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Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and typhoid susceptibility in Asian Malay population in Malaysia

Bhuvanendran S, Hussin HM, Meran LP, Anthony AA, Zhang L, Burch LH, et al.

Microbes Infect, 2011 Sep;13(10):844-51.
PMID: 21612766 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2011.04.007

Typhoid fever is a major health problem with frequent outbreaks in Kelantan, Malaysia. Prevalence of TLR4 gene polymorphisms varies with ethnic groups (0-20%) and predisposean individual to gram-negative infections. The prevalence rate of TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399lle polymorphisms in the Malay population or the influence of these on typhoid fever susceptibility is not yet reported. 250 normal and 304 susceptible Malay individuals were investigated for these polymorphisms using allele-specific PCR and analysed for its association with typhoid fever susceptibility. The total prevalence of polymorphisms in the normal population was 4.8% in comparison to 12.5% in the susceptible population (p = 0.002). An increased frequency of both polymorphisms was observed in the susceptible population (p
Investigating immune responses of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus to pathogenic Escherichia coli K1

Reginald K, Wong YR, Shah SMR, Teh KF, Freddy Jalin EJ, Khan NA

Microbes Infect, 2021 07 28;23(9-10):104876.
PMID: 34332091 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2021.104876

BACKGROUND: Insects models are excellent models of the innate immune system, as they are free from the influences of vertebrate adaptive immunity. Crickets are hemimetabolous insects belonging to the order Orthopteran order that have not been as extensively characterized as other holometabolous insects, and may provide new insights into the insect immune responses. In this study, we aim to characterize the innate immune responses of the common house cricket, Acheta domesticus in response to a human pathogenic bacterium E. coli K1.
METHODS: Crickets were injected with sterile buffer, live E. coli K1 or heat-killed E. coli K1. Physiological effects such as mortality and weight change of the crickets were determined 24-, 48- and 72-h post injection while immunological effects such as hemocyte counts, bacteremia, phenoloxidase and lysozyme activity of the crickets were measured at 2- and 24-h post-injection.
RESULTS: The injection of E. coli K1 in crickets resulted in >85% mortality 3-days post injection, accompanied by significant weight loss. E. coli K1 injection caused a significant increase in both phenoloxidase and lysozyme activities in cricket hemolymphs 24-h post injection. Live E. coli K1 injected crickets resulted in a significant reduction in circulating hemocytes 24-h post injection which was not observed in other treatment groups. This was consistent with the resolution of bacteremia observed 24-h post infection in live E. coli K1 injected crickets.
CONCLUSION: Our study provides new insights on the innate immune response to pathogenic E. coli K1 in a cricket model.
Advances in diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics for Nipah virus

Thakur N, Bailey D

Microbes Infect, 2019;21(7):278-286.
PMID: 30817995 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2019.02.002

Nipah virus is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe and often fatal respiratory and neurological disease in humans. The virus was first discovered after an outbreak of encephalitis in pig farmers in Malaysia and Singapore with subsequent outbreaks in Bangladesh or India occurring almost annually. Due to the highly pathogenic nature of NiV, its pandemic potential, and the lack of licensed vaccines or therapeutics, there is a requirement for research and development into highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tools as well as antivirals and vaccines to help prevent and control future outbreak situations.
Uncovering the morphological differences between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV based on transmission electron microscopy images

Taha BA, Al Mashhadany Y, Al-Jubouri Q, Haider AJ, Chaudhary V, Apsari R, et al.

Microbes Infect, 2023;25(8):105187.
PMID: 37517605 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105187

Comprehending the morphological disparities between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV viruses can shed light on the underlying mechanisms of infection and facilitate the development of effective diagnostic tools and treatments. Hence, this study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis and comparative assessment of the morphology of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The dataset encompassed 519 isolated SARS-CoV-2 images obtained from patients in Italy (INMI) and 248 isolated SARS-CoV images from patients in Germany (Frankfurt). In this paper, we employed TEM images to scrutinize morphological features, and the outcomes were contrasted with those of SARS-CoV viruses. The findings reveal disparities in the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, such as envelope protein (E) 98.6 and 102.2 nm, length of spike protein (S) 10.11 and 9.50 nm, roundness 0.86 and 0.88, circularity 0.78 and 0.76, and area sizes 25145.54 and 38591.35 pixels, respectively. In conclusion, these results will augment the identification of virus subtypes, aid in the study of antiviral medications, and enhance our understanding of disease progression and the virus life cycle. Moreover, these findings have the potential to assist in the development of more accurate epidemiological prediction models for COVID-19, leading to better outbreak management and saving lives.
Human cytokeratin 1 plays a role in the interaction of Pteropine orthoreovirus with Hek293 cells but not HeLa cells

Siew ZY, Tan YF, Iswara RP, Wong SF, Wong ST, Tan BK, et al.

Microbes Infect, 2024;26(1-2):105243.
PMID: 38380604 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105243

Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) causes respiratory tract infections in humans. Despite its emergence as a zoonotic and respiratory virus, little is known about its cell tropism, which hampers progress in fully understanding its pathogenesis in humans. Hek293 cells are most susceptible to PRV infection, while HeLa cells are the least. Human cytokeratin 1 (CK1) was identified as the protein that interacts with PRV. The immunofluorescence assay and qPCR results revealed prior treatment with anti-CK1 may provide Hek293 cells protection against PRV. The KRT1-knockout Hek293 cells were less susceptible to PRV infection. Further study into the pathogenesis of PRV in humans is needed.