Chlamydia psittaci is a zoonotic pathogen known to cause respiratory diseases in humans. Chlamydia infections are closely associated with apoptosis, in which miRNAs play regulatory roles. Herein, we demonstrated that C. psittaci infection induces apoptosis in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells and investigated regulatory mechanism involving miR-124-3p and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Following

Background The persistence of latently infected cells prevents a cure of HIV. The intestinal mucosa contains numerous target cells, and high levels of HIV-1 DNA persist in this compartment under ART. While CD4+ T cells are the best characterized reservoir of HIV-1, the role of long-lived intestinal macrophages in HIV-1 persistence on ART remains controversial. Methods We collected duodenal and colonic

Background Sepsis is characterized by a life-threatening syndrome caused by an unbalanced host response to infection. Fibroblast Growth Factor 8 (FGF8) has been newly identified to play important roles in inflammation and innate immunity, but its role in host response to sepsis is undefined. Methods A cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) -induced mouse sepsis model was established to evaluate the immunomodulatory

We developed a model to project the expected annual clinical and economic burden of medically attended lower respiratory tract illnesses due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV-LRTI) among US infants aged <12 months by combining information on population size, disease rates, mortality rates, and unit costs. Among the 3.7 million US infants aged <12 months each year, a total of 592,700 cases of RSV-LRTI

Background Approaches for determining whether influenza vaccination prevents infection, attenuates illness, or both, are important for developing improved vaccines. We estimated influenza infection incidence, and evaluated symptom ascertainment methodologies in children to inform future vaccine trial design. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among children aged 6-23 months from May-October

Protein subunit vaccines form a key pipeline for developing novel tuberculosis (TB) vaccines. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) contains approximately 4000 individual proteins. However, only approximately 100 have been evaluated as antigens in the clinical and preclinical stages of vaccine development. Trained immunity-targeting vaccines induce innate immune memory against heterologous infections and

Background A peri-urban outbreak of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) among dairy cattle from May through August 2018 in northern Tanzania was detected through testing samples from prospective livestock abortion surveillance. We sought to identify concurrent human infections, their phylogeny, and epidemiologic characteristics in a cohort of febrile patients enrolled from 2016-2019 at hospitals serving

We developed a translational prototype antimicrobial blue light (ABL) device for treating skin wounds with ABL. Partial-thickness surgical wounds were created in live swine, an animal whose skin is considered the most like human skin, then heavily contaminated and left untreated for 24 hours with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). ABL treatment stabilized and reduced MRSA infection

Background While there is evidence that COVID-19 vaccination protects against development of post-COVID conditions (PCC) after severe infection data are limited on whether vaccination reduces the risk after cases of less-severe non-hospitalized COVID-19 disease with more recent SARS-CoV-2 variant viruses. This study assessed whether COVID-19 vaccination was protective against subsequent development

Background The incidence and clinical relevance of asymptomatic cerebrospinal fluid escape (CSF-E) during antiretroviral therapy (ART) is uncertain. We examined the impact and incidence of asymptomatic CSF-E in a Swedish HIV cohort. Methods Neuroasymptomatic people living with HIV (PLWH) who have been on ART for at least six months with suppressed plasma viral load were followed longitudinally. CSF-E

The fitness of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants was determined in human epithelial and continuous cells of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Competition experiments over 4 days were performed followed by quantification of variant ratios by reverse transcription-droplet digital PCR. These quantitative data were correlated with whole genome sequencing. In competition experiments of two subvariants

Background Knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 household transmission dynamics guides infection control and vaccination measures. This household cohort study prospectively assessed the impact of both the Omicron BA.2 variant and immunity on household transmission using dense saliva sampling and sequence analysis. Methods Households consisting of a PCR-confirmed index and at least two household members were enrolled

Background A key research priority for developing an HIV cure strategy is to define the viral dynamics and biomarkers associated with sustained post-treatment control. The ability to predict the likelihood of sustained post-treatment control or non-control could minimize the time off antiretroviral therapy (ART) for those destined to not control and anticipate longer periods off ART for those destined

Background To the present day infective endocarditis (IE) represents a life-threatening disease with high mortality rate especially when caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), the most common causative pathogen in this disease. Diagnosis of IE is based on clinical manifestations, pathogen detection by blood cultures and echocardiographic or other imaging findings. However, none of the methods

