Search

Several reports have proposed that the viral load of torque teno virus (TTV) in plasma is a biomarker of immune function in solid organ transplantation (SOT) and in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, for the latter one, TTV-DNA quantification in saliva has also been suggested. to investigate the correlation between the TTV viral load and immune function in paired saliva and plasma samples in patients on kidney transplantation. TTV-DNA viral load was quantified in paired samples of saliva and plasma from 71 patients before and a short-time after renal-transplantation by real-time PCR. The data obtained from 213 paired samples showed a slight consistency in the comparison between saliva and plasma, with prevalence of TTV-DNA being 58%, 52% and 60% in saliva samples and 60%, 73% and 90% in plasma samples before and at 15–20 and 45–60 days after transplantation, respectively. Additionally, a high TTV viral load was observed in plasma at 15–20 and 45–60 days after transplantation compared to that observed in saliva at the same time. Overall, monitoring TTV-DNA in saliva samples could be an additional fast non-invasive option to assess the immune functionality in SOT populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this prospective cohort of 30 vaccinated healthcare-workers with mild Omicron variant infection, we evaluated viral culture, rapid antigen test(RAT), and RT-PCR of respiratory samples at days 5,7,10, and 14. Viral culture was positive in 46%(11/24) and 20%(6/30) of samples at days 5 and 7, respectively. RAT and RT-PCR(Ct≤35) showed 100% negative predictive value(NPV), with 32% and 17% of positive predictive values(PPV), respectively, for predicting viral culture positivity. A lower RT-PCR threshold(Ct≤24) improved culture prediction(PPV = 39%; NPV = 100%). Vaccinated persons with mild Omicron infection are potentially transmissible up to day 7. RAT and RT-PCR might be useful tools for shortening the isolation period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have inability to maintain the normal levels of protein metabolism products, blood pressure and hematocrit. Periodontal disease involves an inflammatory destructive process. Identification of opportunistic viruses is extremely important as they are associated with co-morbidities. The objective of this study was to analyse the presence of human herpesviruses in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with CKD.Methods: One hundred and thirty one individuals were divided depending on the stage of CKD: Group 1 (clearance of creatinine > 75 mL/min) patients with no renal disease (n = 24); Group 2 (clearance of creatinine of 11-75 mL/min) patients with renal disease (n = 67); Group 3 (clearance of creatinine < 10 mL/min) patients on hemodialysis (n = 40). The parameters of periodontal disease were evaluated. The viral detection was assessed by PCR.Results: considering the three groups, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) were 9% in saliva and 5% in GCF; Epstein-Barr virus 36% in saliva and 39% in GCF; human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) 11% in GCF; varicella zoster virus 6% in saliva and 3% in GCF; of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) 6% in saliva and 2% in GCF; and HHV-7 44% in saliva and 8% in GCF. Of these patients, 46.48% presented with severe periodontitis. A statistically significant association between HSV-1 and HCMV was found in hemodialysis patients and severe periodontitis was also more frequent among them.Conclusion: These findings show the importance of evaluating the periodontal disease and detecting herpesviruses in patients with CKD as the inflammatory process observed in these clinical conditions may worsen the course of both periodontal disease and CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several reports have proposed that the viral load of torque teno virus (TTV) in plasma is a biomarker of immune function in solid organ transplantation (SOT) and in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additionally, for the latter one, TTVDNA quantification in saliva has also been suggested. Aim: to investigate the correlation between the TTV viral load and immune function in paired saliva and plasma samples in patients on kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods: TTV-DNA viral load was quantified in paired samples of saliva and plasma from 71 patients before and a short-time after renal-transplantation by real-time PCR. Results: The data obtained from 213 paired samples showed a slight consistency in the comparison between saliva and plasma, with prevalence of TTV-DNA being 58%, 52% and 60% in saliva samples and 60%, 73% and 90% in plasma samples before and at 15-20 and 45-60 days after transplantation, respectively. Additionally, a high TTV viral load was observed in plasma at 15-20 and 45-60 days after transplantation compared to that observed in saliva at the same time. Conclusions: Overall, monitoring TTV-DNA in saliva samples could be an additional fast noninvasive option to assess the immune functionality in SOT populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SARS-CoV-2 quickly spreads in the worldwide population, imposing social restrictions to control the infection, being the massive testing another essential strategy to break the chain of transmission. Aim: To compare the performance of at-home self-collected samples – saliva and combined nasal-oropharyngeal swabs (NOP) – for SARS-CoV-2 detection in a telemedicine platform for COVID-19 surveillance. Material and methods: We analyzed 201 patients who met the criteria of suspected COVID-19. NOP sampling was combined (nostrils and oropharynx) and saliva collected using a cotton pad device. Detection of SARS-COV-2 was performed by using the Altona RealStar® SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Kit 1.0. Results: There was an overall significant agreement (κ coefficient value of 0.58) between saliva and NOP. Considering results in either sample, 70 patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified, with 52/70 being positive in NOP and 55/70 in saliva. This corresponds to sensitivities of 74.2% (95% CI; 63.7% to 83.1%) for NOP and 78.6% (95% CI; 67.6% to 86.6%) for saliva. Conclusion: Our data show the feasibility of using at-home self-collected samples (especially saliva), as an adequate alternative for SARS-CoV-2 detection. This new approach of testing can be useful to develop strategies for COVID-19 surveillance and for guiding public health decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnant women coinfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human gammaherpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) are at higher risk of Kaposi's sarcoma development, increased viral load, and vertical transmission of these viruses. A total of 131 pregnant women infected with HIV were examined for antibodies against HHV-8 latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) and lytic antigens using immunofluorescence assays. The presence of HHV-8 DNA was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and nested PCR. Overall, 0.8% (1/131) of the patients contained antibodies to HHV-8 LANA and lytic antigens, and no HHV-8 DNA was detected. This study, including a small population of HIV-infected pregnant women in Brazil, indicates a low prevalence of HHV-8 seropositivity and absence of active infection in this group. However, a potential role of HHV-8 in the increased transmission and pathogenic activity of HIV in pregnant women is suggested. Attention should be given to the emergence of HHV-8 infection in this population group in order to avoid comorbidities and transmission of HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the oral shedding of herpesviruses in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and correlate it with oral mucositis (OM). Methods: Saliva samples were collected before the HSCT and on day D + 8. Multiplex Polymerse Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐1 and HSV‐2, Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Variella‐zoster virus (VZV), and human herpesvirus (HHV)‐6, HHV‐7, and HHV‐8. OM was assessed according to WHO criteria. Results: Thirty one patients were enrolled, in which 20 of 31 (64.5%) were males; median age was 50 (21–70) years; 16 of 31 (51.6%) underwent allo‐HSCT; and 15 of 31 (48.4%) underwent auto‐HSCT. On D + 8, OM grades III and IV were observed in 8 of 31 (25.8%) patients. In the first salivary collection, EBV was found in 24 of 31 (77.4%), followed by HHV‐6 (7/31, 22.6%) and HHV‐7 (8/31 25.8%). In the second collection, EBV was found in 24 of 27(89%), followed by HSV‐1 (8/27, 30%) and CMV, HHV‐6, and HHV‐7 (5/27, 18.5%, each one). On D + 8, OM grades II and IV were associated with the presence of HSV‐1. HSV‐1 was also associated with worsening degrees of OM on D + 15. Conclusion: The presence of HSV‐1 and CMV in oral samples was more frequent on day D + 8 after HSCT. HSV‐1 detection was associated with severity and worsening of OM. HSV‐1 and CMV seem to be associated with oral dysbiosis due to HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]