Investigation of human parvovirus B19 occurrence and genetic variability in different leukaemia entities

Human parvovirus B19V (B19V) has been associated with various haematological disorders, but data on its prevalence in leukaemia are scarce. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated patients in Sao Paulo, Brazil with leukaemia to determine the molecular frequency of B19 variants and characterize the viral genetic variability by partial and complete sequencing of the coding of non-structural protein 1 (NS1)/viral capsid proteins 1 and 2 (VP1/VP2). The presence of B19V infections was investigated by PCR amplification of the viral NS1 gene fragment and confirmed by sequencing analysis. The NS1/VP1/VP2 and partially larger gene fragments of the NS1-positive samples were determined by overlapping nested PCR and direct sequencing results. The B19V NS1 was detected in 40 (16%) of 249 bone marrow samples including 12/78 (15.4%) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, 25/155 (16.1%) acute myeloid leukaemia and 3/16 (18.7%) chronic myeloid leukaemia samples. Of the 40 participants, 25 (62.5%) were infected with genotype 1a and 15 (37.5%) with genotype 3b. The phylogenetic analysis of other regions revealed that 12/40 (30%) of the patients with leukaemia were co-infected with genotypes 1a and 3b. In addition, a new B19V intergenotypic recombinant (1a/3b) and an NS1 non-recombinant genotype 1a were detected in one patient. Our findings demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of B19V monoinfections and dual infections and provide, for the first time, evidence of inter-genotypic recombination in adults with leukaemia that may contribute to the genetic diversity of B19V and may also be a source of new emerging viral strains with future implications for diagnosis, therapy and efficient vaccine development.     

Hepatitis C virus infection and related chronic liver disease in a resident elderly population: the Silea study

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases with advancing age, but the disease has been poorly studied in the elderly. A population-based study was therefore carried out to investigate the prevalence of HCV infection and the severity of HCV-related chronic liver disease in the elderly. One thousand and sixty-three people (≥60 years of age) were screened for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) and for possible abnormalities of common liver function tests. Positive subjects and sex and age-matched anti-HCV- negative controls were recalled 12 months later for measurements of liver enzymes, confirmatory testing of anti-HCV, HCV RNA analysis and HCV genotyping. All subjects answered a specific questionnaire concerning medical history and possible risk factors. Forty-four subjects were positive for anti-HCV, the prevalence being 4.1%. Thirty-five positive subjects and 35 controls were investigated further. Risk factors for acquiring HCV were found to be: blood transfusion, surgical intervention and the use of non-disposable syringes. Abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels were found in 13 patients (37.1%). HCV RNA genotyping showed type 1b in three (15.8%), type 2a in 13 (68.4%) and not classified in three (15.8%) patients. There was no relationship between abnormalities of serum aminotransferase, the rate of HCV RNA positivity and HCV genotypes. Ultrasound abnormalities were present in 13 (37.1%) patients. In this elderly population the relatively high prevalence of HCV infection was thought to be caused by previous parenteral exposure. The low incidence of liver disease could be related to the prevalence of HCV genotype 2a in the majority of these patients, and hints at the possibility of an HCV carrier state in elderly individuals.     

Infection with hepatitis B virus genotype A in Tokyo, Japan during 1976 through 2001

Background Because genotype A of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not indigenous, there have been only few data on infection with it in Japan.Methods We examined clinical and virological features of the 66 Japanese patients who admitted Toranomon Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, between 1976 and 2001, who were found to have HBV/A infection. HBV genotype A was classified into subtype A (European type) and A (South African type) by phylogenetic analysis of the preS1 and preS2 regions, and the S gene sequences.Results Of the 66 patients infected with HBV/A, 14 (21%) were asymptomatic carriers, 26 (39%) presented with acute hepatitis, 22 (33%) with chronic hepatitis, and 4 (6%) with liver cirrhosis. HBV/A infection persisted for more than 6 months in 5 of the 26 (19%) patients with acute hepatitis. The frequency of acute hepatitis in patients infected with HBV/A was higher after than before 1991 (2/22 [9%] vs 24/44 [55%]; P < 0.0001). The frequency of nucleotide 1858 of T was higher in asymptomatic carriers than in patients with acute hepatitis in whom infection was resolved (5/14 [36%] vs 0/21 [0%]; P = 0.008). Of the 57 patients for whom subtypes of genotype A were determined, subtype A was identified in 53 (93%) and subtype A in only 4 (7%). All patients infected with subtype A were persistently infected with HBV.Conclusions HBV/A infection has become more frequent during recent years, predominantly presenting as acute hepatitis, and subtype A is uncommon in the Tokyo metropolitan area.     

