Anal Invasive Squamous Cell Cancer and Human Papillomavirus Distribution in HIV-Infected and Non-HIV-Infected Individuals

Invasive-squamous-cell-cancer (ISCC) of the anal canal is an uncommon disease. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the etiological agent of most of types of ISCC. The incidence of ISCC has been increasing in HIV-infected individuals, even after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze biopsy specimens from patients diagnosed with ISCC at a tertiary hospital from 1983 to 2012 in order to detect HPV-DNA. Methods: Formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens from patients with ISCC underwent HPV-DNA genotyping using multiplex PCR assay. Results: A total of 31 cases were collected;10 were HIV-infected (9 men, 1 woman) and 21 non-HIV-infected (11 men, 10 women). HPV infection was detected in 87.5% (7/8) of the HIV-infected patients (DNA from 2 biopsies was degraded) and 76.2% (16/21) of non-HIV-infected individuals. Multiple-type infections were only found in 28.6% (2/7) of the HIV-infected patients (no multiple-type infections in non-HIV-infected individuals). The most prevalent type was HPV-16: 50% (4/8) in the HIV-infected group (57% [4/7] of the HPV-positive samples) and 66.7% (14/21) in the non-HIV-infected group (87.5% (14/16) of the HPV-positive samples). Remarkably, 37.5% (3/8) of the HIV-infected group had high-risk HPV types not included in the vaccines (HPV-33, 51, 52, and 66) compared with 4.8% in the non-HIV-infected group (1/21, HPV-52). All cases of anal ISCC in HIV-infected patients were recorded in the highly active antiretroviral therapy era. Conclusion: HIV-infected patients presented anal ISCC with a higher proportion of high-risk HPV types not covered by the conventional vaccines than non-HIV-infected individuals.

Male genitourinary schistosomiasis-related symptoms among long-term Western African migrants in Spain:a prospective population-based screening study

Background Schistosomiasis is highly endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and frequently imported to Europe.Male urogenital manifestations are often neglected.We aimed to ascertain the prevalence of genitourinary clinical signs and symptoms among long-term African migrants in a non-endemic European country using a serology test.Methods We carried out a prospective,community-based cross-sectional study of adult male migrants from sub-Saharan Africa living in Spain.Schistosoma serology tests and microscopic urine examinations were carried out,and clinical data were obtained from an electronic medical record search and a structured questionnaire.Results We included 388 adult males,mean age 43.5 years[Standard Deviation(SD)=12.0,range:18-76].The median time since migration to the European Union was 17[Interquartile range(IQR):11-21]years.The most frequent country of origin was Senegal(N=179,46.1%).Of the 338,147(37.6%)tested positive for Schistosoma.Parasite eggs were present in the urine of only 1.3%.Nine genitourinary clinical items were significantly associated with positive Schistosoma serology results:pelvic pain(45.2%;OR=1.57,95%CI:1.0-2.4),pain on ejaculation(14.5%;OR=1.85,95%CI:1.0-3.5),dyspareunia(12.4%;OR=2.45,95%CI:1.2-5.2),erectile dysfunction(9.5%;OR=3.10,95%CI:1.3-7.6),self-reported episodes of infertility(32.1%;OR=1.69,95%CI:1.0-2.8),haematuria(55.2%;OR=2.37,95%CI:1.5-3.6),dysuria(52.1%;OR=2.01,95%CI:1.3-3.1),undiagnosed syndromic STIs(5.4%),and orchitis(20.7%;OR=1.81,95%CI:1.0-3.1).Clinical signs tended to cluster.Conclusions Urogenital clinical signs and symptoms are prevalent among male African long-term migrants with a positive Schistosoma serology results.Genital involvement can be frequent even among those with long periods of non-residence in their sub-Saharan African countries of origin.Further research is needed to develop diagnostic tools and validate therapeutic approaches to chronic schistosomiasis.

Author Correction to: SARS-CoV-2 interaction with Siglec-1 mediates trans-infection by dendritic cells

Correction to:Cellular&Molecular Immunology https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-021-00794-6,published online 15 November 2021 In the version of this correspondence initially published,one of the SARS-CoV-2 variants used in Fig.1B,which was originally described in the article as the SARS-CoV-2 variant‘B.1.1.248.2 Gamma’,is actually the‘P.2 Zeta’SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest.The GISAID accession ID EPI_ISL_1831696 provided is correct。

SARS-CoV-2 interaction with Siglec-1 mediates trans-infection by dendritic cells

Antigen-presenting cells(APCs)may be resistant to SARS-CoV-2 infection but still contribute to viral pathogenesis.Lectins such as sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 1(Siglec-1/CD169)mediate the attachment of viruses to APCs.Here,we show that APCs effectively capture SARS-CoV-2 within compartments via recognition of Siglec-1.This receptor interacts with sialylated gangliosides on membranes of SARS-CoV-2 variants.