Risk Of Virus Infection Research Articles

375. Back to School Unequal: Neighborhood Disadvantage and Asthma-related Emergency Department Visits in School-Aged Children

Abstract Background Asthma-related emergency department (ED) visit rates among children in a typical year closely follow the school calendar, with a sharp increase in rates when students return to school. The well-known increase in asthma exacerbations at the start of the school year is largely attributable to increases in respiratory viral infection. Because neighborhood disadvantage is strongly tied to asthma exacerbations, we hypothesized that greater neighborhood disadvantage would be associated with a greater increase in the rate of asthma exacerbations after the start of school. Methods We summarized Texas Health Care Information Collective data (2016-2019) on asthma-related ED visits among children (ages 5-17) in four Texas metropolitan statistical areas (Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio) by week and census tract. Neighborhood disadvantage was characterized at the census-tract level using tertiles of Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), percent uninsured, and percent living below the federal poverty line. Within each tertile, we described population-based incidence rates of asthma-related ED visits per 100,000 person-years in the 6 weeks before and after the week that school started. We also modeled weekly incidence rates and pointwise 95% confidence intervals by week using a locally weighted smoothing model. Results Comparing the 6-week periods before and after the week that school started, the incidence rate of asthma-related ED visits in high-, medium-, and low-SVI census tracts increased by 60, 39, and 20 cases per 100,000 person-years, respectively, representing a 3-fold difference between high- and low-SVI census tracts. Census tracts with high SVI had the greatest modeled increase in weekly rates of asthma-related ED visits after the start of school (Figure 1). Results were qualitatively similar for the percent of the population uninsured and below the federal poverty line (Figures 2-3). Conclusion Greater neighborhood disadvantage was associated with a greater increase in the rate of asthma related ED visits after the start of school, suggesting that neighborhood disadvantage may contribute to exacerbation risk by increasing the risk of respiratory virus infection. Disclosures Paul Rathouz, PhD, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals: DSMB Member

P-2350. Respiratory Virus Detection among Children, Teachers, and Touch Surfaces in Childcare Centres: Preliminary Results from the DISeases TrANsmission in ChildcarE (DISTANCE) Cohort Study (2022–2024)

Abstract Background Childcare centres are commonly regarded as high-risk settings for respiratory virus transmission. To understand transmission risks within childcare centres, we conducted a prospective cohort study that collected data on respiratory infections in children and teaching staff, contact behaviours of children, and detection of respiratory viruses on touch surfaces (Figure 1).Figure 1.Schematic figure showing data collection and follow-up of the study. Methods We reported updated preliminary findings based on data collected from two childcare centres in Wuxi and Nanjing, China between September 26th, 2022, and January 22nd, 2024. Weekly throat swabs were collected from 211 children and 21 teachers. 56 touch surfaces, such as desks, door knobs, and faucets, were sampled on the same day from childcare centres (Table 1). Both respiratory and surface swab samples were tested by multiplex PCR for eight respiratory viruses.Table 1.Basic characteristics of the study and Positive cases of virus among children and teachers (estimate per 1000 person-weeks, 95% CI) Results 6886 respiratory specimens and 1868 touch surface samples were collected and tested over the reporting period. Respiratory viruses were most detected among children (7.41%, 447/6032), followed by teachers (4.10%, 35/854) and touch surfaces (2.09%, 39/1868). The top four viruses detected among all children were rhinovirus, influenza A virus, RSV, and PIV (Figure 2). Specifically, rhinovirus prevailed mostly in the Nanjing site (60.11 per 1000 person-weeks, 95% CI: 48.69–73.41), while influenza A dominated in the Wuxi site (23.00 per 1000 person-weeks, 18.75–27.92). Teachers had lower viral infections than children except for influenza A, where rates were comparable: teachers (16.39 per 1000 person-weeks, 8.96–27.51) and children (18.24 per 1000 person-weeks, 14.99–21.98). For a given week, influenza A detection was correlated between students and teachers (Spearman correlation coefficient r =0.55) at the Wuxi and Nanjing sites (Table 2). However, for SARS-COV-2, there was a higher correlation between touch surfaces and individuals (children: r = 0.67; teacher: r = 0.82), than between children and teachers in Wuxi.Figure 2.Comparison of incidence/detection rate among children, teachers and touch surfaces in two childcare centres. Conclusion Children in childcare centres face higher risks of respiratory viral infections than teachers. There is synchrony in detecting respiratory viruses among teachers, students and touch surfaces, indicating the varied contribution of each component to respiratory virus transmission in childcare centres.Table 2.Correlation coefficients of respiratory virus detection in Nanjing Disclosures You Li, Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant

