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Hufsky F, Abecasis A, Agudelo-Romero P, Bletsa M, Brown K, Claus C, Deinhardt-Emmer S, Deng L, Friedel CC, Gismondi MI, Kostaki EG, Kühnert D, Kulkarni-Kale U, Metzner KJ, Meyer IM, Miozzi L, Nishimura L, Paraskevopoulou S, Pérez-Cataluña A, Rahlff J, Thomson E, Tumescheit C, van der Hoek L, Van Espen L, Vandamme AM, Zaheri M, Zuckerman N, Marz M. Women in the European Virus Bioinformatics Center. Viruses 2022; 14:1522. [PMID: 35891501 PMCID: PMC9319252 DOI: 10.3390/v14071522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are the cause of a considerable burden to human, animal and plant health, while on the other hand playing an important role in regulating entire ecosystems. The power of new sequencing technologies combined with new tools for processing "Big Data" offers unprecedented opportunities to answer fundamental questions in virology. Virologists have an urgent need for virus-specific bioinformatics tools. These developments have led to the formation of the European Virus Bioinformatics Center, a network of experts in virology and bioinformatics who are joining forces to enable extensive exchange and collaboration between these research areas. The EVBC strives to provide talented researchers with a supportive environment free of gender bias, but the gender gap in science, especially in math-intensive fields such as computer science, persists. To bring more talented women into research and keep them there, we need to highlight role models to spark their interest, and we need to ensure that female scientists are not kept at lower levels but are given the opportunity to lead the field. Here we showcase the work of the EVBC and highlight the achievements of some outstanding women experts in virology and viral bioinformatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Hufsky
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Ana Abecasis
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Patricia Agudelo-Romero
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Wal-Yan Respiratory Research Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Magda Bletsa
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katherine Brown
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1TN, UK
| | - Claudia Claus
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefanie Deinhardt-Emmer
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Li Deng
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Virology, Helmholtz Centre Munich-German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Microbial Disease Prevention, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Caroline C. Friedel
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Informatics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80333 Munich, Germany
| | - María Inés Gismondi
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Agrobiotechnology and Molecular Biology (IABIMO), National Institute for Agriculture Technology (INTA), National Research Council (CONICET), Hurlingham B1686IGC, Argentina
- Department of Basic Sciences, National University of Luján, Luján B6702MZP, Argentina
| | - Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece
| | - Denise Kühnert
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Transmission, Infection, Diversification and Evolution Group, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Urmila Kulkarni-Kale
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Bioinformatics Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Karin J. Metzner
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irmtraud M. Meyer
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Miozzi
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council of Italy, 10135 Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Nishimura
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Genetics, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Mishima 411-8540, Japan
- Human Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima 411-8540, Japan
| | - Sofia Paraskevopoulou
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Methods Development and Research Infrastructure, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Robert Koch Institute, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alba Pérez-Cataluña
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- VISAFELab, Department of Preservation and Food Safety Technologies, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, IATA-CSIC, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Janina Rahlff
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems (EEMiS), Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linneaus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Emma Thomson
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Charlotte Tumescheit
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Lia van der Hoek
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lore Van Espen
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 1349-008 Lisbon, Portugal
- Institute for the Future, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maryam Zaheri
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Neta Zuckerman
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- Central Virology Laboratory, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health and Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Manja Marz
- European Virus Bioinformatics Center, 07743 Jena, Germany; (A.A.); (P.A.-R.); (M.B.); (K.B.); (C.C.); (S.D.-E.); (L.D.); (C.C.F.); (M.I.G.); (E.G.K.); (D.K.); (U.K.-K.); (K.J.M.); (I.M.M.); (L.M.); (L.N.); (S.P.); (A.P.-C.); (J.R.); (E.T.); (C.T.); (L.v.d.H.); (L.V.E.); (A.-M.V.); (M.Z.); (N.Z.)
