Virology Journal最新文献

{"title":"Transcriptomic analysis of DENV-2-infected human dermal fibroblasts identified potential mechanisms that suppressed ZIKV replication during sequential coinfection.","authors":"Chernkhwan Kaofai, Tuksin Jearanaiwitayakul, Khwankhao Saisingha, Jitra Limthongkul, Promsin Masrinoul, Sukathida Ubol","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02769-9","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02769-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) are closely related flaviviruses which are transmitted by the same species of mosquitoes. Due to overlapping geographic distributions and transmission vectors, cases of DENV-ZIKV coinfection have been reported. However, the impact of coinfection on disease outcomes remains unclear. In this study, an in vitro model of DENV-ZIKV coinfection was developed using the primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The interaction between DENV-2 and ZIKV during sequential coinfection revealed that prior DENV-2 infection significantly suppressed ZIKV RNA accumulation in the culture supernatant. Transcriptomic profile in response to DENV-2 infection suggested three hypothetical pathways that potentially interfere with ZIKV replication. The first mechanism is prior DENV infection drove HDFs into an antiviral state through upregulation of genes involving innate immune response pathways, including PRR signaling, type I and type II IFN signaling, ISG activity, and cytokine/chemokine activity. This state significantly enhanced resistance to subsequent ZIKV infection in both infected cells and uninfected neighboring cells. The second potential pathway is inhibition of viral entry. This was supported by DENV-2-infected HDFs significantly suppressed expression of ZIKV receptor and reduced expression of genes involving in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. This can interfere with entry of ZIKV into host cells. The last possible mechanism is driving cells into cell cycle arrest, as DENV-2 infection downregulated genes related to cell cycle progression, which may hinder ZIKV replication. These findings partly unfold the interplay between DENV and ZIKV at the entry site which may explain the disease outcome of DENV-ZIKV coinfection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"154"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096689/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120649","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"HPV-driven cancers: a looming threat and the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 for targeted therapy.","authors":"Atefeh Zamani Kermanshahi, Fatemeh Ebrahimi, Ahmad Taherpoor, Narges Eslami, Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02783-x","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02783-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cervical and other anogenital malignancies are largely caused by E6 and E7 oncogenes of high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which inhibit important tumor suppressors like p53 and pRb when they are persistently activated. The main goal of traditional treatments is to physically or chemically kill cancer cells, but they frequently only offer temporary relief, have serious side effects, and have a high risk of recurrence. Exploring the efficacy and accuracy of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in both inducing death in HPV-infected cancer cells and restoring the activity of tumor suppressors is our main goal. In this study, we propose a novel precision oncology strategy that targets and inhibits the detrimental effects of the E6 and E7 oncogenes using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. In order to do this, we create unique guide RNAs that target the integrated HPV DNA and reactivate p53 and pRb. Reactivation is meant to halt aberrant cell development and restart the cell's natural dying pathways. This review discusses the potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in targeting HPV oncogenes, with a focus on studies that have demonstrated its promise in cancer treatment. Given the absence of a definitive treatment for papillomavirus infection and its subsequent association with various cancers, future clinical trials and experimental investigations appear essential to establish and evaluate the therapeutic potential of CRISPR-based approaches. This approach provides a less invasive alternative to conventional treatments and opens the door to personalized care that considers the genetic makeup of each patient's tumor.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"156"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096790/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120604","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age-related distribution of human papillomavirus genotypes in women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma from Linyi, China, 2015-2023.","authors":"Yiming Wang, Haiyan Hou, Guanzheng Dong, Hanlin Zhang, Xiaohong Zhang, Yuxia Zhou, Mei Xue, Zhihui Wang, Jianxiang Geng, Lisai Liu","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02790-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02790-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Understanding the regional HPV genotype profile is critical for informing targeted vaccination strategies and optimizing cervical cancer screening programs to enhance their effectiveness. This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) in Linyi city, China, from 2015 to 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from 606 women histologically diagnosed with CSCC at Linyi Cancer Hospital between January 2015 and December 2023. