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Pathogens
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Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control
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Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2024 | Viewed by 5404

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Raymond Césaire

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. University Hospital of Guadeloupe, Guadeloupe, France
2. PCCEI (Pathogenesis and Control of Chronic and Emerging Infections), University of Montpellier, INSERM, EFS, and University of Antilles, Pointe-à-Pitre, France
Interests: viral diagnosis; viral pathogenesis; HTLV-1; arboviruses
Prof. Dr. Carlos Brites

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
Interests: HIV; HTLV; human retroviruses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viral infections pose a threat to human health and outbreaks such as the COVID-19 pandemic have been devastating. Pathogens such as the influenza virus or respiratory syncytial virus substantially contribute to respiratory disease burden. Acute viral gastroenteritis and hepatitis are prime causes of changes in disability-adjusted life years in developing countries. Elimination of viral hepatitis is delayed by an insufficient roll-out of HBV vaccines and access to HCV treatments. Eradication of vaccine-type human papillomavirus is expected to be cost-effective in eliminating cervical cancer. Screening programs need to be scaled up to prevent human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infections and associated diseases. Novel therapeutic and preventive strategies are required to achieve the cure and elimination of HIV. Viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks require the rapid deployment of countermeasures. An increasing number of countries are implementing integrated control strategies of arboviral diseases and vectors in the context of climate change. There is a need to promote one-health approaches, strengthen public health programs, implement laboratory networks and point-of-care testing, evaluate population-level immunity and susceptibility to pathogens, and develop new vaccines and therapeutics.

This Special Issue welcomes contributions (original research articles, reviews, short communications) on human viral infection epidemiology and control. We anticipate sharing innovations in the prevention, diagnostics and treatment, and spotlight practical experiences of local, regional or international interventions struggling with viral diseases.

Prof. Dr. Raymond Césaire
Prof. Dr. Carlos Brites
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • virus
  • epidemiology
  • diagnosis
  • antiviral drugs
  • vaccines
  • public health

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 967 KiB  
Article
Clinical and Diagnostic Features of West Nile Virus Neuroinvasive Disease in New York City
by Jackson A. Roberts, Carla Y. Kim, Amy Dean, Karen E. Kulas, Kirsten St. George, Hai E. Hoang and Kiran T. Thakur
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 382; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13050382 - 03 May 2024
Viewed by 124
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease (WNND) occurs in approximately 1 percent of WNV-infected patients and typically presents as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). WNND remains a difficult inpatient diagnosis, creating significant challenges for prognostication and therapy selection. We characterized the [...] Read more.
West Nile virus (WNV) neuroinvasive disease (WNND) occurs in approximately 1 percent of WNV-infected patients and typically presents as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). WNND remains a difficult inpatient diagnosis, creating significant challenges for prognostication and therapy selection. We characterized the clinical and diagnostic features of WNND cases at two major academic medical centers in New York City in routine clinical practice. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of thirty-six patients with WNND, including twenty-six encephalitis, four meningitis, and six AFP cases. The most common presenting symptoms were fever (86.1%) and gastrointestinal symptoms (38.9%) in addition to altered mental status (72.2%), lethargy (63.9%), gait disturbances (46.2%), and headache (44.4%). Fourteen (48.3%) patients displayed acute magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, particularly T2 hyperintensities in the bilateral thalami, brainstem, and deep white matter. New York State Department of Health WNV CSF IgM testing was utilized for diagnosis in 58.3% of patients; however, just 38.1% had the result by discharge, compared to 85.6% of those who underwent serum IgM testing. The median length of stay was 13.5 days, 38.9% were intubated, and three patients (8.9%) died during acute hospitalization. Our findings underscore the morbidity, mortality, and diagnostic challenges of WNND, suggesting the potential utility of serum IgM testing in combination with confirmatory CSF testing to expedite diagnosis in the acute setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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9 pages, 385 KiB  
Article
Post-Conization HPV Vaccination and Its Impact on Viral Status: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Troms and Finnmark, 2022
by Marie Rykkelid, Helga Marie Wennberg, Elin Richardsen and Sveinung Wergeland Sørbye
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 381; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13050381 - 02 May 2024
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cellular changes in the cervix leading to cancer, which highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing HPV infections and subsequent cellular changes. Women undergoing the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), a treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [...] Read more.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with cellular changes in the cervix leading to cancer, which highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing HPV infections and subsequent cellular changes. Women undergoing the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), a treatment for high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2+), remain at risk of recurrence. This study assessed the effect of post-conization HPV vaccination on the viral status of women at six months post-conization, aiming to evaluate the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing recurrence of CIN2+. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among women in Troms and Finnmark who underwent conization in 2022. Using the SymPathy database and the national vaccination register (SYSVAK), we analyzed the vaccination statuses and HPV test results of women born before 1991, who had not received the HPV vaccine prior to conization. Out of 419 women undergoing conization, 243 met the inclusion criteria. A significant association was found between post-conization HPV vaccination and a negative HPV test at six months of follow-up (ARR = 12.1%, p = 0.039). Post-conization HPV vaccination significantly reduced the risk of a positive HPV test at the first follow-up, suggesting its potential in preventing the recurrence of high-grade cellular changes. However, the retrospective design and the insufficient control of confounding variables in this study underscore the need for further studies to confirm these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
17 pages, 3210 KiB  
Article
An Entomological Investigation during a Recent Rift Valley Fever Epizootic/Epidemic Reveals New Aspects of the Vectorial Transmission of the Virus in Madagascar
by Luciano Michaël Tantely, Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Maminirina Fidelis Ambinintsoa, Manou Rominah Raharinirina, Jean Théophile Rafisandratantsoa, Jean-Pierre Ravalohery, Aina Harimanana, Nirina Nantenaina Ranoelison, Judickaelle Irinantenaina, Miamina Fidy Ankasitrahana, Dany Bakoly Ranoaritiana, Laurence Randrianasolo, Rindra Vatosoa Randremanana, Vincent Lacoste, Philippe Dussart and Romain Girod
Pathogens 2024, 13(3), 258; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13030258 - 16 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1136
Abstract
A Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak occurred in at least five regions of Madagascar in 2021. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the richness, abundance, ecology, and trophic preferences of mosquitoes in the Mananjary district and to investigate [...] Read more.
A Rift Valley fever (RVF) outbreak occurred in at least five regions of Madagascar in 2021. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the richness, abundance, ecology, and trophic preferences of mosquitoes in the Mananjary district and to investigate the distribution of mosquitoes that were RT-PCR-positive for RVFV. Three localities were prospected from 26 April to 4 May 2021, using light traps, BG-Sentinel traps baited with an artificial human odor, Muirhead-Thomson pit traps, and indoor pyrethroid spray catches. A total of 2806 mosquitoes belonging to at least 26 species were collected. Of 512 monospecific pools of mosquitoes tested with real-time RT-PCR, RVFV was detected in 37 pools representing 10 mosquito species. The RVFV-positive species were as follows: Aedes albopictus, Ae. argenteopunctatus, Anopheles coustani, An. gambiae s.l., An. mascarensis, An. squamosus/cydippis, Culex antennatus, Cx. decens, Cx. Tritaeniorhynchus, and Uranotaenia spp. Of the 450 tested engorged females, 78.7% had taken a blood meal on humans, 92.9% on cattle, and 71.6% had taken mixed (human–cattle) blood meals. This investigation suggests the potential role of mosquitoes in RVFV transmission within this epizootic/epidemic context and that the human populations at the three study sites were highly exposed to mosquitoes. Therefore, the use of impregnated mosquito nets as an appropriate prevention method is recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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Review

