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Review
. 2022;46(1):194.
doi: 10.1186/s42269-022-00879-w. Epub 2022 Jul 6.

From HIV to COVID-19, Molecular mechanisms of pathogens' trade-off and persistence in the community, potential targets for new drug development

Antoine AbdelMassih  1 , Abrar Sedky  2 , Ahmed Shalaby  2 , AlAmira-Fawzia Shalaby  2 , Alia Yasser  2 , Aya Mohyeldin  2 , Basma Amin  2 , Basma Saleheen  2 , Dina Osman  2 , Elaria Samuel  2 , Emmy Abdelfatah  2 , Eveen Albustami  2 , Farida ElGhamry  2 , Habiba Khaled  2 , Hana Amr  2 , Hanya Gaber  2 , Ismail Makhlouf  2 , Janna Abdeldayem  2 , Jana Waleed El-Beialy  3 , Karim Milad  2 , Laila El Sharkawi  2 , Lina Abosenna  2 , Madonna G Safi  2 , Mariam AbdelKareem  2 , Marwa Gaber  2 , Mirna Elkady  2 , Mohamed Ihab  2 , Nora AbdelRaouf  2 , Rawan Khaled  2 , Reem Shalata  2 , Rudayna Mahgoub  2 , Sarah Jamal  2 , Seif El-Din El Hawary  2 , Shady ElRashidy  2 , Sherouk El Shorbagy  2 , Tony Gerges  2 , Yara Kassem  2 , Yasmeen Magdy  2 , Yasmin Omar  2 , Yasmine Shokry  2 , Aya Kamel  2 , Rafeef Hozaien  2 , Nadine El-Husseiny  3   4 , Meryam El Shershaby  2
Affiliations
Review

From HIV to COVID-19, Molecular mechanisms of pathogens' trade-off and persistence in the community, potential targets for new drug development

Antoine AbdelMassih et al. Bull Natl Res Cent. 2022.

Abstract

Background: On the staggering emergence of the Omicron variant, numerous questions arose about the evolution of virulence and transmissibility in microbes.

Main body of the abstract: The trade-off hypothesis has long speculated the exchange of virulence for the sake of superior transmissibility in a wide array of pathogens. While this certainly applies to the case of the Omicron variant, along with influenza virus, various reports have been allocated for an array of pathogens such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), malaria, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and tuberculosis (TB). The latter abide to another form of trade-off, the invasion-persistence trade-off. In this study, we aim to explore the molecular mechanisms and mutations of different obligate intracellular pathogens that attenuated their more morbid characters, virulence in acute infections and invasion in chronic infections.

Short conclusion: Recognizing the mutations that attenuate the most morbid characters of pathogens such as virulence or persistence can help in tailoring new therapies for such pathogens. Targeting macrophage tropism of HIV by carbohydrate-binding agents, or targeting the TMPRSS2 receptors to prevent pulmonary infiltrates of COVID-19 is an example of how important is to recognize such genetic mechanisms.

Keywords: COVID-19; Invasion–persistence; OMICRON; Trade-off; Virulence–transmissibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Why is Omicron more like a common cold? SARS-CoV-2: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, TMPSRR2: transmembrane serine protease
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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