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Kattner AA. One day at a time. Biomed J 2022; 44:S1-S7. [PMID: 35042016 PMCID: PMC8760849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In this issue of Biomedical Journal we get to know measures to prevent a nosocomial COVID-19 outbreak, a compound that is able to stall SARS-CoV-2 replication, and the connection between air pollution and COVID-19 cases. Another article allows an insight into the potential of treating HIV combining a conventional drug and low level laser therapy. Furthermore, the advantages of awake craniotomy are presented, the efficacy of IRES is examined, and plant extracts are on the one hand explored as a nociceptive agent and on the other hand as therapeutic approach against breast cancer. We learn about drug resistance in liver cancer, a mutation involved in a rare inflammatory disorder, and lung surgery related unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Finally, the success of emergency endotracheal intubations across different hospital units is compared, the importance of monitoring cerebral blood flow in asphyxiated neonates is elucidated, and resistance variants in hepatitis C virus are examined. A study about the necessity to perform quantitative cardiac MRI in Asian population is presented, and an approach is shown on how to augment the effect of platelet-rich plasma injections in chronic knee osteoarthritis.
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Safarnezhad Tameshkel F, Karbalaie Niya MH, Zamani F, Ajdarkosh H, Khoonsari M, Faraji AH, Motamed N, Nikkhah M, Ameli M, Miri SM, Azarkeivan A, Sohrabi MR, Keyvani H. Simultaneous Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping and Variant Detection in Patients with Thalassemia: A Single-Center Phylogenetic Study. Middle East J Dig Dis 2022; 14:124-130. [PMID: 36619727 PMCID: PMC9489335 DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2022.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution is different in various regions. A variety of strategies could be used to detect HCV genotypes and subtypes. The aim of the present study was to introduce a genotyping method by an in-house protocol that could be used to determine HCV drug-resistant variants and phylogeny studies. METHODS: Samples from 91 patients with thalassemia were used for HCV genotyping by Cobas 4800 platform, and 50 cases of 1a, 1b, and 3a genotypes underwent amplification and sequencing of NS5A and NS5B by using consensus primers via conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. An ABI 3730xl system used for direct sequencing. Raw sequences were analyzed by popular bioinformatics software MEGA6 and CLC workbench 5. Phylogenetic construction was drawn using 1000 replicates bootstrap by the neighbor-joining method. Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) was performed for mutation detection. RESULTS: Sequencing results of 50 HCV isolates subtypes 1a (31/45), 3a (15/22) and 1b (4/8) NS5A and NS5B genes showed there were 72 NS5A and 105 NS5B mutations. Moreover, 8 resistant associated substitutions (RASs) were identified in nine thalassemia cases by multiple sequence alignment (MSA) protein analysis. The phylogenetic tree construct drew confirmed by the Cobas HCV genotyping results. CONCLUSION: The phylogenetic analysis could be a useful tool for HCV genotyping in case of determining the drug-resistant substitutions; however, it is time-consuming and needs expert analysis and interpretation. This preliminary study in Iranian patients with thalassemia introduces specific conventional RT-PCR to find RASs to direct acting antivirals (DAAs) and subtype determination at the same time.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Corresponding Author: Dr. Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya, PhD Assistant Professor of Virology, Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Tel:+98 21 88941831 Fax:+98 21 88941831
| | - Farhad Zamani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ajdarkosh
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoodreza Khoonsari
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Faraji
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Motamed
- Department of Social Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Mehdi Nikkhah
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Ameli
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Azita Azarkeivan
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Thalassemia Clinic, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masood Reza Sohrabi
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Safarnezhad Tameshkel F, Karbalaie Niya MH, Khoonsari M, Ajdarkosh H, Faraji AH, Nikkhah M, Motamed N, Azarkeivan A, Gholami A, Sohrabi MR, Keyvani H, Zamani F. Effect of Baseline Resistance-Associated Substitutions on Thalassemia Patients with Chronic HCV Infection: A Two-Year Follow-Up. Middle East J Dig Dis 2021; 13:27-34. [PMID: 34712435 PMCID: PMC8531936 DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2021.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection showed the presence of resistant-associated substitutions (RASs). The aim of the present study was to carry out a follow-up of patients with baseline RASs to report the impact of RASs on DAA therapy outcome. METHODS In a cohort study, we analyzed NS5A and NS5B RASs among nine thalassemia cases by baseline RASs. In a 2-year follow-up, we analyzed viral markers and biochemical and hematological parameters of the participants and their sustained virologic response (SVR). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS RASs for HCV subtype 1a included M28V, L31M, and H58P. For subtype 1b: L28M, R30Q, S24F, and C316N. And for subtype 3a: C316S, and S24F. In patients with cirrhosis (n = 5), ALT (p = 0.001) and AST (p = 0.007) levels were significantly reduced after treatment, and creatinine level slightly increased (p = 0.025). However, no significant data was observed in non-cirrhotic patients following the treatment. CONCLUSION The present study did not show any adverse effects of DAA therapy among patients with thalassemia suffering from chronic HCV infection with baseline RASs. Furthermore, reduction in ferritin and liver stiffness levels after DAA therapy could show the efficacy of DAA in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoodreza Khoonsari
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ajdarkosh
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Faraji
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Nikkhah
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Motamed
- Department of Social Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Azita Azarkeivan
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Thalassemia Clinic, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Gholami
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran.,Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Masood Reza Sohrabi
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Virology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Zamani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Intra-host evolutionary dynamics of the hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9986. [PMID: 33976241 PMCID: PMC8113533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88132-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Most individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are asymptomatic during the initial stages of infection and therefore the precise timing of infection is often unknown. Retrospective estimation of infection duration would improve existing surveillance data and help guide treatment. While intra-host viral diversity quantifications such as Shannon entropy have previously been utilized for estimating duration of infection, these studies characterize the viral population from only a relatively short segment of the HCV genome. In this study intra-host diversities were examined across the HCV genome in order to identify the region most reflective of time and the degree to which these estimates are influenced by high-risk activities including those associated with HCV acquisition. Shannon diversities were calculated for all regions of HCV from 78 longitudinally sampled individuals with known seroconversion timeframes. While the region of the HCV genome most accurately reflecting time resided within the NS3 gene, the gene region with the highest capacity to differentiate acute from chronic infections was identified within the NS5b region. Multivariate models predicting duration of infection from viral diversity significantly improved upon incorporation of variables associated with recent public, unsupervised drug use. These results could assist the development of strategic population treatment guidelines for high-risk individuals infected with HCV and offer insights into variables associated with a likelihood of transmission.