Post-transplant cyclophosphamide versus anti-thymocyte globulin in haploidentical stem cell transplantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) are mainstay prophylactic treatment options for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), widely used in haploidentical stem cell transplantation. Due to a lack of prospective studies, a number of retrospective comparisons have yielded different conclusions as to which prophylaxis regimen is superior. We performed a meta-analysis of these studies to get more informed and comprehensive decisions from clinicians. Nine studies were eligible, and a total of 1674 patients were included. The combined hazard ratio (HR), relative risk (RR), and weighted mean difference (WMD) results demonstrated that, compared with ATG, PTCy demonstrated better overall survival (OS) (HR 0.7, 95% CI 0.51-0.97), leukemia-free survival (LFS) (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.53-0.81), and GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65-0.97); faster lymphocyte reconstitution, lower risk of relapse (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.9) and fungal infection (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.79). However, neutrophil engraftment was delayed in the PTCy regimen group (WMD 3.29, 95% CI 2.49-4.10). No statistically significant differences were observed in the time to platelet engraftment, bacterial infection, or viral infection, including cytomegalovirus, polyomaviruses BK/JC and Epstein-Barr virus. Nor was any statistically significant difference observed in the incidences of II-IV acute-GVHD (aGVHD) (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.62-1.05), III-IV aGVHD (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.22-2.19) or severe chronic-GVHD (cGVHD) (RR 1.22, 95% CI 0.51-2.88), or non-relapse mortality (NRM) outcomes (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.4-1.11). Therefore, in haploidentical transplantation, PTCy accelerates lymphocyte reconstitution, significantly reduces the risk of recurrence and fungal infection, and improves the OS, LFS and GRFS, compared with ATG, with no significant difference in the efficacy of preventing acute or severe cGVHD, or the risk of bacterial or viral infection.

Assessment of the impact of different SARS-CoV-2 inactivation operations on colistin sulfate plasma concentration results

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of different SARS-CoV-2 inactivation methods on the blood concentration of colistin sulfate.MethodsA colistin sulfate reference substance, a quality control plasma sample, and a clinically measured sample were transferred and heated in a 56 °C water batch for 30 min or irradiated under an ultraviolet (UV) lamp for 60 min to examine the stability of the reference solution and quality control plasma sample. Statistical analysis was conducted for the concentration of the clinically measured sample before and after inactivation with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) method, the Passing–Bablok regression, and the Bland–Altman analysis.ResultsThe reference substance of colistin sulfate was unstable under UV inactivation. Under moist heat inactivation, the reference substance and quality control plasma sample of colistin sulfate were stable. The ICC of the concentration results of 27 clinical blood samples with and without moist heat inactivation was 0.995 (P < 0.001). The Passing–Bablok regression equation was Y = 0.01347 + 0.9861X (R2 = 0.994, n = 27). Finally, 96.30% (26/27) of test data was within the 95% limit of agreement. The results obtained with the three statistical analysis methods all showed a high correlation and agreement between the plasma concentration results of samples not inactivated and inactivated with moist heat inactivation.ConclusionThe clinical plasma concentration test samples for colistin sulfate can be processed with the moist heat virus inactivation method to reduce the risk of virus infection of medical staff.

Feasibility, safety and tolerability of estrogen and/or probiotics for improving vaginal health in Canadian African, Caribbean, and Black women: A pilot phase 1 clinical trial.