- RNA Bioinformatics and High-Throughput Analysis, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany
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Tovo PA, Calitri C, Scolfaro C, Gabiano C, Garazzino S. Vertically acquired hepatitis C virus infection: Correlates of transmission and disease progression. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:1382-1392. [PMID: 26819507 PMCID: PMC4721973 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in children is 0.05%-0.4% in developed countries and 2%-5% in resource-limited settings, where inadequately tested blood products or un-sterile medical injections still remain important routes of infection. After the screening of blood donors, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HCV has become the leading cause of pediatric infection, at a rate of 5%. Maternal HIV co-infection is a significant risk factor for MTCT and anti-HIV therapy during pregnancy seemingly can reduce the transmission rate of both viruses. Conversely, a high maternal viral load is an important, but not preventable risk factor, because at present no anti-HCV treatment can be administered to pregnant women to block viral replication. Caution is needed in adopting obstetric procedures, such as amniocentesis or internal fetal monitoring, that can favor fetal exposure to HCV contaminated maternal blood, though evidence is lacking on the real risk of single obstetric practices. Mode of delivery and type of feeding do not represent significant risk factors for MTCT. Therefore, there is no reason to offer elective caesarean section or discourage breast-feeding to HCV infected parturients. Information on the natural history of vertical HCV infection is limited. The primary infection is asymptomatic in infants. At least one quarter of infected children shows a spontaneous viral clearance (SVC) that usually occurs within 6 years of life. IL-28B polymorphims and genotype 3 infection have been associated with greater chances of SVC. In general, HCV progression is mild or moderate in children with chronic infection who grow regularly, though cases with marked liver fibrosis or hepatic failure have been described. Non-organ specific autoantibodies and cryoglobulins are frequently found in children with chronic infection, but autoimmune diseases or HCV associated extrahepatic manifestations are rare.
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Gonçalves Rossi LM, Escobar-Gutierrez A, Rahal P. Multiregion deep sequencing of hepatitis C virus: An improved approach for genetic relatedness studies. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2015; 38:138-145. [PMID: 26733442 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2015.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major public health problem that affects more than 180 million people worldwide. Identification of HCV transmission networks is of critical importance for disease control. HCV related cases are often difficult to identify due to the characteristic long incubation period and lack of symptoms during the acute phase of the disease, making it challenging to link related cases to a common source of infection. Additionally, HCV transmission chains are difficult to trace back since viral variants from epidemiologically linked cases are genetically related but rarely identical. Genetic relatedness studies primarily rely on information obtained from the rapidly evolving HCV hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). However, in some instances, the rapid divergence of this region can lead to loss of genetic links between related isolates, which represents an important challenge for outbreak investigations and genetic relatedness studies. Sequencing of multiple and longer sub-genomic regions has been proposed as an alternative to overcome the limitations imposed by the rapid molecular evolution of the HCV HVR1. Additionally, conventional molecular approaches required to characterize the HCV intra-host genetic variation are laborious, time-consuming, and expensive while providing limited information about the composition of the viral population. Next generation sequencing (NGS) approaches enormously facilitate the characterization of the HCV intra-host population by detecting rare variants at much lower frequencies. Thus, NGS approaches using multiple sub-genomic regions should improve the characterization of the HCV intra-host population. Here, we explore the usefulness of multiregion sequencing using a NGS platform for genetic relatedness studies among HCV cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Maria Gonçalves Rossi
- Department of Biology, Institute of Bioscience, Language and Exact Science, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Instituto de Diagnóstico y Referencia Epidemiológicos, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | | | - Paula Rahal
- Department of Biology, Institute of Bioscience, Language and Exact Science, São Paulo State University, São José do Rio Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Rossi LMG, Escobar-Gutierrez A, Rahal P. Advanced molecular surveillance of hepatitis C virus. Viruses 2015; 7:1153-88. [PMID: 25781918 PMCID: PMC4379565 DOI: 10.3390/v7031153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important public health problem worldwide. HCV exploits complex molecular mechanisms, which result in a high degree of intrahost genetic heterogeneity. This high degree of variability represents a challenge for the accurate establishment of genetic relatedness between cases and complicates the identification of sources of infection. Tracking HCV infections is crucial for the elucidation of routes of transmission in a variety of settings. Therefore, implementation of HCV advanced molecular surveillance (AMS) is essential for disease control. Accounting for virulence is also important for HCV AMS and both viral and host factors contribute to the disease outcome. Therefore, HCV AMS requires the incorporation of host factors as an integral component of the algorithms used to monitor disease occurrence. Importantly, implementation of comprehensive global databases and data mining are also needed for the proper study of the mechanisms responsible for HCV transmission. Here, we review molecular aspects associated with HCV transmission, as well as the most recent technological advances used for virus and host characterization. Additionally, the cornerstone discoveries that have defined the pathway for viral characterization are presented and the importance of implementing advanced HCV molecular surveillance is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Maria Gonçalves Rossi
- Department of Biology, Institute of Bioscience, Language and Exact Science, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil.
