Eighth Major Clade for Hepatitis Delta Virus

Hepatitis delta virus is the only representative of the Deltavirus genus, which consists of 7 differentiated major clades. In this study, an eighth clade was identified from 3 distinct strains. Deltavirus genetic variability should be considered for diagnostic purposes. Clinical consequences of the diversity have yet to be evaluated

Risk of neonatal hypothyroidism in newborns from mothers exposed to CTPA during pregnancy: Ancillary data from a prospective outcome study

Background: Neonatal hypothyroidism is often raised as a potential concern for the use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Objectives: To assess the incidence of neonatal hypothyroidism among newborns from mothers exposed to CTPA. Patients/methods: Pregnant women with clinically suspected PE were included in a multicenter, multinational prospective diagnostic management outcome study, based on pretest clinical probability assessment, high-sensitivity D-dimer testing, bilateral lower limb venous compression ultrasonography, and CTPA. Results of Guthrie tests were systematically collected for newborns of all women who required CTPA as part of the diagnostic strategy. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level above 15 U/ml was used to define hypothyroidism. Results: Out of the 166 women included in the Swiss participating centers, 149 underwent a CTPA including 14 with twin pregnancies. Eight women suffered a pregnancy loss and results of the Guthrie test could not be retrieved for four newborns. All TSH levels were reported as being below 15 U/ml. The incidence of neonatal hypothyroidism was 0/151 (0.0%, 95% confidence interval: 0.0%-2.5%). Conclusions: We did not identify any cases of neonatal hypothyroidism in our cohort of 149 pregnant women investigated for suspected PE using a CTPA. Along with previous literature data, this provides further reassuring data regarding the use of CTPA in this indication. Keywords: Guthrie test; diagnosis; hypothyroidism; pregnancy; pulmonary embolism

Absence of hepatitis delta infection in a large rural HIV cohort in Tanzania

OBJECTIVES: The epidemiological and clinical determinants of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in Sub-Saharan Africa are ill-defined. The prevalence of HDV infection was determined in HIV/hepatitis B virus (HBV) co-infected individuals in rural Tanzania. METHODS: All hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected adults under active follow-up in the Kilombero and Ulanga Antiretroviral Cohort (KIULARCO) were screened for anti-HDV antibodies. For positive samples, a second serological test and nucleic acid amplification were performed. Demographic and clinical characteristics at initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were compared between anti-HDV-negative and positive patients. RESULTS: Among 222 HIV/HBV co-infected patients on ART, 219 (98.6%) had a stored serum sample available and were included in the study. Median age was 37 years, 55% were female, 46% had World Health Organization stage III/IV HIV disease, and the median CD4 count was 179 cells/mul. The prevalence of anti-HDV positivity was 5.0% (95% confidence interval 2.8-8.9%). There was no significant predictor of anti-HDV positivity. HDV could not be amplified in any of the anti-HDV-positive patients and the second serological test was negative in all of them. CONCLUSIONS: No confirmed case of HDV infection was found among over 200 HIV/HBV co-infected patients in Tanzania. As false-positive serology results are common, screening results should be confirmed with a second test

Innovation et développement dans les systèmes agricoles et alimentaires

L’innovation est souvent présentée comme l’un des principaux leviers pour promouvoir un développement plus durable et plus inclusif. Dans les domaines de l’agriculture et de l’alimentation, l’innovation est marquée par des spécificités liées à sa relation à la nature, mais aussi à la grande diversité d’acteurs concernés, depuis les agriculteurs jusqu’aux consommateurs, en passant par les services de recherche et de développement. L’innovation émerge des interactions entre ces acteurs, qui mobilisent des ressources et produisent des connaissances dans des dispositifs collaboratifs, afin de générer des changements. Elle recouvre des domaines aussi variés que les pratiques de production, l’organisation des marchés, ou les pratiques alimentaires. L’innovation est reliée aux grands enjeux de développement : innovation agro-écologique, innovation sociale, innovation territoriale, etc. Cet ouvrage porte un regard sur l’innovation dans les systèmes agricoles et alimentaires. Il met un accent particulier sur l’accompagnement de l’innovation, en interrogeant les méthodes et les organisations, et sur l’évaluation de l’innovation au regard de différents critères. Il s’appuie sur des réflexions portées par différentes disciplines scientifiques, sur des travaux de terrain conduits tant en France que dans de nombreux pays du Sud, et enfin sur les expériences acquises en accompagnant des acteurs qui innovent. Il combine des synthèses sur l’innovation et des études de cas emblématiques pour illustrer les propos. L’ouvrage est destiné aux enseignants, professionnels, étudiants et chercheurs

Diversité génétique du virus de l'hépatite delta (HDV) en Europe et en Afrique (caractérisation et implications en virologie médicale)

