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Martínez MJ, Cotten M, Phan MVT, Becker K, Espasa M, Leegaard TM, Lisby G, Schneider UV, Casals-Pascual C. Viral epidemic preparedness: a perspective from five clinical microbiology laboratories in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:582-585. [PMID: 37119988 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pandemic preparedness is critical to respond effectively to existing and emerging/new viral pathogens. Important lessons have been learned during the last pandemic at various levels. This revision discusses some of the major challenges and potential ways to address them in the likely event of future pandemics. OBJECTIVES To identify critical points of readiness that may help us accelerate the response to future pandemics from a clinical microbiology laboratory perspective with a focus on viral diagnostics and genomic sequencing. The potential areas of improvement identified are discussed from the sample collection to information reporting. SOURCES Microbiologists and researchers from five countries reflect on challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic, review published literature on prior and current pandemics, and suggest potential solutions in preparation for future outbreaks. CONTENT Major challenges identified in the pre-analytic and post-analytic phases from sample collection to result reporting are discussed. From the perspective of clinical microbiology laboratories, the preparedness for a new pandemic should focus on zoonotic viruses. Laboratory readiness for scalability is critical and should include elements related to material procurement, training personnel, specific funding programmes, and regulatory issues to rapidly implement "in-house" tests. Laboratories across various countries should establish (or re-use) operational networks to communicate to respond effectively, ensuring the presence of agile circuits with full traceability of samples. IMPLICATIONS Laboratory preparedness is paramount to respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging viral infections and to limit the clinical and societal impact of new potential pandemics. Agile and fully traceable methods for sample collection to report are the cornerstone of a successful response. Expert group communication and early involvement of information technology personnel are critical for preparedness. A specific budget for pandemic preparedness should be ring-fenced and added to the national health budgets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Julián Martínez
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, CDB, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Matthew Cotten
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - My V T Phan
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Karsten Becker
- Friedrich Loeffler-Institute of Medical Microbiology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mateu Espasa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, UDIAT, Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Truls M Leegaard
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway; Division of Medicine and Laboratory Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gorm Lisby
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Copenhagen Hvidovre Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Uffe Vest Schneider
- Department of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Climent Casals-Pascual
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, CDB, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain.
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Hussien SM. The immunomodulatory properties of low-level ionizing radiation as a potential treatment for COVID-19's life-threatening symptoms. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:73. [PMID: 36774511 PMCID: PMC9918814 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-00999-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Public health experts are looking into the current coronavirus outbreak to see if there are any ways to prevent potentially fatal symptoms. Low-Dose Radiotherapy (LD-RT) induces anti-inflammatory cytokine responses that act as a counterweight to pro-inflammatory cytokines, potentially providing therapeutic benefits for COVID-19-related diseases associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study will look into positive immuno-radiological reactions to see if they are feasible, practicable, and effective in lowering the critical inflammatory condition of the crucial stage COVID-19. This study aims to investigate the use of low-dose lung radiation in bacterial and viral pneumonia, as well as to provide a treatment plan for COVID-19-associated pneumonia. This article discusses the evidence for and against LD-RT theories in COVID-19 patients. The use of LD-RT at various stages of COVID-19 appears to be beneficial, with fewer side effects than other currently being studied treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soha M. Hussien
- grid.429648.50000 0000 9052 0245Radiation Safety Department, Nuclear and Radiological Safety Research Center, Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, Cairo, Egypt
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3
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de Jong FC, GeurtsvanKessel CH, Molenkamp R, Bangma CH, Zuiverloon TCM. Sewage surveillance system using urological wastewater: Key to COVID-19 monitoring? Urol Oncol 2023; 41:70-75. [PMID: 33127302 PMCID: PMC7553066 DOI: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Since December 2019, the emergence of a new Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome- coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has led to a global coronavirus pandemic disease (COVID-19), with devastating consequences for all healthcare worldwide, including urological care. COVID-19 has led to concern among urological healthcare workers about viral presence, detection and routes of transmission during routine clinical practice. The potential presence of (active) virus in bodily fluids of COVID-19 patients remains a continuing topic of debate. Therefore, we highlight viral detection methods and review the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in urine, feces, and semen. Finally, we discuss how excretion of virus particles through urological bodily fluids might be pivotal to epidemiologic monitoring and control of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florus C de Jong
- Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Chris H Bangma
- Department of Urology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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4
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Abdelmissih S. A Bitter Experience That Enlightens the Future: COVID-19 Neurological Affection and Perspectives on the Orexigenic System. Cureus 2022; 14:e30788. [DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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Weinberg M, Yovel Y. Revising the paradigm: Are bats really pathogen reservoirs or do they possess an efficient immune system? iScience 2022; 25:104782. [PMID: 35982789 PMCID: PMC9379578 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While bats are often referred to as reservoirs of viral pathogens, a meta-analysis of the literature reveals many cases in which there is not enough evidence to claim so. In many cases, bats are able to confront viruses, recover, and remain immune by developing a potent titer of antibodies, often without becoming a reservoir. In other cases, bats might have carried an ancestral virus that at some time point might have mutated into a human pathogen. Moreover, bats exhibit a balanced immune response against viruses that have evolved over millions of years. Using genomic tools, it is now possible to obtain a deeper understanding of that unique immune system and its variability across the order Chiroptera. We conclude, that with the exception of a few viruses, bats pose little zoonotic danger to humans and that they operate a highly efficient anti-inflammatory response that we should strive to understand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Weinberg
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Yossi Yovel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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Fell R, Potter JA, Yuille S, Salguero FJ, Watson R, Ngabo D, Gooch K, Hewson R, Howat D, Dowall S. Activity of a Carbohydrate-Binding Module Therapy, Neumifil, against SARS-CoV-2 Disease in a Hamster Model of Infection. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050976. [PMID: 35632718 PMCID: PMC9147764 DOI: 10.3390/v14050976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid global spread of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in an urgent effort to find efficacious therapeutics. Broad-spectrum therapies which could be used for other respiratory pathogens confer advantages, as do those based on targeting host cells that are not prone to the development of resistance by the pathogen. We tested an intranasally delivered carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) therapy, termed Neumifil, which is based on a CBM that has previously been shown to offer protection against the influenza virus through the binding of sialic acid receptors. Using the recognised hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we demonstrate that Neumifil significantly reduces clinical disease severity and pathological changes in the nasal cavity. Furthermore, we demonstrate Neumifil binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first report describing the testing of this type of broad-spectrum antiviral therapy in vivo and provides evidence for the advancement of Neumifil in further preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Fell
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Jane A. Potter
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Samantha Yuille
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Franscisco J. Salguero
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Robert Watson
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Didier Ngabo
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Karen Gooch
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - Roger Hewson
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
| | - David Howat
- Pneumagen Ltd., Kinburn Castle, Doubledykes Road, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DR, UK; (J.A.P.); (S.Y.); (D.H.)
| | - Stuart Dowall
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK; (R.F.); (F.J.S.); (R.W.); (D.N.); (K.G.); (R.H.)
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak resulted in a synchronized disruption of the global economy, globalization agenda, and re-emergence of protectionism. Africa appears to be worse-off by the re-emergence of protectionism despite the increasing debate that globalization tends to increase intra-country inequality and poverty in Africa. We argue that the enormous benefit Africa derived from globalization, especially, during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes it imperative for the African Union to rethink its globalization strategy, as well as strategies to mitigate African economies from the vulnerability of future pandemic. We argue that the vulnerability of African economies to the COVID-19 could be traced to characteristics of African economies, such as the dominance of low-skilled labour force, informally employed workers that do not have the option of working remotely, digital divide due to poor internet penetration, urban and rural structures that promote the spread of a virus, and breakdown of critical global supply chain may. On the basis of the above, we recommend that African Union globalization agenda should focus on promoting massive investment in virtual economic activities; global ecological responsible public policies; a more inclusive policies that promotes access to education. healthcare, and resources; and redesign urban settlement to reduce the spread of diseases.
