Role of vitamin D in COVID-19 and other viral infections

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that is naturally produced in the body or obtained through dietary sources,primarily under the influence of UVB radiation.This essential nutrient has a vital role in numerous physiological processes,encom-passing immune function,cell growth,differentiation,insulin regulation,and cardiovascular well-being,along with its pivotal role in sustaining the delicate equilibrium of calcium and phosphate concentrations in the body.Moreover,vitamin D reinforces mucosal defense and bolsters the immune system through immunomodulation,making it a critical component of overall health.Numerous studies have unveiled the profound connection between vitamin D and the predisposition to respiratory tract infections,including well-known viruses such as influenza and the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.Vita-min D deficiency has been consistently linked to increased severity of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)and a heightened risk of mortality among afflicted individuals.Retrospective observational studies have further substantiated these findings,indicating that levels of vitamin D are linked with both the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 cases.Vitamin D has its influence on viral infections th-rough a multitude of mechanisms,such as promoting the release of antimicrobial peptides and fine-tuning the responses of the immune system.Additionally,vitamin D is intertwined with the intricate network of the renin–angiotensin system,suggesting a potential impact on the development of complications related to COVID-19.While further clinical trials and extensive research are warranted,the existing body of evidence strongly hints at the possible use of vitamin D as a valuable tool in the prophylaxis and management of COVID-19 and other viral infectious diseases.

Monocyte and macrophage function in respiratory viral infections

Pulmonary macrophages,such as tissue-resident alveolar and interstitial macrophages and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages,are the major macrophages present in the lungs during homeostasis and diseased conditions.While tissue-resident macrophages act as sentinels of the alveolar space and play an important role in maintaining homeostasis and immune regulation,recruited macrophages accumulate in the respiratory tract after acute viral infections.Despite sharing similar anatomical niches,these macrophages are distinct in terms of their origins,surface marker expression,and transcriptional profiles,which impart macrophages with distinguished characteristics in physi-ological and pathophysiological conditions.In this review,we summarize the current view on these macrophage populations,their shared functions,and what makes them distinct from each other in the context of homeostasis andrespiratoryviral infections.

Factors Associated with HIV/Tuberculosis Coinfection among People Living with HIV after Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment in Lingwala Health Zone from 2021 to 2023

Context and objective: Around 8% of incident cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported among people living with HIV worldwide in 2022. Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV. Africa accounts for the majority of co-infection episodes, with over 50% of cases in some parts of southern Africa. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), around 9% of persons living with HIV (PLHIV) develop TB and 11% of TB patients are infected with HIV. The DRC is one of the 30 countries in the world bearing the brunt of co-infection. Despite the efforts made by countries to improve access to antiretroviral traitement (ART), TB remains a major problem among people living with HIV. The Lingwala Health Zone in the provincial city of Kinshasa recorded a large number of cases of HIV/TB co-infection during the study period. The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with HIV/TB co-infection among PLHIV on ART in the Lingwala health zone (HZ) in Kinshasa. Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in the state-run HIV care facilities in the Lingwala health district among PLHIV who had visited the health facilities during the period 2021-2023. Cases were coinfected patients and controls were PLHIV who had not developed tuberculosis during the study period. Results: A total of 281 PLHIV were enrolled in the study, with 70 cases and 211 controls. Factors associated with HIV/TB co-infection after multivariate analysis were viral load (OR = 5.34;95% CI;1.8-15.8, p = 0.005). History of tuberculosis (OR = 20.84;95% CI;8.6-50.3, p -85.0, p = 0.005) and BMI Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the detection of these enumerated factors should prompt providers to actively search for tuberculosis with a view to organising early management.

