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Investigation
Human viruses of the herpesviridae family
Research Lines
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B) Study of the distribution and dynamics of HPV infections in risk groups. There are some particularly vulnerable groups, some of them difficult to access (sex workers, transgender groups, etc.), in which HPV infections deserve special attention. The prevalence of HPV infection is especially high in people living with HIV and/or among men who have sex with men. Knowledge of the distribution and dynamics of infections is especially interesting in these groups, as they may help to improve current algorithms for the prevention of anogenital cancer.
C) Study of infection by HPV genotypes and their relationship with progression to neoplastic processes. The oncogenic capacity of some HPV genotypes and their involvement in the production of anogenital cancer is well known. In addition, there are other oncological processes, such as non-melanoma skin cancer, in which HPV could be implicated. Thus, members of the gamma-24 HPV species have recently been associated with skin cancer. It is to be hoped that the appearance of new genotypes and the performance of more extensive studies may lead to the identification of new associations between HPV and neoplastic processes.
D) Study of co-infections by different HPV genotypes. The presence of co-infections of different HPV genotypes is a very frequent finding, both in skin samples and in different mucous membranes. The great genetic diversity of HPV limits the ability of classical molecular methods to perform a comprehensive detection and study of the genotypes present. However, the use of massive sequencing makes it possible to eliminate some of these biases and to obtain more detailed information on the existing HPV populations, as well as to analyze interactions between the different genotypes.
E) Description of new HPV genotypes/variants. Currently at the International HPV Reference Center (Karolinska Institute, Sweden) more than 220 HPV genotypes are described, distributed in 5 different genera. However, improved molecular detection techniques, as well as the use of massive sequencing, are allowing this number to increase rapidly. The study of new genotypes and variants is essential for the validation and quality control of available diagnostic methods. Similarly, their characterization and the study of possible associations of HPV with pathologies other than those already known is a field of great interest for research.
Research projects
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Título: Impact of vaccination against Human Papillomavirus in Spain: Studye of the distribution of genotypes and its application in surveillance. Principal Investigator: Horacio Gil. Starting/End dates: 2024-2026. Funding Entity: Acción Estratégica de Salud Intramural (AESI) del Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Project Reference: PI23CIII/00006.
Título: Effect of feminizing therapy on immune response in transgender women. Principal Investigator: Victor Manuel Sánchez Merino. Collaborating Investigator: Horacio Gil. Starting/End dates:2025-2027. Funding Entity: Acción Estratégica de Salud Intramural (AESI) del Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Project Reference: PI24CIII/00031.
Publications
Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect.
Molina-Ortega A, Martín-Gandul C, Mena-Romo JD, Rodríguez-Hernández MJ, Suñer M, Bernal C, Sánchez M, Sánchez-Céspedes J, Pérez Romero P*, Cordero E. Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Jun;25(6):753-758.
PUBMED DOIKinetic of the CMV-specific T-cell immune response and CMV infection in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients receiving rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction therapy: A pilot study.
Martín-Gandul C, Pérez-Romero P*, Mena-Romo D, Molina-Ortega A, González-Roncero FM, Suñer M, Bernal G, Cordero E; Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI). Kinetic of the CMV-specific T-cell immune response and CMV infection in CMV-seropositive kidney transplant recipients receiving rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin induction therapy: A pilot study. Transpl Infect Dis. 2018 Jun;20(3):e12883.
PUBMED DOICMV-specific T-cell immunity in solid organ transplant recipients at low risk of CMV infection. Chronology and applicability in preemptive therapy.
Mena-Romo JD, Pérez Romero P*, Martín-Gandul C, Gentil MÁ, Suárez-Artacho G, Lage E, Sánchez M, Cordero E. CMV-specific T-cell immunity in solid organ transplant recipients at low risk of CMV infection. Chronology and applicability in preemptive therapy. J Infect. 2017 Oct;75(4):336-345.
PUBMED DOITwo Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Cordero E, Roca-Oporto C, Bulnes-Ramos A, Aydillo T, Gavaldà J, Moreno A, Torre-Cisneros J, Montejo JM, Fortun J, Muñoz P, Sabé N, Fariñas MC, Blanes-Julia M, López-Medrano F, Suárez-Benjumea A, Martinez-Atienza J, Rosso-Fernández C, Pérez-Romero P*. Two Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 1;64(7):829-838.