A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB) is associated with clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Considering the high prevalence of BV among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label phase 1 clinical trial to determine the feasibility, safety and tolerability of administering low-dose estrogen, probiotics or both in combination to improve vaginal health and decrease HIV-1 susceptibility. ACB women aged 18-49 from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were randomized to one of four study arms: intravaginal estradiol (Estring©; 7.5mg/day); a vaginal probiotic (RepHresh™ Pro-B™) administered twice daily; a combination of Estring© and vaginal RepHresh™ Pro-B™ (twice daily); or the Estring© and oral RepHresh™ Pro-B™ (twice daily), for a duration of 30 days. Feasibility was evaluated through enrolment, retention, and adherence rates, while safety and tolerability were determined by a pre- and post-treatment blood panel and reported adverse events (AEs). Overall, 63 ACB women were screened, 50 were enrolled and received the intervention while 41 completed the study, resulting in 80% enrollment and 82% retention rates. Overall adherence to the study protocol was high at 93%, with an adherence of 92% for RepHresh™ Pro-B™ and 97% for Estring©. A total of 88 AEs were reported by 29 participants which were mild (66/88; 75%) and largely resolved (82/88;93%) by the end of the study, with no serious AEs (SAEs) noted. In addition, a panel of safety blood markers measured pre- and post-intervention confirmed no clinically significant changes in blood chemistry or blood cell count. Overall, the administration of intravaginal estrogen and/or probiotics in pre-menopausal ACB women is feasible, safe, and well tolerated. The trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03837015) and CIHR HIV Clinical Trials (CTN308).

Profession and role-based analysis of occupational exposure for COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers in the pandemic: a risk assessment study

Healthcare workers are exposed to a high risk of COVID-19 infection due to close contact with infected patients in healthcare centers. This study aimed to investigate the level of exposure and risk of COVID-19 virus infection among healthcare workers working in primary healthcare centers in Khuzestan province, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 599 healthcare workers working in primary healthcare centers in the northern region of Khuzestan province, Iran, in 2022. Participants were recruited using a multistage and proportional stratified random sampling method. The WHO COVID-19 risk assessment tool was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using STATA V14.2. The prevalence of occupational and community exposure was 95.7% (93.7 to 97.1) and 89.6% (87.0 to 92.1), respectively. Healthcare workers with occupational exposure had a high risk of exposure (92.7%; 95% CI 90.1 to 94.6). There was no significant association between the type of profession, the role of primary health care workers, and the level of occupational exposure risk (P value > 0.05). The strength of the association was very weak (PR = 1.00; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.07). Also, a significant association was observed between the history of contact with biological materials and adherence to infection prevention and control measures with the level of occupational exposure to the virus (P value < 0.001). The strength of the association between contact with biological materials and exposure risk was weak (aPR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.29), but the strength of the association between adherence to infection prevention and control protocols and exposure risk was strong (aPR = 3.85; 95% CI 2.60 to 5.71). Furthermore, infection prevention and control was identified as a strong confounder in this study. The results showed that the prevalence of occupational exposure was high among healthcare workers, regardless of their profession and roles, with the majority of exposures being of high risk. Primary healthcare managers can play a major role in reducing exposure among high-risk healthcare workers by providing continuous personnel training, investing in the supply chain, prioritizing regular testing and vaccination of HCWs, and ensuring dedicated supervision while accurately monitoring compliance with health protocols during pandemics.

Vitamin D supplements reduce risk of viral upper respiratory infections in children with lower concentrations.

Vitamin D is crucial for the immune system, as it enhances pathogen-fighting cells and reduces inflammation. We reviewed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in children with viral upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and the impact of vitamin D supplements on those infections. A mini literature review was conducted from 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2024. It used PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Scopus and focused on children aged 0-18 years. The review comprised 12 studies: seven randomised controlled trials, two prospective studies, two case-control studies and one cross-sectional study. The findings included lower 25(OH)D concentrations in children more susceptible to URTIs and significantly lower levels in those with recurrent infections. One study found reduced 25(OH)D concentrations and immunoglobulin G levels in children with URTIs. Of the nine studies that examined vitamin D supplements, five reported benefits for children with URTIs, one only showed short-term effects and three found no significant reductions. Two reported that taking 2000 IU a day did not reduce URTIs any more than 400 IU and high-dose supplements may be unnecessary. Children with viral URTIs often had lower vitamin D concentrations and supplements frequently helped to reduce the risk of these infections.