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Zocchi E, Terrazzano G. COVID-19: why not learn from the past? Front Med 2021; 15:776-781. [PMID: 34463906 PMCID: PMC8407128 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-021-0883-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elena Zocchi
- Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
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Nienhaus A. COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany-An Update. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9185. [PMID: 34501773 PMCID: PMC8431697 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This is an update of our report on COVID-19 among health and social welfare workers in Germany. Workers' compensation claims for occupational diseases (OD) are recorded in a standardized database of the Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW). We analyzed which workers in the health and welfare sector are most often affected by COVID-19. For the different sectors in healthcare and welfare, the number of full-time workers is known (FTW), allowing for calculation of claim rates by sector. The period for data presentation was extended to 3 May 2021 for this update. The cumulative number of COVID-19 claims increased from 4398 by May 2020 to 84,728 by May 2021. The majority of claims concern nursing homes (39.5%) and hospitals (37.6%). Nursing is the profession most often concerned (68.8%). Relative to the number of workers, the claim rate is highest for hospitals (41.3/1000 FTW). Seventy-seven workers died (0.09%) and three hundred and seventy-five (0.4%) were hospitalized. A total of 65,693 (77.5%) claims were assessed, and for 81.4% of these claims, the OD was confirmed. The number of health and welfare workers affected by COVID-19 is high. With most HW vaccinated by now in Germany, within the next few weeks or months, the number of new cases should decrease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Nienhaus
- Competence Center for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246 Hamburg, Germany; ; Tel.: +49-40-20207-3220
- Department for Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Health Sciences (AGG), Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany
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10
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Update on Potentially Zoonotic Viruses of European Bats. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070690. [PMID: 34201666 PMCID: PMC8310327 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bats have been increasingly gaining attention as potential reservoir hosts of some of the most virulent viruses known. Numerous review articles summarize bats as potential reservoir hosts of human-pathogenic zoonotic viruses. For European bats, just one review article is available that we published in 2014. The present review provides an update on the earlier article and summarizes the most important viruses found in European bats and their possible implications for Public Health. We identify the research gaps and recommend monitoring of these viruses.
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11
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Pozzi P, Soggiu A, Bonizzi L, Elkin N, Zecconi A. Airborne Coronaviruses: Observations from Veterinary Experience. Pathogens 2021; 10:628. [PMID: 34069705 PMCID: PMC8160630 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The virus responsible for the pandemic that has affected 152 countries worldwide is a new strain of coronavirus (CoV), which belongs to a family of viruses widespread in many animal species, including birds, and mammals including humans. Indeed, CoVs are known in veterinary medicine affecting several species, and causing respiratory and/or enteric, systemic diseases and reproductive disease in poultry. Animal diseases caused by CoV may be considered from the following different perspectives: livestock and poultry CoVs cause mainly "population disease"; while in companion animals they are a source of mainly "individual/single subject disease". Therefore, respiratory CoV diseases in high-density, large populations of livestock or poultry may be a suitable example for the current SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic. In this review we describe some strategies applied in veterinary medicine to control CoV and discuss if they may help to develop practical and useful strategies to control the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Pozzi
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Torino, L.go Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy
| | - Alessio Soggiu
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.S.); (L.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Luigi Bonizzi
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.S.); (L.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Nati Elkin
- Veterinarian, Poultrymed, Oren St. 19, Or Yehuda 6041147, Israel;
| | - Alfonso Zecconi
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133 Milano, Italy; (A.S.); (L.B.); (A.Z.)