| | | | - Paula Rahal
- Department of Biology, Institute of Bioscience, Language and Exact Science, Sao Paulo State University, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP 15054-000, Brazil.
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5
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Valva P, Gismondi MI, Casciato PC, Galoppo M, Lezama C, Galdame O, Gadano A, Galoppo MC, Mullen E, De Matteo EN, Preciado MV. Distinctive intrahepatic characteristics of paediatric and adult pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C infection. Clin Microbiol Infect 2014; 20:O998-1009. [PMID: 24942073 DOI: 10.1111/1469-0691.12728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Mechanisms leading to liver damage in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are being discussed, but both the immune system and the virus are involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate intrahepatic viral infection, apoptosis and portal and periportal/interface infiltrate in paediatric and adult patients to elucidate the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. HCV-infected, activated caspase-3(+) and TUNEL(+) hepatocytes, as well as total, CD4(+), CD8(+), Foxp3(+) and CD20(+) lymphocytes infiltrating portal and periportal/interface tracts were evaluated in 27 paediatric and 32 adult liver samples by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence. The number of infected hepatocytes was higher in paediatric than in adult samples (p 0.0078). In children, they correlated with apoptotic hepatocytes (activated caspase-3(+) r = 0.74, p < 0.0001; TUNEL(+) r = 0.606, p 0.0017). Also, infected (p = 0.026) and apoptotic hepatocytes (p = 0.03) were associated with the severity of fibrosis. In adults, activated caspase-3(+) cell count was increased in severe hepatitis (p = 0.009). Total, CD4(+), CD8(+) and Foxp3(+) lymphocyte count was higher in adult samples (p < 0.05). Paediatric CD8(+) cells correlated with infected (r = 0.495, p 0.04) and TUNEL(+) hepatocytes (r = 0.474, p = 0.047), while adult ones correlated with activated caspase-3(+) hepatocytes (r = 0.387, p 0.04). In adults, CD8(+) was associated with hepatitis severity (p < 0.0001) and correlated with inflammatory activity (CD8(+) r = 0.639, p 0.0003). HCV, apoptosis and immune response proved to be involved in CHC pathogenesis of both paediatric and adult patients. However, liver injury in paediatric CHC would be largely associated with a viral cytopathic effect mediated by apoptosis, while in adults it would be mainly associated with an exacerbated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Valva
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Pathology Division, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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6
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Jackowiak P, Kuls K, Budzko L, Mania A, Figlerowicz M, Figlerowicz M. Phylogeny and molecular evolution of the hepatitis C virus. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 21:67-82. [PMID: 24200590 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 10/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a globally prevalent human pathogen that causes persistent liver infections in most infected individuals. HCV is classified into seven phylogenetically distinct genotypes, which have different geographical distributions and levels of genetic diversity. Some of these genotypes are endemic and highly divergent, whereas others disseminate rapidly on an epidemic scale but display lower variability. HCV phylogeny has an important impact on disease epidemiology and clinical practice because the viral genotype may determine the pathogenesis and severity of the resultant chronic liver disease. In addition, there is a clear association between the HCV genotype and its susceptibility to antiviral treatment. Similarly to other RNA viruses, in a single host, HCV exists as a combination of related but genetically different variants. The whole formation is the actual target of selection exerted by a host organism and antiviral therapeutics. The genetic structure of the viral population is largely shaped by mutations that are constantly introduced during an error-prone replication. However, it appears that genetic recombination may also contribute to this process. This heterogeneous collection of variants has a significant ability to evolve towards the fitness optimum. Interestingly, negative selection, which restricts diversity, emerges as an essential force that drives HCV evolution. It is becoming clear that HCV evolves to become stably adapted to the host environment. In this article we review the HCV phylogeny and molecular evolution in the context of host-virus interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Jackowiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Karolina Kuls
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Lucyna Budzko
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Anna Mania
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Magdalena Figlerowicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; Institute of Computing Science, Poznan University of Technology, Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznan, Poland.