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue samples. HPV genotyping was performed via gene chip-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. Temporal trends and age-specific variations in HPV genotype distribution were analyzed to provide a comprehensive epidemiological assessment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 94.7% among 606 women with CSCC. HPV 16 was the most prevalent genotype (80.5%), followed by HPV 18 (5.2%), HPV 33 (2.8%), HPV 31 (1.8%), and HPV 58 (1.8%). Single infections were predominant (95.5%), while coinfections were observed in 4.5% of the cases. Age-specific analysis revealed that non-HPV 16 infections were more prevalent in women aged > 45 years, with greater genotype diversity in older age groups. Temporal trends indicated a decline in the prevalence of younger CSCC patients (26-45 years), whereas the prevalence of older women significantly increased.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study revealed that HPV genotype diversity in CSCC patients varies with age, highlighting the need for age-stratified and personalized cervical cancer prevention strategies. Enhanced screening efforts for older women are essential because of the greater genotypes diversity in this group. Additionally, the observed trends in HPV prevalence over time suggest that HPV vaccination has effectively reduced the incidence of CSCC in women under 45 years of age. These findings emphasize the importance of expanding vaccination coverage and optimizing screening programs to further reduce the cervical cancer burden across different age groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"157"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12100862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144128793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hepatitis surface B antigen clearance induced by long-term tenofovir disoproxil fumarate monotherapy in chronic hepatitis B treatment: a meta-analysis and longitudinal modeling analysis.","authors":"Weizhe Jian, Yalin Yin, Junsheng Xue, Rong Chen, Jingwen Feng, Jiayao Zeng, Ruoyi He, Tianyan Zhou","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02788-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02788-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a significant global health challenge, with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) widely used as an effective treatment option. Despite TDF's efficacy in suppressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, it rarely achieves functional cure, requiring hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance or seroconversion, which are an optimal goal of CHB treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of TDF monotherapy on HBsAg clearance rates through a systematic review and meta-analysis, combined with a longitudinal modeling analysis to investigate HBsAg dynamics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eligible studies published between January 1st, 2008, and September 28th, 2023, in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The longitudinal model was developed based on data from 123 subjects in a Phase III trial cohort.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Twenty-three studies were selected for meta-analysis. The summarized HBsAg clearance rate was near zero and unlikely to increase with extended treatment. The longitudinal model of HBsAg dynamic in CHB patients receiving TDF monotherapy showed a good fitting performance and extrapolation predictive ability. Model-based simulation confirmed that HBsAg clearance remained unlikely with prolonged therapy, with median HBsAg levels reducing by 21% after 168 weeks.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The consistency between meta-analysis and model simulation outcomes indicated that TDF monotherapy can achieve a limited reduction in HBsAg levels but did not result in functional cure, which reinforced the limited role of TDF monotherapy in comprehensive CHB management.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"158"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12100987/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144128747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unlocking the secrets of Feline calicivirus: advances in structural and nonstructural proteins and its role as a key model for other Caliciviruses.","authors":"Sana Asif, Deng Yingkun, Chunchun Meng","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02750-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02750-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a highly contagious pathogen responsible for respiratory infections, lingual ulceration, oral ulcers and systemic diseases in cats, posing a significant risk to feline family worldwide. Virus enters via nasal oral and conjunctival routes. Oropharynx is primary site of replication, induces epithelial necrosis. After recovery from acute disease most cats clear virus within 30 days. Some lifelong carriers via colonization of tonsillar and other tissues. Understanding the structural and nonstructural proteins of FCV is essential to know viral replication process, its pathogenesis and interaction with host immune system. This manuscript outlines the recent progress made on the characterization of FCV proteins with respect to their involvement in viral assembly, entry, immune evasion, and replication. Although structural proteins such as capsid have received most attention regarding viral attachment and host specificity, but nonstructural proteins are emerging as key players in influencing host cell activities and viral RNA synthesis. This review highlights the requirement for advanced structural research methods, large-scale antiviral screening, and thorough investigations into FCV-host interactions. These studies will not only enable us fully understand FCV, but also promote the progress of more universally applicable virological research and drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"152"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096530/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120793","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An immune-based predictive model for HBV clearance: validation in multicenter cohorts and mechanistic insights from