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McEntire CRS, Song KW, McInnis RP, Rhee JY, Young M, Williams E, Wibecan LL, Nolan N, Nagy AM, Gluckstein J, Mukerji SS, Mateen FJ. Neurologic Manifestations of the World Health Organization's List of Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases. Front Neurol 2021; 12:634827. [PMID: 33692745 PMCID: PMC7937722 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.634827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) monitors the spread of diseases globally and maintains a list of diseases with epidemic or pandemic potential. Currently listed diseases include Chikungunya, cholera, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease, Hendra virus infection, influenza, Lassa fever, Marburg virus disease, Neisseria meningitis, MERS-CoV, monkeypox, Nipah virus infection, novel coronavirus (COVID-19), plague, Rift Valley fever, SARS, smallpox, tularemia, yellow fever, and Zika virus disease. The associated pathogens are increasingly important on the global stage. The majority of these diseases have neurological manifestations. Those with less frequent neurological manifestations may also have important consequences. This is highlighted now in particular through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and reinforces that pathogens with the potential to spread rapidly and widely, in spite of concerted global efforts, may affect the nervous system. We searched the scientific literature, dating from 1934 to August 2020, to compile data on the cause, epidemiology, clinical presentation, neuroimaging features, and treatment of each of the diseases of epidemic or pandemic potential as viewed through a neurologist's lens. We included articles with an abstract or full text in English in this topical and scoping review. Diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential can be spread directly from human to human, animal to human, via mosquitoes or other insects, or via environmental contamination. Manifestations include central neurologic conditions (meningitis, encephalitis, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, seizures), peripheral and cranial nerve syndromes (sensory neuropathy, sensorineural hearing loss, ophthalmoplegia), post-infectious syndromes (acute inflammatory polyneuropathy), and congenital syndromes (fetal microcephaly), among others. Some diseases have not been well-characterized from a neurological standpoint, but all have at least scattered case reports of neurological features. Some of the diseases have curative treatments available while in other cases, supportive care remains the only management option. Regardless of the pathogen, prompt, and aggressive measures to control the spread of these agents are the most important factors in lowering the overall morbidity and mortality they can cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleb R. S. McEntire
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kun-Wei Song
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert P. McInnis
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John Y. Rhee
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Young
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Erika Williams
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Leah L. Wibecan
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Neal Nolan
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amanda M. Nagy
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Pediatric Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Gluckstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)-Brigham Neurology Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Shibani S. Mukerji
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Farrah J. Mateen
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Zhan GF, Wang Y, Yang N, Luo AL, Li SY. Digestive system involvement of infections with SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses: Clinical manifestations and potential mechanisms. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:561-575. [PMID: 33642829 PMCID: PMC7901047 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i7.561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although coronavirus (CoV) infection is often characterized by respiratory symptoms, the virus can also result in extrapulmonary symptoms, especially the symptoms related to the digestive system. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently the world’s most pressing public health threat and has a significant impact on civil societies and the global economy. The occurrence of digestive symptoms in patients with COVID-19 is closely related to the development and prognosis of the disease. Moreover, thus far, there are no specific antiviral drug or vaccine approved for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Therefore, we elaborate on the effects of CoVs on the digestive system and the potential underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-Feng Zhan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ning Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ai-Lin Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Shi-Yong Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei Province, China
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Lin J, Dai W, Li W, Xiao L, Luo T, Guo Y, Yang Y, Han Y, Zhu P, Wu Q, He B, Wu J, Xia X. Potential False-Positive and False-Negative Results for COVID-19 IgG/IgM Antibody Testing After Heat-Inactivation. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 7:589080. [PMID: 33537325 PMCID: PMC7849051 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.589080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: With the worldwide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), various antibody detection kits have been developed to test for SARS-CoV-2– specific IgG, IgM, and total antibody. However, the use of different testing methods under various heat-inactivation conditions might affect the COVID-19 detection results. Methods: Seven different antibody detection kits produced by four manufacturers for detection of SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IgM, and total antibody were tested at Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, China. Most of the kits used the indirect immunity, capture, and double-antigen sandwich methods. The effects of various heat-inactivation conditions on SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, IgM, and total antibody detection were analyzed for the different test methods. Results: Using the indirect immunity method, values for SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody significantly increased and those for IgM antibody decreased with increasing temperature of heat-inactivation using indirect immunity method. However, values for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and total antibody showed no change when the capture and double-antigen sandwich methods were used. The changes in IgG and IgM antibody values with the indirect immunity method indicated that heat-inactivation could affect COVID-19 detection results obtained using this method. In particular, 18 (22.2%) SARS-CoV-2 IgM positive samples were detected as negative with heat-inactivation at 65°C for 30 min, and one (25%) IgG negative sample was detected as positive after heat-inactivation at 56°C for 60 min and 60°C for 30 min. Conclusions: Heat-inactivation could increase SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody values, and decrease IgM antibody values, causing potential false-positive or false-negative results for COVID-19 antibody detection using the indirect immunity method. Thus, before conducting antibody testing, the testing platforms should be evaluated in accordance with the relevant requirements to ensure accurate COVID-19 detection results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lin