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7
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Escobar-Gutiérrez A, Soudeyns H, Larouche A, Carpio-Pedroza JC, Martinez-Guarneros A, Vazquez-Chacon CA, Fonseca-Coronado S, Yamasaki LHT, Ruiz-Tovar K, Cruz-Rivera M. Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus: a tale of multiple outcomes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013; 20:465-70. [PMID: 24140559 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2013] [Revised: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Globally, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects approximately 130 million people and 3 million new infections occur annually. HCV is also recognized as an important cause of chronic liver disease in children. The absence of proofreading properties of the HCV RNA polymerase leads to a highly error prone replication process, allowing HCV to escape host immune response. The adaptive nature of HCV evolution dictates the outcome of the disease in many ways. Here, we investigated the molecular evolution of HCV in three unrelated children who acquired chronic HCV infection as a result of mother-to-child transmission, two of whom were also coinfected with HIV-1. The persistence of discrete HCV variants and their population structure were assessed using median joining network and Bayesian approaches. While patterns of viral evolution clearly differed between subjects, immune system dysfunction related to HIV coinfection or persistent HCV seronegativity stand as potential mechanisms to explain the lack of molecular evolution observed in these three cases. In contrast, treatment of HCV infection with PegIFN, which did not lead to sustained virologic responses in all 3 cases, was not associated with commensurate variations in the complexity of the variant spectrum. Finally, the differences in the degree of divergence suggest that the mode of transmission of the virus was not the main factor driving viral evolution.
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Gismondi MI, Díaz Carrasco JM, Valva P, Becker PD, Guzmán CA, Campos RH, Preciado MV. Dynamic changes in viral population structure and compartmentalization during chronic hepatitis C virus infection in children. Virology 2013; 447:187-96. [PMID: 24210114 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2013] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Classic phylogenetic and modern population-based clustering methods were used to analyze hepatitis C virus (HCV) evolution in plasma and to assess viral compartmentalization within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in 6 children during 3.2-9.6yr of follow-up. Population structure analysis of cloned amplicons encompassing hypervariable region 1 led to the distinction of two evolutionary patterns, one highly divergent and another one genetically homogeneous. Viral adaptability was reflected by co-evolution of viral communities switching rapidly from one to another in the context of divergence and stability associated with highly homogeneous communities which were replaced by new ones after long periods. Additionally, viral compartmentalization of HCV in PBMCs was statistically demonstrated, suggesting their role as a pool of genetic variability. Our results support the idea of a community-based structure of HCV viral populations during chronic infection and highlight a role of the PBMC compartment in the persistence of such structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Inés Gismondi
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, División Patología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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9
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Le Campion A, Larouche A, Fauteux-Daniel S, Soudeyns H. Pathogenesis of hepatitis C during pregnancy and childhood. Viruses 2012; 4:3531-50. [PMID: 23223189 PMCID: PMC3528278 DOI: 10.3390/v4123531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2012] [Revised: 11/18/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of HCV infection is between 1% and 8% in pregnant women and between 0.05% and 5% in children. Yet the pathogenesis of hepatitis C during pregnancy and in the neonatal period remains poorly understood. Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT), a leading cause of pediatric HCV infection, takes place at a rate of <10%. Factors that increase the risk of MTCT include high maternal HCV viral load and coinfection with HIV-1 but, intriguingly, not breastfeeding and mode of delivery. Pharmacological prevention of MTCT is not possible at the present time because both pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin are contraindicated for use in pregnancy and during the neonatal period. However, this may change with the recent introduction of direct acting antiviral agents. This review summarizes what is currently known about HCV infection during pregnancy and childhood. Particular emphasis is placed on how pregnancy-associated immune modulation may influence the progression of HCV disease and impact MTCT, and on the differential evolution of perinatally acquired HCV infection in children. Taken together, these developments provide insights into the pathogenesis of hepatitis C and may inform strategies to prevent the transmission of HCV from mother to child.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armelle Le Campion