Asthma and COVID-19 in Children

The article is devoted to a review of scientific publications that describe the impact and long-term outcomes of COVID-19 on bronchial asthma (BA) in children. The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked debate in the scientific community. After the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic many countries implemented public health measures aimed at limiting the spread of SARS-CoV-2, which also affected the prevalence of other respiratory viruses with similar transmission ways. It is known that during the period of COVID-19 the frequency of visits to the doctor of the children with BA has decreased significantly. A decrease in the level of hospitalizations due to exacerbation of BA in 2020–2022 was also determined. However, the results of studies by different authors regarding the relationship between BA and hospitalization among children with COVID-19 are controversial. The main reasons for reducing the frequency of asthma exacerbations and improving the control of the course of the disease during the period of COVID-19 are associated with a decrease allergens’ influence, an increase in adherence to treatment, and a decrease in the risk of other respiratory viral infections. However, after the quarantine restrictions were lifted, an increased frequency of hospitalizations and deterioration of disease control due to an increased number of exacerbations of asthma was determined. The COVID-19 epidemic has been a significant stimulus for the development of telemedicine, but there is no substitute for person visits for physical examinations and certain tests that are critical in BA. The results of some studies did not show changes in external respiratory function data during the examination of children after COVID-19. However, changes in spirometry data and the need to change treatment were observed in some patients with asthma, indicating that SARS-CoV-2, like other respiratory viruses, may impair asthma control. To date, the long-term outcomes of COVID-19 in children and adolescents remain insufficiently studied and characterized. The current literature presents several compelling risk factors for the development of persistent COVID-19 in the pediatric population. Unfortunately, to date there is no clear data on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the course of BA in children. Therefore, further research into the long-term outcomes of the coronavirus infection in children with BA is critically important.

Designing of new trans-stilbene derivative: An entry barrier of Zika virus in host cell.

A large population in the world lives in tropical and subtropical regions, showing a high risk of Zika viral infection which leads to a situation of global health emergency and demands extensive research to create effective antiviral medicines. Herein, we introduce the design of a new derivatized trans-stilbene molecule to investigate the inhibition of Zika virus entry into the host cell by molecular docking approach. The synthesized compound has been characterized by different analytical techniques such as FTIR, 1H NMR,13C NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy as well as Mass spectrometry (MS). Moreover, the complete structure elucidation was achieved via X-ray crystallography and DFT analysis. The article describes the life cycle and genome of the Zika virus along with its mechanism of entry inhibition by illustrating the structure and function of the ZIKV envelop (E) protein. The docking studies disclosed that the newly synthesized stilbene compound confers an excellent inhibitory response towards the entry of Zika virus in host cells as supported by calculated docking score and its binding conformation with Zika virus E-protein. Further, the normal mode analysis (NMA) simulation technique is used to predict the conformational states of the target E-protein, which explains the potency of the compound to bind with the Zika virus E-protein. We hope that the present study will help and encourage researchers in the field of medicinal chemistry to develop potential drugs against the Zika virus.

Cell-Based Meat Safety and Regulatory Approaches: A Comprehensive Review.

Cell-based meat (CBM) technology is a highly promising alternative to traditional animal agriculture, with considerable advantages in terms of sustainability, animal welfare, and food security. Nonetheless, CBM's successful commercialization is dependent on efficiently dealing with several critical concerns, including ensuring biological, chemical, and nutritional safety as well as navigating the global regulatory framework. To ensure CBM's biological safety, detecting and mitigating any potential hazards introduced during the manufacturing process is crucial. Concerns include microbial contamination, the utilization of animal-derived growth media, and the risk of viral or prion infection. Similarly, chemical hazards include residues from growth media, scaffolding materials, and other bioprocessing agents. For consumer acceptance, CBM's nutritional qualities should be comparable to those of conventional meat, indicating adequate protein content, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Additionally, CBM's safety in terms of allergenicity and the presence of anti-nutritional factors must be rigorously assessed. Advances in cell culture techniques and biomanufacturing methods are requisite to achieving high-quality CBM with desirable nutritional attributes. The regulatory framework for CBM is actively expanding, with significant regional variations. Singapore is currently the only country that has received approval for the market placement of CBM, although the United States has developed a regulatory structure involving the United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. As CBM holds great potential as a sustainable and ethical alternative to conventional meat, addressing challenges related to biological and chemical safety, nutritional quality, and regulatory approval is essential for its successful market integration.

