Genotypic analysis on the ORF-K1 gene of human herpesvirus 8 from patients with Kaposi's sarcoma in Xinjiang,China

Human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8) is thought to be essential for the development of all forms of Kaposi's sarcoma(KS).HHV-8 DNA is present virtually in all KS tumor biopsy samples.Genes at both ends of the HHV-8 genome have been shown to vary considerably.Seven major molecular subtypes of HHV-8 were defined based on the amino acid sequence of the open reading frame K1(ORF-K1),generally known as A,B,C,D,E,F,and Z.Most strains collected worldwide were clustered into two subtypes(A and C).Here,the K1/VR1 region of HH...     

Role of tegument proteins in herpesvirus assembly and egress

Morphogenesis and maturation of viral particles is an essential step of viral replication. An infectious herpesviral particle has a multilayered architecture, and contains a large DNA genome, a capsid shell, a tegument and an envelope spiked with glycoproteins. Unique to herpesviruses, tegument is a structure that occupies the space between the nucleocapsid and the envelope and contains many virus encoded proteins called tegument proteins. Historically the tegument has been described as an amorphous structure, but increasing evidence supports the notion that there is an ordered addition of tegument during virion assembly, which is consistent with the important roles of tegument proteins in the assembly and egress of herpesviral particles. In this review we first give an overview of the herpesvirus assembly and egress process. We then discuss the roles of selected tegument proteins in each step of the process, i.e., primary envelopment, deenvelopment, secondary envelopment and transport of viral particles. We also suggest key issues that should be addressed in the near future.     

牛疱疹病毒1型作为活病毒载体的研究进展

牛疱疹病毒1型（BHV1）是牛的易感病毒,作为大分子量DNA病毒,它具有插入并表达外源基因成为活病毒载体的潜力。随着对BHV1分子生物学的深入研究,BHV1已被广泛用于研究宿主范围狭窄而且安全的活病毒载体。     

Comparative prevalence of plasma human herpesvirus 8 DNA in sexual contact and intravenous injection routes of HIV transmission

Detection of plasma human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 DNA correlates with antibodies to lytic HHV-8 antigens, being predictive of Kaposi's sarcoma in HIV-infected patients. We show that the prevalence of plasma HHV-8 DNA was 10.6% for HIV infection through sexual contact and 7.1% for HIV infection through intravenous injection. In addition, the prevalence of plasma HHV-8 DNA was significantly associated with male gender (9.4%) and HIV viral load below 1000 copies mL(-1) (12.1%), but not age or CD4 cell count in HIV-infected patients. The study suggested that detection of plasma HHV-8 DNA could be important for monitoring replicating HHV-8 in HIV-infected patients, and may have use as a marker for the diagnosis of HHV-8 infection in blood-borne transmission.     

A virtual look at Epstein-Barr virus infection: simulation mechanism

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important human pathogen that establishes a life-long persistent infection and for which no precise animal model exists. In this paper, we describe in detail an agent-based model and computer simulation of EBV infection. Agents representing EBV and sets of B and T lymphocytes move and interact on a three-dimensional grid approximating Waldeyer's ring, together with abstract compartments for lymph and blood. The simulation allows us to explore the development and resolution of virtual infections in a manner not possible in actual human experiments. Specifically, we identify parameters capable of inducing clearance, persistent infection, or death.     

Epidemiology of Kaposi’s sarcoma in sub-Saharan Africa

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) has become a common AIDS-defining cancer in sub-Saharan Africa. Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus strongly modulated by HIV-related immune suppression are the principal causes of this cancer. No other risk factors have been identified as playing a strong role. HIV prevention programs and good coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in developed countries resulted in a remarkable decline in HIV-KS incidence and better KS prognosis. By contrast, in sub-Saharan Africa, population ART rollout has lagged, but clinical studies have shown positive results in reduction of KS incidence and better KS prognosis. However, the effect of ART rollout in relation to population KS incidence is unclear. We describe the incidence of KS in sub-Saharan Africa, in four time-periods, (1) before 1980 (before HIV/AIDS era); (2) 1981–2000 (early HIV/AIDS era, limited or no ART coverage); (3) 2001–2010 (early ART coverage period); and (4) 2011–2016 (fair to good ART coverage period). We used KS incidence data available from WHO-International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) publications and the Africa Cancer Registry Network. National HIV prevalence and ART coverage data were derived from UNAIDS/WHO. A rapid increase in KS incidence was observed throughout sub-Saharan Africa as the HIV epidemic progressed, reaching peak incidences in Period 2 (pre-ART rollout) of 50.8 in males and 20.3 per 100 000 in females (Zimbabwe, Harare). The overall unweighted average decline in KS incidence between 2000 and 2010 and 2011–2016 was 27%, but this decline was not statistically significant across the region. ART rollout coincides with a decline in KS incidence across several regions in sub-Saharan Africa. The importance of other risk factors such as reductions in HIV incidence could not be ascertained.     

Serum Concentration of Copper,Zinc, Iron,and Cobalt and the Copper/Zinc Ratio in Horses with Equine Herpesvirus-1

The serum concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt and copper/zinc ratio were investigated in horses infected with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). Nine horses were naturally infected with the virus and nine healthy horses served as controls. The concentrations of copper, zinc, iron, and cobalt were determined spectrophotometrically in the blood serum of all horses. The results were (expressed in micrograms per deciliters) copper 2.80 ± 0.34 vs 1.12 ± 0.44, zinc 3.05 ± 0.18 vs 0.83 ± 0.06, iron 2.76 ± 0.17 vs 3.71 ± 0.69, cobalt 0.19 ± 0.37 vs 0.22 ± 0.45, and copper/zinc ratio 0.72 ± 0.38 vs 1.41 ± 0.36 for control vs infected group, respectively. In conclusion, copper and zinc concentrations of the infected group were lower than the control group (p < 0.001), whereas iron concentration and the copper/zinc ratio of the infected group were higher than the control group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). The cobalt concentration was not found to be statistically different between two groups. It might be emphasized that copper/zinc ratio was significantly affected by the EHV-1 infection, so it could be taken into consideration during the course of infection. An erratum to this article can be found at