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
Multidisciplinary Group of viral coinfection HIV/Hepatitis (COVIHEP). HCV-coinfection is related to an increased HIV-1 reservoir size in cART-treated HIV patients: a cross-sectional study.
López-Huertas MR, Palladino C, Garrido-Arquero M, Esteban-Cartelle B, Sánchez-Carrillo M, Martínez-Román P, Martín-Carbonero L, Ryan P, Domínguez-Domínguez L, Santos ID, Moral SDLF, Benito JM, Rallón N, Alcamí J, Resino S, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Coiras M, Briz V*, on behalf of the Multidisciplinary Group of viral coinfection HIV/Hepatitis (COVIHEP). HCV-coinfection is related to an increased HIV-1 reservoir size in cART-treated HIV patients: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep 2019: 9 (1); 5606.
PUBMED DOIPersistent Low-Level Viremia in treatment HIV infection: An unresolved status.
3. Crespo-Bermejo C, Ramírez de Arellano E, Lara-Aguilar V, Martínez-Román P, Arca Lafuente S, Gómez-Lus ML, Martín-Carbonero L, Briz V. Persistent Low-Level Viremia in treatment HIV infection: An unresolved status. Virulencia 2021, 12: 2919-2931.
PUBMED DOIFull coding hepatitis E virus genotype 3 genome amplification method.
Muñoz-Chimeno M, Forero JE, Echevarría JM, Muñoz-Bellido JL, Vázquez-López L, Morago L, García-Galera MC, Avellón A. Full coding hepatitis E virus genotype 3 genome amplification method. J Virol Methods. 2016 Apr;230:18-23.
PUBMED DOIComparative sensitivity of commercial tests for hepatitis E genotype 3 virus antibody detection.
• Avellón A, Morago L, García-Galera del Carmen M, Muñoz M, Jose-Manuel Echevarría JM. Comparative sensitivity of commercial tests for hepatitis E genotype 3 virus antibody detection. J Med Virol. 2015 Nov;87(11):1934-9.
PUBMED DOIEpidemiology and predictive factors for early and late mortality in Candida bloodstream infections: a population-based surveillance in Spain
11: Puig-Asensio M, Padilla B, Garnacho-Montero J, Zaragoza O, Aguado JM, Zaragoza R, Montejo M, Muñoz P, Ruiz-Camps I, Cuenca-Estrella M, Almirante B; CANDIPOP Project; GEIH-GEMICOMED (SEIMC); REIPI. Epidemiology and predictive factors for early and late mortality in Candida bloodstream infections: a population-based surveillance in Spain. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2014 Apr;20(4):O245-54.
PUBMED DOIB Pérez de Val, B Romero, MT Tórtola, L Herrera-León, P Pozo, I Mercader, JL Sáez, M Domingo, E Vidal. Poly-resistant Mycobacterium bovis infection in a human and sympatric sheep, Spain, 2017-2018
B Pérez de Val, B Romero, MT Tórtola, L Herrera-León, P Pozo, I Mercader, JL Sáez, M Domingo, E Vidal. Poly-resistant Mycobacterium bovis infection in a human and sympatric sheep, Spain, 2017-2018. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Apr;27(4):1241-1243. doi: 10.3201/eid2704.204467. PMID: 33755008.
DOIL Bernal-Martínez; L Herrera-Leon; C Valero; P de la Cruz; L Ghimpu; AC Mesa-Arango; G Santoni; L Goterris; R Millán; MJ Buitrago. Differential Diagnosis of Fungal Pneumonias vs.Tuberculosis in AIDS Patients by Using Two New Molecular Methods.
L Bernal-Martínez; L Herrera-Leon; C Valero; P de la Cruz; L Ghimpu; AC Mesa-Arango; G Santoni; L Goterris; R Millán; MJ Buitrago. Differential Diagnosis of Fungal Pneumonias vs.Tuberculosis in AIDS Patients by Using Two New Molecular Methods. J. Fungi 2021, 7, 336. doi.org: 10.3390/jof7050336. PMID: 33925404.
DOIE Tagliani, RAnthony, TA Kohl, A de Neeling, V Nikolayevskyy, C Ködmön, FP Maurer, S Niemann, D van Soolingen, MJ van der Werf, D Cirillo, ECDC molecular surveillance project participants. Use of a whole genome sequencing-based approach for Mycobacterium tuberculosis surveillance in Europe in 2017-2019: an ECDC pilot study
E Tagliani, RAnthony, TA Kohl, A de Neeling, V Nikolayevskyy, C Ködmön, FP Maurer, S Niemann, D van Soolingen, MJ van der Werf, D Cirillo, ECDC molecular surveillance project participants. Use of a whole genome sequencing-based approach for Mycobacterium tuberculosis surveillance in Europe in 2017-2019: an ECDC pilot study. Eur Respir J. 2021 Jan 5;57(1):2002272. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02272-2020. Print 2021 Jan. PMID: 32732329.
