Infectious Agents and Cancer最新文献

{"title":"Mechanistic interactions between Plasmodium falciparum and Epstein-Barr virus in endemic Burkitt Lymphoma pathogenesis: a narrative review (2010-2026).","authors":"Natalia A Msami","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00780-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-026-00780-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Endemic Burkitt Lymphoma, characterized by an MYC translocation during B-cell activation, is an aggressive, fast-proliferating cancer that predominantly accounts for more than half of all childhood cancers in sub-Saharan Africa. Although a well-established epidemiologic association exists between Epstein-Barr virus infection and Plasmodium falciparum malaria, disentangling their mechanistic interactions in the pathogenesis of endemic Burkitt Lymphoma remains difficult. To address this challenge, a comprehensive narrative review of studies published between 2010 and 2026, was conducted. Evidence from mouse models, in vitro and ex vivo studies was synthesized to identify potential key effector cells, cytokine groups, and molecular pathways likely involved in fostering an immune environment that supports lymphomagenesis. The synthesized evidence informed the development of a speculative multi-hit model of endemic Burkitt Lymphoma, in which chronic Plasmodium falciparum exposure reconfigures the immune landscape through sustained inflammation, altered effector cell function, and impaired immune surveillance. Within this framework, these changes may subsequently facilitate Epstein-Barr virus persistence, intermittent B-cell reactivation, and cumulative genomic instability, ultimately increasing the likelihood of MYC translocations and the development of endemic Burkitt Lymphoma. The review also proposes incorporating emerging immune effector populations into this conceptual multi-hit model. Although several of the mechanistic relationships explored remain inferential, the framework identifies potential therapeutic and preventive immune targets that warrant further investigation in experimental and longitudinal human studies in high-burden regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148455723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HIV-associated malignancies in Tunisia: a 30-year retrospective cohort study from a North African perspective.","authors":"Sarra Yacoub, Manel Ben Selma, Souha Ghachem, Marien Ben Ticha, Hela Knani, Mariem Garma, Taghrid Tlili, Safouene Frini, Badreddine Sriha, Wissem Hachfi","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00779-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-026-00779-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Despite major advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-associated malignancies remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. In Tunisia, data on AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) and non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) among people living with HIV (PLWH) remain scarce.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a descriptive retrospective cohort study over a 30-year period (1994-2024) at Farhat Hached University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. All PLWH who developed at least one malignant neoplasm were included. Epidemiological, clinical, immunovirological, pathological, and outcome data were retrospectively collected and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 655 PLWH followed during the study period, 25 patients with a median age of 36 years developed malignancies, representing 3.8% of all PLWH. 27 malignancies were identified with 2 patients developing 2 distinct malignancies: a Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and a Non-AIDS-defining cancer (NADC). AIDS-defining cancers (ADC) predominated (81.5%), mainly KS (44.4%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (33.3%), while NADCs accounted for 18.5%. Cancer and HIV diagnoses were concomitant in 56% of patients (n = 14) and 92% of malignancies occurred within the first year following HIV diagnosis. Most patients presented with advanced immunodeficiency, with median CD4 counts at tumor diagnosis of 73 cells/mm³ for ADCs and 57 cells/mm³ for NADCs. Median overall survival was 1.9 years for ADCs and 3.7 years for NADCs.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In this North African cohort, HIV-associated malignancies were predominantly AIDS-defining and affected young adults with advanced immunosuppression, reflecting late HIV diagnosis for PLWH developing malignancies. Beyond strengthening early HIV testing and timely ART initiation, targeted patient education focusing on high-risk behaviors, along with efforts to reduce HIV-related stigma, are essential components to improve cancer prevention, early diagnosis, and outcomes among PLWH in resource-limited settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148446045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diverse non-vaccine high-risk HPV genotypes in rural Kerala: implications for cervical cancer prevention in an underserved population.","authors":"Anusha M Sharma, Sachin David, Parasmal Suresh, Sivadas Swathi Krishna, Neethu Puthalon Kunnath, Beena Karimbuvayalil