{"title":"Global Vaccine Confidence at a Crossroads: Immunisation Coverage Declines, Misinformation, and the Future of Vaccine Policy.","authors":"Alfi Sophian, Normasari, Andhika Harumanto, Abinawanto","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70149","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Vaccination remains one of the most effective public health interventions; however, recent global trends indicate a reversal in routine immunisation coverage alongside resurgent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. This review synthesises current evidence on declining immunisation coverage, the re-emergence of diseases such as measles and poliomyelitis, and the growing influence of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation on vaccine uptake. A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and WHO/UNICEF databases was conducted using terms including 'vaccine hesitancy', 'immunisation coverage', 'vaccine-preventable diseases', 'misinformation', and 'vaccine policy', covering literature published between 2000 and 2024. We examine how pandemic-related disruptions, structural inequities, and evolving information ecosystems have collectively weakened immunisation system resilience across diverse settings. Beyond epidemiological consequences, declining coverage reflects broader challenges related to trust, governance, and equity in vaccine delivery. The review highlights the limitations of reactive, outbreak-driven approaches and emphasises the central role of strong routine immunisation systems embedded within primary healthcare. We discuss policy implications for integrating behavioural and social science insights, strengthening risk communication, and advancing equity-oriented immunisation governance. We conclude that sustaining and extending global immunisation gains will depend on aligning scientific innovation with public trust and system resilience. Addressing vaccine confidence as a core component of immunisation performance is essential to safeguarding global health security in the coming decade.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 3","pages":"e70149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147717844","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}
Nereida Valero-Cedeño, Anyelo Durán, Jesus A Mosquera
{"title":"Possible Effects of C-Reactive Protein in the Central Nervous System During Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Infection.","authors":"Nereida Valero-Cedeño, Anyelo Durán, Jesus A Mosquera","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70165","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is an alphavirus vectored by mosquitos. It can cause disease in equines and humans characterised by a febrile illness that may progress into encephalitis. Replication of VEEV in the central nervous system induces activation of glial cells and neurons, compromising the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inducing a state of neuroinflammation. This inflammation can lead to symptoms such as confusion, seizures, and coma, and sustained inflammation contributes to neurodegeneration. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a biomarker that has previously been associated with inflammation and infection. It is now known that its functions are related to various brain disorders. Circulating increased CRP levels correlate with alterations in brain structure and metabolism associated with cognitive vulnerability, suggesting the effect of CRP on brain cell biology. However, the fact that alphavirus (including VEEV) infection is accompanied by increased CRP production makes it likely that VEEV infection induces the production of this protein systemically and/or mediated by the activation of brain cells. This review highlights a role of CRP in the brain parenchyma, influencing various aspects of VEEV brain infection such as general inflammation, BBB permeability, hypoxia, apoptosis, interaction with different brain cells, and brain metabolism. The influence of CRP in the brain may exacerbate the inflammatory process induced by VEEV. The existence of several drugs with anti-CRP effects opens their use in the treatment of VEEV brain infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 3","pages":"e70165"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147960185","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}
Ravi Rai Dangi, Vipin Vageriya, Anil Sharma, Pragna Dabhi
{"title":"Chandipura Virus: A Neglected Sandfly-Borne Neurotropic Virus in Children - Insights From Seven Decades of Evidence.","authors":"Ravi Rai Dangi, Vipin Vageriya, Anil Sharma, Pragna Dabhi","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70119","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chandipura virus, a neurotropic RNA virus transmitted by Phlebotomus sandflies, remains an under-recognised cause of acute paediatric encephalitis in India. The 2024 outbreak, with 245 confirmed cases and 82 deaths, underscores its ongoing public health relevance. This review provides an integrated analysis of CHPV, encompassing its epidemiological distribution in India, host-agent-environment transmission dynamics, molecular and cellular pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, therapeutic options, and vaccine research. Evidence from 1950 to 2025, drawn from peer-reviewed studies, outbreak reports, and national surveillance databases, shows that CHPV primarily affects children younger than 15 years and causes abrupt fever, seizures, and coma within 24-48 h. The virus breaches the blood-brain barrier through cytokine-mediated permeability and induces neuronal apoptosis via Fas- and NF-κB-linked pathways, while genomic studies demonstrate overall stability across outbreaks. Diagnosis depends on RT-PCR and IgM ELISA, available only in reference laboratories. Experimental antivirals such as favipiravir and recombinant glycoprotein vaccines show promise in animal models but remain untested in humans. Strengthening molecular surveillance, integrating CHPV detection into India's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme, and investing in antiviral and vaccine development are crucial to reducing the recurring burden of this neglected childhood neurotropic arbovirus.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70119"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147326883","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":"Comparison of Azvudine and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in Hospitalised Patients With COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Tahoora Mousavi, Mahmood Moosazadeh, Hossein Jalali","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70114","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Azvudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and belongs to the family of 2', 3'-dideoxynucleoside (ddNs) that can mimic natural nucleosides and block viral DNA or RNA chain synthesis and prevent viral replication. Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, Azvudine has been used to treat patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the objective of this meta-analysis study was to compare Azvudine and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir in hospitalised patients. The global online databases were used to identify relevant studies published between January 2019 and October 2024. The quality of all articles was determined using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist. In this study, heterogeneity assay was assessed using the Cochran's Q-test and the I2 index, and STATA software version.14 (StataCorp) was used for statistical analysis. Egger's test, Begg's test, and funnel plot were performed to estimate of the publication bias, and the impact of each study on the overall estimate was assessed using sensitivity analysis. In this study, 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the relative risk of death in the Azvudine treatment group compared with the Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir treatment group was 0.64 (95% CI: 0. 44, 0. 93). These results suggest that treatment with Azvudine may provide significant clinical benefit in patients hospitalised with COVID-19.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70114"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146776627","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}
Dong Hyun Kim, Soojin Lim, Michael Eisenhut, Andreas Kronbichler, Eunyoung Kim, Min Seo Kim, Stefania I Papatheodorou, Justin Stebbing, Yonghong Peng, Sarah Soyeon Oh, Jae Il Shin, Lee Smith
{"title":"The Impact of Study Size on COVID-19 Treatment Outcomes: A Meta-Epidemiological Study Comparing Large and Small Randomized Controlled Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.","authors":"Dong Hyun Kim, Soojin Lim, Michael Eisenhut, Andreas Kronbichler, Eunyoung Kim, Min Seo Kim, Stefania I Papatheodorou, Justin Stebbing, Yonghong Peng, Sarah Soyeon Oh, Jae Il Shin, Lee Smith","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70125","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in COVID-19 meta-analyses have been associated with more favourable treatment effects and reduced result stability. This study assessed how trial size impacts effect estimates, statistical stability, and risk of bias. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified meta-analyses of COVID-19 treatments included in WHO, NIH, and the LIVING Project. Trials were classified by log-scale sample size, and separate pooled meta-analyses were conducted for large-only, small-only, and combined trials. Comparative metrics included the Ratio of Odds Ratios (ROR), Kappa statistics, Fragility Index (FI), Reverse Fragility Index (RFI), and Cochrane Risk of Bias assessments. Sensitivity analyses applied alternative size thresholds (≥ 1000 participants and median-based cutoffs) and stratified results by treatment and outcome type. Across 25 meta-analyses including 221 RCTs (46 large, 175 small), small trials produced more extreme estimates in 19 analyses and wider confidence intervals in 23. The pooled ROR was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.76-0.95; P = 0.004), decreasing to 0.81 (95% CI: 0.68-0.95; P = 0.011) when limited to small trials published before the first large trial. RORs remained below 1 across treatment and outcome types. Agreement between small and large trials was minimal, while large trials showed substantial agreement with overall estimates. Stability and bias profiles favoured large trials (FI: 14.0 vs. 4.0; RFI: 10.0 vs. 5.0). In conclusion, small RCTs tend to overestimate treatment effects and yield less precise, less stable results. Meta-analyses should prioritise large, high-quality trials and interpret small-study findings with caution, particularly in rapidly evolving research contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70125"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12966952/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147370109","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":"A Deep Dive Into Oncogenic Viruses Understanding Their Role in Cancer and Approaches for Prevention.","authors":"Neetesh Jindal, Bipin Bihari Mishra, Ashish Kumar, Sindhuprava Rana, Krishna Pandey, Ganesh Chandra Sahoo","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70121","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oncogenic viruses, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Merkel Cell Polyomavirus (MCPyV), Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), are significant contributors to cancer development, each through distinct mechanisms. EBV is recognised for its association with cancers such as Burkitt lymphoma and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. High-risk types of HPV are primarily connected to cervical cancer. KSHV plays a crucial role in the development of Kaposi's sarcoma, especially among individuals with compromised immune systems. Both HBV and HCV are implicated in liver cancer due to chronic infections and resultant inflammation. MCPyV is linked to aggressive skin cancers, while HTLV-1 can lead to leukemia and various neurological complications. Collectively, these viruses account for approximately 20% of all cancers globally, providing valuable insights into cancer pathogenesis and potential treatment avenues. Effective management of these viruses includes the use of vaccines such as Gardasil for HPV and antiviral medications for HBV and HCV. Treatment options for cancers associated with EBV, KSHV, and MCPyV encompass targeted therapies and surgical interventions. Preventive measures emphasise vaccination, safe practices to curb virus transmission, routine screenings, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ongoing research and public health initiatives are vital for enhancing prevention and treatment strategies, particularly in high-risk and resource-limited settings. By deepening our understanding of these viruses, we can improve the development of targeted therapies and strive to reduce the global burden of cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70121"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147276962","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":"An Update on Mpox: Focussing on Current and Emerging Antiviral Strategies.","authors":"Yizhuo Hou, Yu Su, Jixi Li, Jin Ding","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70116","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70116","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2022 global mpox outbreak and subsequent viral evolution have exposed critical limitations in current therapeutic strategies, which predominantly rely on repurposed smallpox drugs targeting a narrow range of viral proteins. This review provides a timely and comprehensive evaluation of the mpox antiviral landscape, spanning from established clinical agents to cutting-edge preclinical candidates. We critically analyse the 'clinical translation gap' observed in recent clinical trials (e.g., STOMP and PALM007), attributing the limited efficacy in mild cases to host immunopathological responses versus primary viral replication. Highlighting a strategic paradigm shift, we also discuss the 2025 breakthrough in covalent inhibitors targeting the conserved CorePro. Furthermore, we explore the integration of AI-assisted drug design and host-targeted therapies (HTTs) to elevate resistance barriers. By synthesising these emerging targets and multidimensional strategies, this review serves as a strategic roadmap for developing next-generation anti-mpox therapeutics with optimised efficacy and broader resistance profiles.