AIM: The aim of the article is to summarize observations on cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior uveitis, and in short case reports present cases of patients treated at our Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients at the Centre for diagnosis and treatment of uveitis from 2003 to 2024. Presentation of our experiences with CMV anterior uveitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in aqueous humor in case reports. RESULTS: From a cohort of 3844 patients with uveitis, 3 patients were diagnosed with CMV anterior uveitis, confirmed by PCR in the aqueous humor. The clinical presentation was as acute recurrent hypertensive anterior uveitis in all patients, with a switch to chronic form with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Despite local anti-inflammatory and antiglaucomatous therapy, there was high recurrence of uveitis with decompensation of IOP when the medication was reduced. Patients underwent antiglaucoma surgery because of persistent high IOP despite maximal local antiglaucomatous therapy. An anterior chamber tap was taken for PCR analysis, with a CMV-positive result. After the initiation of antiviral therapy with local ganciclovir, patients manifested compensated IOP and a pronounced reduction of recurrences of uveitis and progression of glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: CMV anterior uveitis is a rare pathology in our geographic region, but it is important to consider this etiology in cases of recurrent anterior hypertensive uveitis with a low response to local anti-inflammatory medication. Timely verification of the etiological agent with prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential in order to achieve a favorable prognosis. Long-term, low maintenance doses of antiviral therapy with local ganciclovir for several months reduce relapses of uveitis and lead to compensation of IOP.
- Klíčová slova
- anterior uveitis, cytomegalovirus, ganciclovir, plasmapheresis, secondary glaucoma,
- MeSH
- antivirové látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * diagnóza farmakoterapie komplikace virologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus izolace a purifikace genetika MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- komorová voda virologie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- přední uveitida * virologie diagnóza farmakoterapie MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antivirové látky MeSH
One-third of humanity harbors a lifelong infection with Toxoplasma gondii, and probably about 80% are infected with human cytomegalovirus (CMV). This study aims to delineate the associations between toxoplasmosis and cognitive abilities and compare these to the associations with CMV. We evaluated the cognitive performance of 557 students, who had been examined for Toxoplasma and CMV infections, using intelligence, memory, and psychomotor tests. The results indicated cognitive impairments in seropositive individuals for both pathogens, with variations in cognitive impact related to sex and the Rh factor. Specifically, Toxoplasma infection was associated with lower IQ in men, whereas CMV was predominantly associated with worse performance by women when testing memory and reaction speeds. Analysis of the antibody concentrations indicated that certain Toxoplasma-associated cognitive detrimental effects may wane (impaired intelligence) or worsen (impaired reaction times) over time following infection. The findings imply that the cognitive impairments caused by both neurotropic pathogens are likely due to pathological changes in the brain rather than from direct manipulative action by the parasites.
- Klíčová slova
- Rh factor, behavior, cognition, cytomegalovirus, intelligence, manipulation hypothesis, memory, parasite, psychomotor performance, toxoplasmosis,
- MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * imunologie epidemiologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus * imunologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kognice * MeSH
- krevní skupiny - systém Rh-Hr imunologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- průřezové studie MeSH
- sexuální faktory MeSH
- Toxoplasma * imunologie MeSH
- toxoplazmóza * psychologie imunologie epidemiologie komplikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- krevní skupiny - systém Rh-Hr MeSH
NK cells play a decisive role in controlling hCMV infection by combining innate and adaptive-like immune reactions. The hCMV-derived VMAPRTLFL (LFL) peptide is a potent activator of NKG2C+ NK cells. Proposed here is an autologous system of LFL stimulation without T lymphocytes and exogenous cytokines that allows us to evaluate NK-cell hCMV-specific responses in more native settings. In this model, we evaluated LFL-induced IFNγ production, focusing on signaling pathways and the degranulation and proliferation of NK cells orchestrated by microenvironment cytokine production and analyzed the transcriptome of expanded NK cells. NK cells of individuals having high anti-hCMV-IgG levels, in contrast to NK cells of hCMV-seronegative and low-positive donors, displayed increased IFNγ production and degranulation and activation levels and enhanced proliferation upon LFL stimulation. Cytokine profiles of these LFL-stimulated cultures demonstrated a proinflammatory shift. LFL-induced NK-cell IFNγ production was dependent on the PI3K and Ras/Raf/Mek signaling pathways, independently of cytokines. In hCMV-seropositive individuals, this model allowed obtaining NK-cell antigen-specific populations proliferating in response to LFL. The transcriptomic profile of these expanded NK cells showed increased adaptive gene expression and metabolic activation. The results complement the existing knowledge about hCMV-specific NK-cell response. This model may be further exploited for the identification and characterization of antigen-specific NK cells.