in vivo studies.","authors":"Rongzheng Zhang, Han Qiao, Kun Zhou, Xiaomei Ju, Xinyang Cao, Jianming Dong, Meng Wu, Le Yu, Shuyun Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02792-w","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02792-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Chronic HBV infection is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma, posing a significant global health burden. However, predictive models for HBV clearance based on immune biomarkers remain limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We systematically developed a predictive tool by quantifying mRNA expression levels of CD4⁺ T-cell subset transcription factors, cytokines, and immune checkpoints in PBMCs from chronic HBV patients and resolved HBV individuals using RT-qPCR. A binary logistic regression model was constructed in the training cohort, with performance evaluated by ROC and calibration curves, followed by internal and external validation in independent cohorts. For in vivo validation, an HBV-transfected mouse model was established via rapid tail vein injection of pGL3-CP-Fluc-HBV1.2_C2 plasmid. Outcomes included body weight, HBsAg/HBV DNA levels, and luciferase activity. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed cumulative clearance rates, while RT-qPCR tracked model-related mRNA dynamics in PBMCs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The model identified GATA3, FOXP3, IFNG, TNF, and HAVCR2 as key genes, demonstrating robust predictive accuracy for HBV clearance. Dose-specific temporal patterns of immune gene regulation were observed, revealing distinct immunomodulatory mechanisms between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study establishes a reliable immune-based predictive model for HBV clearance and highlights divergent immune responses in chronic versus resolved infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"153"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096729/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144120504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rapid visual detection of Monkeypox virus by one-step LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12b assay.","authors":"Jinlei Guo, Yunfeng Shan, Ge Hu, Xiaojuan Zhu, Kangchen Zhao, Tao Wu, Qiao Qiao, Ying Chi, Lunbiao Cui, Yiyue Ge","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02780-0","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02780-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection has garnered significant global attention due to its rising incidence and substantial public health implications. A rapid, sensitive, and accurate diagnostic method is urgently required to enable early intervention and effective management of MPXV outbreaks.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, we developed a novel one-step assay that integrates loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) with CRISPR/Cas12b in one-pot for the detection of MPXV. The entire detection process did not require opening the lid of the reaction tube and could be completed within 40 min using extracted viral nucleic acids, which is faster than real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). And the results could be interpreted through either real-time fluorescence or naked-eye visualization. The limit of detection (LOD) of the assay was demonstrated to be 6.5 copies per reaction and no cross-reactivity with other pathogens such as HSV, EBV, CVA16, EV-A71, and MV was found. Furthermore, when evaluated using 113 clinical samples, the assay achieved 100% sensitivity (71/71) and 100% specificity (42/42) compared to the qPCR.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In resource-limited settings, our method requires only a portable heat block or water bath and a blue light or ultraviolet flashlight for visual detection of MPXV, making it highly accessible. The integration of LAMP and CRISPR/Cas12b provides a robust, user-friendly platform for point-of-care testing, with promising potential for the rapid molecular diagnosis of infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"151"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12093717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) in 2025: emerging trends and insights from community and hospital-based respiratory panel analyses-a comprehensive review.","authors":"Keyhan Mohammadi, Samireh Faramarzi, Shakila Yaribash, Zahra Valizadeh, Erta Rajabi, Mohammad Ghavam, Reza Samiee, Bardia Karim, Mohammadreza Salehi, Arash Seifi, Maryam Shafaati","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02782-y","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02782-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a significant respiratory pathogen, primarily impacting young, elderly, and immunocompromised populations. While the clinical presentations are similar to those of other respiratory viruses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and SARS-CoV-2, they can still lead to serious complications. The virus primarily transmits via respiratory droplets, with outbreaks peaking during winter and spring. In resource-limited settings, administration of multiplex PCR assays is essential for precise diagnosis, yet it presents significant challenges. Recent studies indicate a 6.24% infection rate in hospitalized patients presenting with acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Enhanced surveillance and prevention are essential given the morbidity and mortality rates of hMPV, which are comparable to those of influenza and RSV. Effective management requires enhanced diagnostic tools, improved public health strategies, and continuous research into antiviral therapies and vaccines. This study highlighted the growing importance of hMPV as a respiratory pathogen, focusing on its seasonal patterns, clinical manifestations in at-risk populations, transmission dynamics, and diagnostic challenges compared to other respiratory viruses.