Low-grade persistent poliovirus infection in long-term polio survivors diagnosed with post-polio syndrome: diagnostic and clinical implications.

Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS) remains unclear. We investigated 251 participants from Northern Italy: long-term polio survivors with PPS, long-term polio survivors with stable polio, family members of both groups, subjects with neurological disorders other than poliomyelitis, and healthy controls. This study investigated whether persistent viral activity or the existence of viral reservoirs contributes to causing PPS.

Detection of enterovirus RNA in pancreas and lymphoid tissues of organ donors with type 1 diabetes.

Aims/hypothesis: The nPOD-Virus group collaboratively applied innovative technologies to detect and sequence viral RNA in pancreas and other tissues from organ donors with type 1 diabetes. These analyses involved the largest number of pancreas samples collected to date. The aim of the current work was to examine the presence of enterovirus RNA in pancreas and lymphoid tissues of organ donors with and without type 1 diabetes.

mRNA Technology and Mucosal Immunization.

Current mRNA vaccines are mainly administered via intramuscular injection, which induces good systemic immunity but limited mucosal immunity. Achieving mucosal immunity through mRNA vaccination could diminish pathogen replication at the entry site and reduce interhuman transmission. However, delivering mRNA vaccines to mucosae faces challenges like mRNA degradation, poor entry into cells, and reactogenicity.

SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs is associated with obesity: an autopsy study of COVID-19 cases.

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 infection may be limited to the respiratory tract or may spread to multiple organs. Besides disease severity, factors associated with virus spread within the host are elusive. Here, we tried to identify features associated with SARS-CoV-2 spread to endocrine organs.

Transcriptional changes in multiple endocrine organs from lethal cases of COVID-19.

Altered circulating hormone and metabolite levels have been reported during and post-COVID-19. Yet, studies of gene expression at the tissue level capable of identifying the causes of endocrine dysfunctions are lacking. Transcript levels of endocrine-specific genes were analyzed in five endocrine organs of lethal COVID-19 cases.

Autopsy Study of Testicles in COVID-19: Upregulation of Immune-Related Genes and Downregulation of Testis-Specific Genes.

Context: Infection by SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with testicular dysfunction that could affect male fertility.

Objective: Testicles of fatal COVID-19 cases were investigated to detect virus in tissue and to evaluate histopathological and transcriptomic changes.

Methods: Three groups were compared: (a) uninfected controls (subjects dying of trauma or sudden cardiac death; n = 10); (b) subjects dying of COVID-19 (virus-negative in testes; n = 15); (c) subjects dying of COVID-19 (virus-positive in testes; n = 9).

Live enteroviruses, but not other viruses, detected in human pancreas at the onset of type 1 diabetes in the DiViD study.

Aims/hypothesis: Enterovirus (EV) infection of pancreatic islet cells is one possible factor contributing to type 1 diabetes development. We have reported the presence of EV genome by PCR and of EV proteins by immunohistochemistry in pancreatic sections. Here we explore multiple human virus species in the Diabetes Virus Detection (DiViD) study cases using innovative methods, including virus passage in cell cultures.

Suppression of Pituitary Hormone Genes in Subjects Who Died From COVID-19 Independently of Virus Detection in the Gland.

Context: Involvement of the pituitary gland in SARS-CoV-2 infection has been clinically suggested by pituitary hormone deficiency in severe COVID-19 cases, by altered serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in hospitalized patients, and by cases of pituitary apoplexy. However, the direct viral infection of the gland has not been investigated.

Objective: To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 genome and antigens could be present in pituitary glands of lethal cases of COVID-19, and to assess possible changes in the expression of immune-related and pituitary-specific genes.

Higher seasonal temperature enhances the occurrence of methicillin resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in house flies (Musca domestica) under hospital and environmental settings.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) emergence in commensal and pathogenic bacteria is a global health issue. House flies (Musca domestica) are considered as biological and mechanical vectors for pathogens causing nosocomial infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and the role of temperature on the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in house flies in a hospital environment have not been studied.

