Viral Infection and Inflammation Workshop 2024

ABSTRACT Acute and chronic effects of viral diseases often involve immune-mediated responses, including inflammation, immune activation, and autoimmunity. Long-COVID immunopathogenesis is complex but its understanding is advancing rapidly. The consequences of immune-mediated damage in long COVID share similarities (and differences) with other post-viral diseases like Ebola and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In the case of HIV, ongoing activation of the inflammatory response is a major concern, and immune reconstitution remains limited in some patients even long after treatment initiation. In addition to SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, other viral infections such as CMV are known to result in inflammation- related pathology. Viruses can also trigger autoimmunity. Epstein-Barr Virus is tightly linked with the onset of Multiple Sclerosis through several autoimmune mechanisms. Viral encephalitis also often has an autoimmune background. Common underlying mechanisms imply the possibility of employing similar therapeutic interventions, such as neutralizing antibodies, antiviral drugs, and therapeutic vaccines to eliminate the persistent virus or anti-inflammatory drugs to ameliorate chronic inflammation. Therapeutic interventions must often target both ends of the virus-immune system spectrum. The prevalence of post-acute infectious syndromes is concerning. The severity of the syndrome disables daily activities, posing a significant burden on health, economy, and society. Despite intensive research on cellular and molecular mechanisms, scientific platforms to share data and discuss new concepts are limited to sessions at major international conferences or scientific meetings focusing on a specific condition. This annual workshop links leading international scientific investigators in a discussion of cutting-edge research developments on underlying inflammatory mechanisms related to viral infection, and its clinical implications. Specific aims of the meeting include: 1) providing a global cross-disciplinary platform to exchange knowledge on underlying mechanisms of virus-mediated inflammation; 2) gathering basic, translational, and clinical researchers, and clinicians to stimulate discussion on remaining unknowns; 3) fostering future collaborations among participants; 4) translating the data into clinical guidance; and 5) increasing the visibility of early career investigators and investigators from underrepresented minority (URM) groups and their research, thereby facilitating a generation of future leaders in the field.