{"title":"Is Zika Virus an Emerging TORCH Agent? An Invited Commentary.","authors":"Mohammad Zare Mehrjardi","doi":"10.1177/1178122X17708993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178122X17708993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne arbovirus from the family <i>Flaviviridae</i>, which had caused some epidemics since its discovery in 1947 without any significant impacts on public health. In 2015, however, a 20-fold increase in congenital microcephaly cases in northeastern Brazil was attributed to prenatally acquired ZIKV infection. Traditionally, TORCH agents have 4 common characteristics including causing a mild illness in infected mother, vertical transmission to fetus, developing several anomalies in the affected fetus, and in some instances, maternal therapy may not ameliorate fetal prognosis. Prenatal ZIKV infection has shown the aforementioned characteristics during the recent epidemics in South America and the Caribbean region; therefore, it should be considered as an emerging TORCH agent that may seriously threaten public health. Fetal ultrasound can be used as a safe, inexpensive, and easy-to-access imaging modality for detecting suspicious cases of congenital Zika syndrome in utero and suggesting confirmatory diagnostic examinations to these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178122X17708993","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35058043","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trends of Dengue Disease Epidemiology.","authors":"Cucunawangsih, Nata Pratama Hardjo Lugito","doi":"10.1177/1178122X17695836","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178122X17695836","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dengue disease is an emerging mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted between humans by <i>Aedes</i> spp. that are distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical region along with chikungunya and zika diseases. The distribution of dengue disease is influenced by local variation, such as geography, rainfall, temperature, and rapid urbanization or migration. The epidemy of mosquito-borne infection significantly led to increased number of cases and hyperendemicity which induce a more severe form of dengue accompanied by cocirculation of chikungunya and zika. The rapid global spreading of dengue disease created public health burdens that are presently unfulfilled by the absence of specific therapy, simple diagnosis tool for the early phase, and effective and efficient vector control system. This review highlights the current situation of dengue distribution, epidemiology, and new strategies for early dengue diagnosis and risk prediction of severity that can be used to improve oversight and alleviate the heavy burden of the disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178122X17695836","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"35058042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmed M Ashshi, Saad Alghamdi, Adel G El-Shemi, Sabir Almdani, Bassem Refaat, Amr M Mohamed, Hani O Ghazi, Esam I Azhar, Faisal A Al-Allaf
{"title":"Seroprevalence of Asymptomatic Dengue Virus Infection and Its Antibodies Among Healthy/Eligible Saudi Blood Donors: Findings From Holy Makkah City.","authors":"Ahmed M Ashshi, Saad Alghamdi, Adel G El-Shemi, Sabir Almdani, Bassem Refaat, Amr M Mohamed, Hani O Ghazi, Esam I Azhar, Faisal A Al-Allaf","doi":"10.1177/1178122X17691261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/1178122X17691261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Threat to blood transfusion-transmitted dengue virus (DENV) and its antibodies has recently emerged worldwide. Dengue fever is an endemic disease in Saudi Arabia, particularly in its Western region. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of asymptomatic DENV infection and its antibodies among eligible Saudi blood donors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Serum samples from 910 healthy/eligible adult male Saudi blood donors, who reside in Holy Makkah City of Saudi Arabia, were collected between March 2015 and August 2016 and screened for the detection of DENV nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) antigen and anti-DENV IgM and IgG antibodies using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (Panbio, Brisbane, QLD, Australia).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the tested donors, 48 (5.3%) were seropositive for DENV-NS1 antigen, whereas 50 (5.5%) and 354 (38.9%) were seropositive for anti-DENV IgM and IgG antibodies, respectively. Seropositivity for DENV-NS1 antigen and/or anti-DENV IgM antibody among the tested donors reflects their ongoing asymptomatic viremic infectious stage with DENV during their donation time, whereas high prevalence of anti-DENV IgG seropositivity reflects the high endemicity of dengue disease in this region of Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results show high prevalence of asymptomatic DENV infection and its antibodies among Saudi blood donors, raising the importance of establishing blood screening for dengue disease at different blood donation services and units in Saudi Arabia to improve the guarantee of blood transfusions and to control DENV dissemination.</p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1177/1178122X17691261","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34964058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Jamjoom, E. Azhar, Moujahid A Kao, R. M. Radadi
