Development of long COVID as a consequence of the complex relationship between Epstein-Barr virus and our immune system

Introduction: The pathophysiological development of long COVID (LC) is still insufficiently known. However, post infection fatigue syndromes were seen before, among other pathogens including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Considering EBV reservoir in COVID-19 patients, this review aims to present current knowledge related to EBV role in development of LC and with the potential diagnostic utility. EBV infection: Following the primary lytic infection of epithelial oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal cells EBV establishes a very complex mechanism of lifelong survival in B cells. Latent infection with occasional viral reactivations constantly challenges the host's immune response. In individuals with immune imbalance including COVID-19, it could drive long-term consequences. EBV and COVID-19: The activity of EBV has been shown as the most prevalent human herpesvirus infection in COVID-19 population (41%). Correlation between lymphocytopenia-induced disability to remove the EBV, increases in EBV DNA viremia and COVID-19 complications have also been reported. EBV and long COVID: The positivity of EBV DNA during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection predicted the presence of symptoms up to 60 days after COVID-19. Association between EBV infection and symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue, arthralgia and skin rashes have been also described in post infection sequelae ME/CFS. Anti-EBV early antigen-diffuse (EA-D) IgG antibodies were detectable among two-thirds of respondents experiencing LC. Increases in anti-EBNA1 IgG levels analyzed months following COVID-19 onset in convalescent LC population could serve as a potential marker of EBV reactivation at the time of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Some authors also managed to show anti-EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) IgM seropositivity in half of COVID-19 patients indicating of either coinfection or EBV reactivation. Conclusion: As a multisystemic illness, LC is without a defined spectrum of diagnostic and treatment options. Whereas EBV reactivation alone or together with other risk factors drives LC symptoms, further prospective studies involving different cohorts and tissue reservoirs are necessary to understand underlying biological mechanisms

Correlation between Epstein-Barr virus genetic variability and Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

UVOD: Primarna Epstein-Barr virusna (EBV) infekcija može se manifestovati kao infektivna mononukloza (IM). Takođe, EBV infekcija može predstavljati važnu kariku u etiologiji velikog broja tumora, među kojima su najbrojniji limfomi, nazofaringealni (NFK) i gastrični karcinom, kao i limfoproloferativne bolesti kod imunosuprimiranih pacijenata. Brojna su istraživanja koja nagoveštavaju vezu između karakteristika pojedinih EBV genotipova i onkogenog potencijala. Pretpostavlja se i da postoji veza između geografske specifičnosti virusa sa potencijalno onkogenom strukturom njegovog genoma. CILJEVI: Ovim istraživanjem utvrđuje se dominacija EBV genotipa i određuju LMP-1 varijante i EBNA-1 subtipovi. Takođe, ciljevi se odnose i na identifikaciju novih i geografski specifičnih mutacija, kao i utvrđivanje moguće povezanosti polimorfizama različitih EBV gena, identifikovanih mutacija i prirode oboljenja. MATERIJAL I METODOLOGIJA: Studija je obuhvatila 360 pacijenata sa IM, transplantiranim organom (T) ili NFK tipa UCNT (engl. undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type). Korišćeni su uzorci krvi IM i T pacijenata, kao i parafinski kalupi tkiva UCNT pacijenata. Nested-PCR metod korišćen je za dokazivanje EBNA-2, LMP-1 i EBNA-1 gena, kao i za genotipizaciju EBNA-2 gena. Nakon DNK sekvenciranja specifičnih regiona LMP-1 i EBNA-1 gena, sledila je filogenetska analiza dobijenih sekvenci. Obrađene sekvence koristile su se za uzajamno poređenje varijabilnosti EBV gena, kao i za poređenje sa kliničkim parametrima pojedinačnih oboljenja. REZULTATI: Devedeset uzoraka (25%) bilo je pozitivno na prisustvo EBV DNK Dominantan genotip EBNA-2 izolata bio je genotip 1 (89,61%). Identifikovano je 4 od sedam poznatih LMP-1 varijanti: B95-8, Kina 1, SK (Severna Karolina) i Med (Mediteran) i 2, do sada nepoznate, varijante Srb 1 i Srb 2 (Srbija 1 i 2). Najučestalija bila je varijanta B95-8 (31%), a dokazana je i statistički značajna razlika u distribuciji varijanti među oboljenjima (p=0,039). LMP-1 delecije su otkrivene kod 39% izolata, i to: dve poznate delecije od 30-bp i 69-bp, i dve novoidentifikovane delecije od 27-bp i 147-bp...INTRODUCTION: Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection could result in infectious mononucleosis (IM). Also, EBV infection has an important role in etiology of numerous tumors: lymphomas, nasopharyngeal (NPC) carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised patients. There are many studies which suggest the association between EBV genotypes and oncogenic potential of this virus. It is also assumed that geographical specificity of EBV genome could correlate with potentially oncogenic structure of viral genome. AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of EBV genotypes and to identify LMP-1 variants and EBNA-1 subtypes. The aims also included identification of new and geographical specific mutations, as well as investigation of possible association between EBV genes polymorphisms, detected mutations and disease characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research included 360 patients with IM, transplanted organ (T) or NPC (type UCNT, undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type). Blood samples from IM and T patients, as well as paraffin embedded tissue blocks from UCNT patients were included. Nested-PCR was used for detection of EBNA-2, LMP-1 and EBNA-1 genes, and also for EBNA-2 genotyping. After DNA sequencing of selected regions of LMP- 1 and EBNA-1 genes, phylogenetic analysis of obtained sequences were performed. Finally, the sequences were used for investigation of correlation between EBV genes variabilities or between gene variabilities and clinical characteristics od disease. RESULTS: EBV DNA was present in 90 samples (25%). Among two EBNA-2 genotypes, genotype 1 was dominant (89,61%). Four out of 7 known LMP-1 variants were identified: B95-8, China 1, NC (North Carolina), Med (Mediterranean). Moreover, 2 new variants were detected: Srb 1 and Srb 2 (Serbia 1 and 2). The most frequent was B95-8 (31%). There was statistically significant difference in variant distribution between diseases (p=0,039). LMP-1 deletions were detected in 39% isolates: two known 30-bp i 69-bp, and two yet unknown 27-bp i 147-bp..