DOIMJ Iglesias, D Ibarz, A Cebollada, J Comín, MS Jiménez, MC Vázquez, S Samper, Spanish Working Group on MDRTB. The value of the continuous genotyping of multidrug resistant tuberculosis over 20 years in Spain.
MJ Iglesias, D Ibarz, A Cebollada, J Comín, MS Jiménez, MC Vázquez, S Samper, Spanish Working Group on MDRTB. The value of the continuous genotyping of multidrug resistant tuberculosis over 20 years in Spain. Sci Rep. 2020 Nov 24;10(1):20433. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77249-x. PMID: 33235225.
DOIS Campos-Gutierrez, MJ Ramos-Real, R Abreu, MS Jimenez, M Lecuona. Pseudo-ourbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum, in a hospital bronchoscopy unit.
S Campos-Gutierrez, MJ Ramos-Real, R Abreu, MS Jimenez, M Lecuona. Pseudo-ourbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum, in a hospital bronchoscopy unit. Am J Infect Control. 2020 Jul;48(7):765-769. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2019.11.019. Epub 2019 Dec 24. PMID: 31882175.
DOIGascha , Y Meijeb, M Espasac, B Fonta, MS Jiménez, N Fernández-Hidalgo. Disseminated Infection Due to Mycobacterium chimaera After Aortic Valve Replacement.
Gascha , Y Meijeb, M Espasac, B Fonta, MS Jiménez, N Fernández-Hidalgo. Disseminated Infection Due to Mycobacterium chimaera After Aortic Valve Replacement. Revista Española de cardiología. 2019. Vol 72 (6):502-503. DOI: 10.1016/j.rec.2018.06.026. PMID: 30029979
DOIPBMCs gene expression signature of advanced cirrhosis with high risk for clinically significant portal hypertension in HIV/HCV coinfected patients: A cross-control study
2. Salgüero S, Brochado-Kith O, Virseda Verdices A, Berenguer J, González-García J, Martínez I, Díez C, Hontañón V, Pérez-Latorre L, Fernández-Rodríguez A (‡), Jiménez-Sousa MA (‡,*), and Resino S (‡, *). PBMCs gene expression signature of advanced cirrhosis with high risk for clinically significant portal hypertension in HIV/HCV coinfected patients: A cross-control study. Biomed Pharmacother 2023, 159:114220. (A; FI= 7.42; D1, Pharmacology & Pharmacy; JCR 2021). PMID: 36628818. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114220.
PUBMEDLow anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody levels predict increased mortality and dissemination of viral components in the blood of critical COVID-19 patients
4. Martin-Vicente M, Almansa R, Martínez I, Tedim AP, Bustamante E, Tamayo L, Aldecoa C, Gómez JM, Renedo G, Berezo JA, Cedeño JA, Mamolar N, García Olivares P, Herrán-Monge R, Cicuendez R, Enríquez P, Ortega A, Jorge N, Doncel C, Fuente A, Bustamante-Munguira J, Muñoz-Gómez MJ, González-Rivera M, Puertas C, Más V, Vázquez M, Pérez-García F, Rico-Feijoo J, Martín S, Motos A, Fernandez-Barat L, Eiros JM, Domínguez-Gil M, Ferrer R, Barbé F, Trapiello W, Kelvin DJ (¥), Bermejo-Martin JF (* ¥), Resino S (¥), Torres A (* ¥). Low anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antibody levels predict increased mortality and dissemination of viral components in the blood of critical COVID-19 patients. J Intern Med. 2022, 291(2):232–240. (A; FI= 13.07; D1, Medicine, General & Internal; JCR 2021). PMID: 34611927. DOI: 10.1111/joim.13386.
PUBMEDPrevalence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in the Spanish HIV Research Network Cohort
5. Berenguer J (*), Díez C, Martín-Vicente M, Mican R, Pérez-Elías MJ, García-Fraile LJ, Vidal F, Suárez-García I, Podzamcer D, Del Romero J, Pulido F, Iribarren JA, Gutiérrez F, Poveda E, Galera C, Izquierdo R, Asensi V, Portilla J, López JC, Arribas JR, Moreno S, González-García J, Resino S (‡), Jarrín I (‡). Prevalence and factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in the Spanish HIV Research Network Cohort. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2021, 27(11):1678-1684. (A; FI= 13.31; D1, Microbiology; JCR 2021). PMID: 34186209 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.06.023.