Vasudevan, Lalitha Biswas, Keechilat Pavithran","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00778-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-026-00778-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The distribution of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) genotypes varies across populations and directly influences cervical cancer prevention strategies. Data from underserved rural populations remain limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A community-based screening study was conducted among 358 women from rural and tribal regions of Kerala, India. High-risk HPV was detected using real-time PCR, and non-16/18 genotypes were identified through L1 gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of hrHPV infection was 2.23% (8/358). Detected genotypes included HPV16, HPV31, HPV35, HPV45, HPV66, and HPV70. All detected infections were due to high-risk HPV genotypes, of which three were non-vaccine high-risk types. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close similarity with globally circulating strains.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite low prevalence, the presence of diverse non-vaccine hrHPV genotypes highlights a potential gap between circulating strains and current vaccine coverage. These findings highlight the importance of continued region-specific HPV surveillance in underserved populations and provide baseline epidemiological data for future studies evaluating cervical cancer prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148411825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dynamic, transition and variation of cervicovaginal microbiome and HPV infection and cervical dysplasia and cancer: a systematic review.","authors":"Gbenankpon Mathias Houvessou, Nerys Wendy Antonieta Alfane, Manuel Mahoche","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00777-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-026-00777-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide, with approximately 660,000 new cases and 350,000 deaths annually. The burden falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries. Although persistent infection with high-risk HPV (hrHPV) is the necessary cause, most infected women clear the virus spontaneously, implicating additional cofactors, including the cervicovaginal microbiome in determining oncogenic outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>PubMed was searched through September 10, 2024, to identify longitudinal studies assessing cervicovaginal microbiota in relation to HPV infection or cervical lesion outcomes at two or more time points. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Given the substantial heterogeneity, a structured thematic synthesis was performed across three predefined domains: (a) baseline microbiome composition and clinical outcomes; (b) community state type (CST) dynamics and temporal stability; and (c) microbiome changes following treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twelve studies enrolling 1,663 women across 11 countries met inclusion criteria. NOS scores ranged from 4 to 9. Lactobacillus-dominated CSTs at baseline were consistently associated with HPV clearance and CIN regression, while Lactobacillus-depleted states showed higher transition rates and unfavourable outcomes. Prior L.iners (CST III) dominance was repeatedly linked to favourable outcomes, although evidence on this species remains conflicting. Cervicovaginal dysbiosis frequently preceded HPV persistence or lesion progression.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sustained Lactobacillus-dominated CST stability, rather than dominance by any single species, is the most consistent microbiome factor associated with favourable HPV and cervical lesion outcomes. Standardized longitudinal designs incorporating metagenomic sequencing, frequent sampling intervals, and rigorous confounder adjustment are needed to advance mechanistic understanding.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148404509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interoperability of two commercial kits in detecting high oncogenic human papilloma virus and genetic diversity in Cameroon: implications for cervical cancer screening strategies in resource-limited settings.","authors":"Michel Carlos Tommo Tchouaket, Jeremiah Efakika Gabisa, Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue, Larissa Gaelle Moko Fotso, Valentine Marie Ferré, Bernadette Fokou Bomgning, Keriane Diane Kambou Kountchou, Alex Durand Nka, Nadine Nguendjoung Fainguem, Yagai Bouba, Désiré Takou, Rachel Kamgaing, Aude Christelle Ka'e, Collins Ambe Chenwi, Samuel Martin Sosso, Charlotte Charpentier, Carlo-Federico Perno, Vittorio Colizzi, Fon Wilfred Mbacham, Joseph Fokam, Alexis Ndjolo","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00775-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-026-00775-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cameroon lacks a national screening algorithm for Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. In order to standardize HPV screening using molecular detection tools in Cameroon, this study aimed to evaluate the concordance of HPV detection via two multiplex systems and profile the epidemiology of High-risk oncogenic HPV (HR-HPV) circulating locally.