The prevalence of the most important viral infections in renal transplant recipients in Serbia

Viruses are the main cause of opportunistic infections after kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), B. K. virus (BKV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV) infections in renal transplant recipients (RTR). This retrospective study of 112 RTR investigated the presence of CMV, EBV and polyomaviruses DNA in plasma and/or urine by PCR. The visualization of PCR products was performed by electrophoresis on 2% agarose gel stained with ethidium bromide and photographed under a UV light. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. CMV DNA was detected in 14/112 (12.5%), EBV DNA in 4/49 (8.16%), BKV DNA in 10/31 (32.26%) and JCV DNA in 3/31 (9.68%) RTR. These results show that CMV infection is more often present in RTR compared to other investigated viral infections. In the light of these results, molecular testing could be useful in identifying recipients at high risk of symptomatic post-transplant viral infection. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 175073, br. 175038 and br. 175089

The First Molecular Characterization of Serbian SARS-CoV-2 Isolates From a Unique Early Second Wave in Europe

March 6, 2020 is considered as the official date of the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic in Serbia. In late spring and early summer 2020, Europe recorded a decline in the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsiding of the first wave. This trend lasted until the fall, when the second wave of the epidemic began to appear. Unlike the rest of Europe, Serbia was hit by the second wave of the epidemic a few months earlier. Already in June 2020, newly confirmed cases had risen exponentially. As the COVID-19 pandemic is the first pandemic in which there has been instant sharing of genomic information on isolates around the world, the aim of this study was to analyze whole SARS-CoV-2 viral genomes from Serbia, to identify circulating variants/clade/lineages, and to explore site-specific mutational patterns in the unique early second wave of the European epidemic. This analysis of Serbian isolates represents the first publication from Balkan countries, which demonstrates the importance of specificities of local transmission especially when preventive measures differ among countries. One hundred forty-eight different genome variants among 41 Serbian isolates were detected in this study. One unique and seven extremely rare mutations were identified, with locally specific continuous dominance of the 20D clade. At the same time, amino acid substitutions of newly identified variants of concern were found in our isolates from October 2020. Future research should be focused on functional characterization of novel mutations in order to understand the exact role of these variations

The impact of socioeconomic factors on quality of life and functional impairment in patients treated for oropharyngeal carcinoma

