Human viruses of the herpesviridae family
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
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
Content with Investigacion .
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
HCV Cure With Direct-Acting Antivirals Improves Liver and Immunological Markers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY.
7 Brochado-Kith, Oscar; Martinez, Isidoro; Berenguer, Juan; et al; Jiménez-Sousa, Maria Angeles (‡, AC); Resino, Salvador (‡, AC). (13/13). 2021. HCV Cure With Direct-Acting Antivirals Improves Liver and Immunological Markers in HIV/HCV-Coinfected Patients FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY. 12:723196. ISSN 1664-3224.
Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality
3. Fernández-Pato A; Virseda-Berdices A; Resino S; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (20/20). 2022. Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality Emerging Microbes and Infections. Taylor & Francis Online. ISSN 2222-1751.
DOIDiagnostic Performance of the HCV Core Antigen Test To Identify Hepatitis C in HIV-Infected Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
4. Sepúlveda-Crespo D; Treviño-Nakoura A; Bellon JM; Jiménez-Sousa MA; Ryan P; Martínez I; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC); Resino S. (7/8). 2022. Diagnostic Performance of the HCV Core Antigen Test To Identify Hepatitis C in HIV-Infected Patients: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Journal of clinical microbiology. pp.e0133122. ISSN 0095-1137.
DOIMetabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation
6. Ceballos FC; Virseda-Berdices A; Resino S; et al; Jiménez-Sousa MÁ (AC). (19/19). 2022. Metabolic Profiling at COVID-19 Onset Shows Disease Severity and Sex-Specific Dysregulation.Frontiers in immunology. 13, pp.925558. WOS (78)
DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Sara Vázquez Ávila
Técnico de Laboratorio
Obtuve mi título como Técnico de Laboratorio Clínico y Biomédico en el año 2020 y en el 2021obtuve el Grado Superior de Anatomía Patológica y Citodiagnóstico. Trabajé en el Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa (Sevilla) y en el Departamento de Farmacología de la Facultad de Medicina (Universidad Complutense de Madrid). Actualmente soy Técnico de Laboratorio en el Laboratorio de Helmintos del CNM (ISCIII).
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Maria Jesús Perteguer Prieto
Investigadora Titular, Jefa de grupo
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Javier Sotillo Gallego
Científico Titular
ORCID code: 0000-0002-1443-7233
En el año 2011 obtuve mi título de doctor “cum laude” por la Universidad de Valencia. Durante mi etapa postdoctoral en la James Cook University en Australia (2012-2019) me especialicé en estudiar las interacciones parásito-hospedador usando diferentes técnicas ómicas. En 2019 volví España y comencé a trabajar en el Laboratorio de Helmintos del CNM (ISCIII) primero como Investigador Miguel Servet y más adelante como Investigador Ramón y Cajal. Actualmente soy Científico Titular en el mismo laboratorio.
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Ana Hernández González
Laboral Fijo Doctor
ORCID code: 0000-0001-6762-8175
Licenciada en Biología y doctora en Enfermedades Tropicales por la Universidad de Salamanca. Puestos ocupados con anterioridad: investigadora predoctoral en el IRNASA-CSIC (contrato JAE predoc), investigadora postdoctoral en el CNM (contrato Sara Borrell) e investigadora contratada como técnico superior en el CNM (RICET). Actualmente, personal Laboral Fijo Doctor en el laboratorio de Helmintos del CNM.
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Esther Rodríguez Pérez
Técnico de Laboratorio
ORCID code: 0000-0002-3680-7733
Obtuve mi título como Graduada en Biología Sanitaria en el año 2015 y en el año 2019 obtuve el Grado Superior de Laboratorio de Diagnóstico Clínico. De 2019 a 2022 trabajé en el Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), en el Departamento de Biogeoquímica y Ecología Microbiana. Actualmente trabajo como Técnico de Laboratorio en el Laboratorio de Helmintos del CNM (ISCIII).
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Lourdes Castro Companioni
Ayudante de Investigación
ORCID code: 0009-0003-2746-4067
Bióloga sanitaria graduada en la Universidad de Alcalá de Henares (UAH), con master de Microbiología y Salud pública en la UAH en colaboración con el ISCIII.
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