As pathogen molecular diagnostics technology develops, the software analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sigmoidal curves, crossing threshold (Ct) values and the limit of nucleic acid detection for that assay, is not always available when reporting test results. These are critical components in interpreting results and can affect the management of patients. Our view is that all commercial assay

Background Hemagglutinin (HA)-inhibiting antibodies contribute to the immune defense against influenza infection. However, there are insufficient data on the extent of correlation between vaccine-elicited HA antibodies and protection in children against different influenza strains, particularly when comparing live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV) versus inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV). Methods

The live attenuated measles vaccine is extremely effective in preventing measles and induces mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract, however the mechanism is not known. We show that live attenuated measles virus (LAMV) RNA is frequently detected in the respiratory tract 7-21 days after subcutaneous measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination in healthy children (n = 5/20) and macaques (n = 6/8). Replicating

Malnutrition is the most common acquired cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Nutritional deficiencies can blunt both the innate and adaptive immune response to pathogens. Furthermore, malnutrition is both a cause and consequence of infectious diseases. The bidirectional relationship between infectious diseases and undernutrition, as well as the inflammatory milieu of infectious diseases, can complicate

The indiscriminate administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is a primary contributor to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Unfortunately, culture, the gold standard for bacterial identification is a time intensive process. Due to this extended diagnostic period, broad-spectrum antibiotics are generally prescribed to prevent poor outcomes. To overcome the deficits of culture-based

Background The microbiota is a potential source of biomarkers for clinical outcomes in chronic respiratory conditions, but its role in Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary disease (PD) remains unexplored. We aimed to identify microbial signatures in fecal and sputum microbiotas associated with treatment response in patients with M. abscessus PD. Methods We conducted a cohort study prospectively enrolling

Obesity is a risk factor for increased lung damage and disease severity during influenza virus infection. White adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation is a key driver of disease pathogenesis in obesity. Whether and how obesity modifies lung and WAT immune cell character and function in obesity to amplify influenza disease severity remains unknown. We show that obesity establishes a proinflammatory transcriptome

Background In the cervicovaginal environment, HPV acquisition and cervical cancer progression are linked to non-Lactobacillus dominance, of which Atopobiaceae are key taxa. We hypothesize that Atopobiaceae modulates the cervicovaginal microenvironment to promote HPV persistence and progression to cancer. However, the extent to which Atopobiaceae impact the immunometabolic microenvironment is poorly

Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) associated hospitalisations in children. It is unclear if hospitalized RSV-ALRI differs in clinically from other viral ALRIs. We aimed to compare the disease impact of hospitalised RSV with other viral ALRI in children under 2 years. Methods We conducted a retrospective study using electronic

Background HIV-1 antiretroviral therapy (ART) alters hormonal contraceptive levels delivered via intravaginal ring (IVR) in a regimen specific manner. We explored the role of the IVR on vaginal microbial communities, vaginal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vaginal HIV shedding, and the effect of vaginal microbes on hormone concentrations in cisgender women with HIV (WWH). Methods Vaginal microbes

Introduction Withdrawal of nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy is associated with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and sustained, off-therapy partial cure (normal ALT [≤30 U/L males, ≤20 U/L females) with HBV DNA <2000 IU/mL) but should be offered only to those most likely to benefit. HBVRNA may be useful for risk stratification. Methods The Hepatitis B Research Network Immune-Active Trial prospectively

Background Measuring malaria transmission intensity using the traditional entomological inoculation rate is difficult. Antibody responses to mosquito salivary proteins like SG6 have been used as biomarkers of exposure to Anopheles mosquito bites. Here, we investigate four mosquito salivary proteins as potential biomarkers of human exposure to mosquitoes infected with P. falciparum: mosGILT, SAMSP1

We conducted a matched retrospective cohort study comparing mortality among individuals receiving a false-positive tuberculosis diagnosis (n=3701) to individuals correctly diagnosed with TB (n=8595) in Brazil from 2007-2016. Over an average 5.4-year follow-up period, we estimated a mortality rate ratio of 1.95 (95% confidence interval: 1.80, 2.11) for individuals incorrectly diagnosed with TB compared