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted on endocervical samples collected among women in Cameroon. HR-HPV detection and genotyping was done using Abbott and Sacace kits simultaneously. Discordant results were retested using Anyplex II HPV28 kit.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 364 participants enrolled (median-age: 42 [IQR:34-50] years), overall HR-HPV positivity was 21.4% (78/364) versus 15.4% (56/364) using Abbott and Sacace, respectively. Detection concordance between the test kits was strong (kappa-value = 0.8). Of 22 samples with discordant results, 86.36% (19/22) were further confirmed with Anyplex II HPV28; yielding an overall HR-HPV positivity prevalence of 20.6% (75/364), with 12 genotypes circulating. The most prevalent genotypes were HR-HPV_16 (18.8%), HR-HPV_18 (16.0%), HR-HPV_39 (16.0%), and HR-HPV_58 (13.0%). Discrepancy in the detection of different and/or same genotype was more prominent for HPV 18 (6/9). Though Sacace is suitable to further discriminate among genotypes, cost-analysis showed that Abbott was 50.6% cheaper in reagents per test.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study revealed a strong concordance between Abbott and Sacace kits for HR-HPV detection, demonstrating interoperability of these two multiplex systems available locally.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13343902/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148396710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"CD44 expression associates with EBV LMP1, reduced CD8⁺ T cell infiltration, and lower PD-L1 combined positive score in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.","authors":"Amani Sammoud, Nehla Mokni Baizig, Salma Kamoun, Alia Methnani, Yosr Zenzri, Alia Mousli, Maha Driss","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00776-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13027-026-00776-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated malignancy characterized by a highly immune-infiltrated yet clinically heterogeneous tumor microenvironment. Iron metabolism has been proposed as a potential determinant of tumor progression and immune regulation. CD44 and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) represent two distinct iron uptake pathways, but their relative contribution to EBV-driven NPC and immune modulation remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sixty-eight NPC biopsies from a Tunisian cohort were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for CD44, TfR1, EBV LMP1, PD-L1, CD8, FoxP3, and CD163. Associations with clinicopathological parameters and immune infiltrates were assessed using chi-square and Spearman correlation tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>High CD44 expression was observed in 48.5% of cases and was significantly associated with lymph node involvement (p = 0.012) and TNM stage (p = 0.042). CD44 expression positively correlated with LMP1 (r = 0.463, p = 0.001). In contrast, CD44 was inversely correlated with CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration (r = - 0.283, p = 0.019) and PD-L1 combined positive score (CPS) (r = - 0.247, p = 0.042). A significant positive correlation was observed between LMP1 and PD-L1 expression, both for tumor proportion score (TPS) (r = 0.341, p = 0.003) and CPS (r = 0.345, p = 0.002). In contrast, TfR1 expression was associated with advanced tumor stage (p = 0.022) but showed no significant relationship with immune parameters or LMP1. CD44 and TfR1 expression were inversely correlated (r = - 0.250, p = 0.040), suggesting alternative iron acquisition pathways.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our findings suggest that CD44 may act as a key regulator linking iron metabolism and immune modulation in EBV-associated NPC. Although direct iron measurements were not performed, the observed associations with reduced CD8⁺ T-cell infiltration are consistent with a potential role of CD44 in shaping an immune-restricted tumor microenvironment. These results provide integrative evidence of a CD44-iron-immune axis in a Tunisian NPC cohort and highlight CD44 as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148351893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correlation between viral load and cervical squamous lesion severity in single and multiple infections: a large-scale analysis.","authors":"Ting Xu, Jing Zhao, Jiaqi Wu, Yanyan Wang, Xiaoli Liu, Baokun Zhou, Yan Huang, Xiaotong Guo, Yunde Dou, Yunyun Gong, Jianli Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00770-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-026-00770-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study examined the association between high risk human papillomavirus viral load and cervical squamous lesions using the Cobas 4800 assay and evaluated its potential as an indicator for identifying CIN2+, and analyzed the impact of multiple infections on viral load and disease risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 3,838 women who underwent hr-HPV testing were included. The Cobas 4800 assay provided cycle threshold values, which were used as indirect measures of viral load. These values were correlated