Prevalence of HBV genotypes in South American immigrants affected by HBV-related chronic active hepatitis

This study evaluated the prevalence of HBV infection in a population of South American immigrants in Italy and to determine in patients with detectable serum HBV-DNA the HBVgenotypes. Between April 2005 and April 2006 a total of 130 South American immigrants were tested for HBsAg. In HBsAg positive patients the biochemical and virological activity of infection and the possible presence of co-infections (HCV, HDV, HIV) were evaluated. In patients with detectable serum HBV DNA, the HBV genotype was determined by INNOLiPA. Among the 130 subjects tested, 14 (10.7%) resulted HBsAg positive. All were men, with a mean age of 22 years (range 19-37) and 12 (85.7 %) came from Brazil, while 2 (14.3%) came from Ecuador. All patients infected by HBV had elevated alanine-aminotransferase serum levels (mean level was 127 IU/L, range 74-312) and serum HBV DNA detectable by PCR-Real Time (mean level 1,037,652 copies/mL, range 19,876-1,377,648). Genotype distribution was as follow: genotype D, 9 (64.2%), genotype A, 5 (35.8%). All patients infected by genotype D came from Brazil, while among the patients infected by genotype A, three came from Brazil and two from Ecuador. Our study evidences a moderate prevalence of HBV-infection in South American immigrants with the identification of two genotypes, D and A. These genotypes are not the most prevalent in the South America and this is probably the expression of a possible geographical redistribution of HBV genotypes

Results of universal screening for SARS-CoV-2 in women admitted for delivery in a geographical area with a low incidence of COVID-19 infection

Not applicabl

Resistance Associated Mutations in HCV Patients Failing DAA Treatment

Currently, treatment of chronic hepatitis C is based on a combination of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) which achieve HCV clearance in more than 95% of patients. Despite this high rate of cure, treatment failures can occur in about 3-5% of treated patients. Resistance associated substitutions (RAS) are commonly detected after virological failure, although their role in real-life DAA failures is still debated. This study aimed to evaluate in real-life DAA-failing patients the prevalence of clinically relevant RASs for the different DAA classes and to identify possible predictors. Fifty consecutive HCV-infected patients who experienced a virological failure to a DAA-containing regimen were included in the study. Direct sequencing of HCV regions involved in DAA resistance (NS3, NS5A and NS5B) was performed with Sanger-based homemade protocols. The presence of mutations in the NS3 and NS5A regions was statistically associated with regimens containing protease inhibitors (p<0.0032) and NS5A inhibitors (p<0.0006), respectively. On the contrary, for the NS5B region, the known mutations associated with the NS5B RNA polymerase inhibitors were detected in treated HCV patients, although there was no statistical significance (p>0.5). A significant correlation was found between the presence of RASs and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis, but not with age, sex and viral load. Our study demonstrates a high frequency of RASs in patients with DAA failure, thus highlighting the usefulness of genotypic tests in this setting. The identification of RASs may guide the choice of the most appropriate drugs for HCV re-treatment

Molecular and Genetic Characterization of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) among Saudi Chronically HBV-Infected Individuals

The study aimed to characterize the genotype and subgenotypes of HBV circulating in Saudi Arabia, the presence of clinically relevant mutations possibly associated with resistance to antivirals or immune escape phenomena, and the possible impact of mutations in the structural characteristics of HBV polymerase. Plasma samples from 12 Saudi Arabian HBV-infected patients were analyzed using an in-house PCR method and direct sequencing. Saudi patients were infected with mainly subgenotype D1. A number of mutations in the RT gene (correlated to antiviral resistance) and within and outside the major hydrophilic region of the S gene (claimed to influence immunogenicity and be related to immune escape) were observed in almost all patients. Furthermore, the presence of mutations in the S region caused a change in the tertiary structure of the protein compared with the consensus region. Clinical manifestations of HBV infection may change dramatically as a result of viral and host factors: the study of mutations and protein-associated cofactors might define possible aspects relevant for the natural and therapeutic history of HBV infection

Incidence of respiratory viruses in a pediatric population: molecular and epidemiological aspects

