modification of antibody response in the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus. Structural and the evolutionary analysis underline the 2014 epidemic virus being under negative selective pressure does not change with respect to the old epidemic in terms of genome adaptation.
Asunto(s)
Aminoácidos/genética , Ebolavirus/genética , Fiebre Hemorrágica Ebola/virología , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/química , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/genética , África Occidental/epidemiología , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Bases de Datos Factuales , Bases de Datos de Ácidos Nucleicos , Conjuntos de Datos como Asunto , Ebolavirus/química , Epidemias , Variación Genética , Fiebre Hemorrágica Ebola/epidemiología , Humanos , Modelos Moleculares , Mutación , Selección Genética , Factores de Tiempo , Proteínas del Envoltorio Viral/inmunologíaRESUMEN
The Mediterranean area and the Balkans in particular show the highest level of genetic heterogeneity of HBV in Europe. Data about the circulation of HBV genotypes in Montenegro are lacking. It was studied the prevalence and distribution of HBV genot/subgenotypes in a total of 150 HBV infected patients living in Montenegro. Phylogenetic analysis of 136 successfully amplified P sequences showed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity of HBV in Montenegro. Subgenotype D2 (36.8%) and D3 (32.3%) were the most prevalent, followed by genotype A (subgenotype A2 in all of the cases-19.8%). Eight patients were infected with recombinant strains. HBV-D1 which is the most spread HBV subgenotype in the south-eastern Mediterranean countries, seems to be relatively rare in Montenegro, suggesting a penetration of HBV more probably from North-East or West than from Eastern Mediterranean countries. The relatively different prevalence of D3 and A2 among subjects infected through sexual route, seems to confirm the association of these subgenotypes with different route of transmissions (mainly parenteral for D3 and mainly sexual for A2) even in Montenegro. The low prevalence of D2 among children and its absence in perinatal transmission, suggests that this subgenotype circulated prevalently in the past. If this is due to changes in the most prevalent way of transmission and in the recent different contacts of Montenegro with other European countries, it remains to be established by other larger studies.
Asunto(s)
Variación Genética , Genotipo , Virus de la Hepatitis B/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Hepatitis B/virología , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Preescolar , Análisis por Conglomerados , Femenino , Virus de la Hepatitis B/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Epidemiología Molecular , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Montenegro/epidemiología , Filogenia , Prevalencia , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) epidemiology in Tunisia has changed from high to intermediate endemicity in the last decades. However, several outbreaks continue to occur. The last reported sequences from Tunisian HAV strains date back to 2006. In order to provide an updated overview of the strains currently circulating in Tunisia, a large-scale molecular analysis of samples from hepatitis A cases was performed, the first in Tunisia. RESULTS: Biological samples were collected from patients with laboratory confirmed hepatitis A: 145 sera samples in Tunis, Monastir, Sousse and Kairouan from 2008 to 2013 and 45 stool samples in Mahdia in 2009. HAV isolates were characterised by nested RT-PCR (VP1/2A region) and sequencing. The sequences finally obtained from 81 samples showed 78 genotype IA and 3 genotype IB isolates. A Tunisian genotype IA sequence dataset, including both the 78 newly obtained IA sequences and 51 sequences retrieved from GenBank, was used for phylogenetic investigation, including analysis of migration pattern among six towns. Virus gene flow from Sfax and Monastir was directed to all other towns; in contrast, the gene flows from Sousse, Tunis, Mahdia and Kairouan were directed to three, two, one and no towns, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Several different HAV strains co-circulate in Tunisia, but the predominant genotype still continues to be IA (78/81, 96% isolates). A complex gene flow (migration) of HAV genotype IA was observed, with Sfax and Monastir showing gene flows to all other investigated towns. This approach coupled to a wider sampling can prove useful to investigate the factors underlying the spread of HAV in Tunisia and, thus, to implement appropriate preventing measures.
Asunto(s)
Genotipo , Virus de la Hepatitis A Humana/clasificación , Virus de la Hepatitis A Humana/aislamiento & purificación , Hepatitis A/epidemiología , Hepatitis A/virología , ARN Viral/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Niño , Preescolar , Análisis por Conglomerados , Heces/virología , Femenino , Flujo Génico , Virus de la Hepatitis A Humana/genética , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Epidemiología Molecular , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Filogenia , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , Homología de Secuencia , Suero/virología , Túnez/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) is widespread and it is considered a major health problem worldwide. The global distribution of HBV varies significantly between countries and between regions of the world. Among the many factors contributing to the changing epidemiology of viral hepatitis, the movement of people within and between countries is a potentially important one. In Italy, the number of migrant individuals has been increasing during the past 25 years. HBV genotype D has been found throughout the world, although its highest prevalence is in the Mediterranean area, the Middle East and southern Asia. We describe the molecular epidemiology of HBV in a chronically infected population of migrants (living in Italy), by using the phylogenetic analysis. METHODS: HBV-DNA was amplified and sequenced from 43 HBV chronically infected patients. Phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis were performed using both maximum Likelihood and Bayesian methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of the 43 HBV S gene isolates from migrants, 25 (58.1 %) were classified as D genotype. Maximum Likelihood analysis showed an intermixing between Moldavian and foreigners sequences mostly respect to Italian ones. Italian sequences clustered mostly together in a main clade separately from all others. The estimation of the time of the tree's root gave a mean value of 17 years ago, suggesting the origin of the tree back to 1992 year. The skyline plot showed that the number of infections softly increased until the early 2005s, after which reached a plateau. Comparing phylogenetic data to the migrants date of arrival in Italy, it should be possible that migrants arrived in Italy yet infected from their country of origin. In conclusion, this is the first paper where phylogenetic analysis and genetic evolution has been used to characterize HBV sub genotypes D1 circulation in a selected and homogenous group of migrants coming from a restricted area of Balkans and to approximately define the period of infection besides the migration date.
Asunto(s)
Virus de la Hepatitis B/genética , Hepatitis B/epidemiología , Migrantes , Adulto , Teorema de Bayes , Femenino , Genotipo , Hepatitis B/etnología , Hepatitis B/virología , Humanos , Italia/epidemiología , Masculino , Epidemiología Molecular , Filogenia , PrevalenciaRESUMEN
Italy is considered at low incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and the occurrence of human cases of TBE appears to be geographically restricted to the north east of the country. However, most information to date derives from case series, with no systematic data collection. To estimate incidence rates (IR) and spatial distribution of TBE cases, we conducted a retrospective study in north-eastern Italy. Data were collected through the infectious disease units and public health districts of three regions (Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige and Veneto) between 2000 and 2013. Overall, 367 cases were identified (IR: 0.38/100,000). The cases' median age was 56 years and 257 (70%) were male. Central nervous system involvement was reported in 307 cases (84%). Annual fluctuations in case numbers occurred, with peaks in 2006 and in 2013, when 44 and 42 cases were respectively observed. A strong seasonality effect was noted, with the highest number of cases in July. In terms of geographical location, three main endemic foci with high TBE IR (>10/100,000) were identified in three provinces, namely Belluno (Veneto region), Udine (Friuli Venezia Giulia) and Trento (Trentino Alto-Adige). When investigating the whole study area in terms of altitude, the IR between 400 and 600 m was greater (2.41/100,000) than at other altitudes (p<0.01). In conclusion, the incidence of TBE in Italy is relatively low, even considering only the three known affected regions. However, three endemic foci at high risk were identified. In these areas, where the risk of TBEV infection is likely high, more active offer of TBE vaccination could be considered.