Objective To compare the effects of first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) with dolutegravir plus lamivudine (DTG+3TC) versus DTG plus emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (FTC/TAF) on the evolution of the HIV-1 reservoir and immune activation biomarkers in people with HIV (PWH). Methods DUALITY was a 48-week, single-center, randomized, open-label clinical trial in ART-naïve PWH. Participants were

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Host-directed therapy (HDT), including conventional drugs, is a promising anti-TB strategy that shows synergistic antibacterial effects when combined with anti-TB drugs. Here, the mycobactericidal effect of three anti-diabetic drugs was examined. Of these, only Troglitazone (Trog)

Background Children with severe malarial anemia (SMA) typically have low in-hospital mortality but have a high risk of post-discharge readmission or death. We hypothesized that the dysregulation of hematopoiesis, vascular growth factors, and endothelial function that occurs in SMA might affect risk of readmission or death. Methods Plasma was obtained from children 18 months to 12 years old with SMA

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) poses a significant public health challenge due to the lack of an approved human vaccine. We attempted to enhance the efficacy of virus-like particle vaccines expressing the Leishmania donovani promastigote surface antigen (LdPSA-VLP) by adjuvanting with CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN). Here, adjuvanted vaccine-induced immune responses and their efficacies in mice challenged

Background This study investigated the safety, reactogenicity, and immunogenicity in healthy subjects of a Clostridioides difficile vaccine candidate with/without adjuvant, targeting toxins A and B. Methods In this first-in-human, phase 1, observer-blind study, subjects aged 18–45 years were randomized to receive F2 antigen (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10), and subjects aged 50–70 years to receive F2 antigen

Background The interaction between antibodies and Fc gamma receptors (FcγRs) plays a critical role in regulating immune responses to Plasmodium falciparum. Polymorphisms in genes encoding FcγRs influence the host's capacity to control parasite infection. This study investigates whether non-coding variants influencing FcγR expression are associated with anti-malarial immunization and infection traits

BACKGROUND EDP-938 is an oral once-daily RSV nucleoprotein (N) inhibitor with potent antiviral activity. In a human RSV challenge trial, EDP-938 significantly reduced viral load and symptom severity. During antiviral development, it is critical to understand the propensity for resistance to develop. In vitro studies of EDP-938 suggest a higher barrier to resistance as compared to RSV fusion inhibitors

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory condition of the pharynx and/or tonsils commonly seen in both children and adults. Viruses and bacteria represent the most common encountered etiologic agents-yeast/fungi and parasites are infrequently implicated. Some of these are predominantly observed in unique populations (eg, immunocompromised or unvaccinated individuals). This manuscript (part 2 of 3) summarizes

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory condition of the pharynx and/or tonsils commonly seen in both children and adults. Viruses and bacteria represent the most common encountered etiologic agents-yeast/fungi and parasites are infrequently implicated. Some of these are predominantly observed in unique populations (eg, immunocompromised or unvaccinated individuals). This manuscript (part 3 of 3) summarizes

Pharyngitis is an inflammatory condition of the pharynx and/or tonsils commonly seen in both children and adults. Viruses and bacteria represent the most common encountered etiologic agents—yeast/fungi and parasites are infrequently implicated. Some of these are predominantly observed in unique populations (eg, immunocompromised or unvaccinated individuals). This article (part 1 of 3) summarizes the

Background Development of a screening assay for the clinical use of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) is a priority for HIV therapy and cure initiatives. Methods We assessed the PhenoSense Monoclonal Antibody Assay (Labcorp-Monogram Biosciences), which is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) validated and has been used prospectively and retrospectively in multiple recent bnAb clinical

We monitored SARS-CoV-2 variants in Haiti from 2020-2023. Despite Haitian COVID-19 travel restrictions and in the setting of a vaccination rate of 2.7%, the timing and lineage evolution of the Haiti epidemic mirrored what was occurring in the rest of the world. Sources for importation of lineages into Haiti were the United States (US), the Dominican Republic (DR), Europe, and Brazil, with exportation

We assessed neutralizing antibody responses in a well-characterized cohort of 60 women with different Chlamydia trachomatis infection outcomes noted at a treatment visit and 3-month follow-up. We found varying rates of neutralization (inhibition of C. trachomatis) in sera at different dilution levels and varying neutralizing antibody titers across outcomes. Median neutralization rates were significantly

