Distribution of IL28B Polymorphism in a Cohort of Italians and Immigrants with HCV Infection: Association with Viraemia, Stage of Fibrosis and Response to Treatment.

Aims of the study are to investigate, in a cohort of patients affected by HCV chronic hepatitis with genotypes 1 and 4, the prevalence of interleukin 28B (IL28B) genotypes, the possible association between IL28B polymorphism and severity of liver damage, the role of IL28B CC as a predictor of outcome. 365 patients with HCV infection were observed between 2013 and 2014. Demographic, virological, biochemical, and genetic characteristics of each patient were investigated. Liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastometry. Mean age of the patients (72.9 % males, 27.1 % females) is 50 years. 91.5 % % of patients are Caucasian, 8.5 % African. In the patients with HCV1 and HCV4 a higher frequency of IL28B CT is observed with a prevalence of 52.1 and 61.8 % respectively. As regards ethnic group, African people have a prevalence of 35.5 % for CC, while Caucasians have a prevalence of 23.8 % for CC. In our cohort, IL28B polymorphism does not show significant differences among ethnic groups and in HCV1 and HCV4 genotypes. As described in literature, IL28B CC genotype is confirmed as predictor of sustained virological response in both Caucasians and Africans. A significant correlation between liver fibrosis and IL28B polymorphism emerges.

HBV whole-genome mutation profile in HIV-1/HBV coinfected patients in a long-term follow-up study.

PURPOSE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-infected patients frequently harbour hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively). Possible modifications of the natural history of hepatitis B may occur. The aim of this study was to characterise HBV diversity and evolutionary and mutational viral genome profiles in HIV-1/HBV coinfections. METHODS: HIV-1 and HBV markers determinations (Roche, FRG; Abbott, USA) and HBV genome-length retrospective analysis were performed in follow-up isolates from patients who were either stably HBsAg-negative with a low level of HBV DNA (occult hepatitis B infection, OBI) or HBsAg-positive with a high level of HBV DNA. Phylogenetic analysis (maximum likelihood method, MEGA5), statistical analysis and evolutionary rates calculation (d S/d N) were applied. RESULTS: Positive selection pressures in the PreS/S region and a significantly higher number of mutations in this region including the major hydrophilic region (MHR) and the "a" determinant were shown in HBsAg-negative (possibly OBI) compared to stably HBsAg-positive HIV-1/HBV subgenotypes D3/A2 coinfected patients. Mutants previously described in HIV-1/HBV coinfected patients were found. Known mutants Y100C, P127T and P120A associated to Y134H and S143T and new S mutants, which may potentially affect HBsAg expression and secretion and anti-HBs binding, were detected in baseline sera persisting up to the end of 9 years follow-up. Known mutations of BCP, Pre-C, C and X regions were also characterised. Natural mutants strictly known as being involved in diagnostic failure were not detected; however, numerous corresponding sites showed amino acid variations. CONCLUSIONS: Evolutionary and genotypic differences observed, particularly in the PreS/S region, between HBsAg-negative (OBI) and HBsAg-positive HIV-1/HBV coinfected patients, may contribute, in association with mutations of other genomic regions, to the HBsAg-negative phenotype.

Kinetics of WHV-HDV replication in acute fatal course of woodchuck hepatitis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate, by developing one-step real-time PCR, the outcome of superinfection with hepatitis D virus (HDV) genotype I in woodchucks that were chronic carriers of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) and did not show relevant signs of liver damage. Three woodchucks (Marmota monax) chronically infected with WHV were superinfected with a woodchuck HDV inoculum. The evolution of the WHV and HDV infections was monitored by quantifying HDV-RNA, WHV-DNA, and HDV-WHV antigens and antibodies. WHV and HDV sequencing was also performed and liver markers were evaluated. Liver damage was assessed using the Ishak method. All woodchucks showed a high HDV viral load, antigenemia and short survival after superinfection. Histopathological examination of autoptic liver samples showed massive liver necrosis compatible with an acute fatal course of hepatitis. The WHV sequencing showed that the virus population was not substituted by the WHV inoculum. The HDV sequencing performed during superinfection and at autopsy indicated amino acid changes in immune dominant regions of the HDV antigen. The strong correlation between acute infection with HDV genotype I and rapid and fatal liver failure indicates that HDV can be an important factor in the prognosis of HDV-WHV-superinfected woodchucks.

