4-(3-Phenylsulfonylindol-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)piperazinyl-methanones as Potent Inhibitors of both SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 Viruses.

SARS-CoV-2 and HCoV-OC43 belong to the same ß genus of the Coronaviridae family. SARS-CoV-2 was responsible for the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and HCoV-OC43 is the etiological agent of mild upper respiratory tract infections. SARS-COV-2 and HCoV-OC43 co-infections were found in children with respiratory symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. The two ß-coronaviruses share a high degree of homology between the 3CLpro active sites, so much so that the safer HCoV-OC43 has been suggested as a tool for the identification of new anti-SARS-COV-2 agents. Compounds 5 and 24 inhibited effectively both Wuhan and British SARS-CoV-2 patient isolates in Vero E6 cells and the HCoV-OC43 in MRC-5 cells at low micromolar concentrations. The inhibition was apparently exerted via targeting the 3CLpro active sites of both viruses. Compounds 5 and 24 at 100 µM inhibited the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro activity of 61.78 and 67.30%, respectively. These findings highlight 5 and 24 as lead compounds of a novel class of antiviral agents with the potential to treat SARS-COV-2 and HCoV-OC43 infections.

High rates of anal Merkel Cell Polyomavirus and HPV co-infection among people living with HIV.

Knowledge of Human Polyomavirus (HPyV) infection in the anal area and its association with sexually transmitted infections such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains limited. Therefore, anal specimens from 150 individuals of both sexes were analyzed for screening purposes. HPV DNA was found in 50.7% of cases, with a predominance of high-risk (HR) genotypes. HPyV DNA was found in 39.3% of samples, with Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV) being the most common, with a higher viral load than JCPyV and BKPyV. In addition, MCPyV viral load increased in people living with HIV (PLWH) with HPV infection (p < 0.0001).

Surface antigen serocleared hepatitis B virus infection increases the risk of mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis in male patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia vasculitis (MCV) is caused in ~90% of cases by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCVposMCV) and more rarely by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, or apparently noninfectious. HCVposMCV develops in only ~5% of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), but risk factors other than female gender have not been identified so far. We conducted a retrospective case control study investigating whether past active HBV infection, defined by hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and anti-core antibody (HBcAb) positivity, could be a risk factor for developing HCVposMCV. The prevalence of HBsAg seroclearance was 48% within 123 HCVposMCV patients and 29% within 257 CHC patients (p=0.0003). Multiple logistic regression including as variables gender, birth year, age at HBV testing, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, confirmed an association of HBsAg seroclearance with HCVposMCV [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.82, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.73-4.59, p<0.0001]. Stratification by gender, however, showed that HBsAg seroclearance was associated with HCVposMCV in male [OR 4.63, 95% CI 2.27-9.48, p<0.0001] and not in female patients [OR 1.85, 95% 95% CI 0.94-3.66, p=0.076]. HBsAg seroclearance, and more likely occult HBV infection, is an independent risk factor for HCVposMCV in male CHC patients.

TTV and CMV viral load dynamics: Which emerges first during immunosuppression?

Novel biomarkers reflecting the degree of immunosuppression in transplant patients are required to ensure eventual personalized equilibrium between rejection and infection risks. With the above aim, Torque Teno Virus (TTV) viremia was precisely examined in a large cohort of transplanted immunocompromised patients (192 hematological and 60 solid organ transplant recipients) being monitored for Cytomegalovirus reactivation. TTV load was measured in 2612 plasma samples from 448 patients. The results revealed a significant increase in TTV viral load approximately 14 days following CMV reactivation/infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) patients. No recognizable difference in TTV load was noted among hematological patients during the entire timeframe analyzed. Furthermore, a temporal gap of approximately 30 days was noted between the viral load peaks reached by the two viruses, with Cytomegalovirus (CMV) preceding TTV. It was not possible to establish a correlation between CMV reactivation/infection and TTV viremia in hematological patients. On the other hand, the SOT patient cohort allowed us to analyze viral kinetics and draw intriguing conclusions. Taken together, the data suggest, to our knowledge for the first time, that CMV infection itself could potentially cause an increase in TTV load in the peripheral blood of patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy.

Torquetenovirus Viremia Quantification Using Real-Time PCR Developed on a Fully Automated, Random-Access Platform.

