High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Romanian Adolescents With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the frequency of hepatitis coinfection in Romanian adolescents who were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prior to 1995.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred sixty-one adolescents (13–18 years of age) with symptomatic HIV infection, but without signs of hepatic dysfunction, and 356 age-matched, HIV-uninfected controls underwent laboratory testing for markers of parenterally acquired hepatitis virus infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-eight percent of HIV-infected adolescents had markers of past or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as compared with 32% of controls (<it>P </it>= .0001). The prevalence of HBV replicative markers was more than 5-fold higher in HIV-infected adolescents as compared with controls: 43.4% vs 7.9% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and 11.2% vs 2.2% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). The prevalence of HBsAg chronic carriers and the presence of HBV replicative markers was significantly higher in patients with immunologically defined AIDS (CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/mcL): 59.6% vs 34.6% (<it>P </it>= .02) for HBsAg and 22.8% vs 5.7%, (<it>P </it>= .002) for HBV DNA. After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of those who cleared the HBeAg was considerably lower in severely immunosuppressed coinfected patients: 4.7% vs 37.1% (<it>P </it>= .003). Four additional HIV-infected adolescents became HBsAg-positive over the term of follow-up (incidence rate, 24.9/1000 person-years), despite a record of immunization against hepatitis B.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A substantial percentage of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Romanian adolescents have evidence of past or present HBV infection. In HIV-infected adolescents, the degree of immunosuppression is correlated with persistence of HBV replicative markers, even in the absence of clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease.</p

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Markers in Romanian Adolescents With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We evaluated the frequency of hepatitis coinfection in Romanian adolescents who were diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection prior to 1995.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred sixty-one adolescents (13–18 years of age) with symptomatic HIV infection, but without signs of hepatic dysfunction, and 356 age-matched, HIV-uninfected controls underwent laboratory testing for markers of parenterally acquired hepatitis virus infection.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Seventy-eight percent of HIV-infected adolescents had markers of past or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as compared with 32% of controls (<it>P </it>= .0001). The prevalence of HBV replicative markers was more than 5-fold higher in HIV-infected adolescents as compared with controls: 43.4% vs 7.9% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); and 11.2% vs 2.2% (<it>P </it>= .0001), respectively, for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). The prevalence of HBsAg chronic carriers and the presence of HBV replicative markers was significantly higher in patients with immunologically defined AIDS (CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/mcL): 59.6% vs 34.6% (<it>P </it>= .02) for HBsAg and 22.8% vs 5.7%, (<it>P </it>= .002) for HBV DNA. After 1 year of follow-up, the proportion of those who cleared the HBeAg was considerably lower in severely immunosuppressed coinfected patients: 4.7% vs 37.1% (<it>P </it>= .003). Four additional HIV-infected adolescents became HBsAg-positive over the term of follow-up (incidence rate, 24.9/1000 person-years), despite a record of immunization against hepatitis B.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A substantial percentage of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected Romanian adolescents have evidence of past or present HBV infection. In HIV-infected adolescents, the degree of immunosuppression is correlated with persistence of HBV replicative markers, even in the absence of clinical or biochemical signs of liver disease.</p

Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes and Antiviral Resistance Mutations in Romanian HIV-HBV Co-Infected Patients

Background and Objectives: Romania has one of the highest prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, mostly in those parenterally infected during childhood; nevertheless, there are scarce data on the virological profile of co-infection. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of HBV genotypes and antiviral resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in these co-infected patients, in order to monitor the viral factors associated with the evolution of liver disease. Materials and Methods: HBV genotypes and RAMs were detected using nested PCR and line probe assays (INNO-LiPA HBV genotyping assay, and INNO-LiPA HBV DR v2, Innogenetics). Results: Out of 117 co-infected patients, 73.5% had detectable HBV-DNA, but only 38.5% presented an HBV viral load >1000 IU/mL. HBV genotype A was present in 66.7% of the cases and was dominant in patients parenterally infected during early childhood, who experienced multiple treatment regimens, with a mean therapy length of 15.25 years, and present numerous mutations associated with lamivudine (LAM) resistance, but very rarely active liver disease. HBV genotype D was detected in 33.3% of the cases, mostly in recently diagnosed injecting drug users who are treatment naïve, but, nevertheless, present RAMs in 63.5% of the cases, suggesting transmitted drug resistance, and display more frequently advanced liver fibrosis (36.1% vs. 12.3%; p = 0.033). The most frequently encountered RAMs are M204V/I: 48.8%, L180M: 33.3%, L80V: 28.8%, and V173L: 42.2%. There are no significant differences in the distribution of RAMs in patients infected with different HBV genotypes, except for the L80V and N236T mutations, which were more frequently found in HBV genotype A infections (p = 0.032 and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: HBV genotypes A and D are the only genotypes present in HIV–HBV co-infected patients from Romania, with different distributions according to the infection route, and are frequently associated with multiple RAMs, conferring extensive resistance to LAM