Uvod/Cilj. Incidencija orofaringealnih karcinoma se povećavala tokom poslednje decenije, a epidemiologija promenila sa pojavom humanog papiloma virusa (HPV) kao bitnog faktora rizika od ovih karcinoma. Potrebno je ustanoviti bolje terapeutske izbore za specifične grupe bolesnika koji se leče od orofaringealnog karcinoma. Cilj ove studije bio je da se procene kvalitet života i funkcionalne performanse, kao i uticaj različitih demografskih faktora, stadijuma bolesti i tipa terapija na te parametre kod bolesnika sa orofaringealnim karcinomom kod kojih je postignuta uspešna lokoregionalna kontrola, godinu dana posle sprovedene terapije. Metode. Studija je uključila 87 bolesnika koji su odgovorili na upitnike o kvalitetu života i funkcionalnim performansama: European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of Life-Questionnaire-C30 - EORTC QLQ-C30), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of-Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck 35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) i Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS), 12 do 14 meseci posle završenog onkološkog tretmana. Rezultati. Specifične grupe bolesnika značajno su se razlikovale u skorovima na upitnicima za kvalitet života posle lečenja. Faktori koji su bili povezani sa slabijim rezultatima su bili ženski pol, život bez partnera, nivo obrazovanja, zaposlenost i HPV status. Zaključak. Kliničari bi trebali da uzmu u obzir socioekonomske faktore i HPV status u planiranju postoperativnog oporavka kod bolesnika lečenih od orofaringealnog karcinoma. Pol bolesnika, nivo obrazovanja i zaposlenost su faktori koji nose određen nivo rizika koji je povezan sa nižim nivoom kvaliteta života kod ovih bolesnika.Backround/Aim. Considering the distinct increase in the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer over oral cavity cancers and changing epidemiology with human papilloma virus (HPV) infection emerging as an important risk factor, there is a need to establish better treatment choices in specific groups of patients with oropharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and functional performance and the impact of different demographical data, stage of disease, and treatment type on these parameters in patients with oropharyngeal cancer with successfully achieved locoregional control a year after the treatment. Methods. Study included 87 patients who underwent QOL and functional impairment assessment 12 to 14 months after finished oncological treatment with the following questionnaires: the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of Life-Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of-Life Questionnaire-Head and Neck 35 (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) and the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). Results. Specific groups of patients had significantly different post-treatment QOL scores. The factors associated with the worse QOL scores were female gender, not being in a partnership, level of education and HPV status. Conclusion. Clinicians should consider socioeconomic factors and HPV status in planning the recovery after treatment of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma. Gender, education level and employment are the variables that form a certain risk profiles associated with the lower QOL

Retardadores de crescimento no desenvolvimento e na qualidade ornamental de Zinnia elegans Jacq. 'Lilliput' envasada

As zínias têm grande potencial como plantas floríferas envasadas e representam rápida fonte de novidade para a floricultura com o auxílio de retardadores de crescimento. Avaliaram-se os efeitos de retardadores de crescimento no desenvolvimento e na produção de plantas envasadas de porte baixo, compactas e atrativas de 'Lilliput' Zinnia elegans, cultivar altamente ornamental, com sementes de baixo custo. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, com dez tratamentos (controle e três concentrações de cada retardador: daminozide, paclobutrazol e chlormequat) e quatro repetições (dois vasos por unidade experimental, com uma planta por vaso de 0,6 L). Paclobutrazol (0,5; 0,75 e 1,0 mg i.a. por vaso) e chlormequat (1,0; 2,0 e 3,0 g L-1) foram aplicados ao substrato (40 mL por vaso), enquanto o daminozide (2,5; 3,75 e 5,0 g L-1) foi aplicado através de pulverização foliar (10 mL por vaso), no estádio de gema floral apical visível. Daminozide (2,5 e 3,75 g L-1), paclobutrazol (0,5; 0,75 e 1,0 mg i.a. por vaso) e 1,0 g L-1 de chlormequat reduziram significativamente a altura das plantas e o comprimento dos ramos laterais, sem afetar o diâmetro dos capítulos, atrasar o ciclo de produção e causar fitotoxicidade. Entretanto, as plantas não se apresentaram suficientemente baixas e compactas para atender às exigências de qualidade do mercado. Chlormequat (2,0 e 3,0 g L-1) causou fitotoxicidade e daminozide (5,0 g L-1) aumentou o ciclo de produção.Zinnias have good potential to be used as flowering, potted plants, being a quick source of novelty for the floriculture industry with the aid of growth retardants. This study evaluated the effect of growth retardants on development and production of short, compact and attractive plants of potted 'Lilliput' Zinnia elegans, a highly ornamental zinnia with low cost seeds. Trials were set up in randomized blocks, with ten treatments (control and three treatments of each retardant: daminozide, paclobutrazol and chlormequat) and four replications (two pots per experimental unit, with one plant per 0.6-L pot). Paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i. per pot) and chlormequat (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g L-1) were applied as a single drench (40 mL per pot), and daminozide (2.5, 3.75 and 5.0 g L-1) as a single foliar spray to runoff (10 mL per pot), at apical flower bud stage. Daminozide (2.5 and 3.75 g L-1), paclobutrazol (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg a.i. per pot) and chlormequat at 1.0 g L-1 significantly reduced plant height and side branches length, without affecting flower diameter, delaying production cycle and causing phytotoxicity symptoms. However, plants were not short and compact enough to meet market quality demand. Chlormequat (2.0 and 3.0 g L-1) caused phytotoxicity symptoms and daminozide (5.0 g L-1) delayed production cycle