HIV exposed but uninfected infants (iHEU) display altered immunity and are at increased risk of infection. We previously reported that iHEU have decreased maternal microchimerism (MMc)—maternal cells transferred to the offspring in utero/during breastfeeding. We quantified MMc in T cell subpopulations in iHEU and unexposed infants (iHU) to determine whether a selective deficiency in MMc contributes

The etiologic agent of Pacific Coast tick fever (PCTF), a moderately severe tickborne illness that resembles Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), was first isolated in 1966 from specimens of Dermacentor occidentalis (the Pacific Coast tick) obtained in California. For several decades, this bacterium was identified ambiguously as the unclassified spotted fever group Rickettsia species 364-D, Rickettsia

Lassa fever (LF), caused by Lassa virus (LASV) infection, typically leads to mild symptoms in humans, yet some survivors experience audiovestibular problems. Here we present vestibular histopathological insights in our LF model mice. We observed: 1) hemorrhage within the vestibular ganglion and stroma beneath the sensory epithelium, 2) preserved hair cells and supporting cells, 3) LASV antigen presence

Systems vaccinology integrates a range of "omics" technologies to identify key immune signatures and enhance vaccine development. This approach aids in understanding variations in immune responses, driven by genetics, health status, and microbiome. Consequently, systems vaccinology helps pave the way for personalized vaccination strategies, essential for addressing diverse populations.

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has recently caused a global disease outbreak in humans. Differences in the neutralizing antibody response to vaccination vs. MPXV infection remain poorly understood. Here, we examined the neutralization of MPXV and VACV by sera from a cohort of convalescent and vaccinated individuals at 1- and 8-months post-exposure. Convalescent individuals displayed higher neutralizing antibody

BACKGROUND Both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increase the risk of hepatic steatosis (HS), which in turn contributes to the severity and progression of liver disease. Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure HCV but whether they reduce HS is unclear. METHODS HS was assessed using the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and the hepatic steatosis index (HSI) in participants coinfected

Background Drug-resistant tuberculosis is a growing public health threat, and early characterization of the resistance phenotype is essential for guiding treatment and mitigating the high mortality associated with the disease. However, the slow growth rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, necessitates several weeks for conventional culture-dependent drug susceptibility

The development of SARS-CoV-2 next-generation vaccines with the potential for increased effectiveness, durability, breadth, and ability to decrease transmission are of public health importance. We highlight alternative routes of administration of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines such as mucosal and intradermal administration.

BACKGROUND We report data from stage 1 of an ongoing 2-staged, phase 1/2 randomized clinical trial with a 4-component generalized modules for membrane antigens-based vaccine against Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri 1b, 2a, and 3a (altSonflex1-2-3; GSK). METHODS Europeans aged 18-50 years (N = 102) were randomized (2:1) to receive 2 injections of altSonflex1-2-3 or placebo at 3- or 6-month interval

BACKGROUND The immunological determinants of delayed viral clearance and intrahost viral evolution that drive the development of new pathogenic virus strains in immunocompromised individuals are unknown. Therefore, we longitudinally studied severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immune responses in relation to viral clearance and evolution in immunocompromised individuals

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is a strong risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in preventing hospitalization for COVID-19 with VTE. METHODS Adults hospitalized at 21 sites between March 2021 and October 2022 with symptoms of acute respiratory illness were assessed for COVID-19, completion of the original monovalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccination

Background In recent years, we have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the incidence of vibriosis due to global warming. Vibrio metoecus is a recently described V. cholerae-like species that has not been associated with septicemia death in humans. During follow-up of human vibriosis, we received a blood isolate from a patient with secondary septicemia who died a few hours after admission. Methods

Background We assessed the added benefit and waning effectiveness of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose (original formula) for preventing COVID-19-related outcomes. Methods We used Medicare claims data to conduct a retrospective cohort study in U.S. community-dwelling Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years during the BA.1/BA.2 Omicron period (December 19, 2021 – March 26, 2022). We estimated

Background HIV/AIDS among the elderly presents a new public health challenge in China. We aimed to explore historical trends (2004–2018) and project the future (2019–2030) burden of HIV/AIDS incidence and mortality among the elderly in China. Methods We utilized data from the Data Center of China Public Health Science database on HIV/AIDS incidence and mortality, employing the Bayesian age-period-cohort