山西省HBV基因型及亚型分布调查

目的了解山西省乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)的基因型及亚型分布情况。方法对136例乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)阳性者血清采用PCR-PFLP结合基因型特异性引物-PCR法进行HBV基因型及亚型检测。结果 136例HBV感染者的血清标本经PCR-PFLP分析,B基因型18例,均为Ba亚型,占13.2%;C基因型113例,占83.1%,除4例未分型外均为Ce亚型;D基因型5例,占3.7%。经型特异性引物-PCR分析,18例HBV B基因型中有4例为B/C基因型混合感染;5例经PCR-PFLP确定的D基因型病毒经型特异性引物法分析有2例扩增出E基因型条带。C、B基因型病毒感染者的平均年龄分别为(39.5±13.1)岁和(30.5±14.1)岁,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与B基因型相比,C基因型病毒感染者的HBeAg阴转率减慢。结论山西省HBV基因型主要为C(Ce),有少量的B(Ba)和D基因型,且存在B/C混合基因型,且可能存在D和E基因型病毒的重组体;与B基因型比较,感染C基因型病毒更难被机体清除,疾病更易慢性化。     

Mouse model systems to study sex chromosome genes and behavior: Relevance to humans

Sex chromosome genes directly influence sex differences in behavior. The discovery of the Sry gene on the Y chromosome ( and ) substantiated the sex chromosome mechanistic link to sex differences. Moreover, the pronounced connection between X chromosome gene mutations and mental illness produces a strong sex bias in these diseases. Yet, the dominant explanation for sex differences continues to be the gonadal hormones. Here we review progress made on behavioral differences in mouse models that uncouple sex chromosome complement from gonadal sex. We conclude that many social and cognitive behaviors are modified by sex chromosome complement, and discuss the implications for human research. Future directions need to include identification of the genes involved and interactions with these genes and gonadal hormones.     

普通干扰素1b联合利巴韦林治疗非1b型慢性丙型肝炎患者临床观察

目的探讨不同基因型HCV感染者对普通干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗的疗效。方法应用型特异性探针杂交法检测106例慢性丙型肝炎患者HCV基因型。应用普通干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗,观察病毒学应答情况。结果在106例患者中,以HCV 3b（45.3%）、1b（20.8%）和3a（18.9%）型为主,6a（9.4%）和2a（5.7%）型次之;在22例1b型感染者,只有9例接受本治疗方案,82例非1b型感染者完成治疗。非1b型患者的RVR和EVR分别为50%和86.6%;在1b型HCV感染者,22.2%（2/9）获得SVR,而非1b型HCV感染者,76.8%（63/82）获得SVR。结论普通干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗非1b型慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效较好。     

Rhinovirus species and clinical characteristics in the first wheezing episode in children

The clinical data on the first wheezing episodes induced by different rhinovirus (RV) species are still limited. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of RV genotypes, sensitization status, and clinical characteristics of patients having a respiratory infection caused by either different RV species or other respiratory viruses. The study enrolled 111 patients (aged 3–23 months, 79% hospitalized, 76% with RV infection) with the first wheezing episode. RV‐specific sequences were identified by partial sequencing of VP4/VP2 and 5′ non‐coding regions with 80% success rate. The investigated clinical and laboratory variables included atopic characteristics and illness severity, parental atopic illnesses, and parental smoking. Of the study children, 56% percent had > 1 atopic characteristic (atopy, eczema and/or blood eosinophil count > 0.4 × 10⁹/L) and 23% were sensitised to allergens. RV‐C was detected in 58% of RV positive samples, followed by RV‐A (20%) and RV‐B (1.2%). Children with RV‐A and RV‐C induced wheezing were older (P = 0.014) and had more atopic characteristics (P = 0.001) than those with non‐RV. RV‐A and RV‐C illnesses had shorter duration of preadmission symptoms and required more bronchodilator use at the ward than non‐RV illnesses (both P < 0.05, respectively). RV‐C is the most common cause of severe early wheezing. Atopic and illness severity features are associated with children having RV‐A or RV‐C induced first wheezing episode rather than with children having a non‐RV induced wheezing. J. Med. Virol. 88:2059–2068, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.