Binding Evolution of the Dengue Virus Envelope Against DC-SIGN: A Combined Approach of Phylogenetics and Molecular Dynamics Analyses Over 30 Years of Dengue Virus in Brazil.

The Red Queen Hypothesis (RQH), derived from Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass", postulates that organisms must continually adapt in response to each other to maintain relative fitness. Within the context of host-pathogen interactions, the RQH implies an evolutionary arms race, wherein viruses evolve to exploit hosts and hosts evolve to resist viral invasion. This study delves into the dynamics of the RQH in the context of virus-cell interactions, specifically focusing on virus receptors and cell receptors. We observed multiple virus-host systems and noted patterns of co-evolution. As viruses evolved receptor-binding proteins to effectively engage with cell receptors, cells countered by altering their receptor genes. This ongoing mutual adaptation cycle has influenced the molecular intricacies of receptor-ligand interactions. Our data supports the RQH as a driving force behind the diversification and specialization of both viral and host cell receptors. Understanding this co-evolutionary dance offers insights into the unpredictability of emerging viral diseases and potential therapeutic interventions. Future research is crucial to dissect the nuanced molecular changes and the broader ecological consequences of this ever-evolving battle. Here, we combine phylogenetic inferences, structural modeling, and molecular dynamics analyses to describe the epidemiological characteristics of major Brazilian DENV strains that circulated from 1990 to 2022 from a combined perspective, thus providing us with a more detailed picture on the dynamics of such interactions over time.

Correction: Epidemiological, Clinical and Antiretroviral Susceptibility Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Subtypes B and Non-B in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155854.].

Epidemiological, Clinical and Antiretroviral Susceptibility Characterization of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Subtypes B and Non-B in Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 diversity causes important differences in the virus' biological properties and their interactions with hosts, such as cell tropism, responses to antiretroviral therapy, drug-resistance, and disease progression. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the interrelationship of phylogenetic inference with epidemiological and laboratory data for HIV-1 isolates circulating in Pernambuco, Northeast Region-Brazil. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 168 HIV-1 pol sequences were analysed, 64 were obtained from 2002-2003, and 104, from 2007-2009. Socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioural data were obtained from medical records. Laboratory testing enabled the determination of recent HIV-1 infections and co-infections with HBV, HCV, HTLV, or syphilis. Surveillance drug-resistance mutation analysis and antiretroviral susceptibility profiling were performed using HIV Drug-Resistance Database. RESULTS: HIV-1 non-B was associated with female, lower education, lower viral loads, and higher T cell counts mean. Frequencies of co-infection HIV-HBV, HIV-HCV, and HIV-syphilis were 27.8% (95% CI: 19.8-37.7), 1.04% (95% CI: 0.05-5.00) and 14.7% (95% CI: 8.6-23.0), respectively. Drug-resistant mutations rate was 2.98% (95% CI: 1.10-6.47). HIV-HBV subtype B co-infection was associated with men who have sex with men (MSM), higher education, higher viral loads and males. HIV-syphilis subtype non-B co-infection was associated with MSM status, lower T cell counts and males. CONCLUSIONS: Data showed the importance of molecular characterisations of the HIV-1 epidemic and its relation with epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the population, as well as its association with other infectious diseases, so they can effort to improve preventive measures for health services and more information about the progress and effects of the epidemic in Northeastern-Brazil.

Identification and characterization of a baculovirus from Lonomia obliqua (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae).

A baculovirus has been isolated from larvae of Lonomia obliqua, a Saturniidae of medical importance due to a potent toxin found in their spines. Electron Microscopy analysis of the occlusion body obtained from diseased larvae showed polyhedra of approximately 1 microm in diameter containing multiple nucleocapsids per envelope. This baculovirus was thus named Lonomia obliqua multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (LoobMNPV). Restriction endonuclease profiles of viral DNA digested with three restriction enzymes were obtained and the genome size was estimated to be 95.52 +/- 2.3 kbp. The polyhedrin gene of LoobMNPV was identified and its DNA sequence was determined. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyhedrin gene showed that the LoobMNPV polyhedrin belongs to group I NPV and that it is closely related to the polyhedrin of the NPV of Amsacta albistriga.