Transport Process of Virus Concentration from Airway to Cerebral Artery by using Computational Fluid Dynamics

When a person infected with the virus releases aerosol including the virus by sneezing or talking, the virus stays in atmosphere for a long time. If other persons inhale the virus, the person maybe infected. In our previous researches, in order to decrease efficiently the risk of infection, various indoor ventilation conditions have been evaluated by analyzing transport process of the virus concentration using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). From them, it was found that indoor ventilation condition can be optimised by evaluating amount of the virus concentration and residence time. However, the infection process in air way and vascular when these airborne viruses from indoor air is inhaled has not been elucidated yet. In this research, a couple analysis from nasal cavity to cerebral artery via organ is tried to be applied in order to analyze the transport process of virus concentration from nasal cavity to cerebral artery. In addition, the effect of breathing waveforms and virus proliferation on the virus infection is evaluated. Regarding the methods, 3D CAD model of these three parts is created. Continuity equation, Navier-Stokes equation and transport equations of virus concentration are used as the governing equations. The transport equations in the organ is modified with the virus proliferation. Inlet boundary conditions in the nasal cavity are set up to be four types of breathing waveforms. A boundary condition between the nasal cavity and the organ is continuity of virus concentration at the contact surface. Similarly, the other boundary condition between the organ and the cerebral artery is continuity of virus concentration. As results, it was found that the virus concentration in the cerebral artery in case of sinusoidal breathing waveform with long period is the smallest. It was also found that the virus concentration in the organ and the cerebral artery in case of proliferation within the organ is higher than that has no proliferations. It is concluded that a method for minimalizing risk of virus infection can be proposed by the couple analysis.

Clinical Outcomes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Among Pediatric Immunocompromised Hosts.

Pediatric immunocompromised patients are at an increased risk of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Here, we aimed to describe the clinical course and outcomes of RSV infection in immunocompromised children. This single-center study at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital involved immunocompromised children ≤21years old with a positive RSV clinical test from 2007 to 2019. Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory values, treatment delays for underlying conditions, and outcomes were gathered from electronic medical records. Multivariate models identified risk factors predictive of severe RSV-lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). A total of 391 patients, predominantly children over 2years old (median age: 5), were included in the study. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was the most prevalent underlying disease. Most patients (85.7%) exhibited upper respiratory tract infections, while approximately 6% progressed to LRTIs. Over half of the patients (58.8%) required hospitalization, and one-third experienced modifications or delays in their underlying disease treatment due to RSV infection. Severe RSV infections were observed in 15.9% of patients. All-cause mortality was 2.6%, with 0.7% of deaths attributed to RSV. One-third of patients experienced a delay in treatment for their underlying disease due to RSV infection, a phenomenon not well understood but potentially significant. Many immunocompromised children with RSV require hospitalization, including those over 2years old. RSV imposes a significant burden on immunocompromised children of all ages, affecting their cancer treatment plans both directly and indirectly.

The Crucial Role of Additives in the Properties of Perlite- and Gypsum-Based Superabsorbent Composites I: The Development of Composite Carrier Materials for Biological Mosquito Larva-Killing Agents

The increase in the risks of mosquito-transmitted serious diseases or viral infections generates strong motivations to find new and efficient solutions for controlling blood-sucking mosquitoes. There are selective protein toxins such as BTI (Bacillus thüringiensis israelensis) used to kill mosquito larvae, which require carrier materials that keep the active ingredient on the surface of the water where the mosquito larvae feed. Environmentally friendly and effective composite carrier materials consisting of gypsum and perlite with controlled floating and sinking times were developed. The partial closing of open pores with modified cellulose derivatives as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or cricket made from corn starch and hot water were used to ensure the slow dissolution of “CMC corks” in the pores, which can control the floating and sinking properties as well. The carrier composites were combined with BTI toxins such as 4% Vectobac WP (5000 ITU (international toxic unit)) toxin, resulting in a 90–100% killing rate against different tests (Culex pipiens) and various naturally abundant mosquito larva species. The stability test of the BTI-containing new carrier materials shows good applicability at flooded/dried/re-flooded areas where the flooding is temporary thus the composites can be applied as preventive treatment as well.

Relationship between the risk of intestinal mucosal Epstein-Barr virus and/or cytomegalovirus infection and peripheral blood NK cells numbers in patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study in Chinese population.