Activation of Type I and Type II Interferon Signaling in SARS-CoV-2-Positive Thyroid Tissue of Patients Dying from COVID-19.

Thyroid dysfunctions have been reported after Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the biological mechanisms behind these conditions remain unexplored. Herein, we report on changes of the immune transcriptome in autoptic thyroid tissues of people who have died from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Immune Transcriptome of Cells Infected with Enterovirus Strains Obtained from Cases of Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are autoimmune thyroid disorders (AITD) of unknown origin. Enterovirus (EV) infection of thyroid cells has been implicated as a possible initiator of cell damage and of organ-specific autoimmunity. We asked whether persistent infection of human epithelial cells with EV strains obtained from thyroid tissue of AITD patients could be associated with transcriptional changes capable of fostering immunopathology.

Immune Transcriptome of Cells Infected with Enterovirus Strains Obtained from Cases of Type 1 Diabetes.

Enterovirus (EV) infection of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells is associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D), but little is known about the mechanisms that lead the virus to cause a persistent infection and, possibly, to induce beta cell autoimmunity. A cell line susceptible to most enterovirus types was infected with EV isolates from cases of T1D and, for comparison, with a replication-competent strain of coxsackievirus B3. The transcription of immune-related genes and secretion of cytokines was evaluated in infected vs.

Differential Detection of Encapsidated versus Unencapsidated Enterovirus RNA in Samples Containing Pancreatic Enzymes-Relevance for Diabetes Studies.

Using immunohistochemistry, enterovirus capsid proteins were demonstrated in pancreatic islets of patients with type 1 diabetes. Virus proteins are mainly located in beta cells, supporting the hypothesis that enterovirus infections may contribute to the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. In samples of pancreatic tissue, enterovirus RNA was also detected, but in extremely small quantities and in a smaller proportion of cases compared to the enteroviral protein.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, lessons to be learned!

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been reported as a worldwide emergency. Due to the extensiveness of spread and death, it has been declared as a pandemic. This review focused on the current pandemic situation and understanding the prevention and control strategies of COVID-19.

Is the COVID-19 pandemic masking dengue epidemic in Bangladesh?

COVID-19 is now a pandemic. Like other countries, Bangladesh is putting all its efforts to combat this pandemic. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing a severe flu-like illness and, sometimes causing a potentially lethal complication called severe dengue.

The diabetes pandemic and associated infections: suggestions for clinical microbiology.

There are 425 million people with diabetes mellitus in the world. By 2045, this figure will grow to over 600 million. Diabetes mellitus is classified among noncommunicable diseases.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in keratinizing versus non- keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.

Background: Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC and OPSCC) represent the majority of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important etiologic factor together with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Little is known on the prevalence of major herpesviruses [EBV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HHV-6, - 7 and - 8] in HNSCCs.

Vitamin D status, enterovirus infection, and type 1 diabetes in Italian children/adolescents.

At the time of the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), we investigated 82 pediatric cases in parallel with 117 non-diabetic controls matched by age, geographic area, and time of collection. The occurrence of an enteroviral infection was evaluated in peripheral blood using a sensitive method capable of detecting virtually all human enterovirus (EV) types. While non-diabetic controls were consistently EV-negative, 65% of T1D cases carried EVs in blood.

Cardiometabolic healthy and unhealthy obesity: does vitamin D play a role?

Objective: The aim of this observational study was to clarify the link between vitamin D status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in people with visceral obesity.

Design And Methods: One hundred ninety-six consecutive patients (152 women; mean age 51 ± 13 years) with visceral obesity (mean body weight 103 ± 20 kg, mean waist circumference (WC) 119 ± 13 cm) were enrolled at the Obesity Outpatient Clinic of the University of Insubria in Varese. Anthropometric measurements were recorded.

Revealing enterovirus infection in chronic human disorders: An integrated diagnostic approach.

Enteroviruses (EVs) causing persisting infection are characterized by minimal replication and genetic changes. Typing of these agents may complement disease assessment and shed light on pathogenesis. Here we report an integrated approach for EV detection in human samples that is based on pre-enrichment of virus in cell culture before search for the viral genome and viral antigens.