Management strategies for common viral infections in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Viral infections have been considered as a major cause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation in pediatric cohort.Children are at high risk of acquiring virus-related complications due to immunological immaturity and the enhanced alloreactivity risk that led to maintenance of high immunosuppressive regimes.Hence,prevention,early detection,and prompt treatment of such infections are of paramount importance.Among all viral infections,herpes viruses(herpes simplex virus,varicella zoster virus,Epstein-Barr virus,cytomegalovirus),hepatitis B and C viruses,BK polyomavirus,and respiratory viruses(respiratory syncytial virus,parainfluenza virus,influenza virus and adenovirus)are common in kidney transplant recipients.These viruses can cause systemic disease or allograft dysfunction affecting the clinical outcome.Recent advances in technology and antiviral therapy have improved management strategies in screening,monitoring,adoption of prophylactic or preemptive therapy and precise treatment in the immunocompromised host,with significant impact on the outcome.This review discusses the etiology,screening and monitoring,diagnosis,prevention,and treatment of common viral infections in pediatric renal transplant recipients.

Evolution of Viral Load in Patients Infected with HIV-1 at Point G University Hospital

Introduction: HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus, is the etiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The aim of this study was to assess the evolution of the viral load in patients under treatment. Methodology: This was a study carried out from July 2017 to June 2022 at the Point G University Hospital laboratory. The determination of the viral load of patients was carried out by PCR on the ABOTT M2000sp/rt platform. Results: A total of 129 patients infected with HIV-1, aged 19 to 72 years with a mean age of 40.05 years ± 10.71;all on antiretroviral chemotherapy. The female gender predominated among our patients. The most common treatment regimen was 2INTI + 1INNTI with 72.9% followed by 2INTI + 1INI with 13.2%. As for the combinations of molecules, the combination TDF + 3TC + EFV and TDF + 3TC + DTG predominated, respectively 65.1% and 13.2%. 89.9% of our patients had undetectable viremia after 12 months of treatment (p < 0.005) with an average viral load which had evolved from 681315.65 copies/ml ± 1616908.484 to M0 at 5742.36 copies /ml ± 35756.883 at M12 (p Conclusion: Generally speaking, antiretroviral treatment had contributed to controlling viral loads, however the therapeutic combination TDF + 3TC + DTG had made it possible to obtain more patients with undetectable viremia instead.

Factors of Adherence to Concurrent Tuberculosis Treatment and Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-TB Co-Infected Individuals in the East Region, Cameroon in the COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem can be observed in all situations where patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029). Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19 was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19 context, using evidence-based data and integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral therapy during the COVID-19 Era.

2016至2020年杭州地区无偿献血人群HIV感染状况分析

目的了解杭州地区无偿献血人群HIV感染状况,为本地区降低HIV经输血传播风险,制定有效献血者招募及艾滋病防控策略提供数据支持。方法采用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)和病原体核酸检测技术(nucleic acid testing,NAT)对2016年1月至2020年12月杭州地区902847例无偿献血者标本进行抗HIV-Ⅰ/Ⅱ抗体/抗原和HIVRNA检测。抗-HIV抗体/抗原或HIVRNA反应性标本送杭州市疾病控制中心进一步采用Western blot法和NAT进行确认。结果2016年1月至2020年12月杭州地区共检测HIV确证阳性103例,阳性检出率为0.01%,其中101例ELISA和NAT筛查均为阳性反应,2例ELISA筛查为阴性反应,NAT为阳性反应。103例感染者中,以男性(91.26%,94/103)、18~35岁(69.90%,72/103)、初次献血者(68.93%,71/103)为主。2016至2020年献血者HIV阳性率呈逐年下降趋势(χ^(2)=7.181,P=0.007)。男女献血者HIV阳性率各年的差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=10.336,P=0.350;χ^(2)=0.653,P=0.957)。各年龄组献血者HIV阳性率各年的差异无统计学意义(χ^(2)=6.378,P=0.173;χ^(2)=2.318,P=0.678;χ^(2)=5.284,P=0.259;χ^(2)=9.183,P=0.057)。结论近5年HIV感染在杭州市无偿献血人群中呈低流行水平,但仍存在感染风险,应加强在低危人群中招募献血者并且应采用先进的检测技术,选择合适的检测策略,保证血液安全。

The emergence of drug resistant HIV variants and novel anti-retroviral therapy

After its identification in 1980s,HIV has infected more than 30 million people worldwide.Inthe era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy,anti-retroviral drug resistance results frominsufficient anti-retroviral pressure,which may lead to treatment failure.Preliminary studiessupport the idea that anti-retroviral drug resistance has evolved largely as a result of low-adherence of patients to therapy and extensive use of anti-retroviral drugs in the developedworld;however,a highly heterogeneous horde of viral quasi-species are currently circulating indeveloping nations.Thus,the prioritizing of strategies adopted in such two worlds should be quitedifferent considering the varying anti-retroviral drug resistance prevalence.In this article,weexplore differences in anti-retroviral drug resistance patterns between developed and developingcountries,as they represent two distinct ecological niches of HIV from an evolutionary standpoint.