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Safarnezhad Tameshkel F, Karbalaie Niya MH, Zamani F, Motamed N, Ajdarkosh H, Vafaeimanesh J, Khoonsari M, Sohrabi MR, Aten S, Azarkeivan A, Eslami MS, Perumal D, Maadi M, Ghanbari B, Keyvani H. Resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) to HCV direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) at baseline of treatment in thalassemia patients: a referral center study. Arch Virol 2020; 165:2193-2203. [PMID: 32638116 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04728-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Patients with thalassemia major are at high risk of hepatitis C through blood transfusion from donors infected by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy against such HCV infections has increased in different populations. However, resistant viral variants can affect treatment outcomes, and therefore improved surveillance strategies are needed. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) to HCV DAAs at the baseline of treatment in thalassemia patients in a referral center. Out of 89 thalassemia patients who suffered from HCV infection and were referred to our center between 2016 and 2017, 43 underwent further analysis of the HCV nonstructural proteins NS5A and NS5B using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing methods. Unique primers were designed using bioinformatics software for separate detection of HCV subtypes 1a, 3a, and 1b. Detection of RASs was performed based on previously published literature. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 19. The participants, 60.4% (26/43) of whom were male, had a mean age ± standard deviation (SD) of 33.0 ± 5.0 years. HCV subtype 1a was found in 27 cases, 3a in 13, and 1b in three. In HCV subtype 1a there were 163 mutations in NS5A and 212 mutations in NS5B. The frequency of RASs was 20.9% (8 RASs in 9 patients), including M28V and H58P in subtype 1a, L28M, R30Q, C316N, and C316S in subtype 1b, and S24F in subtype 3a. Statistically, the subtype 1b and a higher mutation rate in NS5A were associated with RASs (p-value < 0.05). The emergence of natural RASs to HCV DAAs serves as a warning of the risk of drug resistance in response to the broad usage of antivirals. However, relapses in these DAA-treated HCV-infected thalassemia patients are rarely reported. Our findings indicate that the prevalence of RASs prevalence at baseline was 20.9% in these patients, and this calls for extrapolation to a larger population study, as highlighted in other studies, with larger sample sizes, high-throughput methods, and follow-up in order to fully evaluate treatment outcomes in RASs-detected individuals. Optimized therapeutic strategies, particularly in complex, difficult-to-cure patients, can effectively prevent DAA treatment failure as a result of selection for RASs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Hadi Karbalaie Niya
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Zamani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Motamed
- Department of Social Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hossein Ajdarkosh
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jamshid Vafaeimanesh
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Gastroenterology and Hepatology Disease Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Mahmoodreza Khoonsari
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masood Reza Sohrabi
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Aten
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azita Azarkeivan
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Thalassemia Clinic, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Sadat Eslami
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Thalassemia Clinic, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dhayaneethie Perumal
- Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston University, Kingston, UK
| | - Mansooreh Maadi
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Behrooz Ghanbari
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Keyvani
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Theys K, Lemey P, Vandamme AM, Baele G. Advances in Visualization Tools for Phylogenomic and Phylodynamic Studies of Viral Diseases. Front Public Health 2019; 7:208. [PMID: 31428595 PMCID: PMC6688121 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic and epidemiological monitoring have become an integral part of our response to emerging and ongoing epidemics of viral infectious diseases. Advances in high-throughput sequencing, including portable genomic sequencing at reduced costs and turnaround time, are paralleled by continuing developments in methodology to infer evolutionary histories (dynamics/patterns) and to identify factors driving viral spread in space and time. The traditionally static nature of visualizing phylogenetic trees that represent these evolutionary relationships/processes has also evolved, albeit perhaps at a slower rate. Advanced visualization tools with increased resolution assist in drawing conclusions from phylogenetic estimates and may even have potential to better inform public health and treatment decisions, but the design (and choice of what analyses are shown) is hindered by the complexity of information embedded within current phylogenetic models and the integration of available meta-data. In this review, we discuss visualization challenges for the interpretation and exploration of reconstructed histories of viral epidemics that arose from increasing volumes of sequence data and the wealth of additional data layers that can be integrated. We focus on solutions that address joint temporal and spatial visualization but also consider what the future may bring in terms of visualization and how this may become of value for the coming era of real-time digital pathogen surveillance, where actionable results and adequate intervention strategies need to be obtained within days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Theys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Lemey
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Guy Baele
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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