scholarly journals Discovery and Community Dynamics of Novel ssRNA Mycoviruses in the Conifer Pathogen Heterobasidion parviporum

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suvi Sutela ◽  
Tuula Piri ◽  
Eeva J. Vainio

Heterobasidion species are highly destructive basidiomycetous conifer pathogens of the Boreal forest region. Earlier studies have revealed dsRNA virus infections of families Curvulaviridae and Partitiviridae in Heterobasidion strains, and small RNA deep sequencing has also identified infections of Mitoviridae members in these fungi. In this study, the virome of Heterobasidion parviporum was examined for the first time by RNA-Seq using total RNA depleted of rRNA. This method successfully revealed new viruses representing two established (+)ssRNA virus families not found earlier in Heterobasidion: Narnaviridae and Botourmiaviridae. In addition, we identified the presence of a recently described virus group tentatively named “ambiviruses” in H. parviporum. The H. parviporum isolates included in the study originated from experimental forest sites located within 0.7 km range from each other, and a population analysis including 43 isolates was conducted at one of the experimental plots to establish the prevalence of the newly identified viruses in clonally spreading H. parviporum individuals. Our results indicate that viral infections are considerably more diverse and common among Heterobasidion isolates than known earlier and include ssRNA viruses with high prevalence and interspecies variation.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imre Kovesdi ◽  
Tibor Bakacs

: Viral interference, originally, referred to a state of temporary immunity, is a state whereby infection with a virus limits replication or production of a second infecting virus. However, replication of a second virus could also be dominant over the first virus. In fact, dominance can alternate between the two viruses. Expression of type I interferon genes is many times upregulated in infected epithelial cells. Since the interferon system can control most, if not all, virus infections in the absence of adaptive immunity, it was proposed that viral induction of a nonspecific localized temporary state of immunity may provide a strategy to control viral infections. Clinical observations also support such a theory, which gave credence to the development of superinfection therapy (SIT). SIT is an innovative therapeutic approach where a non-pathogenic virus is used to infect patients harboring a pathogenic virus. : For the functional cure of persistent viral infections and for the development of broad- spectrum antivirals against emerging viruses a paradigm shift was recently proposed. Instead of the virus, the therapy should be directed at the host. Such a host-directed-therapy (HDT) strategy could be the activation of endogenous innate immune response via toll-like receptors (TLRs). Superinfection therapy is such a host-directed-therapy, which has been validated in patients infected with two completely different viruses, the hepatitis B (DNA), and hepatitis C (RNA) viruses. SIT exerts post-infection interference via the constant presence of an attenuated non-pathogenic avian double- stranded (ds) RNA viral vector which boosts the endogenous innate (IFN) response. SIT could, therefore, be developed into a biological platform for a new “one drug, multiple bugs” broad-spectrum antiviral treatment approach.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-382
Author(s):  
Mario Dioguardi ◽  
Angela Pia Cazzolla ◽  
Claudia Arena ◽  
Diego Sovereto ◽  
Giorgia Apollonia Caloro ◽  
...  

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an emerging viral disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), which leads to severe respiratory infections in humans. The first reports came in December 2019 from the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China. It was immediately clear that children developed a milder disease than adults. The reasons for the milder course of the disease were attributed to several factors: innate immunity, difference in ACE2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme II) receptor expression, and previous infections with other common coronaviruses (CovH). This literature review aims to summarize aspects of innate immunity by focusing on the role of ACE2 expression and viral infections in children in modulating the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Articles deemed potentially eligible were considered, including those dealing with COVID-19 in children and providing more up-to-date and significant data in terms of epidemiology, prognosis, course, and symptoms, focusing on the etiopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease in children. The bibliographic search was conducted using the search engines PubMed and Scopus. The following search terms were entered in PubMed and Scopus: COVID-19 AND ACE2 AND Children; COVID-19 AND Immunity innate AND children. The search identified 857 records, and 18 studies were applicable based on inclusion and exclusion criteria that addressed the issues of COVID-19 concerning the role of ACE2 expression in children. The scientific literature agrees that children develop milder COVID-19 disease than adults. Milder symptomatology could be attributed to innate immunity or previous CovH virus infections, while it is not yet fully understood how the differential expression of ACE2 in children could contribute to milder disease.


BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hüseyin Can ◽  
Sedef Erkunt Alak ◽  
Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu ◽  
Umut Şahar ◽  
Berna Bostanbaş ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cytidine monophospho-n-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) gene associated with blood groups in cats encodes CMAH enzyme that converts Neu5Ac to Neu5Gc. Although variations in CMAH gene of pedigree cats have been revealed, the presence/lack of them in non-pedigree stray cats is unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the variations in CMAH gene and the quantity of Neu5Ac and Neu5Gc on erythrocytes of non-pedigree stray cats (n:12) living in İzmir, Turkey. Also, the frequency of blood types was determined in 76 stray cats including 12 cats that were used for CMAH and Neu5A/Neu5Gc analysis. Results In total, 14 SNPs were detected in 5’UTR as well as in exon 2, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of CMAH gene. Among these SNPs, -495 C > T in 5’UTR was detected for the first time as heterozygous in type A and AB cats, and homozygous and heterozygous in type B cats. The remaining 13 that have been detected in previous studies were also found as homozygous or heterozygous. Both Neu5Gc and Neu5Ac were detected in type A and AB cats. In type B cats, only Neu5Ac was detected. Among two type AB cats, the level of Neu5Ac was found higher in cat carrying heterozygous form (T/C) of 1392T > C. The prevalence of type B cats (67.1 %) was higher than others. Conclusions The presence of a new SNP as well as previous SNPs indicates that more variations can be found in stray cats with a more comprehensive study in the future. Also, the high prevalence of type B cats demonstrates the possible risk of neonatal isoerythrolysis among stray cats living in İzmir, Turkey.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-122
Author(s):  
Sérgio Tosi Cardim ◽  
Mércia Seixas ◽  
Victor Bittencourt Dutra Tabacow ◽  
Alessandra Taroda ◽  
Priscilla Gomes Carneiro ◽  
...  

Abstract Bovine coccidiosis is a disease of major importance in cattle herds across the world. The disorder mainly affects young calves, and E. bovis and E. zuernii are considered the most pathogenic species of the genus, however, E. alabamensis have been described in grazing calves. In this study, the prevalence of Eimeria spp. was evaluated in calves on dairy farms in the northern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Four hundred calves on 44 dairy farms were tested for the presence of coccidian oocysts. The positives were re-examined and the oocysts were morphometrically analyzed for species identification. All the farms were contaminated and 205 animals (51.25%) presented Eimeria spp. oocysts. Among these, 146 animals (71.22%) were co-infected by two or more species of coccidia. Ten species of Eimeria were identified: E. bovis (in 30.25% of the positive samples), E. alabamensis (26.75%), E. zuernii (22.00%), E. ellipsoidalis (18.50%), E. auburnensis (13.75%), E. canadensis (8.00%), E. cylindrica (7.25%), E. subspherica (5.00%), E. bukidnonensis (3.00%) and E. brasiliensis (0.75%). This study demonstrates the high prevalence of Eimeria spp. in the northern region of Paraná, Brazil, and detection for the first time in our region the pathogenic species E. alabamensis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Tantillo ◽  
Marilisa Bottaro ◽  
Angela Di Pinto ◽  
Vito Martella ◽  
Pietro Di Pinto ◽  
...  