Effect of vaccination with recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara expressing structural and regulatory genes of SIV(macJ5) on the kinetics of SIV replication in cynomolgus monkeys.

The efficacy of a multicomponent vaccination with modified vaccinia Ankara constructs (rMVA) expressing structural and regulatory genes of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV(mac251/32H/J5)) was investigated in cynomolgus monkeys, following challenge with a pathogenic SIV. Vaccination with rMVA-J5 performed at week 0, 12, and 24 induced a moderate proliferative response to whole SIV, a detectable humoral response to all but Nef SIV antigens, and failed to induce neutralizing antibodies. Two months after the last boost, the monkeys were challenged intravenously with 50 MID50 of SIV(mac251). All control monkeys, previously inoculated with non-recombinant MVA, were infected by week two and seroconverted by weeks four to eight. In contrast a sharp increase of both humoral and proliferative responses at two weeks post-challenge was observed in vaccinated monkeys compared to control monkeys. Although all vaccinated monkeys were infected, vaccination with rMVA-J5 appeared to partially control viral replication during the acute and late phase of infection as judged by cell- and plasma-associated viral load.

Isolation and biological characterization of 3(2H)-isoflavene-resistant and -dependent poliovirus type 2 Sabin mutants.

Poliovirus type 2 Sabin mutants were selected for drug resistance and dependence by plating on HeLa cell monolayers in the presence of 3(2H)-isoflavene, a compound related to dichloroflavan, which prevents the shut-off of host translation and poliovirus RNA and protein synthesis. The drug-resistant mutants grew equally well in the presence and in the absence of the drug, while the drug-dependent mutants only grew in the presence of the compound. One dependent and one resistant mutant were characterized biologically in more detail. The resistant mutant did not exhibit thermolability. The mild thermolability exhibited by the dependent mutant was not affected by the addition of 3(2H)-isoflavene, indicating that the substance does not bind the poliovirus type 2 Sabin capsid. The translation of viral proteins and the shut-off of host protein translation during cell infection were not inhibited in either mutant. In the absence of the drug, the cleavage of the precursor VPO, a step in virus protein processing, was affected in the dependent mutant. The dependence of the mutant on the drug was due to the inability of 75S empty particles to reach maturation: our results strongly suggest that this phenomenon is strictly dependent on the reduction of RNA synthesis, confirming the existence of a dynamic equilibrium between RNA production and genome encapsidation during the poliovirus replication cycle.

Antigenic and molecular characterization of wild type 1 poliovirus causing outbreaks of poliomyelitis in Albania and neighboring countries in 1996.

Mass vaccination has led poliomyelitis to become a rare disease in a large part of the world, including Western Europe. However, in the past 20 years wild polioviruses imported from countries where polio is endemic have been responsible for outbreaks in otherwise polio-free European countries. We report on the characterization of poliovirus isolates from a large outbreak of poliomyelitis that occurred in Albania in 1996 and that also spread to the neighboring countries of Yugoslavia and Greece. The epidemics involved 145 subjects, mostly young adults, and caused persisting paralysis in 87 individuals and 16 deaths. The agent responsible for the outbreak was isolated from 74 patients and was identified as wild type 1 poliovirus by both immunological and molecular methods. Sequence analysis of the genome demonstrated the involvement of a single virus strain throughout the epidemics, and genotyping analysis showed 95% homology of the strain with a wild type 1 poliovirus strain isolated in Pakistan in 1995. Neutralization assays with both human sera and monoclonal antibodies were performed to analyze the antigenic structure of the epidemic strain, suggesting its peculiar antigenic characteristics. The presented data underline the current risks of outbreaks due to imported wild poliovirus and emphasize the need to improve vaccination efforts and also the need to implement surveillance in countries free of indigenous wild poliovirus.