</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"150"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12090560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144112142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of azvudine versus nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection and pre-existing liver diseases.","authors":"Guanyue Su, Feng Gao, Mengzhao Yang, Ling Wang, Lili Liang, Silin Li, Guangming Li, Na Han, Guotao Li, Guowu Qian, Shixi Zhang, Hong Luo, Donghua Zhang, Hongxia Liang, Zhigang Ren","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02771-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02771-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Azvudine and nirmatrelvir/ritonavir are recommended as priority treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection in China, but their effectiveness and safety in patients with pre-existing chronic liver diseases remains unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study of hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with chronic liver diseases in ten hospitals of Henan Province. Azvudine recipients were 2:1 propensity score matched with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients. Efficacy and safety were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis, multivariable Cox regression model, subgroup analysis, as well as sensitivity analyses.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 37606 hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2, 1355 azvudine recipients and 373 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients met the inclusion criteria. Patients with azvudine treatment showed comparable effectiveness to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir with regard to both all-cause death (P = 0.34) and composite disease progression (P = 0.32), even after adjusting for other covariates (all-cause death: HR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.574-1.128; composite disease progression: HR: 1.31, 95%CI: 0.999-1.723). Notably, compared with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, azvudine showed better effectiveness for patients with a comorbidity of primary malignant tumor in reducing all-cause death. Four sensitivity analyses further confirmed the robustness.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The effectiveness of azvudine may potentially comparable to nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with pre-existing liver diseases with respect to all-cause death and composite disease progression, without serious safety concerns. Due to the existence of potential biases, further studies still need to evaluate the efficacy of these two drugs.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (CT.gov identifier: NCT06349655).</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087163/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144102729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recurrence risk factors for chronic hepatitis B virus-infected patients who achieve functional cure with pegylated interferon-α-2b-based therapy: a multicenter pilot study.","authors":"Li-Jun Chang, Chun-Qiu Hao, Gui-Rong Rao, Lin-Li Xu, Jing Li, Yan Cheng, Li-Jun Zheng, Cun-Wen Wu, Han-Xian Chen, Ze-Ren Chen, Jian-Qi Lian, Shi-Hong Wu, Li-Min Luo, Wei-Lu Zhang, Ye Zhang","doi":"10.1186/s12985-025-02761-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s12985-025-02761-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance is an achievable treatment endpoint for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. Pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN-α) induces higher rate of HBsAg clearance than nucleos(t)ide analogues. However, the influencing factors associated with HBsAg recurrence have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence in chronic HBV-infected patients who achieved functional cure with PEG-IFN-α-2b-based treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. All patients received PEG-IFN-α-2b-based therapy, achieved HBV DNA negativity and HBsAg clearance, and were followed-up for at least 48 weeks after discontinuation of medications. The demographic data, as well as virological, serological, and biochemical indicators, were collected at baseline, therapy cessation, and during followed-up. Logistic regression analysis was subsequently performed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 101 chronic HBV-infected patients who achieved HBsAg loss with PEG-IFN-α-2b-based therapy were enrolled. The median treatment time was 24.00 (14.50, 37.50) weeks, and the median consolidation time was 11.00 (0.00, 24.00) weeks. HBsAg recurrence was found in 16 patients after a median 70.00 (48.00, 96.00) week follow-up, with a cumulative recurrence rate of 15.84%. A higher platelet count was associated with a slightly increased HBsAg recurrence risk at therapy cessation, whereas a shorter consolidation time was associated with an elevated HBsAg recurrence risk during followed-up. The appearance of anti-HBs presented a robustly reduced HBsAg recurrence risk at both therapy cessation and followed-up. No HBV DNA positivity or occurrence of end-stage liver disease was observed during treatment or followed-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The cumulative HBsAg recurrence rate was 15.84% after discontinuation of medications in chronic HBV-infected patients who achieved functional cure with PEG-IFN-α-2b-based therapy. The presence of anti-HBs reduced the HBsAg recurrence risk.</p><p><strong>Clinical trial registration: </strong>This trial is a part of ZhuFeng Project (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04035837) and a part of E-Cure Study (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05182463).</p>","PeriodicalId":23616,"journal":{"name":"Virology Journal","volume":"22 1","pages":"146"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12087174/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144102766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}