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11 pages, 1395 KiB  
Review
Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally
by Vicente Soriano, Víctor Moreno-Torres, Ana Treviño, Fernando de Jesús, Octavio Corral and Carmen de Mendoza
Pathogens 2024, 13(4), 291; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13040291 - 29 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1043
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for [...] Read more.
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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17 pages, 993 KiB  
Review
Regulation of Autophagosome–Lysosome Fusion by Human Viral Infections
by Po-Yuan Ke
Pathogens 2024, 13(3), 266; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13030266 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1062
Abstract
Autophagy plays a fundamental role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by eliminating intracellular components via lysosomes. Successful degradation through autophagy relies on the fusion of autophagosomes to lysosomes, which leads to the formation of autolysosomes containing acidic proteases that degrade the sequestered materials. Viral [...] Read more.
Autophagy plays a fundamental role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by eliminating intracellular components via lysosomes. Successful degradation through autophagy relies on the fusion of autophagosomes to lysosomes, which leads to the formation of autolysosomes containing acidic proteases that degrade the sequestered materials. Viral infections can exploit autophagy in infected cells to balance virus–host cell interactions by degrading the invading virus or promoting viral growth. In recent years, cumulative studies have indicated that viral infections may interfere with the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes, thus benefiting viral replication and associated pathogenesis. In this review, I provide an overview of the current understanding of the molecular mechanism by which human viral infections deregulate autophagosome–lysosome fusion and summarize the physiological significance in the virus life cycle and host cell damage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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9 pages, 246 KiB  
Brief Report
The Re-Emergence of Rift Valley Fever in Mananjary District, Madagascar in 2021: A Call for Action
by Aina Nirina Harimanana, Soa Fy Andriamandimby, Dany Bakoly Ranoaritiana, Laurence Randrianasolo, Judickaelle Irinantenaina, Nirina Nantenaina Ranoelison, Jean Théophile Rafisandrantatsoa, Miamina Fidy Ankasitrahana, Antso Hasina Raherinandrasana, Manuela Vololoniaina Andriamahatana, Michael Luciano Tantely, Romain Girod, Philippe Dussart, Vincent Lacoste and Rindra Vatosoa Randremanana
Pathogens 2024, 13(3), 257; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens13030257 - 16 Mar 2024
Viewed by 994
Abstract
An epizootic of rift valley fever (RVF) was suspected on 21 February 2021 in various districts of Madagascar, with a lab confirmation on 1 April 2021. A cross-sectional survey aiming to detect cases of RVF in humans and to study the circulation of [...] Read more.
An epizootic of rift valley fever (RVF) was suspected on 21 February 2021 in various districts of Madagascar, with a lab confirmation on 1 April 2021. A cross-sectional survey aiming to detect cases of RVF in humans and to study the circulation of rift valley fever virus (RVFV) in animals was conducted from 22 April to 4 May 2021 in the district of Mananjary. Blood samples from cattle and humans were tested using serological and molecular techniques. In cattle, the circulation of RVFV was confirmed between 5 February and 4 May 2021. The positivity rates of anti-RVFV IgG and IgM were 60% and 40%, respectively. In humans, the circulation of RVFV was observed from 1 April to 5 May 2021. The positivity rate of RVFV was estimated to be 11.7% by combining the results of the molecular and serological approaches. Of the 103 individuals who agreed to participate in the survey, 3 were determined to be positive by RT-PCR, and 10 had anti-RVFV IgM. Among them, one was positive for both. Given that previous studies have reported the circulation of RVFV during inter-epidemic periods and the occurrence of outbreaks due to imported RVFV in Madagascar, our findings suggest the importance of strengthening RVF surveillance from a “One Health” perspective by conducting syndromic and risk-based surveillance at the national and regional levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections of Humans: Epidemiology and Control)
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