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70116"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146207581","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":"Advances in Rapid Nucleic Acid Diagnostics for Hepatitis B and C Viruses: A Comprehensive Review.","authors":"Hsin-Ying Ho, Chia-Yen Dai, I-Jung Feng, Yen-Hsu Chen, Ming-Lung Yu, Che-Hsin Lin, Ling-Shan Yu","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70110","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70110","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic viral hepatitis, predominantly caused by HBV and HCV infections, remains a major global health burden and a leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-related mortality. Achieving the World Health Organisation (WHO) target of diagnosing 90% of HBV and HCV infections by 2030 necessitates a fundamental transition from centralised laboratory-based testing towards rapid, accessible, and decentralised diagnostic solutions. This review provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of the current diagnostic landscape for viral hepatitis, spanning established commercial assays and emerging nucleic acid testing (NAT) technologies. We systematically examine recent advances in biosensor-enabled diagnostics, with particular emphasis on the integration of isothermal amplification and CRISPR-based molecular recognition into electrochemical and field-effect transistor (FET) platforms. These electronic sensing technologies enable label-free signal transduction, scalable miniaturisation, and seamless integration with point-of-care (POC) workflows, thereby addressing key limitations of conventional diagnostic pipelines. In addition, we discuss persistent challenges in sample preparation, signal amplification, and system integration, and highlight strategies that couple biochemical amplification with solid-state electronics to streamline diagnostic workflows. By synthesising the state of the art and identifying critical technological bottlenecks, this review describes the technological progression of next-generation diagnostic platforms required to accelerate the global elimination of viral hepatitis and to improve patient outcomes through earlier and more equitable access to diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70110"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12966980/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146143465","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}
Mengli Gao, Yanmin Wu, Yan Chen, Tongying Hao, Xiaojing Sun, Jing Ji
{"title":"Disruption of Signalling Pathways Induced by HBV HBx, HCV Core, and EBV LMP1 in Gastric Cancer.","authors":"Mengli Gao, Yanmin Wu, Yan Chen, Tongying Hao, Xiaojing Sun, Jing Ji","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70090","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70090","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oncoviruses are a significant etiological factor in a substantial proportion of human cancers, with a particular impact on cancers of the digestive system. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex molecular mechanisms through which viral oncoproteins, focusing on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) HBx, Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) core protein, and Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), hijack and disrupt host cell signalling networks to induce carcinogenesis. These disruptions include the inactivation of critical tumour suppressor proteins, such as p53 and the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), the constitutive activation of pro-proliferative and pro-survival pathways, including NF-κB and Akt, and the induction of chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation. A deeper understanding of these precise molecular interactions is essential to advancing precision oncology, enabling the development of next-generation targeted therapies and immunotherapies that can address the unique vulnerabilities of virus-associated cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70090"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147284841","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":"Insights Into Highly Associated Co-Factors on HPV-Related Cervical Cancer.","authors":"Liyuan Zheng, Guangwei Zhao, Lili Zheng, Yujie Zou, Shengshuo Zhang, Jinhua Dong","doi":"10.1002/rmv.70131","DOIUrl":"10.1002/rmv.70131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cervical cancer ranks among the most prevalent malignancies, representing a substantial threat to women's health. The incidence of cervical cancer is strongly correlated with persistent infections by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types. Overall, the prevalence of HPV infection is high, with most cases being classified as recessive, latent, and subclinical. The predominant HPV types and overall infection rates exhibit variability across different tissue types, individuals, and regions. Numerous co-factors contribute to the processes underlying persistent HPV infection and carcinogenesis, including the microbiome, individual immune characteristics, and geographical population differences. Moreover, these factors affect the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in cancer treatment. This review aims to summarise several key factors associated with HPV-related cervical cancer and discuss their mechanisms in promoting carcinogenesis in HPV-related malignancies. The insights gained may inform the development of more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":21180,"journal":{"name":"Reviews in Medical Virology","volume":"36 2","pages":"e70131"},"PeriodicalIF":5.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147370098","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}