Quality of Life with Regard to Assessment of Health Status, Social Support and Activity Level in Ealdery People

Cilj provedenog istraživanja bio je ispitati efekt procjene zdravstvenog statusa, socijalne podrške i razine aktivnosti na kvalitetu života kod osoba starije životne dobi. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 193 ispitanika na području Istarske županije, Primorsko-goranske županije i Osječke županije, od čega 59 čine muškarci, a 134 čine žene, u rasponu dobi od 60 do 90 godina (M = 75, SD = 8.55). U istraživanju su korištene sljedeće mjere: pitanja o demografskim podacima ispitanika, upitnik o čestini bavljenja različitim aktivnostima, upitnik o zdravstvenim problemima (mjera zdravstvenih problema i ljestvica zdravlja), multidimenzionalna skala percipirane socijalne podrške i upitnik o kvaliteti života. Kako bi ispitali doprinos promatranih varijabli u objašnjenju varijance ukupne kvalitete života, provedena je hijerarhijska regresijska analiza gdje su percepcija zdravstvenog statusa, socijalna podrška i razina aktivnosti bili prediktori. Dobiveno je da su samoprocjena zdravstvenog statusa, percipirana socijalna podrška obitelji i prijatelja kao i slobodne aktivnosti, vezane za osobnu dobrobit značajni prediktori kvalitete života u starijoj dobi. Aktivnosti vezane za brigu i skrb nisu se pokazale kao značajan prediktor kvalitete života kod osoba starije dobi. Dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju važnost održavanja zdravlja, očuvanja kvalitetne socijalne mreže te veće sudjelovanje u raznim aktivnostima kako bi ukupna kvaliteta života kod osoba starije životne dobi bila što veća.The aim of the conducted research was to examine the effect of assessment of health status, social support and level of activity on the quality of life of elderly people. 193 respondents from the Istrian County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Osijek County participated in the research, of which 59 were men and 134 were women, in the age range of 60 to 90 years (M = 75, SD = 8.55). The following measures were used in the research: questions about the respondents' demographic data, a questionnaire about the frequency of engaging in various activities, a questionnaire about health problems (a measure of health problems and a health scale), a multidimensional scale of perceived social support and a questionnaire about quality of life. In order to examine the contribution of the observed variables in explaining the variance of the overall quality of life, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed where the perception of health status, social support and activity levels were predictors. It was found that self-assessment of health status, perceived social support from family and friends as well as leisure activities related to personal well-being are significant predictors of quality of life in old age. Activities related to care and nursing did not prove to be a significant predictor of quality of life in elderly people. The obtained results confirm the importance of maintaining health, preserving a quality social network and greater participation in various activities in order to make the overall quality of life of elderly people as high as possible

Quality of Life with Regard to Assessment of Health Status, Social Support and Activity Level in Ealdery People