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,The 904th Hospital, Wuxi, China.,Joint Expert Group for COVID-19, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Dai
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Li
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Xiao
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,The 904th Hospital, Wuxi, China.,Joint Expert Group for COVID-19, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Luo
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanju Guo
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Han
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peiran Zhu
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuyue Wu
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bangshun He
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,General Clinical Research Center, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Wu
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinyi Xia
- COVID-19 Research Center, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing Clinical College of Southern Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Joint Expert Group for COVID-19, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Blood Transfusion, Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, China
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15
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Li H, Ren L, Zhang L, Wang Y, Guo L, Wang C, Xiao Y, Wang Y, Rao J, Wang X, Liu Y, Huang C, Gu X, Fan G, Li H, Lu B, Cao B, Wang J. High anal swab viral load predisposes adverse clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 patients. Emerg Microbes Infect 2021; 9:2707-2714. [PMID: 33259268 PMCID: PMC7782020 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2020.1858700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
To identify the association between the kinetics of viral load and clinical outcome in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, a retrospective study was performed by involved 188 hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients in the LOTUS China trial. Among the collected 578 paired throat swab (TS) and anal swab (AS) samples, viral RNA was detected in 193 (33.4%) TS and 121 (20.9%) AS. A higher viral RNA load was found in TS than that of AS, with means of 1.0 × 106 and 2.3 × 105 copies/ml, respectively. In non-survivors, the viral RNA in AS was detected earlier than that in survivors (median of 14 days vs 19 days, P = 0.007). The positivity and viral load in AS were higher in non-survivors than that of survivors at week 2 post symptom onset (P = 0.006). A high initial viral load in AS was associated with death (OR 1.368, 95% CI 1.076–1.741, P = 0.011), admission to the intensive care unit (OR 1.237, 95% CI 1.001–1.528, P = 0.049) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 1.340, 95% CI 1.076–1.669, P = 0.009). Our findings indicated viral replication in extrapulmonary sites should be monitored intensively during antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Ren
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yeming Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Conghui Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Xiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Rao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinming Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chaolin Huang
- Department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease, Jinyintan Hospital, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Gu
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guohui Fan
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Binghuai Lu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Cao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Systems Biology of Pathogens and Christophe Mérieux Laboratory, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease Pathogenomics, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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16
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Fan S, Yan S, Liu X, Liu P, Huang L, Wang S. Human Coronavirus Infections and Pregnancy. MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE 2021; 3:53-65. [PMID: 34192279 PMCID: PMC7834663 DOI: 10.1097/fm9.0000000000000071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus (HCoV) causes potentially fatal respiratory disease. Pregnancy is a physiological state that predisposes women to viral infection. In this review, we aim to present advances in the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment in HCoV in pregnancy. We retrieved information from the Pubmed database up to June 2020, using various search terms and relevant words, including coronaviruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, 2019 coronavirus disease, and pregnancy. Both basic and clinical studies were selected. We found no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to HCoV infection or that those with HCoV infection are more prone to developing severe pneumonia. There is also no confirmed evidence of vertical mother-to-child transmission of HcoV infection during maternal HCoV infection. Those diagnosed with infection should be promptly admitted to a negative-pressure isolation ward, preferably in a designated hospital with adequate facilities and multi-disciplinary expertise to manage critically ill obstetric patients. Antiviral treatment has been routinely used to treat pregnant women with HCoV infection. The timing and mode of delivery should be individualized, depending mainly on the clinical status of the patient, gestational age, and fetal condition. Early cord clamping and temporary separation of the newborn for at least 2 weeks is recommended. All medical staff caring for patients with HCoV infection should use personal protective equipment. This review highlights the advances in pathogenesis, maternal-fetal outcome, maternal-fetal transmission, diagnosis and treatment in HCoV including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and coronavirus disease 2019 in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangrong Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Diseases, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Shaomei Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Xiaoping Liu