The health and vigour of honeybee colonies are threatened by numerous parasites (such as <em>Varroa destructor</em> and <em>Nosema</em> spp.) and pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa. Among honeybee pathogens, viruses are one of the major threats to the health and wellbeing of honeybees and cause serious concern for researchers and beekeepers. To tone down the threats posed by these invasive organisms, a better understanding of bee viral infections will be of crucial importance in developing effective and environmentally benign disease control strategies. Here we summarize recent progress in the understanding of the morphology, genome organization, transmission, epidemiology and pathogenesis of eight honeybee viruses: Deformed wing virus (DWV) and Kakugo virus (KV); Sacbrood virus (SBV); Black Queen cell virus (BQCV); Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV); Kashmir bee virus (KBV); Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV); Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV). The review has been designed to provide researchers in the field with updated information about honeybee viruses and to serve as a starting point for future research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (05) ◽  
pp. 993-1000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Berndt ◽  
Sandy Wydra ◽  
Daniel Tarnowski ◽  
Peggy Barthel ◽  
Silvio Quick ◽  
...  

SummaryA growing body of evidence suggests a pivotal role of inflammatory processes in AF in a bidirectional manner. Infiltrating leukocytes seem to promote both structural and electrical remodelling processes in patients with AF. Monocyte-platelets-aggregates (MPAs) are sensitive markers of both platelets and monocyte activation. So far it is not clear whether the content of MPAs is affected by AF. The present study examined the content of MPAs and the activation of monocytes in elderly patients with an aortic stenosis in dependence of AF. These patients are known to have a high prevalence of AF. Flow-cytometric quantification analysis demonstrated that patients with AF have an increased content of MPAs (207 ± 13 cells/μl vs 307 ± 21 cells/μl, p<0.001), and enhanced expression of CD11b on monocytes (p<0.001), compared to patients in stable sinus rhythm (SR). The number of CD14+/CD16+ monocytes were only slightly elevated in patients with AF. These findings were seen in patients with permanent AF. But also patients with paroxysmal AF, even when presenting in SR, the MPAs were increased by 50 % (p<0.05) as well as the CD11b expression, which was twice as high (p<0.05) compared to stable SR. These results demonstrate for the first time a dependency of MPAs and CD11b expression on monocytes in the presence of AF and support the notion of a close relationship between AF, thrombogenesis and inflammation. The content of MPAs and the extent of activation on monocytes appear promising as biomarkers for paroxysmal AF and as possible future targets for developing novel pharmacological therapeutic strategies.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.


1987 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 399-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milap C. Nahata

Remarkable progress has been made in antiviral chemotherapy. Six approved antiviral drugs are now available for the treatment of various viral infections. Trifluridine, idoxuridine and vidarabine are all effective in patients with herpes keratitis; trifluridine is preferred due to its low toxicity. Acyclovir is the drug of choice in patients with infections due to herpes simplex viruses, including genital herpes, herpes encephalitis, and neonatal herpes, and infections due to varicella-zoster virus. Amantadine is the only drug currently available for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza A, but an investigational drug, rimantadine, appears to be equally effective and less toxic than amantadine. Ribavirin is the most recently approved antiviral agent for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections. Numerous antiviral drugs are being studied in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Although currently available drugs have improved our ability to manage a variety of viral illnesses, much needs to be learned about specific dosage guidelines based on the studies of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, potential adverse effects and viral resistance, and the role of combination therapy to optimize therapy.


Transfusion ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 705-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Wang ◽  
G.B. Schreiber ◽  
S.A. Glynn ◽  
C.C. Nass ◽  
J.W. Smith ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Palacios-Pedrero ◽  
Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus ◽  
Tanja Becker ◽  
Husni Elbahesh ◽  
Guus F. Rimmelzwaan ◽  
...  

Immunosenescence is a process associated with aging that leads to dysregulation of cells of innate and adaptive immunity, which may become dysfunctional. Consequently, older adults show increased severity of viral and bacterial infections and impaired responses to vaccinations. A better understanding of the process of immunosenescence will aid the development of novel strategies to boost the immune system in older adults. In this review, we focus on major alterations of the immune system triggered by aging, and address the effect of chronic viral infections, effectiveness of vaccination of older adults and strategies to improve immune function in this vulnerable age group.


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