Le virus de l hépatite delta (HDV), est satellite du virus de l hépatite B. La variabilité génétique de HDV a conduit à la définition de génotypes viraux, présentant une répartition géographique spécifique. Les travaux antérieurs du laboratoire ont permis l identification de 7 génotypes distincts.L activité Centre National de Référence du Virus de l Hépatite Delta de notre laboratoire nous a permis de caractériser 606 isolats provenant de patients suivis en France et d identifier un 8ème génotype (HDV-8). Environ 78% des patients présentaient le génotype majoritaire et ubiquitaire HDV-1, 0.1% HDV-2, 16.3% HDV-5, 1.2% HDV-6, 3.6% HDV-7 et 0.9% à HDV-8. La totalité des patients infectés par les virus de types -5, -6, -7 et -8 était d origine africaine. Une grande diversité génétique a de plus été mise en évidence au sein du génotype HDV-1, conduisant à l individualisation de 3 sous-types : HDV-1AB (isolats originaires d Europe/Asie), HDV-1C1 et 1C2 (Afrique). Une étude menée en collaboration avec l Université d Istanbul nous a permis de retrouver cette diversité des virus HDV-1 au sein des souches circulant en Turquie. L ensemble de nos résultats nous a conduit à émettre l hypothèse que HDV aurait pour origine l Afrique d où il aurait suivi le cours des migrations humaines via le Moyen-Orient.Nous avons de plus mis au point un test permettant la quantification plasmatique de l ARN HDV quel que soit le génotype. Ce test, utilisé en routine au laboratoire, a été utilisé dans 2 études pilotes dans le cadre de collaborations avec d une part l hôpital Beaujon (France) et d autre part l hôpital Hippokration (Athènes, Grèce).Nos travaux ont permis de montrer la variabilité génétique de HDV. Celle-ci doit être prise en compte dans l élaboration des tests diagnostics. Des études multicentriques prospectives permettront d apprécier son retentissement sur le pouvoir pathogène du virus et la prise en charge thérapeutique.Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is satellite of hepatitis B virus. The genetic variability of HDV has led to the definition of viral genotypes, presenting specific geographic distribution. Previous studies in our laboratory have allowed to identify 7 distinct genotypes.Our laboratory is a national reference centre for HDV. This has allowed us to characterize 606 isolates from patients followed in France, and to identify an 8th genotype (HDV-8). Approximately 78% patients were infected by HDV-1, which is the most common genotype. 0.1% were infected by HDV-2, 16.3% by HDV-5, 1.2% by HDV-6, 3.6% by HDV-7 and 0.9% by HDV-8. All patients infected by viruses HDV-5, -6, -7 and -8 were of African origin. An important genetic diversity was evidenced among HDV-1 viruses, leading to the individualisation of 3 subtypes : HDV-1AB (isolates from Europe/Asia), HDV-1C1 and 1C2 (Africa). A collaborative study with the University of Istanbul allowed us to confirm this diversity of HDV-1 viruses among isolates circulating in Turkey. Taken together, our results tend to indicate that HDV might have originated from Africa and have followed the course of human migrations via Middle-East.We have developed a test to quantify HDV RNA in plasma whatever the viral genotype. This test, employed for routine diagnosis in our laboratory, was used in 2 pilot studies within the context of collaborations with Beaujon Hospital (France) and Hippokration Hospital (Athens, Greece).We have evidenced and characterized the genetic variability of HDV. This variability should be taken into account for the elaboration of diagnostic tests. Further multicenter prospective studies should allow to estimate the impact of the genetic variability on the course of the disease and on the treatment.PARIS13-BU Sciences (930792102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Molecular characterization of the full-length genome sequences of HDV strains circulating in Tunisia.

International audienceWhile Tunisia is endemic for hepatitis B virus (HBV), a recent large-scale retrospective study, revealed a very low prevalence (2%) of hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) (Yacoubi et al. in J Clin Virol 72:126-132, 2015). All strains were classified within the genotype 1 (HDV-1) as assessed by nucleotide sequencing of the so-called 'R0' region of the genome described previously. In this study, we aimed to determine the full-length genome sequence of HDV isolates in order to fully characterize the HDV strains spreading in Tunisia. Eleven HDV antibody and RNA positive samples were obtained from the 1615 clinical samples previously studied. The whole genome sequence was obtained for 5 strains by sequencing and realignment of four overlapping regions covering the entire genome, followed by extensive phylogenetic analyses. Tunisian sequences segregated together with Turkish and African sequences and showed 60% GC content. Alignment with an HDV-1 consensus sequence revealed that they exhibited several point mutations in different functional domains of the delta proteins that, according to previous studies, might possibly affect their properties. In conclusion, the first full-length genome sequences of Tunisian HDV isolates are provided, isolates which are closely related to Turkish and Sub-Saharan Africa strains, supporting the hypothesis for the spread of HDV-1-strains from Africa via Tunisia to Turkey, before spread to the rest of the world

Increasing prevalence of HDV/HBV infection over 15 years in France.

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Une pelvis-péritonite causée par une infection par Campylobacter rectus : à propos d’un cas

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