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Flegr J, Chvátalová V, Příplatová L, Tureček P, Kodym P, Šebánková B, Kaňková Š. Cognitive Effects of Toxoplasma and CMV Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study of 557 Young Adults Considering Modulation by Sex and Rh Factor. Pathogens 2024; 13:363. [PMID: 38787216 PMCID: PMC11124290 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13050363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
One-third of humanity harbors a lifelong infection with Toxoplasma gondii, and probably about 80% are infected with human cytomegalovirus (CMV). This study aims to delineate the associations between toxoplasmosis and cognitive abilities and compare these to the associations with CMV. We evaluated the cognitive performance of 557 students, who had been examined for Toxoplasma and CMV infections, using intelligence, memory, and psychomotor tests. The results indicated cognitive impairments in seropositive individuals for both pathogens, with variations in cognitive impact related to sex and the Rh factor. Specifically, Toxoplasma infection was associated with lower IQ in men, whereas CMV was predominantly associated with worse performance by women when testing memory and reaction speeds. Analysis of the antibody concentrations indicated that certain Toxoplasma-associated cognitive detrimental effects may wane (impaired intelligence) or worsen (impaired reaction times) over time following infection. The findings imply that the cognitive impairments caused by both neurotropic pathogens are likely due to pathological changes in the brain rather than from direct manipulative action by the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Flegr
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
| | - Veronika Chvátalová
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
| | - Lenka Příplatová
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
| | - Petr Tureček
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
| | - Petr Kodym
- National Reference Laboratory for Toxoplasmosis, Šrobárova 48, 100 42 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Šebánková
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
| | - Šárka Kaňková
- Laboratory of Evolutionary Biology, Department of Philosophy and History of Sciences, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 128 00 Prague, Czech Republic (P.T.); (B.Š.); (Š.K.)
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Hassan STS, Šudomová M, Mazurakova A, Kubatka P. Insights into Antiviral Properties and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Flavonoid Polyphenols against Human Herpesviruses. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213891. [PMID: 36430369 PMCID: PMC9693824 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpesviruses are one of the most contagious DNA viruses that threaten human health, causing severe diseases, including, but not limited to, certain types of cancer and neurological complications. The overuse and misuse of anti-herpesvirus drugs are key factors leading to drug resistance. Therefore, targeting human herpesviruses with natural products is an attractive form of therapy, as it might improve treatment efficacy in therapy-resistant herpesviruses. Plant polyphenols are major players in the health arena as they possess diverse bioactivities. Hence, in this article, we comprehensively summarize the recent advances that have been attained in employing plant non-flavonoid polyphenols, such as phenolic acids, tannins and their derivatives, stilbenes and their derivatives, lignans, neolignans, xanthones, anthraquinones and their derivatives, curcuminoids, coumarins, furanocoumarins, and other polyphenols (phloroglucinol) as promising anti-herpesvirus drugs against various types of herpesvirus such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein-Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The molecular mechanisms of non-flavonoid polyphenols against the reviewed herpesviruses are also documented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherif T. S. Hassan
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-774-630-604
| | - Miroslava Šudomová
- Museum of Literature in Moravia, Klášter 1, 664 61 Rajhrad, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
- Biomedical Centre Martin, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Martin, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mala Hora 4D, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia
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Šudomová M, Berchová-Bímová K, Mazurakova A, Šamec D, Kubatka P, Hassan STS. Flavonoids Target Human Herpesviruses That Infect the Nervous System: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Insights. Viruses 2022; 14:v14030592. [PMID: 35336999 PMCID: PMC8949561 DOI: 10.3390/v14030592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human herpesviruses (HHVs) are large DNA viruses with highly infectious characteristics. HHVs can induce lytic and latent infections in their host, and most of these viruses are neurotropic, with the capacity to generate severe and chronic neurological diseases of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS). Treatment of HHV infections based on strategies that include natural products-derived drugs is one of the most rapidly developing fields of modern medicine. Therefore, in this paper, we lend insights into the recent advances that have been achieved during the past five years in utilizing flavonoids as promising natural drugs for the treatment of HHVs infections of the nervous system such as alpha-herpesviruses (herpes simplex virus type 1, type 2, and varicella-zoster virus), beta-herpesviruses (human cytomegalovirus), and gamma-herpesviruses (Epstein–Barr virus and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus). The neurological complications associated with infections induced by the reviewed herpesviruses are emphasized. Additionally, this work covers all possible mechanisms and pathways by which flavonoids induce promising therapeutic actions against the above-mentioned herpesviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslava Šudomová
- Museum of Literature in Moravia, Klášter 1, 664 61 Rajhrad, Czech Republic;
| | - Kateřina Berchová-Bímová
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Alena Mazurakova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia;
| | - Dunja Šamec
- Department of Food Technology, University Center Koprivnica, University North, Trga Dr. Žarka Dolinara 1, 48 000 Koprivnica, Croatia;
| | - Peter Kubatka
- Department of Medical Biology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, 03601 Martin, Slovakia;
| | - Sherif T. S. Hassan
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-774-630-604
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the neurologic complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. RECENT FINDINGS Neurologic complications of HIV may be caused by direct virally mediated pathology, immune-mediated phenomena in response to viral infection, or opportunistic infections secondary to depletion of lymphocytes. These neurologic disorders may be influenced by the degree of immunosuppression (ie, CD4+ T-cell lymphocyte count) and stage of infection (early versus late), as well as use of antiretroviral therapy, and may manifest as a variety of central and peripheral neurologic syndromes, including the more commonly encountered HIV-associated cognitive disorders and length-dependent sensorimotor polyneuropathy, respectively. Immune dysregulation underlies the majority of these neurologic phenomena, as well as other HIV-associated conditions including immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), CD8 lymphocytosis, and potentially the development of compartmentalized infection within the CSF, also referred to as CSF escape. SUMMARY This article reviews a spectrum of clinical syndromes and related neuropathologic states associated with HIV infection.