Cilj provedenog istraživanja bio je ispitati efekt procjene zdravstvenog statusa, socijalne podrške i razine aktivnosti na kvalitetu života kod osoba starije životne dobi. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 193 ispitanika na području Istarske županije, Primorsko-goranske županije i Osječke županije, od čega 59 čine muškarci, a 134 čine žene, u rasponu dobi od 60 do 90 godina (M = 75, SD = 8.55). U istraživanju su korištene sljedeće mjere: pitanja o demografskim podacima ispitanika, upitnik o čestini bavljenja različitim aktivnostima, upitnik o zdravstvenim problemima (mjera zdravstvenih problema i ljestvica zdravlja), multidimenzionalna skala percipirane socijalne podrške i upitnik o kvaliteti života. Kako bi ispitali doprinos promatranih varijabli u objašnjenju varijance ukupne kvalitete života, provedena je hijerarhijska regresijska analiza gdje su percepcija zdravstvenog statusa, socijalna podrška i razina aktivnosti bili prediktori. Dobiveno je da su samoprocjena zdravstvenog statusa, percipirana socijalna podrška obitelji i prijatelja kao i slobodne aktivnosti, vezane za osobnu dobrobit značajni prediktori kvalitete života u starijoj dobi. Aktivnosti vezane za brigu i skrb nisu se pokazale kao značajan prediktor kvalitete života kod osoba starije dobi. Dobiveni rezultati potvrđuju važnost održavanja zdravlja, očuvanja kvalitetne socijalne mreže te veće sudjelovanje u raznim aktivnostima kako bi ukupna kvaliteta života kod osoba starije životne dobi bila što veća.The aim of the conducted research was to examine the effect of assessment of health status, social support and level of activity on the quality of life of elderly people. 193 respondents from the Istrian County, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Osijek County participated in the research, of which 59 were men and 134 were women, in the age range of 60 to 90 years (M = 75, SD = 8.55). The following measures were used in the research: questions about the respondents' demographic data, a questionnaire about the frequency of engaging in various activities, a questionnaire about health problems (a measure of health problems and a health scale), a multidimensional scale of perceived social support and a questionnaire about quality of life. In order to examine the contribution of the observed variables in explaining the variance of the overall quality of life, a hierarchical regression analysis was performed where the perception of health status, social support and activity levels were predictors. It was found that self-assessment of health status, perceived social support from family and friends as well as leisure activities related to personal well-being are significant predictors of quality of life in old age. Activities related to care and nursing did not prove to be a significant predictor of quality of life in elderly people. The obtained results confirm the importance of maintaining health, preserving a quality social network and greater participation in various activities in order to make the overall quality of life of elderly people as high as possible

Correlation between Epstein-Barr virus genetic variability and Epstein-Barr virus-associated diseases