Surveillance of suspected poliomyelitis in Albania, 1980-1995: suggestion of increased risk of vaccine associated poliomyelitis.

Surveillance of suspected poliomyelitis cases was conducted in Albania from 1980 through 1995. A total of 93 cases were reported, 11 of which were clinically defined as poliomyelitis cases according to WHO criteria. Poliovirus was isolated from six subjects who were defined as contact vaccine-associated cases. Characterization of isolates by both antigenic and molecular methods showed that, in all cases, the disease was associated with type 2 or 3 polioviruses of vaccine origin with retromutations known to be associated with loss of Sabin attenuated phenotype. Infection occurred despite the fact that all patients had records of previous immunization with oral polio vaccine (OPV), suggesting a failure of vaccination. Four of the five patients from which poliovirus could not be isolated were classified as possible recipient vaccine-associated poliomyelitis on the basis of serology data (presence of antibodies against all three polioviruses) and the temporal association between the latest dose of vaccine received and onset of paralysis. Virological investigation on healthy contacts of the poliomyelitic patients yielded the isolation of a further 12 Sabin-like polio revertant viruses, mostly type 2 and 3. A detailed study of the non-polio acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases and their healthy contacts revealed the presence of several enteroviruses, namely Echo, coxsackie and, in three cases type 2 or 3 Sabin-like polioviruses. Overall, these data suggest the absence of circulation of wild-type poliovirus in Albania from 1980 to 1995, before the recent outbreak of poliomyelitis in 1996, and emphasize the need for active surveillance of AFP and laboratory characterization of virus isolates to monitor vaccination efficacy.

[A seroepidemiological study on the level of immunological coverage in a nomadic population in Rome]. / Studio sieroepidemiologico sul livello di copertura immunitaria in una comunita nomade a Roma.

Immunization status to the three types of poliovirus, to tetanus, diphtheria and measles was evaluated in a Gypsy population living at a Roman camp. Information about demographic data and history of immunization was collected from 149 subjects and a blood sample was obtained from 86 individuals to determine antibody titres to the above mentioned infectious agents. Among the responders, only 20.8% had received at least one dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV), tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, while none was vaccinated against measles. In spite of a low immunization coverage, serological data showed high prevalence of antibodies to the three types of poliovirus (81.4% to polio type 1:94.2% to polio type 2:62.8% to polio type 3) and to measles (76.7%), while antibodies to tetanus and to diphtheria were detected respectively only in 3.5% and 0% of the individuals tested. High levels of antibodies to polio were found also among unvaccinated subjects. For these, a statistically significant positive correlation between age and number of "contact doses" from vaccinated family members was observed (r = 0.70; CI 95%: 0.27-0.90). In conclusion, this study uncovers very low levels of immunization to poliovirus, tetanus, diphtheria and measles in the study Gypsy population, and shows the effects of the secondary spread of the OPV, which probably contributed to reduce the risk of contracting the disease in unvaccinated individuals.

Effect of chloro-, cyano-, and amidino-substituted flavanoids on enterovirus infection in vitro.

Synthetic flavans, isoflavans and isoflavenes substituted with chloro, cyano and amidino groups were tested for their in vitro activity against poliovirus type 2, Coxsackie virus B4, echovirus type 6 and enterovirus 71. Plaque-reduction assays showed that substituted 3-(2H)-isoflavenes, carrying a double bond in the oxygenated ring, possess antiviral activity higher than that of the corresponding isoflavans. The most effective compounds were 4'-chloro-6-cyanoflavan and 6-chloro-4'-cyanoflavan. Studies on the mechanism of action of these two compounds suggested an effect on the early stages of viral replication.