Acute hepatitis C in a chronically HIV-infected patient:Evolution of different viral genomic regions

AIM: To analyze the molecular evolution of different viral genomic regions of HCV in an acute HCV infected patient chronically infected with HIV through a 42-month follow-up.METHODS: Serum samples of a chronically HIV infected patient that seroconverted to anti HCV antibodies were sequenced, from the event of superinfection through a period of 17 months and in a late sample (42nd month). Hypervariable genomic regions of HIV (V3 loop of the gp120) and HCV (HVR-1 on the E2 glycoprotein gene) were studied. In order to analyze genomic regions involved in different biological functions and with the cellular immune response, HCV core and NS5A were also chosen to be sequenced. Amplification of the different regions was done by RT-PCR and directly sequenced. Confirmation of sequences was done on reamplified material. Nucleotide sequences of the different time points were aligned with CLUSTAL W 1.5, and the corresponding amino acid ones were deduced.RESULTS: Hypervariable genomic regions of both viruses (HVR1 and gp120 V3 loop) presented several nonsynonymous changes but, while in the gp120 V3 loop mutations were detected in the sample obtained right after HCV superinfection and maintained throughout, they occurred following a sequential and cumulative pattern in the HVR1. In the NS5A region of HCV, two amino acid changes were detected during the follow-up period, whereas the core region presented several amino acid replacements, once the HCV chronic infection had been established.CONCLUSION: During the HIV-HCV superinfection, each genomic region analyzed shows a different evolutionary pattem.Most of the nucleotide substitutions observed are nonsynonymous and clustered in previously described epitopes,thus suggesting an immune-driven evolutionary process.

Viral infections in inflammatory bowel disease:Tips and tricks for correct management

Over the past decades,the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)has become more targeted,anticipating the use of immune-modifying therapies at an earlier stage.This top-down approach has been correlated with favorable short and long-term outcomes,but it has also brought with it concerns regarding potential infectious complications.This large IBD population treated with immunemodifying therapies,especially if combined,has an increased risk of severe infections,including opportunistic infections that are sustained by viral,bacterial,parasitic,and fungal agents.Viral infections have emerged as a focal safety concern in patients with IBD,representing a challenge for the clinician:they are often difficult to diagnose and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.The first step is to improve effective preventive strategies,such as applying vaccination protocols,adopt adequate prophylaxis and educate patients about potential risk factors.Since viral infections in immunosuppressed patients may present atypical signs and symptoms,the challenges for the gastroenterologist are to suspect,recognize and diagnose such complications.Appropriate treatment of common viral infections allows us to minimize their impact on disease outcomes and patients’lives.This practical review supports this standard of care to improve knowledge in this subject area.

Human bocavirus infection in children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections:Does viral load affect disease course?

Objective:To examine the effects of human bocavirus type 1(HBoV1)on the course of lower respiratory tract infections in cases of monoinfection and coinfection,and the effects of HBoV1 viral load on the disease in children under six years old hospitalized with a diagnosis of HBoV1-associated lower respiratory tract infections.Methods:Children under six years of age,who were hospitalized with the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection due to HBoV1 between 1 January 2021 and 1 January 2022 were included in the study.Laboratory confirmation of the respiratory pathogens was performed using polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results:Fifty-four(16.4%)children with HBoV1 among 329 children whose PCR was positive with bacterial/viral agent in nasopharyngeal swab samples were included in the study.There were 28(51.9%)males and 26(48.1%)females with a median age 23.4 months[interquartile range(IQR):13.2,30.0 months](min-max:1 month-68 months).HBoV1 was detected as a monoinfecton in 26(48.1%)children,and as a coinfection with other respiratory agents in 28 children(51.9%).In multiple regression analysis,coinfection(P=0.032)was associated with the length of hospitalization(P<0.001;R^(2)=0.166).There was a negative correlation(r=−0.281,P=0.040)between cough and cycle threshold.Fever was found to be positively correlated with C-reactive protein(r=0.568,P<0.001)and procalcitonin(r=0.472;P=0.001).Conclusions:Although we found a higher HBoV1 viral load in children with more cough symptoms in our study,it had no effect on the severity of the disease,such as length of hospital stay and need for intensive care.Coinfection was found to affect the length of hospitalization.