- Unité d’immunopathologie virale, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, local 6735, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada; E-Mails: (A.L.C); (A.L.); (S.F.-D.)
| | - Ariane Larouche
- Unité d’immunopathologie virale, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, local 6735, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada; E-Mails: (A.L.C); (A.L.); (S.F.-D.)
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Sébastien Fauteux-Daniel
- Unité d’immunopathologie virale, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, local 6735, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada; E-Mails: (A.L.C); (A.L.); (S.F.-D.)
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Hugo Soudeyns
- Unité d’immunopathologie virale, Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine, 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, local 6735, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1C5, Canada; E-Mails: (A.L.C); (A.L.); (S.F.-D.)
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3J7, Canada
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Evolution of hepatitis C virus hypervariable region 1 in chronically infected children. Virus Res 2012; 167:380-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2012.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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11
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Seronegative hepatitis C virus infection in a child infected via mother-to-child transmission. J Clin Microbiol 2012; 50:2515-9. [PMID: 22535990 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00622-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection typically leads to antibody response within weeks after primary infection. Here, we describe the case of a child infected with HCV by mother-to-child transmission who remained persistently seronegative despite the presence of high levels of circulating HCV RNA.
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12
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Figlerowicz M, Jackowiak P, Formanowicz P, Kędziora P, Alejska M, Malinowska N, Błażewicz J, Figlerowicz M. Hepatitis C virus quasispecies in chronically infected children subjected to interferon-ribavirin therapy. Arch Virol 2010; 155:1977-87. [PMID: 20842394 PMCID: PMC2982956 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-010-0789-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/27/2010] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that certain features of hepatitis C virus (HCV), especially its high genetic variability, might be responsible for the low efficiency of anti-HCV treatment. Here, we present a bioinformatic analysis of HCV-1a populations isolated from 23 children with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) subjected to interferon-ribavirin therapy. The structures of the viral quasispecies were established based on a 132-amino-acid sequence derived from E1/E2 protein, including hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). Two types of HCV populations were identified. The first type, found in non-responders, contained a small number of closely related variants. The second type, characteristic for sustained responders, was composed of a large number of distantly associated equal-rank variants. Comparison of 445 HVR1 sequences showed that a significant number of variants present in non-responding patients are closely related, suggesting that certain, still unidentified properties of the pathogen may be key factors determining the result of CHC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Figlerowicz
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Child Neurology, Karol Marcinkowski University of Medical Sciences, Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paulina Jackowiak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Formanowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznań University of Technology, Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
| | - Paweł Kędziora
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznań University of Technology, Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Alejska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Nelli Malinowska
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
| | - Jacek Błażewicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
- Institute of Computing Science, Poznań University of Technology, Piotrowo 3A, 60-965 Poznań, Poland
| | - Marek Figlerowicz
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznań, Poland
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