{"title":"Seroepidemiology of Asymptomatic Dengue Virus Infection in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia","authors":"G. Jamjoom, E. Azhar, Moujahid A Kao, R. M. Radadi","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S34187","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S34187","url":null,"abstract":"Background Although virologically confirmed dengue fever has been recognized in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, since 1994, causing yearly outbreaks, no proper seroepidemiologic studies on dengue virus have been conducted in this region. Such studies can define the extent of infection by this virus and estimate the proportion that may result in disease. The aim of this study was to measure the seroprevalence of past dengue virus infection in healthy Saudi nationals from different areas in the city of Jeddah and to investigate demographic and environmental factors that may increase exposure to infection. Methods Sera were collected from 1984 Saudi subjects attending primary health care centers in six districts of Jeddah. These included general patients of various ages seeking routine vaccinations, antenatal care or treatment of different illnesses excluding fever or suspected dengue. A number of blood donors were also tested. Serum samples were tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for IgG antibodies to dengue viruses 1, 2, 3, 4. A questionnaire was completed for each patient recording various anthropometric data and factors that may indicate possible risk of exposure to mosquito bites and dengue infection. Patients with missing data and those who reported a history of dengue fever were excluded from analysis, resulting in a sample of 1939 patients to be analyzed. Results The overall prevalence of dengue virus infection as measured by anti-dengue IgG antibodies from asymptomatic residents in Jeddah was 47.8% (927/1939) and 37% (68/184) in blood donors. Infection mostly did not result in recognizable disease, as only 19 of 1956 subjects with complete information (0.1%) reported having dengue fever in the past. Anti dengue seropositivity increased with age and was higher in males than females and in residents of communal housing and multistory buildings than in villas. One of the six districts showed significant increase in exposure rate as compared to the others. Availability of public sewage was associated with lower infection at a nearly significant level. No other clear risk factors were identifiable. Infection was not related to travel abroad. Conclusions Our results indicate a relatively high exposure of Jeddah residents to infection by dengue viruses, which must be considered endemic to this region. Infection largely remained asymptomatic or was only associated with minor illness for which patients did not seek treatment. These results call for continued vigilance for clinical cases of dengue that may arise from this wide exposure. They also call for more extensive control efforts to reduce exposure to and transmission of dengue viruses.","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89411006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohamed Ms Farag, Ahmed R Sofy, Adel A Mousa, Mohamed A Ahmed, Mohamed R Alganzory
{"title":"Molecular Assay and Genotyping of Hepatitis C Virus among Infected Egyptian and Saudi Arabian Patients.","authors":"Mohamed Ms Farag, Ahmed R Sofy, Adel A Mousa, Mohamed A Ahmed, Mohamed R Alganzory","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S32016","DOIUrl":"10.4137/VRT.S32016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem recognized globally. HCV is a common cause of liver fibrosis that may lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and genotyping among Egyptian and Saudi Arabian chronic patients using different molecular techniques. HCV RNA viral load was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technology. For HCV genotyping, RT-PCR hybridization fluorescence-based method and reverse hybridization line probe assay (INNO-LiPA) were used. A total of 40 anti-HCV-positive patients with chronic hepatitis C were examined for HCV RNA, genotyping, and different laboratory investigations. In the present study, HCV genotypes 4, mixed 4.1b, and 1 were detected in patients of both countries, while genotype 2 was only detected in Saudi Arabian patients. Genotyping methods for HCV showed no difference in the classification at the genotype level. With regard to HCV subtypes, INNO-LiPA assay was a reliable test in HCV genotyping for the detection of major genotypes and subtypes, while RT-PCR-based assay was a good test at the genotype level only. HCV genotype 4 was found to be the predominant genotype among Egyptian and Saudi Arabian chronic patients. In conclusion, data analysis for detecting and genotyping HCV was an important factor for understanding the epidemiology and treatment strategies of HCV among Egyptian and Saudi Arabian chronic patients. </p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4603572/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34296524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I. Nasir, A. Ahmad, A. Emeribe, M. Shehu, Jessy Thomas Medugu, A. Babayo