Quantification of Torquetenovirus (TTV) viremia is becoming important for evaluating the status of the immune system in solid organ transplant recipients, monitoring the appearance of post-transplant complications, and controlling the efficacy of maintenance immunosuppressive therapy. Thus, diagnostic approaches able to scale up TTV quantification are needed. Here, we report on the development and validation of a real-time PCR assay for TTV quantification on the Hologic Panther Fusion® System by utilizing its open-access channel. The manual real-time PCR previously developed in our laboratories was optimized to detect TTV DNA on the Hologic Panther Fusion® System. The assay was validated using clinical samples. The automated TTV assay has a limit of detection of 1.6 log copies per ml of serum. Using 112 samples previously tested via manual real-time PCR, the concordance in TTV detection was 93% between the assays. When the TTV levels were compared, the overall agreement between the methods, as assessed using Passing-Bablok linear regression and Bland-Altman analyses, was excellent. In summary, we validated a highly sensitive and accurate method for the diagnostic use of TTV quantification on a fully automated Hologic Panther Fusion® System. This will greatly improve the turnaround time for TTV testing and better support the laboratory diagnosis of this new viral biomarker.

Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Clinical and Molecular Endpoints in COPD Patients.

Cigarette smoking is a primary contributor to mortality risks and is associated with various diseases. Among these, COPD represents a significant contributor to global mortality and disability. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of smoking on a selected battery of variables, with an emphasis on DNA damage. A total of 87 elderly patients diagnosed with COPD, divided into three groups based on their smoking history (current, former, never-smokers), were evaluated using a cross-sectional approach. Clinical features including mortality and inflammatory/oxidative parameters (Lymphocytes/Monocytes, Neutrophils/Lymphocytes, Platelets/Lymphocytes ratio), SII, MDA, 8-Oxo-dG, and IL6 (ELISA assay), as well as DNA damage (comet assay), were investigated. Virus infection, i.e., influenza A virus subtype H1N1, JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), BK polyomavirus (BKPyV), and Torquetenovirus (TTV), was also tested. Current smokers exhibit higher levels of comorbidity (CIRS; p < 0.001), Platelets/Lymphocytes ratio (p < 0.001), systemic immune inflammation (p < 0.05), and DNA damage (p < 0.001). Former smokers also showed higher values for parameters associated with oxidative damage and showed a much lower probability of surviving over 5 years compared to never- and current smokers (p < 0.0017). This study showed a clear interaction between events which are relevant to the oxidative pathway and cigarette smoking. A category of particular interest is represented by former smokers, especially for lower survival, possibly due to the presence of more health problems. Our findings raise also the attention to other parameters which are significantly affected by smoking and are useful to monitor COPD patients starting a program of pulmonary rehabilitation (DNA damage, inflammation parameters, and selected viral infections).

Sequence analysis of respiratory syncytial virus cases reveals a novel subgroup -B strain circulating in north-central Italy after pandemic restrictions.

BACKGROUND: Following the pandemic restrictions, the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has changed, leading to intense hospitalization peaks. OBJECTIVES: This study, conducted at multiple sites in Italy, aimed to describe the temporal dynamics of two post-COVID-19 RSV epidemics. Additionally, the circulating RSV-A and -B lineages were characterized and compared to those found in 2018 and 2019. STUDY DESIGN: Respiratory specimens and data were collected from RSV-positive patients, both inpatients, and outpatients, of all ages at three sites in north-central Italy. To analyze these samples, roughly one-sixth were sequenced in the attachment glycoprotein G gene and subjected to phylogenetic and mutational analyses, including pre-pandemic sequences from north-central Italy. RESULTS: The first post-pandemic surge of RSV cases was quite intense, occurring from October 2021 to early January 2022. The subsequent RSV epidemic (from November 2022 to early March 2023) also had a high impact, characterized by a rise in elderly patient cases. Post-pandemic cases of RSV-A were caused by various strains present in Italy prior to COVID-19. In contrast, a distinct RSV-B lineage, which was concurrently spreading in other countries, was identified as the main cause of the surge in 2022-2023 but remained undetected in Italy before the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the temporal dynamics of post-pandemic RSV subgroups and uncovers a lineage of RSV-B with high genetic divergence that may have increased the impact of decreased population immunity.

COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients: Immune responses one year after the third dose.

