Identification of novel virus-specific antigens by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells from asymptomatic HSV-2 seropositive and seronegative donors

Reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) infections can be characterized by episodic recurrent genital lesions and/or viral shedding. We hypothesize that infected (HSV-2(pos)) asymptomatic individuals have acquired T cell responses to specific HSV-2 antigen(s) that may be an important factor in controlling their recurrent disease symptoms. Our proteomic screening technology, ATLAS, was used to characterize the antigenic repertoire of T cell responses in infected (HSV-2(pos)) and virus-exposed seronegative (HSV-2(neg)) subjects. T cell responses, determined by IFN-γ secretion, were generated to gL, UL2, UL11, UL21, ICP4, ICP0, ICP47 and UL40 with greater magnitude and/or frequency among cohorts of exposed HSV-2(neg) or asymptomatic HSV-2(pos) individuals, compared to symptomatic recurrent HSV-2(pos) subjects. T cell antigens recognized preferentially among individuals who are resistant to infection or who are infected and have mild or no clinical disease may provide new targets for the design of vaccines aimed at treating and/or preventing HSV-2 infection.

Immune responses elicited by the GEN-003 candidate HSV-2 therapeutic vaccine in a randomized controlled dose-ranging phase 1/2a trial

PURPOSE

GEN-003 is a candidate therapeutic HSV-2 vaccine containing a fragment of infected cell protein 4 (ICP4.2), a deletion mutant of glycoprotein D2 (gD2ΔTMR), and Matrix-M2 adjuvant. In a dose-ranging phase 1/2a clinical trial, immunization with GEN-003 reduced viral shedding and the percentage of reported herpetic lesion days. Here we examine the immune responses in the same trial, to characterize vaccine-related changes in antibody and cell-mediated immunity.

METHODS

Participants with genital HSV-2 infection were randomized to 1 of 3 doses of GEN-003, antigens without adjuvant, or placebo. Subjects received 3 intramuscular doses, three weeks apart, and were monitored for viral shedding, lesions and immunogenicity. Antibody titers were measured by ELISA and neutralization assay in serum samples collected at baseline and 3weeks post each dose. T cell responses were assessed pre-immunization and 1week post each dose by IFN-γ ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining. Blood was also collected at 6 and 12months to monitor durability of immune responses.

RESULTS

Antibody and T cell responses increased with vaccination and were potentiated by adjuvant. Among the doses tested, the rank order of reduction in viral shedding follows the ranking of fold change from baseline in T cell responses. Some immune responses persisted up to 12months.

CONCLUSION

All measures of immunity are increased by vaccination with GEN-003; however, a correlate of protection is yet to be defined.

Threat of hepatitis E virus infection in Somalia during Operation Restore Hope

In support of Operation Restore Hope, the United States military established a diagnostic laboratory for infectious diseases, the Joint Forward Laboratory, in Mogadishu, Somalia. Because sporadic hepatitis due to unknown causes was a frequent problem, staff members of the Joint Forward Laboratory evaluated 31 Somalis, five displaced Ethiopians, and three Western relief workers who had acute clinical hepatitis. Patients lived in multiple locations in Somalia--Mogadishu, Baidoa, and Merca--and became ill between December 1992 and February 1993. IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus was found in one English relief worker, and IgM antibody to hepatitis E virus was found in 20 (65%) of 31 Somalis, two (40%) of five Ethiopians, and two (67%) of three Western relief workers. No patient had evidence of acute hepatitis B, malaria, yellow fever, or other arbovirus infections. These data indicate that hepatitis E virus--the major cause of enterically transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis--was a common cause of acute sporadic hepatitis in Somalia during the initial stages of Operation Restore Hope.

Timing and chronicity of child maltreatment in Germany: results from a representative sample

OBJECTIVES

Child maltreatment (CM) is a major risk factor across the lifespan. While research on CM and its consequences has risen strongly during the last decades, research is mainly focused on the prevalence of types of CM incidents. As valid prevalence rates on timing and chronicity of CM are lacking to date, we aimed to assess the timing of experienced CM by describing the age of onset, duration, and prevalence at each year of age for each CM subtype in a population-based sample.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional, observational study in a representative sample.