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the risk of common opportunistic pathogens Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in intestinal mucosal tissues of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients and the number of peripheral blood NK cells. UC patients admitted to a third-grade class-A hospital from January 2018 to December 2023 were selected as research population. Clinical data of the patients were collected from the electronic medical record system. Additionally, samples of intestinal mucosal tissues were obtained for real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to detect and analyze the viral load of CMV and EBV. Blood samples were collected for lymphocyte subsets analysis. Multivariable logistic regression models analyses was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the independent association between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections in UC. We further applied the restricted cubic spline analysis and smooth curve fitting to examine the non-linear relationship between them. 378 UC patients were enrolled. Of these patients, there were 194 patients (51.32%) with EBV /CMV infection. In multivariable logistic regression analyses NK cells was independently associated with EBV and/or CMV infection after adjusted potential confounders (OR 8.24, 95% CI 3.75-18.13, p < 0.001). A nonlinear relationship was found between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections, which had a threshold around 10.169. The effect sizes and CIs below and above the threshold were 0.535 (0.413-0.692), p < 0.001 and 1.034 (0.904-1.183), p > 0.05, respectively. There was a non-linear relationship between NK cells and EBV/CMV infections. The risk for EBV/CMV infections was not increased with increasing NK cells in individuals with NK cells ≥ 10.169%, whereas the risk for EBV and/or CMV infection was increased with an decreasing NK cells in those with NK cells < 10.169%. The risk of EBV/CMV infections increases when NK cells were below a certain level.

Prevalence of blood-borne virus infections and uptake of hepatitis C testing and treatment in Australian prisons: the AusHep study

Incarcerated people are at high risk of blood-borne virus infections, particularly HCV, and a priority population for elimination efforts. This national bio-behavioural survey evaluated blood-borne virus prevalence and HCV testing-and-treatment uptake amongst people in Australian prisons. Randomly-selected participants from 23 representative prisons nationally were offered point-of-care testing for HIV and HCV (anti-HCV) antibodies, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and HCV RNA (if anti-HCV positive). Demographic data and previous HCV testing and treatment were collected by structured interview. 1599 individuals participated (98% participation; 89%male; median age 35 years; 49% ever injected drugs). Prevalence estimates were: 31.7% (95% CI:28.8-34.8) for anti-HCV; 8.0%for HCV RNA (95% CI:6.4-9.9); 0.5% (95% CI:0.2-1.1) for HBsAg, and 0.8% (95% CI: 0.4-1.7) for HIV antibody. Among participants who had ever injected drugs (n=787), HCV RNA prevalence was highest among those injecting and sharing needles/syringes within the past month [27.9%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR):4.54 (95% CI:2.65-7.77). Among participants (n=1599), 70.4% (95% CI: 67.4-73.2) had ever been tested for HCV (62.6% in prison). The highest likelihood of having had HCV testing was observed among participants who injected drugs in the past month (aOR=10.37, 95% CI:5.72-0.18.78). Among those eligible (n=318), 84.6% (95% CI:79.2-88.7) had ever received HCV treatment (75.0% in prison), and 67.8% (95% CI:61.7-73.4) were cured. The likelihood of HCV treatment was higher among those previously imprisoned, (aOR=2.67, 95% CI:1.20-5.93). Despite high overall HCV testing and treatment uptake, the lower uptake and substantial ongoing HCV disease burden in some sub-populations highlights the need for continued prison-based elimination efforts with population-specific interventions. The AusHep study was funded by the Australian GovernmentDepartment of Health and Aged Care.

Respiratory viruses affecting health and performance in equine athletes.

Some respiratory viruses can affect equine athletes, with acute respiratory clinical signs leading to a reduced ability to perform. The direct association between equine respiratory viruses and athletic performance is unclear in subclinically affected horses. This narrative review summarises the current evidence on respiratory viruses most commonly detected in performing horses, including equine herpesviruses, equine influenza virus, equine rhinitis viruses, equine arteritis virus, and equine adenovirus 1. It covers their virology, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and control measures, with a focus on their impact on performance. Molecular diagnostics on nasopharyngeal swabs are the preferred method for detecting equine respiratory viruses nowadays. Studies highlighted in this review reveal a high prevalence of equine herpesviruses -particularly gammaherpesviruses- in the airways of both healthy and diseased horses. In contrast, equine rhinitis A virus, equine arteritis virus, and equine adenovirus 1 are the least common viruses. Transportation contributes to spreading equine infectious diseases across countries and can temporarily weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of respiratory viral infections and reactivation of latent equine herpesviruses. Moreover, respiratory viral infections are frequently observed in young horses starting their training. Although there is limited evidence on the specific impact of equine respiratory viruses on performance, this review emphasises that vaccination and care management are essential strategies for limiting the spread and severity of outbreaks in sport horses.

The Oncogenic Role of VWA8-AS1, a Long Non-Coding RNA, in Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Integrative Transcriptome and Functional Analysis.

