The 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) RNA form highly ordered secondary structures that have been confirmed to play important regulatory roles in viral cap-independent internal translation initiation and RNA replication. We previously demonstrated that deletions in different regions of the 5' UTR significantly reduced viral RNA translation and infectivity. Such o...

BACKGROUND Poor interferon gamma (IFNγ) production during respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is associated with prolonged viral clearance and increased disease severity in neonatal mice and humans. We previously showed that intra-nasal delivery of IFNγ significantly enhances RSV clearance from neonatal lungs prior to observed T-lymphocyte recruitment or activation, suggesting an innate immune me...

The initial phase of infection with Tyzzer's organisms in cultured mouse hepatocytes was observed using indirect immunofluorescence (IF) and a plaque assay. The organisms adhered poorly to aldehyde- or acetone-fixed cells, but once adhered to host cells, whether methanol-fixed or unfixed, they were not removed by methanol or acetone. By the IF as well as the plaque assay, both of which discrimi...

A method based on manipulation of the human cytomegalovirus genome in a bacterial artificial chromosome was developed to determine the role played by 6 UL97 mutations of unknown significance. These mutations were found in blood samples from solid-organ transplant recipients in a trial comparing valganciclovir and oral ganciclovir prophylaxis. Recombinant viruses containing UL97 mutations P405L,...

Fluoro-substituted flavones and 2-styrylchromones, related to natural and synthetic flavonoids previously described, were prepared, characterized and tested for anti-rhinovirus activity. Structural elucidation of the new compounds was performed by IR, NMR spectra and X-ray crystal structure analysis for 6-fluoro-3-hydroxy-2-styrylchromone. The antiviral potency was evaluated by a plaque reducti...