METHODS

Using different sampling steps including a random route procedure, a probability sample of the German population above the age of 16, encompassing 2514 persons (50.6% female, mean age: 50.08 years) was generated. Participants were asked about sociodemographic information in a face-to-face interview, CM was assessed using the ICAST-R questionnaire.

RESULTS

The earliest mean age of onset was seen in neglect with 8.07 (±3.07) years for boys and 7.90 (±2.96) years for girls, while the mean age of onset for sexual abuse was in adolescence with 13.65 (±3.86) years for boys and 13.91(±3.17) years for girls. The overall duration of CM was lowest for sexual abuse with 2.12 (±2.01) years for boys and 2.35 (±1.73) years for girls, the highest duration was seen for emotional abuse with 4.00 (±3.54) years for boys and 4.21 (±3.77) years for girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel results provide important epidemiological information for prevention efforts.

The effects of COVID-19 on the development of reported incidents of child maltreatment over time: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the life of families all over the world changed unprecedentedly, risks and vulnerabilities for child maltreatment might have altered. While several studies and reviews look at altered reports to child protective services and other organizations in the child protection system, particularly during the first lockdown in spring 2020, there is a gap in research on trends of reported child maltreatment incidents over time.

OBJECTIVE

To bridge the gap on mid- to long-term developments and trends of changes over time, we aimed at summarizing findings on monthly breakdowns of CM reports over time during the pandemic.

METHODS

In systematic searches of academic literature databases, we have identified 11 articles that adhere to the inclusion criteria of monthly breakdown data from child protective services during the COVID-19 pandemic with a pre-pandemic comparison period. Three additional grey literature reports haven been identified. Both studies and reports had to be published in either English, Arabic, French, German, Portuguese, or Spanish.

RESULTS

Notably, overall, the level of reported incidents has decreased compared to the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, no clear and reliable picture emerges in developments by different types of reporters. If the number of reports decreases overall, consequently, the overall number or responses to reports does. Some studies, however, report an altered proportion of responses that increased.

CONCLUSION

There is still a lot to be investigated and understood when it comes to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CM. Policy-makers are called to not only invest into more research on the topic, but, first and foremost, to anticipate a potentially surging need in improved responses to a vulnerable group.

Legacy of the GDR: regional disparities in childhood maltreatment in post-unification Germany

BACKGROUND

Previous research has identified growing up in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR) as a protective factor against childhood abuse and neglect compared to growing up in the former Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). This study investigates whether these differences persist among individuals born after German reunification, providing a novel focus on the post-unification generation and the possible transgenerational transmission of childhood maltreatment in Germany.

METHOD

The prevalence of self-reported abusive and neglected childhood experiences among 17- to 31-year-olds, stratified by gender and socio-political context (East/West), was examined using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Data of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KIGGS-study) between 2014 and 2017 was used. Logistic regression models were used to assess the influence of covariates such as age, subjective social status, and education on childhood trauma experiences.

RESULTS

Altogether, 18.6% (East = 15.8%/ West = 19.0%) of the N = 5,982 participants reported at least one type of maltreatment. The prevalence of at least moderate abuse was found to be 6.8% (East = 5.8%/West = 7.0%) for emotional, 3.7% (East = 2.4%/West = 3.9%) for physical, and 3.3% (East = 1.9%/West = 3.6%) for sexual abuse, and a prevalence of 9.2% (East = 8.5%/West = 9.3%) for emotional and 8.7% (East = 7.4%/West = 8.9%) for physical neglect. Individuals residing in eastern German regions reported significant lower prevalence rates for sexual and physical abuse, as well as overall maltreatment.

CONCLUSION

Significant regional disparities in childhood maltreatment were observed among individuals raised in post-unification Germany, suggesting the persistence of sociopolitical influences from the former GDR as a protective factor. These findings underscore the importance of understanding transgenerational transmission factors of childhood maltreatment, such as parenting behaviors within differing sociopolitical contexts. The results have important implications for child welfare policies, emphasizing the need to address regional disparities and to incorporate historical and sociopolitical factors into future research and intervention strategies.