PUBMED DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Horacio Gil Gil
Research Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0002-7114-6686
Degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and PhD in Veterinary Medicine in 2002 from the University of Zaragoza. He did his PhD thesis at NEIKER Tecknalia (Derio, Vizcaya) and the National Center for Microbiology of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CNM-ISCIII, Majadahonda, Madrid) on the biological cycle of Lyme disease in the Basque Country. After that, he developed his postdoctoral training in different aspects of the pathogenesis of tularemia at the Center for Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook University, New York (USA) for 3 years. In December 2005, he joined the Reference and Research Laboratory in Special Pathogens of the CNM-ISCIII where he developed diagnostic, reference and research activities, in Bartonella, Leptospira and pathogens of interest in bioterrorism. Between 2014-2016 he participated in the European Program for the Training of Microbiologists in Public Health (EUPHEM), organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. During this program, he participated in an international mission for the investigation of a cholera outbreak in Ghana, proposed by the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Diseases in Hamburg (Germany). In December 2016, he worked as a laboratory consultant for the World Health Organization at their office in Phnom Penh (Cambodia). Subsequently, he worked one year with Médecins Sans Frontières as director and quality manager of the TB laboratory in Nukus (Uzbekistan).
In 2019, he joined the HIV Variability and Biology Unit at CNM-ISCIII, where he developed different reference and research activities, including his contribution to the molecular epidemiological surveillance of HIV-1 in Spain and the study of HIV-1 antiretroviral resistance. Since September 2022 he has been leading the Human Papillomavirus Unit at the CNM-ISCIII. -
Alicia Inés García Señán
Predoctoral Student UNED
Degree in Pharmacy in 2013 from the Complutense University of Madrid. She completed specialized health training in Microbiology and Parasitology at the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca (2014-2018). During this period he studied a master's degree in Tropical Diseases at the University of Salamanca (2016). She has developed her professional activity as a clinical microbiologist at the Hospital de Santa Bárbara (Soria) (2018), Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebrón (Barcelona) (2019-2022), and Hospital Central de la Defensa (Gómez Ulla) C.S.V.E, since 2022. In September 2024 she has started PhD studies at the Human Papillomavirus Unit of the CNM-ISCIII.
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Manuela Rodríguez Vargas
Técnico de Laboratorio
List of staff
Additional Information
Our group is interested in infections caused by the 8 known human herpes, which are very important etiological agents due to the high rates of infection, as well as their morbidity and mortality, especially in situations in which the immune system is immature (pediatric disease), senescent (pathologies in advanced age) or immunocompromised (transplanted).
They form a very heterogeneous group, but once the infection occurs, it persists for life through its latency phases. The pathogenicity of alpha- and beta-herpesviruses is related to primary infection and its recurrences, but in gamma-herpesviruses their main pathogenicity lies in their ability to produce tumors.
The main objective of the group is to respond to the medical problems caused by these infections from a multidisciplinary point of view, which includes virological, immunological and molecular aspects.
At present, the group's specific research objectives focus mainly on two topics:
Pathogenicity markers in congenital cytomegalovirus disease that modulate the immune system during infection and
Molecular characterization of the varicella zoster virus in cases of vaccine failure. The group's IP is part as a promoter partner of Spin-off: Virnóstica-ISCIII
Our group is interested in infections caused by the 8 known human herpes, which are very important etiological agents due to the high rates of infection, as well as their morbidity and mortality, especially in situations in which the immune system is immature (pediatric disease), senescent (pathologies in advanced age) or immunocompromised (transplanted).
They form a very heterogeneous group, but once the infection occurs, it persists for life through its latency phases. The pathogenicity of alpha- and beta-herpesviruses is related to primary infection and its recurrences, but in gamma-herpesviruses their main pathogenicity lies in their ability to produce tumors.
The main objective of the group is to respond to the medical problems caused by these infections from a multidisciplinary point of view, which includes virological, immunological and molecular aspects.
At present, the group's specific research objectives focus mainly on two topics:
Pathogenicity markers in congenital cytomegalovirus disease that modulate the immune system during infection and
Molecular characterization of the varicella zoster virus in cases of vaccine failure. The group's IP is part as a promoter partner of Spin-off: Virnóstica-ISCIII