- Department of Laboratory Science, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Lei Huang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China
| | - Suhua Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China
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17
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Hemida MG, Ba Abduallah MM. The SARS-CoV-2 outbreak from a one health perspective. One Health 2020; 10:100127. [PMID: 32292814 PMCID: PMC7102578 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome cornavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a new human coronavirus candidate recently detected in China that is now reported in people on inhabited continents. The virus shares a high level of identity with some bat coronaviruses and is recognised as a potentially zoonotic virus. We are utilizing the One Health concept to understand the emergence of the virus, as well as to point to some possible control strategies that might reduce the spread of the virus across the globe; thus, containment of such virus would be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maged Gomaa Hemida
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt
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18
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Mann R, Perisetti A, Gajendran M, Gandhi Z, Umapathy C, Goyal H. Clinical Characteristics, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Major Coronavirus Outbreaks. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:581521. [PMID: 33282890 PMCID: PMC7691433 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.581521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human coronavirus infections have been known to cause mild respiratory illness. It changed in the last two decades as three global outbreaks by coronaviruses led to significant mortality and morbidity. SARS CoV-1 led to the first epidemic of the twenty first century due to coronavirus. SARS COV-1 infection had a broad array of symptoms with respiratory and gastrointestinal as most frequent. The last known case was reported in 2004. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) led to the second outbreak in 2012, and case fatality was much higher than SARS. MERS-CoV has a wide array of clinical presentations from mild, moderate to severe, and some patients end up with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The third and recent outbreak by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) started in December 2019, which lead to a global pandemic. Patients with SARS-CoV2 infection can be asymptomatic or have a range of symptoms with fever, cough, and shortness of breath being most common. Reverse transcriptase-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a diagnostic test of choice for SARS CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS CoV-2 infections. This review aims to discuss epidemiological, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of human coronaviruses with a focus on SARS CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and SARS CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupinder Mann
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fresno, CA, United States
| | - Abhilash Perisetti
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States
| | - Mahesh Gajendran
- Department of Internal Medicine, Paul L Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University, El Paso, TX, United States
| | - Zainab Gandhi
- Department of Medicine, Geisinger Community Medicine Center, Scranton, PA, United States
| | - Chandraprakash Umapathy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - Hemant Goyal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Wright Center of Graduate Medical Education, Scranton, PA, United States
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19
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Sidiq Z, Hanif M, Dwivedi KK, Chopra KK. Laboratory diagnosis of novel corona virus (2019-nCoV)-present and the future. Indian J Tuberc 2020; 67:S128-S131. [PMID: 33308658 PMCID: PMC7527305 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2020.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Background In December 2019 a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 emerged in the Hunan seafood market in Wuhan, China, and soon became a global health problem. Since its outbreak, SARS-CoV-2 has had a major impact on clinical diagnostic laboratories. The scientific community has quickly risen to the occasion and reports of new developments have arrived at an unprecedented scale. At present, there is a growing list of over 400 SARC-CoV-2 diagnostic tests either in development or approved for clinical use. This presentation reviews the current laboratory methods available for testing COVID- 19 in microbiology laboratories and also provides an insight into the future diagnostics approaches. Methods Proper respiratory specimen collected at the appropriate time and from the right anatomical site is critical in the accurate and timely diagnosis of SARSCoV2. While oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs are recommended for the detection of early infection, other lower respiratory tract specimens like the sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage are used for late detection and monitoring of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Results and Conclusion Real-time RT-PCR based molecular assay remains the test of choice for the etiological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 while serological tests are being introduced as supplementary tools. Finally, there is an urgent need for scaling up the diagnostic capacity by the introduction of reliable and accurate point-of-care tests which will assist in effective control of this outbreak. These assays can be used in the local hospitals and clinics bearing the burden of identifying and treating patients. At present, there is a growing list of over 400 SARC-CoV-2 diagnostic tests either in development or approved for clinical use. Real-time RT-PCR based molecular assay remains the test of choice for the etiological diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swabs are recommended for the detection of early infection. Lower respiratory tract specimens can be used for late detection and monitoring of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. There is an urgent need for scaling up the diagnostic capacity by the introduction of reliable POC tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeeshan Sidiq
- New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre, JLN Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - M Hanif
- New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre, JLN Marg, New Delhi, India.