- Klíčová slova
- ERK1/2, HLA-E, IFNγ, NKG2C, RNAseq, cytokines, hCMV, memory NK cells,
- MeSH
- buňky NK MeSH
- cytokiny metabolismus MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prezentace antigenu * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- cytokiny MeSH
There is only limited data on cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis with high-dose (HD) aciclovir after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We performed a retrospective analysis on a total of 179 patients who underwent their allo-HSCT with HD-aciclovir prophylaxis at our center. A clinically significant CMV infection (cs-CMVi) was observed in 56 (31%) cases with a median time of 49 (range 25-147) days after HSCT. A significantly higher CMV infection rate was observed in seropositive recipients with a seronegative donor (74%) compared to seropositive recipients with a seropositive donor, and seronegative recipients with seropositive and seronegative donors (24%, 18%, 7% respectively; p < 0.001). The CMV serostatus was the only significant risk factor for CMV infection in our analysis. CMV disease developed in three patients with CMV-related death in two cases. During HD-aciclovir prophylaxis, we did not observe any medical condition attributable to HD-aciclovir's adverse effects. Compared to published results, we observed a low incidence of cs-CMVi with HD-aciclovir prophylaxis in several patient subgroups, especially in seropositive recipients with a seropositive donor. With respect to the determined threshold, HD-aciclovir prophylaxis seems to have good efficacy in an intermediate cs-CMVi risk patients, but prospective randomized trials would be needed for definite conclusions.
- MeSH
- acyklovir terapeutické užití MeSH
- antivirové látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * etiologie prevence a kontrola farmakoterapie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- acyklovir MeSH
- antivirové látky MeSH
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important factor in the pathogenesis of kidney allograft rejection, previous studies have not determined the optimal CMV prevention strategy to avoid indirect effects of the virus. In this randomized trial involving 140 kidney transplant recipients, incidence of acute rejection at 12 months was not lower with valganciclovir prophylaxis (for at least 3 months) compared with preemptive therapy initiated after detection of CMV DNA in whole blood. However, prophylaxis was associated with a lower risk of subclinical rejection at 3 months. Although both regimens were effective in preventing CMV disease, the incidence of CMV DNAemia (including episodes with higher viral loads) was significantly higher with preemptive therapy. Further research with long-term follow-up is warranted to better compare the two approaches. BACKGROUND: The optimal regimen for preventing cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant recipients, primarily in reducing indirect CMV effects, has not been defined. METHODS: This open-label, single-center, randomized clinical trial of valganciclovir prophylaxis versus preemptive therapy included kidney transplant recipients recruited between June 2013 and May 2018. After excluding CMV-seronegative recipients with transplants from seronegative donors, we randomized 140 participants 1:1 to receive valganciclovir prophylaxis (900 mg, daily for 3 or 6 months for CMV-seronegative recipients who received a kidney from a CMV-seropositive donor) or preemptive therapy (valganciclovir, 900 mg, twice daily) that was initiated after detection of CMV DNA in whole blood (≥1000 IU/ml) and stopped after two consecutive negative tests (preemptive therapy patients received weekly CMV PCR tests for 4 months). The primary outcome was the incidence of biopsy-confirmed acute rejection at 12 months. Key secondary outcomes included subclinical rejection, CMV disease and DNAemia, and neutropenia. RESULTS: The incidence of acute rejection was lower with valganciclovir prophylaxis than with preemptive therapy (13%, 9/70 versus 23%, 16/70), but the difference was not statistically significant. Subclinical rejection at 3 months was lower in the prophylaxis group (13% versus 29%, P = 0.027). Both regimens prevented CMV disease (in 4% of patients in both groups). Compared with prophylaxis, preemptive therapy resulted in significantly higher rates of CMV DNAemia (44% versus 75%, P < 0.001) and a higher proportion of patients experiencing episodes with higher viral load (≥2000 IU/ml), but significantly lower valganciclovir exposure and neutropenia. CONCLUSION: Among kidney transplant recipients, the use of valganciclovir prophylaxis did not result in a significantly lower incidence of acute rejection compared with the use of preemptive therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER: Optimizing Valganciclovir Efficacy in Renal Transplantation (OVERT Study), ACTRN12613000554763 .
