Viral Infections in Special Populations

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2024 | Viewed by 2913

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Rio, Greece
Interests: sepsis; COVID-19; HIV; infections in obstetrics and gynecology; antimicrobial resistance; hospital-acquired infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, "Viral Infections in Special Populations", delves into the nuanced landscape of viral afflictions within distinctive patient groups, spanning a myriad of demographics and medical conditions. This comprehensive compilation aims to unravel the intricate intersections between viral infections and vulnerable populations, including but not limited to individuals grappling with HIV, pregnancy or lactation, compromised immunity, advanced age, hematologic disorders, renal replacement therapy, liver cirrhosis, obesity, critical disease requiring ICU, pediatrics, adolescence, etc. Through a multidisciplinary lens, this Special Issue aspires to elucidate the unique challenges, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic intricacies, therapeutic approaches, and preventive strategies pertinent to each specialized cohort. By amalgamating diverse research paradigms, clinical insights, and evidence-based practices, the primary goal is to furnish clinicians, researchers, and healthcare providers with a holistic understanding of viral infections within these distinct populations. Ultimately, this specialized compendium endeavors to catalyze advances in tailored interventions, optimize patient care, and foster pivotal breakthroughs in mitigating the impact of viral illnesses across diverse and vulnerable patient subsets.

Dr. Karolina Akinosoglou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral infections
  • HIV
  • pregnancy and lactation
  • immunocompromised population
  • elderly
  • hematological patients
  • patients on renal replacement therapy
  • liver cirrhosis
  • obesity
  • pediatric population and adolescents
  • critically ill patients
  • moving populations

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

9 pages, 234 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Hepatitis D in People Living with HIV: A National Cross-Sectional Pilot Study
by Georgios Schinas, Nikolina Antonopoulou, Sofia Vamvakopoulou, Olga Tsachouridou, Konstantinos Protopapas, Vasileios Petrakis, Emmanouil C. Petrakis, Despoina Papageorgiou, Simeon Metallidis, Antonios Papadopoulos, Emmanouil Barbounakis, Diamantis Kofteridis, Periklis Panagopoulos, Alexandra Lekkou, Fotini Paliogianni and Karolina Akinosoglou
Viruses 2024, 16(7), 1044; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16071044 - 28 Jun 2024
Viewed by 743
Abstract
This study assesses the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Greece. Given the compounding effects of HDV and hepatitis B (HBV) on liver disease progression, as well as the emergence of new therapeutic options such as [...] Read more.
This study assesses the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Greece. Given the compounding effects of HDV and hepatitis B (HBV) on liver disease progression, as well as the emergence of new therapeutic options such as bulevirtide, understanding regional disparities and the epidemiological impact of such co-infections is vital. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted utilizing 696 serum samples from PLWHIV attending five major university hospitals. The methodology included HDV antibody detection by ELISA and HDV RNA confirmation. Of the 30 HBsAg-positive samples analyzed, the study population was primarily male (93%), with a median age of 54 years. Participants had been on antiretroviral therapy for a median of 10 years, and the median CD4 count was 738 (539–1006) copies/mL. Additional serological findings revealed a 7% prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) IgG antibodies and a 55% prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgG antibodies. Seroreactivity for syphilis (RPR/VDRL/TPHA positive) was identified in 33% of the participants. The results indicated a low HDV prevalence, with only one individual (3%) testing positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies and none for HDV RNA. This indicates a lower prevalence of HDV among PLWHIV with chronic HBV in Greece compared to global data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections in Special Populations)

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

16 pages, 462 KiB  
Review
SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Clinical Outcomes of Special Populations: A Scoping Review of the Literature
by Achilleas Livieratos, Charalambos Gogos and Karolina Akinosoglou
Viruses 2024, 16(8), 1222; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16081222 - 30 Jul 2024
Viewed by 627
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted special populations, including immunocompromised individuals, people living with HIV (PLWHIV), pediatric patients, and those with chronic liver disease (CLD). This scoping review aims to map the clinical outcomes of these vulnerable groups when infected with various [...] Read more.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted special populations, including immunocompromised individuals, people living with HIV (PLWHIV), pediatric patients, and those with chronic liver disease (CLD). This scoping review aims to map the clinical outcomes of these vulnerable groups when infected with various SARS-CoV-2 variants. The review identifies trends and patterns, noting that early variants, such as Alpha and Delta, are associated with more severe outcomes, including higher hospitalization and mortality rates. In contrast, the Omicron variant, despite its increased transmissibility, tends to cause milder clinical manifestations. The review highlights the necessity for ongoing surveillance and tailored healthcare interventions due to the heterogeneity of patient populations and the evolving nature of the virus. Continuous monitoring and adaptive healthcare strategies are essential to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on these high-risk groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections in Special Populations)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 197 KiB  
Brief Report
Hereditary Connective Tissue Diseases and Risk of Post-Acute SARS-CoV-2
by Maggie L. Bartlett, Daniel Sova and Mahim Jain
Viruses 2024, 16(3), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16030461 - 17 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1130
Abstract
We completed a retrospective review of data collected by the JH-CROWN consortium based on ICD10 codes for a hospitalized cohort. The severity and prevalence of COVID-19 and development of PASC within heritable connective tissue diseases were unknown; however, clinical observation suggested a thorough [...] Read more.
We completed a retrospective review of data collected by the JH-CROWN consortium based on ICD10 codes for a hospitalized cohort. The severity and prevalence of COVID-19 and development of PASC within heritable connective tissue diseases were unknown; however, clinical observation suggested a thorough examination was necessary. We compared rates of disease severity, death, and PASC in connective tissue diseases versus the entire cohort as well as in diabetes and hypertension to determine if connective tissue disease was a risk factor. Of the 15,676 patients in the database, 63 (0.40%) had a connective tissue disease, which is elevated relative to the distribution in the population, suggesting a higher risk of severe disease. Within these 63 patients, 9.52% developed PASC compared to 2.54% in the entire cohort (p < 0.005). Elucidation of populations at high risk for severe disease and development of PASC is integral to improving treatment approaches. Further, no other study to date has examined the risk in those with connective tissue diseases and these data support a need for enhanced awareness among physicians, patients, and the community. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Infections in Special Populations)
Back to TopTop