PUBMEDEnvironmental factors linked to hospital admissions in young children due to acute viral lower respiratory infections: A bidirectional case-crossover study
6. Álvaro-Meca A, Goez MC, Resino R, Matías V, Sepúlveda-Crespo D; Martínez I, Resino S (*). Environmental factors linked to hospital admissions in young children due to acute viral lower respiratory infections: a bidirectional case-crossover study. Environ Res. 2022. 212(Pt B), 113319. (A; FI= 8.43; D1, Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; JCR 2021). PMID: 35447151. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113319.
PUBMEDDetection of active hepatitis C in a single visit and linkage to care among marginalized people using a mobile unit in Madrid, Spain
7. Ryan P, Valencia J, Cuevas G, Torres-Macho J, Troya J, Pueyo A, Muñoz-Gómez MJ, Muñoz-Rivas N, Vázquez-Morón S, Martínez, I, Lazarus JV, Resino S (*). Detection of active hepatitis C in a single visit and link-to-care among excluded people using a mobile unit in Madrid, Spain. Int J Drug Policy. 2021, 96:103424. (A; FI= 5.93; Q1, Substance Abuse; JCR 2021). PMID: 34429222 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103424.
PUBMEDMaría José Ruiz-Lopéz, Milagros Muñoz-Chimeno, Jordi Figuerola, Ana M. Gavilán, Sarai Varona, Isabel Cuesta, Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Angel Zaballos, Francisca Molero, Ramón C. Soriguer, Mª Paz Sánchez-Seco, Santiago Ruiz, Ana Vázquez. Genomic analysis of West Nile virus lineage 1 isolated from mosquitoes
María José Ruiz-Lopéz, Milagros Muñoz-Chimeno, Jordi Figuerola, Ana M. Gavilán, Sarai Varona, Isabel Cuesta, Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Angel Zaballos, Francisca Molero, Ramón C. Soriguer, Mª Paz Sánchez-Seco, Santiago Ruiz, Ana Vázquez. Genomic analysis of West Nile virus lineage 1 isolated from mosquitoes from 2020-2021 outbreak occurred in Andalusia, Spain. Viruses 2023, 15, 266. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020266
DOIJordi Figuerola, Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero, María José Ruíz-López, Francisco Llorente, Santiago Ruiz, Andreas Hoefer, Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda, Jéssica Jiménez Peñuela1, Olaya García-Ruiz, Laura Herrero, Ramón C. Soriguer, Raúl Fernández Delgado, Mari Paz Sánchez-Seco, Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Ana Vázquez. A One Health view of the West Nile virus outbreak in Andalusía (Spain) in 2020
Jordi Figuerola, Miguel Ángel Jiménez-Clavero, María José Ruíz-López, Francisco Llorente, Santiago Ruiz, Andreas Hoefer, Pilar Aguilera-Sepúlveda, Jéssica Jiménez Peñuela1, Olaya García-Ruiz, Laura Herrero, Ramón C. Soriguer, Raúl Fernández Delgado, Mari Paz Sánchez-Seco, Josué Martínez-de la Puente, Ana Vázquez. A One Health view of the West Nile virus outbreak in Andalusía (Spain) in 2020. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2022 Dec;11(1):2570-2578. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2022.2134055.
DOIHCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
10.1186/s40249-021-00894-5. 9. Brochado O, Martínez I (*), Berenguer J, Medrano L, González-García J, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Carrero A, Hontañón V, Navarro J, Guardiola JM, Pérez-Latorre L, Micán R, Fernández-Rodríguez A (‡), Resino S (* ‡). HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:23 (A; FI= 12.77; D1, Medicine, Research & Experimental; JCR 2021). PMID: 33785040. DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00718-6.
PUBMEDRelationship of vitamin D status with advanced liver fibrosis and response to hepatitis C virus therapy: A meta-analysis.
12. García-Álvarez M, Pineda-Tenor D, Jiménez-Sousa Ma, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Guzmán-Fulgencio M; Resino S (*). Relationship of vitamin D status with advanced liver fibrosis and response to hepatitis C virus therapy: A meta-analysis. Hepatology. 2014, 6(5):1541-1550. (A; FI= 11.05; D1, Gastroenterology & Hepatology; JCR 2014). PMID: 24975775. DOI: 10.1002/hep.27281.
PUBMEDContent with Investigacion .
-

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.
-

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