- MeSH
- antivirové látky škodlivé účinky MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * epidemiologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus genetika MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- neutropenie * chemicky indukované komplikace MeSH
- příjemce transplantátu MeSH
- transplantace ledvin * škodlivé účinky MeSH
- valganciklovir škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- randomizované kontrolované studie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antivirové látky MeSH
- valganciklovir MeSH
Viral infections enhance cancer risk and threaten host genome integrity. Although human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) proteins have been detected in a wide spectrum of human malignancies and HCMV infections have been implicated in tumorigenesis, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we employed a range of experimental approaches, including single-molecule DNA fiber analysis, and showed that infection by any of the four commonly used HCMV strains: AD169, Towne, TB40E or VR1814 induced replication stress (RS), as documented by host-cell replication fork asymmetry and formation of 53BP1 foci. The HCMV-evoked RS triggered an ensuing host DNA damage response (DDR) and chromosomal instability in both permissive and non-permissive human cells, the latter being particularly relevant in the context of tumorigenesis, as such cells can survive and proliferate after HCMV infection. The viral major immediate early enhancer and promoter (MIEP) that controls expression of the viral genes IE72 (IE-1) and IE86 (IE-2), contains transcription-factor binding sites shared by promoters of cellular stress-response genes. We found that DNA damaging insults, including those relevant for cancer therapy, enhanced IE72/86 expression. Thus, MIEP has been evolutionary shaped to exploit host DDR. Ectopically expressed IE72 and IE86 also induced RS and increased genomic instability. Of clinical relevance, we show that undergoing standard-of-care genotoxic radio-chemotherapy in patients with HCMV-positive glioblastomas correlated with elevated HCMV protein markers after tumor recurrence. Collectively, these results are consistent with our proposed concept of HCMV hijacking transcription-factor binding sites shared with host stress-response genes. We present a model to explain the potential oncomodulatory effects of HCMV infections through enhanced replication stress, subverted DNA damage response and induced genomic instability.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause significant end-organ diseases such as pneumonia in HIV-exposed infants. Complex viral factors may influence pathogenesis including: a large genome with a sizeable coding capacity, numerous gene regions of hypervariability, multiple-strain infections, and tissue compartmentalization of strains. We used a whole genome sequencing approach to assess the complexity of infection by comparing high-throughput sequencing data obtained from respiratory and blood specimens of HIV-exposed infants with severe HCMV pneumonia with those of lung transplant recipients and patients with hematological disorders. There were significantly more specimens from HIV-exposed infants showing multiple HCMV strain infection. Some genotypes, such as UL73 G4B and UL74 G4, were significantly more prevalent in HIV-exposed infants with severe HCMV pneumonia. Some genotypes were predominant in the respiratory specimens of several patients. However, the predominance was not statistically significant, precluding firm conclusions on anatomical compartmentalization in the lung.
- Klíčová slova
- HIV, compartmentalization, genotype, human cytomegalovirus, multiple-strain infections, pneumonia, whole genome sequence,
- MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce * epidemiologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus genetika MeSH
- HIV infekce * komplikace MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- pneumonie * MeSH
- Check Tag
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Jihoafrická republika epidemiologie MeSH
Herpesviruses can either cause primary infection or may get reactivated after both hematopoietic cell and solid organ transplantations. In general, viral infections increase post-transplant morbidity and mortality. Prophylactic, preemptive, or therapeutically administered antiviral drugs may be associated with serious side effects and may induce viral resistance. Virus-specific T cells represent a valuable addition to antiviral treatment, with high rates of response and minimal side effects. Even low numbers of virus-specific T cells manufactured by direct selection methods can reconstitute virus-specific immunity after transplantation and control viral replication. Virus-specific T cells belong to the advanced therapy medicinal products, and their production is regulated by appropriate legislation; also, strict safety regulations are required to minimize their side effects.