with histopathological diagnoses obtained within three months of HPV testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among all participants, 1,660 had normal histology, 900 had CIN1, 1,019 had CIN2/3, and 259 had SCC. HPV16 Ct values decreased with increasing lesion severity in both single and multiple infections, whereas HPV18 and the 12 other hr-HPV types showed no clear correlation with lesion grade. Multiple HPV infections involving HPV16 were not associated with an increased risk of CIN2 + compared with HPV16 single infection. For both HPV16 and HPV18, Ct values did not differ significantly across CIN1, CIN2/3, and SCC between single and multiple infections. ROC curve analysis of HPV16 single infections identified a Ct threshold of 32.25 for identifying CIN2+, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72, a sensitivity of 80.7%, and a specificity of 54.4%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HPV16 viral load is correlated with cervical squamous lesions, irrespective of single or multiple infections. HPV16 viral load may serve as a biomarker for indicating cervical squamous lesion occurrence. In this study, no positive association was observed between co-infection and high-grade lesions, and viral loads did not differ significantly between single and multiple infection groups. Integrating viral load assessment into clinical evaluation could thus enable more individualized risk stratification and patient management.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial number: </strong>Not applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13543547/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148307998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Point-of-care hrHPV mRNA detection with reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification on a portable fluorimeter from provider-collected cervical samples in Maputo, Mozambique.","authors":"Emilie Newsham Novak, Cannon J Hansen, Zoha Wazir, Ariel Ma, Jennifer Carns, Hira Atif, Jane R Montealegre, Michael E Scheurer, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Daniel G Rosen, Mila P Salcedo, Kathleen M Schmeler, Rebecca R Richards-Kortum","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00772-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-026-00772-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women in Mozambique, where limited screening infrastructure contributes to high disease burden. While testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) DNA can identify women at risk for cervical cancer, its limited specificity may lead to overtreatment in screen-and-treat programs, straining resources. We performed a pilot study to evaluate preliminary feasibility of a novel, accessible test to detect hrHPV mRNA, a more specific biomarker for cervical cancer risk, from 22 women who previously screened positive for visual inspection with acetic acid at Maputo Central Hospital in Mozambique.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Cervicovaginal samples were analyzed for hrHPV DNA using the Xpert HPV test. RNA was extracted from samples using a benchtop spinner instead of a centrifuge. Isothermal reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assays targeting HPV 16, 18, and 45 mRNA, plus a cellular control were performed on a portable fluorimeter with results compared to the gold standard portable reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cervical biopsies were obtained and submitted for histopathologic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>RT-RPA and RT-qPCR results were in 100% agreement (22/22). The sample-to-answer times were 1.5 h for the RT-RPA test and 3.75 h for RT-qPCR. All RT-RPA-positive samples were Xpert-positive for the same HPV type. Two Xpert-positive samples were RT-RPA-negative; four were positive for high-risk HPV types other than 16, 18, or 45. RT-RPA had a higher positive predictive value (100%) for high grade lesions by biopsy than Xpert (73%). Xpert had a higher negative predictive value (82%) than RT-RPA (71%) for high grade lesions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study demonstrates the potential feasibility of novel point-of-care hrHPV mRNA testing in a low-income country. Additional work is needed before this test is clinically relevant and deployable in resource-limited settings.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>This study was registered on 2022-04-25 on clinicaltrials.gov under registration number NCT05372484.