{"title":"Molecular Detection and Clinical Implications of HTLV-1 Infections among Antiretroviral Therapy-Naïve HIV-1-Infected Individuals in Abuja, Nigeria","authors":"I. Nasir, A. Ahmad, A. Emeribe, M. Shehu, Jessy Thomas Medugu, A. Babayo","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S35331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S35331","url":null,"abstract":"Background Individuals with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type-1 (HTLV-1)/HIV-1 coinfection have been demonstrated to undergo CD4+ lymphocytosis even in the face of immunodeficiency and increased vulnerability to opportunistic pathogens that can lead to poor prognosis. Objective This study investigated the prevalence as well as the effects of HIV-1/HTLV-1 coinfection on CD4+ cell counts, routine hematology, and biochemical parameters of study participants. Materials and Methods This prospective cross-sectional study involved 184 blood samples collected from HIV-1-seropositive individuals attending HIV-special clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Nigeria. These samples were analyzed for anti-HTLV-1/2 IgM antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, CD4+ cell counts, and some routine hematological and biochemical parameters. All samples were also tested for HTLV-1 provirus DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results Of the 184 subjects studied, 9 (4.9%) were anti-HTLV-1/2 IgM seropositive; however, upon real-time PCR testing, 12 (6.5%) had detectable HTLV-1 provirus DNA. The CD4+ cell count was significantly high in HTLV-1-positive (742 ± 40.2) subjects compared to their HTLV-1-negative (380 ± 28.5) counterpart (P-value = 0.025). However, there was no significant association between HTLV-1 positivity with other hematology and biochemical parameters studied (P > 0.05). Conclusion All subjects (100%) who were HTLV-1/HIV-1-coinfected had normal CD4+ counts. This gives contrasting finding on the true extent of immunodeficiency of subjects. So it is suggested to be very careful in using only CD4+ counts to monitor disease progression and as indicators for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings. In such conditions, there may be a need to test for HTLV-1 alongside HIV viral loads in order to begin appropriate ART regimens that contain both pathogens.","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89536994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
U. Saeed, Yasir Waheed, Muhammad Ashraf, U. Waheed, Sadia Anjum, M. Afzal
{"title":"Estimation of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Different Clinical Parameters in the Thalassemic Population of Capital Twin Cities of Pakistan","authors":"U. Saeed, Yasir Waheed, Muhammad Ashraf, U. Waheed, Sadia Anjum, M. Afzal","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S31744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S31744","url":null,"abstract":"Hepatitis B and C are serious public health problems worldwide. Thalassemia patients are dependent on blood transfusions throughout their life and are at high risk of viral infections. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B/C infections and different clinical parameters in multitransfused thalassemia population. In this study, 262 multitransfused β-thalassemia patients were enrolled from the capital twin cities of Pakistan. The presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, serum creatinine, serum ferritin, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and splenectomy were analyzed. The overall prevalence of HBV and HCV was 3.08% and 55.73%, respectively, with 100% of patients older than 20 years had HCV infection. The ALT levels among HBV- and HCV-positive thalassemia patients were 92.62 ± 41.57 U/L and 98 ± 63.65 U/L, respectively; creatinine values observed were 0.4 ± 0.35 mg/dL (for HBV) and 0.39 ± 0.24 mg/dL (for HCV), while serum ferritin levels were 6865.87 ± 1649.13 ng/dL (for HBV) and 5445.95 ± 3059.28 ng/dL (for HCV). A total of 74.8% and 82.20% of HBV- and HCV-positive patients had hepatomegaly with an average increase in liver size of 4.17 and 4.33 cm, respectively. Splenomegaly was observed in 64.9% and 67.12% of HBV- and HCV-positive patients with an average increase in spleen size of 4 and 4.46 cm, respectively. Splenectomy was observed among 14.50% and 15.75% of HBV- and HCV-infected thalassemia patients. There is a strong need to properly screen blood before transfusions to reduce the future load of viral hepatitis from Pakistan.","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74629359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Surajudeen A Junaid, Samuel E Agina, Khadijah A Abubakar