- Klíčová slova
- Adoptive transfer, Cytomegalovirus, Herpesviruses, Immunotherapy, Interferon gamma, Resistance, Virus-specific T cells,
- MeSH
- antivirové látky terapeutické užití MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus MeSH
- T-lymfocyty MeSH
- transplantace hematopoetických kmenových buněk * škodlivé účinky MeSH
- transplantace orgánů * MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antivirové látky MeSH
Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are endowed with the ability of establishing lifelong latency in human hosts and reactivating in immunocompromised subjects, including patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC). We, therefore, aimed to investigate virus-specific immunity in UC patients. A cohort of 24 UC patients (14 responders and 10 refractory to therapy) and 26 control subjects was prospectively enrolled to undergo virus-specific serology (by ELISA assay) and assessment of both CD4+ and CD8+ virus-specific T-cell response (by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunospotanalysis). In parallel, mucosal viral load was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and the values were correlated with both clinical and endoscopic indexes of activity. For statistics, the t-test, Mann-Withney test, Fisher's exact test and Spearman rank correlation test were applied; p < 0.05 was considered significant. EBV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses were significantly lower in UC patients compared to controls (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0006, respectively), whereas no difference was found for HCMV-specific T-cell response. When dividing the UC group according to response to therapy, both responders and refractory UC patients showed a deficient EBV-specific CD4+ T-cell response with respect to controls (p < 0.04 and p = 0.0003, respectively). Moreover, both EBV and HCMV mucosal loads were significantly higher in refractory UC than in responders and controls (p = 0.007 and 0.003; and p = 0.02 and 0.001, respectively), and correlated with activity indexes. Steroid therapy seemed the main risk factor for triggering EBV colitis. Finally, no cases of IgM positivity were found in the study population. An impaired EBV-specific immunity was clearly evident in UC patients, mostly in those refractory to therapy. The ELISPOT assay may serve as new tool for quantifying and monitoring virus-specific T-cell immunity in UC.
- Klíčová slova
- Adaptive immunity, Epstein-Barr virus, Human Cytomegalovirus, Therapy, Ulcerative colitis,
- MeSH
- CD4-pozitivní T-lymfocyty metabolismus MeSH
- CD8-pozitivní T-lymfocyty metabolismus MeSH
- cytomegalovirové infekce farmakoterapie imunologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus imunologie fyziologie MeSH
- DNA virů genetika MeSH
- infekce virem Epsteina-Barrové farmakoterapie imunologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prospektivní studie MeSH
- steroidy škodlivé účinky terapeutické užití MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- ulcerózní kolitida farmakoterapie imunologie virologie MeSH
- virová nálož MeSH
- virus Epsteinův-Barrové imunologie fyziologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- DNA virů MeSH
- steroidy MeSH
Werner's Complex, as a cationic coordination complex (CCC), has hitherto unappreciated biological properties derived from its binding affinity to highly anionic biomolecules such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and nucleic acids. Competitive inhibitor and spectroscopic assays confirm the high affinity to GAGs heparin, heparan sulfate (HS), and its pentasaccharide mimetic Fondaparinux (FPX). Functional consequences of this affinity include inhibition of FPX cleavage by bacterial heparinase and mammalian heparanase enzymes with inhibition of cellular invasion and migration. Werner's Complex is a very efficient condensing agent for DNA and tRNA. In proof-of-principle for translational implications, it is demonstrated to display antiviral activity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) at micromolar concentrations with promising selectivity. Exploitation of non-covalent hydrogen-bonding and electrostatic interactions has motivated the unprecedented discovery of these properties, opening new avenues of research for this iconic compound.
- Klíčová slova
- Antiviral efficacy, Biological Effects, DNA Binding and Condensation, Glycosaminoglycan interactions, Werner's Complex,
- MeSH
- antivirové látky chemie farmakologie MeSH
- Cytomegalovirus účinky léků MeSH
- fondaparinux antagonisté a inhibitory MeSH
- glykosaminoglykany chemie farmakologie MeSH
- komplexní sloučeniny chemie farmakologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antivirové látky MeSH
- fondaparinux MeSH
- glykosaminoglykany MeSH
- komplexní sloučeniny MeSH