Dysregulated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression is linked to various cancers and may be influenced by oncogenic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, a known and detectable risk factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. However, research on the oncogenic role of EBV-induced lncRNAs in OSCC is limited. To identify lncRNA-associated EBV infection and OSCC carcinogenesis, the differential expression of RNA-seq datasets from paired normal adjacent and OSCC tissues, and microarray data from EBV-negative and EBV-positive SCC25 cells, were identified and selected, respectively, for interaction, functional analysis, and CCK-8 cell proliferation, wound healing, and invasion Transwell assays. In OSCC tissues, 6731 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified when compared to normal tissues from RNA-seq datasets, with 295 linked to EBV-induced OSCC carcinogenesis from microarray datasets. The EBV-induced lncRNA VWA8-AS1 showed significant upregulation in EBV-positive SCC25 cells and EBV-infected adjacent and OSCC tissue samples. VWA8-AS1 potentially promotes OSCC via the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis or direct protein interactions, affecting various cellular processes. Studies in OSCC cell lines revealed that elevated VWA8-AS1 levels enhanced cell migration and invasion. This study demonstrates VWA8-AS1's contribution to tumor progression and possible interactions with its targets in OSCC, offering insights for future research on functional mechanisms and therapeutic targets in EBV-associated OSCC.

Modelling indoor airborne transmission combining architectural design and people movement using the VIRIS simulator and web app

A Viral Infection Risk Indoor Simulator (VIRIS) has been developed to quickly assess and compare mitigations for airborne disease spread. This agent-based simulator combines people movement in an indoor space, viral transmission modelling and detailed architectural design, and it is powered by topologicpy, an open-source Python library. VIRIS generates very fast predictions of the viral concentration and the spatiotemporal infection risk for individuals as they move through a given space. The simulator is validated with data from a courtroom superspreader event. A sensitivity study for unknown parameter values is also performed. We compare several non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) issued in UK government guidance, for two indoor settings: a care home and a supermarket. Additionally, we have developed the user-friendly VIRIS web app that allows quick exploration of diverse scenarios of interest and visualisation, allowing policymakers, architects and space managers to easily design or assess infection risk in an indoor space.

Pork as a Source of Diverse Viral Foodborne Infections: An Escalating Issue

This review synthesizes current knowledge on the risks posed by viral foodborne infections associated with pork, emphasizing their global prevalence and the complexity of managing such pathogens. It covers a range of significant viruses, including hepatitis A and E, norovirus, rotavirus, sapovirus, enterovirus, astrovirus, and enteric adenovirus. The role of pigs as reservoirs for diverse pathogens with zoonotic potential further complicates safety challenges, extending risks to individuals involved in pork production and processing. Various factors influencing viral contamination throughout the meat production chain are explored, from farm-level practices to processing and handling procedures. Emphasis is placed on the critical importance of implementing effective control measures at each stage, including enhanced biosecurity, rigorous hygiene practices, and appropriate thermal processing techniques. Additionally, the need for improved surveillance and detection methods to effectively identify and monitor viral presence in meat products is highlighted. In conclusion, the necessity of adopting a One Health approach that integrates efforts in animal health, food safety, and public health to mitigate the risks of viral foodborne infections associated with meat consumption is underscored. This holistic strategy is essential for safeguarding consumer health and ensuring the safety of the global food supply.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Antimicrobial Drugs in Children with Cancer: A New Tool for Personalized Medicine.

The risk of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections is higher in children with hematological and solid malignancies, particularly during periods of profound neutropenia. Although early administration of antimicrobial agents is common, optimizing pharmacological therapy in pediatric patients with cancer is challenging because of their variable pharmacokinetics compared with adults, including differences in body mass and augmented renal clearance, as well as chemotherapy-induced organ toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring, which involves measuring drug concentrations in serum or plasma at specific timepoints and adjusting doses accordingly, can be applied to various medications. While standardized targets for all antimicrobial agents in children are lacking, therapeutic drug monitoring appears to be beneficial in preventing serious toxicity and addressing treatment failure or non-compliance. This narrative review aims to analyze current perspectives on therapeutic drug monitoring for antimicrobial drugs in the special population of children with hematological or oncological diseases, including those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation. The review provides evidence on the clinical benefits of this method and explores potential future developments in this area.