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13393838/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148307965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Motivations and hesitations for cervical cancer screening: considerations for scale-up of human papilloma virus (HPV) testing within HIV care in Zimbabwe.","authors":"Phibion Manyanga, Anjali Vasavada, Sandra Murwira, Lucia Gondongwe, Ponesai Nyika, Brian K Moyo, Gloria Gonese, Batsirai Makunike-Chikwinya, Stefan Wiktor, Kerry A Thomson","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00773-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-026-00773-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Consistent with WHO guidance Zimbabwe is transitioning from annual single visit screen-and-treat using visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography (VIAC) to HPV testing every three years to screen women living with HIV (WLHIV) for cervical cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We administered a questionnaire at three public-sector facilities in Zimbabwe to understand reasons why WLHIV accept or decline VIAC and preferences for implementation of HPV testing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 451 WLHIV completed the questionnaire, of whom 414 (91.8%) accepted VIAC screening and 37 (8.2%) declined screening. Close to 50% of the 37 women who declined screening indicated a preference for HPV testing. The majority of WLHIV (76.3%) had known their HIV positive status for ≥ 5 years and nearly all (99.8%) were on antiretroviral therapy. Among the 414 WLHIV accepting VIAC screening, 323 (78.0%) were re-screening, and 91 (22.2%) were screening for the first time. WLHIV accepting VIAC re-screening were motivated by healthcare workers helping them feel secure about their health (45.8%), compliance with annual screening recommendations (39.6%), and encouragement from a healthcare worker (8.0%). Those accepting VIAC screening for the first time were motivated by encouragement from a healthcare worker (39.6%), compliance with annual screening recommendations (38.5%), and helping them feel secure about their health (17.6%). When asked what screening approach they would prefer in the future, the majority of women accepting re-screening (70.3%) and first-time screeners (89%) indicated a preference for continuing with VIAC screening. The 93 WLHIV with a screening history who indicated a preference for HPV testing were evenly split between preferring provider-collected sampling (13.9%) and self-collected sampling at the health facility (13.6%). Fear of physical discomfort of a pelvic exam (54.1%), worry about the screening result (13.5%), and perceived side effects of VIAC (10.8%) were the most common reasons given by the 37 WLHIV who declined VIAC.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Facilities transitioning to HPV testing will need to incorporate client-centered education that acknowledges existing individual commitment to VIAC, explains the benefits of HPV testing, and offers HPV self-sampling for WLHIV who are hesitant to undergo a pelvic exam.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13536546/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148283412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combined C-terminal truncation and point mutations in HBx in genotype D1 HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.","authors":"Miao Yu, Ali Sameer Alkhawaja, Hamidreza Mollaei, Zokirova Fazila, Rizaev Jasur, Elahe Mosayebnejad Roudbaneh, Elham Mosayebnejad Roudbaneh, Kamyar Mazloum Jalali","doi":"10.1186/s13027-026-00771-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13027-026-00771-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with the X protein (HBx) playing a central role in viral replication and host-virus interactions. Genetic variability within HBx, particularly in genotype D1, may influence disease progression through structural and functional alterations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, the HBx region from an HBV-infected patient with HCC was analyzed using high-resolution melting (HRM) and direct sequencing. The obtained sequence was compared with a genotype D1 reference, followed by in silico structural interpretation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sequence analysis revealed a distinct mutational profile characterized by multiple amino acid substitutions within the transactivation domain, including H94R, S101S (synonymous), L116S, and V131T, along with a C-terminal truncation spanning amino acids 142-154 (C-terminal deletion/truncation). These alterations were located within or adjacent to functionally important regions, including domains implicated in transcriptional regulation, mitochondrial signaling, and protein-protein interactions. HRM analysis demonstrated a shift in melting temperature consistent with altered nucleotide composition. Structural interpretation suggested that the combined presence of point mutations and C-terminal truncation may contribute to localized conformational changes and altered interaction potential, although no definitive functional conclusions can be drawn.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The identified HBx variant represents a complex mutational pattern involving both non-synonymous substitutions and a C-terminal truncation, which may reflect a multi-step process of structural and functional perturbations. This observation expands the current understanding of HBx variability in genotype D1 HBV and highlights the potential relevance of combined mutational profiles in the context of HBV-associated hepatocarcinogenesis. Further studies are required to clarify the biological significance of these findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":13568,"journal":{"name":"Infectious Agents and Cancer","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13523222/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148277408","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}