Interventions to Improve HIV Viral Load Suppression among the Adolescents: Evidence of Improvement Science through a Quality Improvement Approach in Eastern Uganda

Introduction: Achieving viral load suppression among the adolescents living with HIV continues to hold back attainment of sustainable development goals. TASO Mbale realized a viral load suppression rate of 63.1% among the adolescents living with HIV in care in quarter 4 of 2016. We therefore, instituted a quality imrpovement project to improve Viral load suppression from 63.1% in quarter 4 2016 to 90% by the end of quarter 4 2017. Method: Baseline data from the Uganda viral load dashboard were analyzed, and fishbone diagram was utilized to provide root causes of low viral load suppression among the adolescents living with HIV at TASO Mbale. The identified barriers were Knowlegde gap, among the adolescents, on positive living, Missing clinic appointments, Sub-optimal adherence, Poorly planned adolescent HIV clinic, Inadequate follow-up and Low use of data for informed decisions. A plan-do-study-act (PDSA) model was applied to implement tested changes. Strategies that worked included introduction of appointment register to track appointment behaviour of the adolescents, generating lists of clients on appointment who were due for Viral Load bleeding, telephone calls for follow up, increasing the frequency of reviewing adolescents from once a month to twice a week, committing a dedicated team responsible for adolescent care. Results: The viral load suppression improved from 63.1% in quarter 4 of 2016 to 63.8% in the first quarter of 2017, to 87.5% in quarter 2 of 2017, 97.6% in the third quarter and 91.4% in quarter 4 of 2017. Conclusion: The use of quality improvement in addressing gaps in HIV service delivery is highly effective.

Utility of Pooled HIV RNA RT-PCR Assay in Diagnosing Acute HIV Infections

The P24 antigen test, HIV RNA PCR test, HIV isolation/culture and fourth-generation HIV uniform Ag/Ab assay are being utilized in diagnosing acute HIV infection in different labs. Many factors limit the use of screening for acute HIV in high-risk populations, in blood donors and during voluntary HIV testing, including, cost, technique, sensitivity and specificity. In this review we explore a new NAAT method which involves HIV RNA RT-PCR on pooled samples. This technique is able to screen for acute infections in a large testing volume and may be used as a screening method in high-risk populations and blood donors.

Viral infections and cell cycle G2/M regulation

Progression of cells from G2 phase of the cell cycle to mitosis is a tightly regulated cellular process that requires activation of the Cdc2 kinase, which determines onset of mitosis in all eukaryotic cells. In both human and fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) cells, the activity of Cdc2 is regulated in part by the phosphorylation status of tyrosine 15 (Tyr15) on Cdc2, which is phosphorylated by Wee1 kinase during late G2 and is rapidly dephosphorylated by the Cdc25 tyrosine phosphatase to trigger entry into mitosis. These Cdc2 regulators are the downstream targets of two well- characterized G2/M checkpoint pathways which prevent cells from entering mitosis when cellular DNA is damaged or when DNA replication is inhibited. Increasing evidence suggests that Cdc2 is also commonly targeted by viral proteins, which modulate host cell cycle machinery to benefit viral survival or replication. In this review, we describe the effect of viral protein R (Vpr) encoded by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) on cell cycle G2/M regulation. Based on our current knowledge about this viral effect, we hypothesize that Vpr induces cell cycle G2 arrest through a mechanism that is to some extent different from the classic G2/M checkpoints. One the unique features distinguishing Vpr-induced G2 arrest from the classic checkpoints is the role of phosphatase 2A (PP2A) in Vpr-induced G2 arrest. Interestingly, PP2A is targeted by a number of other viral proteins including SV40 small T antigen, polyomavirus T antigen, HTLV Tax and adenovirus E4orf4. Thus an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Vpr-induced G2 arrest will provide additional insights into the basic biology of cell cycle G2/M regulation and into the biological significance of this effect during host-pathogen interactions.