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Abstract
In the setting of both globalization and increasing use of immunosuppressive therapy, infectious myelopathies are an important cause of morbidity worldwide. Clinical spinal cord syndromes related to infection are varied, including transverse myelitis, acute flaccid paralysis related to anterior horn cell involvement, spinal cord compression, chronic spastic paraparesis, and myeloradiculitis. Causative pathogens include viruses, parasites, pyogenic and atypical bacteria, and fungi. The epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of selected organisms will be discussed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pria Anand
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens associated with myelopathy. Infectious myelopathies may be due to direct infection or parainfectious autoimmune-mediated mechanisms; this article focuses primarily on the former. RECENT FINDINGS Some microorganisms exhibit neurotropism for the spinal cord (eg, enteroviruses such as poliovirus and flaviviruses such as West Nile virus), while others are more protean in neurologic manifestations (eg, herpesviruses such as varicella-zoster virus), and others are only rarely reported to cause myelopathy (eg, certain fungal and parasitic infections). Individuals who are immunocompromised are at increased risk of disseminated infection to the central nervous system. Within the last few years, an enterovirus D68 outbreak has been associated with cases of acute flaccid paralysis in children, and emerging Zika virus infection has been concurrent with cases of acute flaccid paralysis due to Guillain-Barré syndrome, although cases of myelitis have also been reported. Associated pathogens differ by geographic distribution, with myelopathies related to Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) and West Nile virus more commonly seen in the United States and parasitic infections encountered more often in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Characteristic CSF and MRI patterns have been identified with many of these infections. SUMMARY A myriad of pathogens are associated with infectious myelopathies. Host factors, geographic distribution, clinical features, CSF profiles, and MRI findings can assist in formulating the differential diagnosis and ultimately guide management.
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Infections: Viruses. IMAGING BRAIN DISEASES 2019. [PMCID: PMC7120597 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-1544-2_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Talbott JF, Narvid J, Chazen JL, Chin CT, Shah V. An Imaging-Based Approach to Spinal Cord Infection. Semin Ultrasound CT MR 2016; 37:411-30. [PMID: 27616314 DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Infections of the spinal cord, nerve roots, and surrounding meninges are uncommon, but highly significant given their potential for severe morbidity and even mortality. Prompt diagnosis can be lifesaving, as many spinal infections are treatable. Advances in imaging technology have now firmly established magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard for spinal cord imaging evaluation, enabling the depiction of infectious myelopathies with exquisite detail and contrast. In this article, we aim to provide an overview of MRI findings for spinal cord infections with special focus on imaging patterns of infection that are primarily confined to the spinal cord, spinal meninges, and spinal nerve roots. In this context, we describe and organize this review around 5 distinct patterns of transverse spinal abnormality that may be detected with MRI as follows: (1) extramedullary, (2) centromedullary, (3) eccentric, (4) frontal horn, and (5) irregular. We seek to classify the most common presentations for a wide variety of infectious agents within this image-based framework while realizing that significant overlap and variation exists, including some infections that remain occult with conventional imaging techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason F Talbott
- Department of Radiology, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA; Brain and Spinal Injury Center, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA.
| | - Jared Narvid
- Department of Radiology, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA
| | - J Levi Chazen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, NY
| | - Cynthia T Chin
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Radiology, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA; Brain and Spinal Injury Center, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA; Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, NY
| | - Vinil Shah
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA; Department of Radiology, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, CA
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