Cancer patients (CPs), being immunosuppressed due to the treatment received or to the disease itself, are more susceptible to infections and their potential complications, showing therefore an increased risk of developing severe COVID-19 compared to the general population. We evaluated the immune responses to anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients with solid tumors one year after the administration of the third dose and the effect of cancer treatment on vaccine immunogenicity was assessed. Healthy donors (HDs) were enrolled. Binding and neutralizing antibody (Ab) titers were evaluated using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test (PRNT) respectively. T-cell response was analyzed using multiparametric flow cytometry. CPs who were administered three vaccine doses showed lower Ab titers than CPs with four doses and HDs. Overall, a lower cell-mediated response was found in CPs, with a predominance of monofunctional T-cells producing TNFα. Lower Ab titers and a weaker T-cell response were observed in CPs without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection when compared to those with a previous infection. While no differences in the humoral response were found comparing immunotherapy and non-immunotherapy patients, a stronger T-cell response in CPs treated with immunotherapy was observed. Our results emphasize the need of booster doses in cancer patients to achieve a level of protection similar to that observed in healthy donors and underlines the importance of considering the treatment received to reach a proper immune response.

Keeping university open did not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 acquisition: A test negative case-control study among students.

BACKGROUND: During the SARS-CoV-2 testing program offered through the RT-PCR test by Sapienza University of Rome, we conducted a test-negative case-control study to identify risk factors for acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection among university students. METHODS: Each SARS-CoV-2-positive case detected was matched to two controls randomly selected from students who tested negative on the same day. 122 positive students and 244 negative students were enrolled in the study. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models were built. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. A second model was limited to students who had attended campus. RESULTS: Out of 8223 tests for SARS-CoV-2, 173 students tested positive (2.1%), of whom 122 (71.5%) were included in the case-control study. In the first analysis, being a non-Italian student (aOR: 8.93, 95% CI: 2.71-29.41), having received only the primary vaccination course (aOR: 2.94, 95% CI: 1.24-6.96) compared to the booster dose, known exposure to a COVID-19 case or someone with signs/symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (aOR: 6.51, 95% CI: 3.48-12.18), and visiting discos (aOR: 4.07, 95% CI: 1.52-10.90) in the two weeks before testing increased the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conversely, students attending in-person lectures on campus seemed less likely to become infected (aOR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.77). No association was found with other variables. The results of the second model were comparable to the first analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that if universities adopt strict prevention measures, it is safe for students to attend, even in the case of an infectious disease epidemic.

Age-related transcript changes in type I interferon signaling in children and adolescents with long COVID.

SARS-CoV-2 typically causes mild symptoms in children, but evidence suggests that persistent immunopathological changes may lead to long COVID (LC). To explore the interplay between LC and innate immunity, we assessed the type I interferon (IFN-I) response in children and adolescents with LC symptoms (LC; n = 28). This was compared with age-matched SARS-CoV-2 recovered participants without LC symptoms (MC; n = 28) and healthy controls (HC; n = 18). We measured the mRNA expression of IFN-I (IFN-α/ß/ε/ω), IFN-I receptor (IFNAR1/2), and ISGs (ISG15, ISG56, MxA, IFI27, BST2, LY6E, OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and MDA5) in PBMCs collected 3-6 months after COVID-19. LC adolescents (12-17 years) had higher transcript levels of IFN-ß, IFN-ε, and IFN-ω than HC, whereas LC children (6-11 years) had lower levels than HC. In adolescents, increased levels of IFN-α, IFN-ß, and IFN-ω mRNAs were found in the LC group compared with MC, while lower levels were observed in LC children than MC. Adolescents with neurological symptoms had higher IFN-α/ß mRNA levels than MC. LC and MC participants showed decreased expression of ISGs and IFNAR1, but increased expression of IFNAR2, than HC. Our results show age-related changes in the expression of transcripts involved in the IFN-I signaling pathway in children and adolescents with LC.

Molecular monitoring of viral infections in immunocompromised patients in a large university hospital in Italy: reflections after thirteen years of real-life activity.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and viral reactivations of clinical interest in the immunocompromised patient with particular focus on hematologic and solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS: Molecular screening data of CMV, EBV, JCV and BKV from 2011 to 2023 were analyzed. This extensive time span allowed the access to more than 100,000 samples from over 20,000 patients treated at Policlinico Umberto I. It was possible to temporally investigate patient attendance patterns, average age distribution, seasonality of infections, and positivity rates of the analyzed viruses. RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2022 a significant reduction in organ transplants performed and in the positive molecular detection of EBV, JCV and BKV was observed. Additionally, there has been a noteworthy decrease in CMV reactivations, with a reduction of up to 50% starting in 2019. A remarkable reduction of 39% in the rate of CMV viral reactivation has been also achieved in SOT between 2016 and 2023. CONCLUSION: The years following 2019 were profoundly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic era. This period resulted in a substantial reduction in healthcare services and hospital visits. Furthermore, the introduction of the drug Letermovir in Italy in 2019 demonstrated remarkable efficacy, evidenced by a reduction in CMV reactivations. Additionally, the adoption of a novel clinical approach centered on personalized therapy facilitated improved management of immunocompromised patients.