UVOD: Primarna Epstein-Barr virusna (EBV) infekcija može se manifestovati kao infektivna mononukloza (IM). Takođe, EBV infekcija može predstavljati važnu kariku u etiologiji velikog broja tumora, među kojima su najbrojniji limfomi, nazofaringealni (NFK) i gastrični karcinom, kao i limfoproloferativne bolesti kod imunosuprimiranih pacijenata. Brojna su istraživanja koja nagoveštavaju vezu između karakteristika pojedinih EBV genotipova i onkogenog potencijala. Pretpostavlja se i da postoji veza između geografske specifičnosti virusa sa potencijalno onkogenom strukturom njegovog genoma. CILJEVI: Ovim istraživanjem utvrđuje se dominacija EBV genotipa i određuju LMP-1 varijante i EBNA-1 subtipovi. Takođe, ciljevi se odnose i na identifikaciju novih i geografski specifičnih mutacija, kao i utvrđivanje moguće povezanosti polimorfizama različitih EBV gena, identifikovanih mutacija i prirode oboljenja. MATERIJAL I METODOLOGIJA: Studija je obuhvatila 360 pacijenata sa IM, transplantiranim organom (T) ili NFK tipa UCNT (engl. undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type). Korišćeni su uzorci krvi IM i T pacijenata, kao i parafinski kalupi tkiva UCNT pacijenata. Nested-PCR metod korišćen je za dokazivanje EBNA-2, LMP-1 i EBNA-1 gena, kao i za genotipizaciju EBNA-2 gena. Nakon DNK sekvenciranja specifičnih regiona LMP-1 i EBNA-1 gena, sledila je filogenetska analiza dobijenih sekvenci. Obrađene sekvence koristile su se za uzajamno poređenje varijabilnosti EBV gena, kao i za poređenje sa kliničkim parametrima pojedinačnih oboljenja. REZULTATI: Devedeset uzoraka (25%) bilo je pozitivno na prisustvo EBV DNK Dominantan genotip EBNA-2 izolata bio je genotip 1 (89,61%). Identifikovano je 4 od sedam poznatih LMP-1 varijanti: B95-8, Kina 1, SK (Severna Karolina) i Med (Mediteran) i 2, do sada nepoznate, varijante Srb 1 i Srb 2 (Srbija 1 i 2). Najučestalija bila je varijanta B95-8 (31%), a dokazana je i statistički značajna razlika u distribuciji varijanti među oboljenjima (p=0,039). LMP-1 delecije su otkrivene kod 39% izolata, i to: dve poznate delecije od 30-bp i 69-bp, i dve novoidentifikovane delecije od 27-bp i 147-bp...INTRODUCTION: Primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection could result in infectious mononucleosis (IM). Also, EBV infection has an important role in etiology of numerous tumors: lymphomas, nasopharyngeal (NPC) carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, and lymphoproliferative diseases in immunocompromised patients. There are many studies which suggest the association between EBV genotypes and oncogenic potential of this virus. It is also assumed that geographical specificity of EBV genome could correlate with potentially oncogenic structure of viral genome. AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of EBV genotypes and to identify LMP-1 variants and EBNA-1 subtypes. The aims also included identification of new and geographical specific mutations, as well as investigation of possible association between EBV genes polymorphisms, detected mutations and disease characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research included 360 patients with IM, transplanted organ (T) or NPC (type UCNT, undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type). Blood samples from IM and T patients, as well as paraffin embedded tissue blocks from UCNT patients were included. Nested-PCR was used for detection of EBNA-2, LMP-1 and EBNA-1 genes, and also for EBNA-2 genotyping. After DNA sequencing of selected regions of LMP- 1 and EBNA-1 genes, phylogenetic analysis of obtained sequences were performed. Finally, the sequences were used for investigation of correlation between EBV genes variabilities or between gene variabilities and clinical characteristics od disease. RESULTS: EBV DNA was present in 90 samples (25%). Among two EBNA-2 genotypes, genotype 1 was dominant (89,61%). Four out of 7 known LMP-1 variants were identified: B95-8, China 1, NC (North Carolina), Med (Mediterranean). Moreover, 2 new variants were detected: Srb 1 and Srb 2 (Serbia 1 and 2). The most frequent was B95-8 (31%). There was statistically significant difference in variant distribution between diseases (p=0,039). LMP-1 deletions were detected in 39% isolates: two known 30-bp i 69-bp, and two yet unknown 27-bp i 147-bp..

Systematic review with meta-analysis of active herpesvirus infections in patients with COVID-19: Old players on the new field

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Herpesviruses are ubiquitous and after primary infection they establish lifelong latency. The impairment of maintaining latency with short-term or long-term consequences could be triggered by other infection. Therefore, reactivation of herpesviruses in COVID-19 patients represents an emerging issue. Design and methods: This study provided the first systematic review with meta-analysis of studies that evaluated active human herpesvirus (HHV) infection (defined as the presence of IgM antibodies or HHV-DNA) in COVID-19 patients and included 36 publications collected by searching through PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science until November 2022. Results: The prevalence of active EBV, HHV6, HSV, CMV, HSV1, and VZV infection in COVID-19 population was 41% (95% CI =27%-57%), 3% (95% CI=17%-54%), 28% (95% CI=1%-85%), 25% (95% CI=1%-63%), 22% (95% CI=10%-35%), and 18% (95% CI=4%-34%), respectively. There was a 6 times higher chance for active EBV infection in patients with severe COVID-19 than in non-COVID-19 controls (OR=6.45, 95% CI=1.09-38.13, p=0.040), although there was no difference in the prevalence of all evaluated active herpesvirus infections between COVID-19 patients and non-COVID-19 controls. Conclusions: Future research of herpesvirus and SARS-CoV-2 coinfections must be prioritized to define: who, when and how to be tested, as well as how to effectively treat HHVs reactivations in acute and long COVID-19 patients