Clinical Trial of Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate (Antivirt®) on Viral Loads and CD4-Lymphocytes Counts of HIV/AIDS Patients

For clinical trial of Medicinal synthetic Aluminum-magnesium silicate (MSAMS, Antivirt®), on viral loads and CD4-lymphocytes counts of HIV/AIDS patients, 10 volunteers were treated. Their blood samples were tested for viral loads and for CD4-lymphocytes counts, before the treatment and every 4 weeks during the medication. The regimen was: MSAMS (50 mg/kg), MSAMS-stabilized Ampicillin trihydrate (7.5 mg/kg) and immunace extra protection® (1 tablet/day), for 4 weeks. Then, it was reduced to 50 mg/kg (MSAMS) and the immune stimulant. When their viral loads become undetectable, they would be treated for additional 4 weeks. Initially, the Antivirt®-regimen appeared to worsen both HIV infection-load and immune deficiency but later relieved them. Patients’ mean-viral load increased (P = 0.020), from 1820.30 ± 868.75 to 2855.90 ± 960.98, after 4 weeks before reducing (P = 0.030) to 1565.20 ± 743.17, after 8 weeks. Similarly, their mean-CD4-lymphocytes count reduced (P = 0.008) from 496.80 ± 194.39 to 263.90 ± 149.26, after 4 weeks before improving (P = 0.001) to 507.90 ± 133.19, after 8 weeks.

Distinctive Drug-resistant Mutation Profiles and Interpretations of HIV-1 Proviral DNA Revealed by Deep Sequencing in Reverse Transcriptase

Objective To investigate distinctive features in drug-resistant mutations （DRMs） and interpretations for reverse transcriptase inhibitors （RTIs） between proviral DNA and paired viral RNA in HIV-l-infected patients. Methods Forty-three HIV-l-infected individuals receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy were recruited to participate in a multicenter AIDS Cohort Study in Anhui and Henan Provinces in China in 2004. Drug resistance genotyping was performed by bulk sequencing and deep sequencing on the plasma and whole blood of 77 samples, respectively. Drug-resistance interpretation was compared between viral RNA and paired proviral DNA. Results Compared with bulk sequencing, deep sequencing could detect more DRMs and samples with DRMs in both viral RNA and proviral DNA. The mutations M1841 and M2301 were more prevalent in proviral DNA than in viral RNA （Fisher＇s exact test, P〈0.05）. Considering ＇majority resistant variants＇, 15 samples （19.48%） showed differences in drug resistance interpretation between viral RNA and proviral DNA, and 5 of these samples with different DRMs between proviral DNA and paired viral RNA showed a higher level of drug resistance to the first-line drugs. Considering ＇minority resistant variants＇, 22 samples （28.57%） were associated with a higher level of drug resistance to the tested RTIs for proviral DNA when compared with paired viral RNA. Conclusion Compared with viral RNA, the distinctive information of DRMs and drug resistance interpretations for proviral DNA could be obtained by deep sequencing, which could provide more detailed and precise information for drug resistance monitoring and the rational design of optimal antiretroviral therapy regimens.

Study of HIV-1 Drug Resistance in Patients Receiving Free Antiretroviral Therapy in China