The Epidemiology of Anal Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative Women and Men: A Ten-Year Retrospective Observational Study in Rome (Italy).

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) commonly infect the anogenital mucosa; most infections are transient, but a fraction of those caused by high-risk (HR) types persist and may lead to anogenital cancer. The epidemiology of HPV genotypes in anal infections in groups at different risk for anal cancer has not been well described in Italy. This retrospective study reports the results of HPV DNA testing and complete genotyping performed on anal swabs from 691 female and male patients attending proctology clinics in Rome during 2012-2021; one-third had repeated testing. Cumulative HPV positivity in 1212 anal swabs was approximately 60%, was not age related, and showed an increasing trend over the study period. HPV rates differed significantly by sex and HIV status: HIV-negative women had the lowest (43.6%) and HIV-positive men the highest (83.5%) HPV prevalence. HIV-positive men had more oncogenic HPV genotypes detected, more multiple infections, and the highest frequency of persistent infections. Two-thirds of all infections were vaccine-preventable. This study found that anal HPV infection rates are still elevated and even increasing in groups at low and high risk of developing anal cancer. Prevention programs need to be improved to reduce rates of anal infection in young women and men.

Presence of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in asymptomatic population of N'Djamena, Chad.

INTRODUCTION: Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) are an important specific defence against viral infections, as these antibodies bind to specific receptor(s) and block the viral entry. NAbs assessments are therefore useful in determining individual or herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2. This study aims to deepen the investigation by assessing the positivity rate of neutralizing anti-spike antibodies to understand the real protection of the studied population against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: This study involved 260 plasma samples from a larger cohort of 2,700 asymptomatic volunteer donors, enrolled between August and October 2021 in health facilities of N'Djamena. In this study four different kits and techniques including the pseudotype assay have been used and compared with detect the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), was used both the identify and measure the NAbs that to evaluate the performance of two cheaper and easy to use commercial kits, specific for the detection of receptor-binding domain antibodies (anti-RBD) against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. RESULTS: The VSV spike neutralization assay showed that 59.0% (n = 59) samples were positive for NAbs with titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:4800. While 23 out the 41 negative NAbs samples were detected positive using anti-RBD (Abbott) test. Furthermore, a direct and significant strong correlation was found between NAbs and anti-RBD, specifically with Abbott kit. Taken together, the Roche and Abbott methods indicated agreement at the high concentrations of antibodies with the VSV-pseudovirus method. Abbott and Roche indicated a good sensitivity, but the Abbott system test appeared to have better specificity than the Roche test. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated a high presence of NAbs against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein among asymptomatic individuals in N'Djamena. This could be one of the reasons for the low severity of Covid-19 observed in this area, given the key role of NAbs in blocking SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 pre-exposure prophylaxis with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442) provides protection in inborn errors of immunity with antibody defects: a real-world experience.

Background: Preventive strategies against severe COVID-19 in Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI) include bivalent vaccines, treatment with SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), early antiviral therapies, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the PrEP with tixagevimab/cilgavimab (AZD7442) in IEI with primary antibody defects during the COVID-19 Omicron wave. Methods: A six-month prospective study evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 infection rate and the COVID-19 severity in the AZD7442 group, in the no-AZD7442 group, and in a group of patients with a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection (< three months). Spike-specific IgG levels were measured at regular intervals. Results: Six out of thirty-three patients (18%) and 54/170 patients (32%) became infected in the AZD7442 group and in the no-AZD7442 group, respectively. Within 90 days post-administration, the AZD7442 group was 85% less likely to be infected and 82% less likely to have a symptomatic disease than the no-AZD7442 group. This effect was lost thereafter. In the entire cohort, no mortality/hospitalisation was observed. The control group of 35 recently infected patients was 88% and 92% less likely to be infected than the AZD7442 and no-AZD7442 groups. Serum anti-Spike IgG reached the highest peak seven days post-AZD7442 PrEP then decreased, remaining over 1000 BAU/mL 180 days thereafter. Conclusion: In patients with IEI and antibody defects, AZD7442 prophylaxis had a transient protective effect, possibly lost possibly because of the appearance of new variants. However, PrEP with newer mAbs might still represent a feasible preventive strategy in the future in this population.