{"title":"Epidemiology and associated risk factors of hepatitis e virus infection in plateau state, Nigeria.","authors":"Surajudeen A Junaid, Samuel E Agina, Khadijah A Abubakar","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S15422","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S15422","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A cross-sectional study in Nigeria was undertaken to determine the epidemiology, seroprevalence, and associated risk factors, of hepatitis E virus (HEV). A total of 462 subjects were used for the study, categorized into four groups: apparently healthy persons, pregnant women, HIV positive subjects, and animal handlers. Information was obtained from subjects using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for HEV antibodies (IgG and IgM) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 statistical software. The overall seroprevalence of IgG and IgM was 42.7 and 0.9%, respectively. Animal handlers had the highest seroprevalence (66.7%). The associated risk factors for IgM seroprevalence were rural dwelling (P = 0.039, odds ratio (OR) 3.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7-15.4), blood transfusion (P < 0.001, OR 9.6, 95% CI 2.6-35.6), attending to animals (P = 0.032, OR 4.9, 95% CI 0.9-26.6), and waste disposal (P < 0.001). Factors associated with IgG were age (P = 0.044), location (P < 0.001), marital status (P < 0.001), formal education (P < 0.001), farming as occupation (P < 0.001), rural dwelling (P = 0.001), waste disposal (P < 0.001), alcohol consumption (P = 0.001, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-4.0), open defecation (P < 0.001, OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-5.7), attending to animals (P < 0.001, OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.6-3.4), consuming unwashed fruits/vegetables (P < 0.001, OR 4.2, 95% CI 0.3-54.1), and stream/river as a source of drinking water (P < 0.001, OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.6-7.8). Preventive public health measures should be reinforced among all communities, particularly domestic animal handlers and pregnant women. Potable water should be provided for all communities. Data suggest that HEV remains an under-recognized and significant public health problem, warranting further attention and research. </p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/VRT.S15422","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32911525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Molecular characteristics of rotavirus isolated from a diarrhea outbreak in october 2008 in bintuni bay, papua, indonesia.","authors":"Eka Pratiwi, Vivi Setiawaty, Rudi Hendro Putranto","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S13555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S13555","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Viral diarrhea continues to be a health problem in Indonesia that often causes outbreaks; in particular, acute viral diarrhea in young children. Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under two years of age. This study aimed to determine the genotypes of rotavirus in Bintuni Bay, Papua.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Stool specimens from 15 patients were collected and analyzed for rotavirus using an enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Subsequently, we sequenced the genetic material of rotavirus positive samples by RT-PCR and analyzed the results using Mega-4 software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two rotavirus serotypes were identified from the diarrhea outbreak in Bintuni, Papua in October 2008: serotype G1 with G1P[6] (50%) and G1P[8] (16.7%) strains, and serotype G2 with G2P[4] (23.3%) strain. Phylogenetic tree analyses of VP7 protein showed that rotavirus-infected diarrhea in Bintuni Bay, Papua at that time was dominated by the G1 serotype (83%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The laboratory results showed that G1 serotype rotavirus was a cause of the outbreak of diarrhea in October 2008 in Bintuni, Papua.</p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/VRT.S13555","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32911524","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Is Infant Immunity Actively Suppressed or Immature?","authors":"Ana L Gervassi, Helen Horton","doi":"10.4137/VRT.S12248","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4137/VRT.S12248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Almost 7 million children under the age 5 die each year, and most of these deaths are attributable to vaccine-preventable infections. Young infants respond poorly to infections and vaccines. In particular, dendritic cells secrete less IL-12 and IL-18, CD8<sup>pos</sup> T cells and NK cells have defective cytolysis and cytokine production, and CD4<sup>pos</sup> T cell responses tend to bias towards a Th2 phenotype and promotion of regulatory T cells (T<sub>regs</sub>). The basis for these differences is not well understood and may be in part explained by epigenetic differences, as well as immaturity of the infant's immune system. Here we present a third possibility, which involves active suppression by immune regulatory cells and place in context the immune suppressive pathways of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), CD5<sup>pos</sup> B cells, and T<sub>regs</sub>. The immune pathways that these immune regulatory cells inhibit are similar to those that are defective in the infant. Therefore, the immune deficiencies seen in infants could be explained, in part, by active suppressive cells, indicating potential new avenues for intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":39174,"journal":{"name":"Virology: Research and Treatment","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.4137/VRT.S12248","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"32840960","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}