To investigate the prevalence of drug-resistance mutations,resistance to antiretroviral drugs,and the subsequent virological response to therapy in treatment-naive and antiretroviral-treated patients infected with HIV/AIDS in Henan,China,a total of 431 plasma samples were collected in Queshan county between 2003 and 2004,from patients undergoing the antiretroviral regimen Zidovudine + Didanosine + Nevirapine(Azt+Ddi+Nvp).Personal information was collected by face to face interview.Viral load and genotypic drug resistance were tested.Drug resistance mutation data were obtained by analyzing patient-derived sequences through the HIVdb Program(http://hivdb.stanford.edu).Overall,38.5% of treatment-naive patients had undetectable plasma viral load(VL),the rate significantly increased to 61.9% in 0 to 6 months treatment patients(mean 3 months)(P<0.005)but again significantly decrease to 38.6% in 6 to 12 months treatment patients(mean 9 months)(P<0.001)and 40.0% in patients receiving more than 12 months treatment(mean 16 months)(P<0.005).The prevalence of drug resistance in patients who had a detectable VL and available sequences were 7.0%,48.6%,70.8%,72.3% in treatment-na?ve,0 to 6 months treatment,6 to 12 months treatment,and treatment for greater than 12 months patients,respectively.No mutation associated with resistance to Protease inhibitor(PI)was detected in this study.Nucleoside RT inhibitor(NRTI)mutations always emerged after non-nucleoside RT inhibitor(NNRTI)mutations,and were only found in patients treated for more than 6 months,with a frequency less than 5%,with the exception of mutation T215Y(12.8%,6/47)which occurred in patients treated for more than 12 months.NNRTI mutations emerged quickly after therapy begun,and increased significantly in patients treated for more than 6 months(P<0.005),and the most frequent mutations were K103N,V106A,Y181C,G190A.There had been optimal viral suppression in patients undergoing treatment for less than 6 months in Queshan,Henan.The drug resistance strains were highly prevalent in antiretroviral-treated patients,and increased with the continuation of therapy,with many patients encountering virological failure after 6 months therapy.

具有非局部感染和周期治疗的HIV感染模型的时空动力学分析

该文建立了一类非自治反应扩散HIV细胞模型来研究周期治疗、非局部感染对HIV感染时空动力学的影响.具体地,首先推导出模型基本再生数R0,其由下一代再生算子R的谱半径所定义.然后对模型的动力学行为进行分析,其中包括无感染平衡态的全局稳定性、HIV感染的一致持久性以及周期正平衡态的存在性.最后,通过数值模拟验证了理论结果的正确性并分析了相关重要因素对HIV感染进程的影响,为HIV的临床治疗提供有价值的参考建议.

2014—2023年HIV/AIDS患者与梅毒螺旋体共感染的文献计量学与可视化分析

目的通过对近10年HIV/AIDS患者与梅毒螺旋体共感染的相关报道文献的可视化分析,了解该领域的研究热点和未来趋势。方法以Web of Science Core Collection数据库作为数据源,检索2014-2023年HIV/AIDS患者合并感染梅毒螺旋体的相关文献,使用VOSviewer和CiteSpace对相关文献进行可视化分析。结果共有81个国家,1171家机构进行了相关研究,其中美国、中国、英国研究者发文较多,且合作紧密,发达国家是研究主力。关键词聚类中流行病学、孕妇、产前护理、神经梅毒、眼梅毒、男男性行为人群等反映了研究热点,其中男男性行为人群、眼梅毒是未来研究趋势。结论近10年HIV/AIDS患者合并梅毒螺旋体感染的研究热点从合并感染的流行病学、对神经梅毒的诊断逐渐转变至对眼梅毒及男男性行为人群的关注。

CXCL12/CXCR4轴在HIV感染及艾滋病中医证候中的研究现状

机体CXCL12/CXCR4的结构及生物学作用是生理病理功能的基础。HIV-1包膜蛋白与CXCR4结合会促进病毒进入宿主细胞,CXCL12能通过快速内吞作用减少CXCR4的数量抑制HIV的复制及传播。CXCL12/CXCR4轴与炎症、自噬的相互作用在HIV感染中发挥重要作用。研究发现艾滋病不同中医证候的基因表达谱不同,CXCR4在艾滋病肺脾气虚证、气阴两虚证和湿热内蕴证中的表达具有差异,涉及趋化因子信号通路;在艾滋病肺脾气虚证患者外周血中差异基因CXCR4与自噬过程相关,对该证型患者进行中药益艾康胶囊干预,CXCR4表达升高,提示中药益艾康胶囊可以调控自噬相关基因的表达。研究CXCL12/CXCR4在艾滋病中医证候中的作用,有利于更好地发挥中医药的治疗优势,为基因的靶向治疗提供新的方向。