Differential expression of Type I interferon and inflammatory genes in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients treated with monoclonal antibodies.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the reported efficacy of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the Spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in reducing disease severity, the aim of this study was to investigate the innate immune response before and after mAbs treatment in 72 vaccinated and 31 unvaccinated SARS-CoV-2 patients. METHODS: The mRNA levels of IFN-I, IFN-related genes and cytokines were evaluated using RT/real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Vaccinated patients showed increased rate of negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests on nasopharyngeal swab compared with unvaccinated ones after mAbs treatment (p = .002). Unvaccinated patients had lower IFN-α/ω and higher IFN-related genes (IFNAR1, IFNAR2, IRF9, ISG15, ISG56 and IFI27) and cytokines (IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-ß) mRNA levels compared to vaccinated individuals before mAbs (p < .05 for all genes). Increased IFN-α/ω, IFNAR1, IFNAR2 and IRF9 levels were observed in unvaccinated patients after mAbs treatment, while the mRNA expression ISGs and IL-10 were reduced in all patients. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that anti-S vaccinated patients have increased levels of innate immune genes compared to unvaccinated ones. Also, gene expression changes in IFN genes after mAbs administration are different according to the vaccination status of patients.

Interferon-ε as potential inhibitor of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

Chlamydia trachomatis, the main cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases, is responsible for severe reproductive sequelae. Amongst all the cytokines involved in host immunity towards this pathogen, IFN-ε has recently acquired importance for its potential contribution to the female reproductive tract innate defenses. Herein, our study aimed to explore, for the first time, the activity of IFN-ε toward C. trachomatis in an in vitro infection model, by testing its effects on the different phases of chlamydial developmental cycle, as well as on the ultrastructural characteristics of chlamydial inclusions, via transmission electron microscopy. Main result is the capability of IFN-ε to alter C. trachomatis growth, as suggested by reduced infectious progenies, as well as a patchy distribution of bacteria and altered morphology of reticulate bodies within inclusions. In conclusion, our results suggest that IFN-ε could play a role in the innate and adaptive immune defenses against C. trachomatis; in the future, it will be needed to investigate its activity on an infection model more closely resembling the physiological environment of the female genital tract.

Adherence to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Recommendations among Patients with Substance Use Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study in Rome, Italy.

Adherence to vaccination recommendations is a challenge for national immunization programs. We quantified adherence to COVID-19 vaccination recommendations in people with substance use disorders (SUDs) attending an outpatient addiction center in Rome, Italy; we investigated the determinants of adherence, and also analyzed patient risk perception and compliance with preventive measures. A multivariable logistic regression model identified predictors of adherence to vaccination recommendations, with statistical validity tested by estimating adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). From December 2021 to January 2022, 200 SUD patients completed a questionnaire, 80% of whom reported being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (minimum one dose). Negative predictors of vaccine uptake included being non-Italian (aOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.13-0.97), having coexisting comorbidities (aOR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.13-0.95), and previous use of heroin (aOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.71). No difference was found for cocaine use, demographic characteristics, previous COVID-19 infection, methadone therapy, or compliance with preventive measures. Major reasons for non-adherence to vaccination recommendations were fear of side effects, insufficient recognition of the importance of vaccination, bureaucratic issues, and lack of trust in the authorities. Given their vulnerability, additional efforts are needed to facilitate access to vaccination for people with SUDs, and to limit disinformation around vaccines..

MicroRNA Expression Levels in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Positive Individuals and Relationship with Different Levels of Viral Suppression.

The persistence of low human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication in individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART) still threatens their health. Previous findings have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could interfere with several steps of the viral life cycle. Herein, we set out to investigate the expression of miR-150, miR-223, miR-382, miR-324-5p, miR-33a-5p, miR-34a, and miR-132 in the whole peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population from people living with HIV-1 showing different levels of viral suppression. Levels of PBMC-associated miRNAs were analyzed in 30 individuals with undetectable viremia (target not detected) and 30 individuals with detectable low-level viremia (1-200 copies/mL). In addition, 30 samples from treatment-naive (NAIVE) individuals were investigated. Results were compared to a control group of 28 HIV-negative donors. All miRNAs analyzed were strongly downregulated in the NAIVE population, either compared to the treated group or to controls. Stratification of ART-treated donors according to the therapeutic regimen showed the downregulation of miR-33a-5p in subjects treated with non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors compared with those treated with protease inhibitors. Collectively, the present study shows that uncontrolled viral replication leads to profound miRNA deregulation while treated individuals, irrespective of the degree of viral suppression, and even the types of antiviral drugs seem to be specifically associated with miRNA expression profiles. These evidences suggest that virological suppression could be favored by miRNA modulation.