Introduction: Respiratory infections are not well defined and the etiology is often unknown. Material and method: four hundred fortynine subjectrs were enrolled in the study; in all patientes there was a suspect of inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. At admission, a nasopharyngeal swab was made. A multiplex PCR was performed after extraction and reverse transcription of viral RNA. The amplified fragments were revealed by using an electrophoresis separation. Results: Two hundred and four patients (45.4%) were hospitalized for infection of the upper respiratory tract, 141 (31.4%) for lower respiratory infection and the remaining (23%) for other symptoms. One hundred fiftyseven (35%) patients were positive for human influenza A (H1N1 subtype) and 184 for other respiratory viruses,of which 59 (32%) gave a positive for respiratory syncytial virus, 42 (23%) for rhinovirus, 31 (17%) for parainfluenza virus, 12 (6.5%) for coronavirus, 28 (15%) for adenovirus and 6 (3%) for influenza B (3%) and 6 (3%) for metapneumovirus. The M1 gene sequence of influenza A H1N1 strains from 12 patients had a high identity with that of the reference virus. Conclusion: Furthermore H1N1 and RSV were the main causative agents of acute respiratory infection. A molecular approach provides an accurate and rapid aetiological diagnosis of viral respiratory infections. The molecolar features in the M1 gene suggested that the H1N1 influenza strains circulating in Apulia region had a conserved genetic make up

Lack of Evidence for a Role of ACE-2 Polymorphisms as a Bedside Clinical Prognostic Marker of COVID-19

: The novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causes a severe respiratory syndrome referred to as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) plays an important role as a cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and is largely expressed in lungs, kidneys, heart and the gastrointestinal tract along with being shed in plasma. The ACE-2 gene and protein show a high level of genetic polymorphism, including simple nucleotide variation, transcriptional variation, post-transcriptional changes, and putative protein mutations that could interfere with the binding or entry of SARS-CoV-2 and affect tissue damage in lungs or other organs. Genetic polymorphisms can impact SARS-CoV-2 viral entry and COVID-19 severity. This single-center study evaluated the possible role of the main ACE-2 polymorphisms (rs143936283, rs2285666, rs41303171, rs35803318, and rs2106809) as potential prognostic markers in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Frozen whole blood was used for DNA isolation and genomic DNA samples were sheared using the Covaris LE220 Focused-ultrasonicator for targeting a peak size of 410 bp. Whole-genome sequencing libraries were generated from fragmented DNA using the Illumina TruSeq DNA PCR-Free HT Library Preparation Kit and sequenced on an Illumina NovaSeq 6000. We did not identify any correlation between ACE-2 polymorphisms and COVID-19 prognosis, suggesting that the interpretation and clinical use of ACE-2 genetic polymorphisms in real-world clinical settings requires further experimental and clinical validation

A novel candidate hepatitis C virus genotype 4 subtype identified by next generation sequencing full-genome characterization in a patient from Saudi Arabia

Background and aimHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major global public health concern, being a leading cause of chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The virus is classified into 8 genotypes and 93 subtypes, each displaying distinct geographic distributions. Genotype 4 is the most predominant in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean and is associated with high rates of hepatitis C infection worldwide. This study used next-generation sequencing to fully characterize the HCV genome and identify a novel subtype within genotype 4 isolated from a 64-year-old Saudi man diagnosed with hepatitis C.MethodsWe analyzed the complete genome of the 141-HCV isolate using whole-genome sequencing.ResultsOur phylogenetic reconstructions, based on the entire genome of HCV-4 strains, revealed that the 141-HCV isolate formed a distinct group within the genotype 4 classification, providing valuable new insights into the variability of HCV.ConclusionThis discovery of a previously unclassified HCV subtype within genotype 4 sheds light on the ongoing evolution and diversity of the virus. Such knowledge has significant implications for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, as different subtypes may exhibit varying drug sensitivities and resistance profiles

Genetic Subtypes and Natural Resistance Mutations in HCV Genotype 4 Infected Saudi Arabian Patients

This study aimed to characterize the HCV genetic subtypes variability and the presence of natural occurring resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) in Saudi Arabia patients. A total of 17 GT patients were analyzed. Sequence analysis of NS3, NS5A, and NS5B regions was performed by direct sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses were used to determine genetic subtypes, RAS, and polymorphisms. Nine patients were infected by GT 4a, two with GT 4o and three with GT 4d. Two patients were infected with apparent recombinant virus (4a/4o/4a in NS3/NS5A/NS5B), and one patient was infected with a previously unknown, unclassifiable, virus of GT 4. Natural RASs were found in six patients (35%), including three infected by GT 4a, two by GT 4a/GT 4o/GT 4a, and one patient infected by an unknown, unclassifiable, virus of GT 4. In particular, NS3-RAS V170I was demonstrated in three patients, while NS5A-RASs (L28M, L30R, L28M + M31L) were detected in the remaining three patients. All patients were treated with sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir; three patients were lost to follow-up, whereas 14 patients completed the treatment. A sustained virological response (SVR) was obtained in all but one patient carrying NS3-RAS V170I who later relapsed. GT 4a is the most common subtype in this small cohort of Saudi Arabia patients infected with hepatitis C infection. Natural RASs were observed in about one-third of patients, but only one of them showed a treatment failure