scholarly journals The Use of CRISPR/Cas9 as a Tool to Study Human Infectious Viruses

Author(s):  
Huafeng Lin ◽  
Gang Li ◽  
Xiangwen Peng ◽  
Aimin Deng ◽  
Lei Ye ◽  
...  

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems are a set of versatile gene-editing toolkit that perform diverse revolutionary functions in various fields of application such as agricultural practices, food industry, biotechnology, biomedicine, and clinical research. Specially, as a novel antiviral method of choice, CRISPR/Cas9 system has been extensively and effectively exploited to fight against human infectious viruses. Infectious diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and other viruses are still global threats with persistent potential to probably cause pandemics. To facilitate virus removals, the CRISPR/Cas9 system has already been customized to confer new antiviral capabilities into host animals either by modifying host genome or by directly targeting viral inherent factors in the form of DNA. Although several limitations and difficulties still need to be conquered, this technology holds great promises in the treatment of human viral infectious diseases. In this review, we will first present a brief biological feature of CRISPR/Cas9 systems, which includes a description of CRISPR/Cas9 structure and composition; thereafter, we will focus on the investigations and applications that employ CRISPR/Cas9 system to combat several human infectious viruses and discuss challenges and future perspectives of using this new platform in the preclinical and clinical settings as an antiviral strategy.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Axel Pruß ◽  
Akila Chandrasekar ◽  
Jacinto Sánchez-Ibáñez ◽  
Sophie Lucas-Samuel ◽  
Ulrich Kalus ◽  
...  

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Although transmission of pathogenic viruses through human tissue grafts is rare, it is still one of the most serious dreaded risks of transplantation. Therefore, in addition to the detailed medical and social history, a comprehensive serologic and molecular screening of the tissue donors for relevant viral markers for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is necessary. In the case of reactive results in particular, clear decisions regarding follow-up testing and the criteria for tissue release must be made. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Based on the clinical relevance of the specific virus markers, the sensitivity of the serological and molecular biological methods used and the application of inactivation methods, algorithms for tissue release are suggested. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compliance with the preanalytical requirements and assessment of a possible hemodilution are mandatory requirements before testing the blood samples. While HIV testing follows defined algorithms, the procedures for HBV and HCV diagnostics are under discussion. Screening and decisions for HBV are often not as simple, e.g., due to cases of occult HBV infection, false-positive anti-HBc results, or early window period positive HBV NAT results. In the case of HCV diagnostics, modern therapies with direct-acting antivirals, which are often associated with successful treatment of the infection, should be included in the decision. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> In HBV and HCV testing, a high-sensitivity virus genome test should play a central role in diagnostics, especially in the case of equivocal serology, and it should be the basis for the decision to release the tissue. The proposed test algorithms and decisions are also based on current European recommendations and standards for safety and quality assurance in tissue and cell banking.


2000 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 3451-3455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Savès ◽  
François Raffi ◽  
Philippe Clevenbergh ◽  
Bruno Marchou ◽  
Anne Waldner-Combernoux ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT In a cohort of 1,047 human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients started on protease inhibitors (PIs), the incidence of severe hepatic cytolysis (alanine aminotransferase concentration five times or more above the upper limit of the normal level ≥ 5N) was 5% patient-years after a mean follow-up of 5 months. Only positivity for hepatitis C virus antibodies (hazard ratio [HR], 7.95;P < 10−3) or hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HR, 6.67; P < 10−3) was associated with severe cytolysis. Before starting patients on PIs, assessment of liver enzyme levels and viral coinfections is necessary.


1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (9) ◽  
pp. 687-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harvey D. Silberman ◽  
Avraham Hampel ◽  
Alan H. Kominsky

Since the inception of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes, disinfection of these instruments has been a problem. Soaking in glutaraldehyde does not always achieve sterilization, and often damages the scopes. Ethylene oxide can sterilize endoscopes; however, it is economically impractical because of a required downtime of 24 hours. Thus, it is obvious, especially with respect to human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and Mycobacterium, that a new technique to attain sterility is necessary. This paper discusses a new method of sterile introduction of the flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscope. The technique employs disposable sterile sheaths that are prepackaged and made from a thermoplastic elastomer with a clear optical end. The sheaths can be applied in seconds and tightly adhere to the flexible insertion portion of the scope. Results to date indicate that the performance of the endoscope is unhindered by using the sheaths. Furthermore, there has been no break in the integrity of the sheaths or damage to instruments. It is our opinion that these devices will greatly improve the level of sterility while at the same time reducing costs and downtime.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (11) ◽  
pp. 3313-3317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoru Kohgo ◽  
Shuhei Imoto ◽  
Ryoh Tokuda ◽  
Yuki Takamatsu ◽  
Nobuyo Higashi-Kuwata ◽  
...  

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