Effects of Laser Irradiation at 488, 514, 532, 552, 660, and 785 nm on the Aqueous Extracts of Plantago lanceolata L.: A Comparison on Chemical Content, Antioxidant Activity and Caco-2 Viability

In this study, six laser radiation (488 nm/40 mW, 514 nm/15 mW, 532 nm/20 mW, 552 nm/15 mW, 660 nm/75 mW, and at 785 nm/70 mW) were tested on the aqueous extracts of leaves of Plantago lanceolata L. to compare extraction efficacy and antioxidant and cell viability effects in vitro. Briefly, in comparison with the control extract, laser extracts at 488, 514, 532, and 552 nm revealed small acquisitions of total extractible compounds in samples (up to 6.52%; laser extracts at 488 and 532 nm also revealed minerals and micro-elements increases (up to 6.49%); the most prominent results were obtained upon Fe (up to 38%, 488 nm), Cr (up to 307%, 660 nm), and Zn (up to 465%, 532 nm). Laser extracts at 488, 514, 552, and 785 nm proved more intense antioxidant capacity than the control sample, while laser extract at 660 nm indicated clear pro-oxidant effects. Caco-2 cells study indicated stimulatory activity for the extracts at 488 nm, no effects at 532 nm, and the decrease of the cell viability in the case of extracts at 660 nm respectively. Further studies are necessary to understand the pro-oxidant effects observed in the case of extracts exposed to laser radiation at 660 nm

Effects of Laser Irradiation at 488, 514, 532, 552, 660, and 785 nm on the Aqueous Extracts of <i>Plantago lanceolata</i> L.: A Comparison on Chemical Content, Antioxidant Activity and Caco-2 Viability

In this study, six laser radiation (488 nm/40 mW, 514 nm/15 mW, 532 nm/20 mW, 552 nm/15 mW, 660 nm/75 mW, and at 785 nm/70 mW) were tested on the aqueous extracts of leaves of Plantago lanceolata L. to compare extraction efficacy and antioxidant and cell viability effects in vitro. Briefly, in comparison with the control extract, laser extracts at 488, 514, 532, and 552 nm revealed small acquisitions of total extractible compounds in samples (up to 6.52%; laser extracts at 488 and 532 nm also revealed minerals and micro-elements increases (up to 6.49%); the most prominent results were obtained upon Fe (up to 38%, 488 nm), Cr (up to 307%, 660 nm), and Zn (up to 465%, 532 nm). Laser extracts at 488, 514, 552, and 785 nm proved more intense antioxidant capacity than the control sample, while laser extract at 660 nm indicated clear pro-oxidant effects. Caco-2 cells study indicated stimulatory activity for the extracts at 488 nm, no effects at 532 nm, and the decrease of the cell viability in the case of extracts at 660 nm respectively. Further studies are necessary to understand the pro-oxidant effects observed in the case of extracts exposed to laser radiation at 660 nm

COVID-19-Current Therapeutical Approaches and Future Perspectives

The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stimulated an unprecedented international collaborative effort for rapid diagnosis, epidemiologic surveillance, clinical management, prevention, and treatment. This review focuses on the current and new therapeutical approaches, summarizing the viral structure and life cycle, with an emphasis on the specific steps that can be interfered by antivirals: (a) inhibition of viral entry with anti-spike monoclonal antibodies; (b) inhibition of the RNA genome replication with nucleosidic analogs blocking the viral RNA polymerase; (c) inhibition of the main viral protease (Mpro), which directs the formation of the nonstructural proteins. An overview of the immunomodulatory drugs currently used for severe COVID-19 treatment and future therapeutical options are also discussed

Kinetics and persistence of cellular and humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in healthcare workers with or without prior COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are highly efficient against severe forms of the disease, hospitalization and death. Nevertheless, insufficient protection against several circulating viral variants might suggest waning immunity and the need for an additional vaccine dose. We conducted a longitudinal study on the kinetics and persistence of immune responses in healthcare workers vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine with or without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. No new infections were diagnosed during follow-up. At 6 months, post-vaccination or post-infection, despite a downward trend in the level of anti-S IgG antibodies, the neutralizing activity does not decrease significantly, remaining higher than 75% (85.14% for subjects with natural infection, 88.82% for vaccinated after prior infection and 78.37% for vaccinated only). In a live-virus neutralization assay, the highest neutralization titres were present at baseline and at 6 months follow-up in persons vaccinated after prior infection. Anti-S IgA levels showed a significant descending trend in vaccinated subjects (p < 0.05) after 14 weeks. Cellular immune responses are present even in vaccinated participants with declining antibody levels (index ratio 1.1-3) or low neutralizing activity (30%-40%) at 6 months, although with lower T-cell stimulation index (p = 0.046) and IFN-γ secretion (p = 0.0007) compared to those with preserved humoral responses.1293130513EU Horizon 202