| | | | - K K Chopra
- New Delhi Tuberculosis Centre, JLN Marg, New Delhi, India
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20
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Suhandynata RT, Hoffman MA, Kelner MJ, McLawhon RW, Reed SL, Fitzgerald RL. Longitudinal Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG Seropositivity to Detect COVID-19. J Appl Lab Med 2020; 5:908-920. [PMID: 32428207 PMCID: PMC7313967 DOI: 10.1093/jalm/jfaa079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a novel beta-coronavirus that has recently emerged as the cause of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based tests are optimal and recommended for the diagnosis of an acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Serology tests for viral antibodies provide an important tool to diagnose previous exposure to the virus. Here we evaluate the analytical performance parameters of the Diazyme SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG serology assays and describe the kinetics of IgM and IgG seroconversion observed in patients with PCR confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to our hospital. Methods We validated the performance of the Diazyme assay in 235 subjects to determine specificity. Subsequently, we evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG seroconversion of 54 PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients and determined sensitivity of the assay at three different timeframes. Result Sensitivity and specificity for detecting seropositivity at ≥ 15 days following a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result, was 100.0% and 98.7% when assaying for the panel of IgM and IgG. The median time to seropositivity observed for a reactive IgM and IgG result from the date of a positive PCR was 5 days (IQR: 2.75-9 days) and 4 days (IQR: 2.75-6.75 days), respectively. Conclusions Our data demonstrates that the Diazyme IgM/IgG assays are suited for the purpose of detecting SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM in patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infections. For the first time, we report longitudinal data showing the evolution of seroconversion for both IgG and IgM in a cohort of acutely ill patients in the United States. We also demonstrate a low false positive rate in patients who were presumed to be disease free.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sharon L Reed
- Department of Pathology UC, San Diego Health, San Diego, CA
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21
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Du L, Chen YM, Li Y, Yuan W, Wang JS. Prevalence of depression during the SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 pandemics: A protocol for overview of systematic reviews. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e22235. [PMID: 32957366 PMCID: PMC7505281 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000022235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, has emerged to be the biggest global health threat worldwide. COVID-19 marks the emergence of the third large-scale epidemic related to the coronavirus, after SARS-CoV in 2002 and Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERSCoV) in 2012. The pandemic has had a harmful effect on the public mental health, especially on depression. Increasing systematic reviews (SRs) of coronavirus were focusing on depression. However, the methodological quality of these SRs is unclear. Therefore, to evaluate and compare the normativity of report of SR, we conducted a comprehensive overview of depression during the SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 pandemics. METHODS Two independent reviewers will conduct comprehensively searches in PubMed, EMBASE.com, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan fang Database, Chongqing VIP (CQVIP). Reference lists of articles, gray literature, and conference proceedings will also be searched. We will extract the data and assess the methodological quality using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews-2 (AMSTAR-2) measurement tool and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. General characteristics of the eligible SRs will be summarized and described. We will provide AMSTAR-2 and PRISMA assessments in tabular form for each review, the total percentage of each item will be calculated. Endnote X8 and EXCEL will be used. RESULTS Using the draft search strategy of databases, 8 SRs met the a priori criteria and were included. The overview of SRs will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. CONCLUSION Our overview will be a comprehensive synthesis of the existing systemic review on depression with SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION INPLASY202080003.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Du
- The Third People's Hospital of Lanzhou City
| | - Ya-Min Chen
- Evidence-Based Nursing Center, School of Nursing, Lanzhou University
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Obstetrics, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University
| | - Jian-Shu Wang
- Department of bone and soft tissue oncology, Gansu Provincial Cancer Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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22
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Atique S, Bautista JR, Block LJ, Lee JJ, Lozada-Perezmitre E, Nibber R, O'Connor S, Peltonen LM, Ronquillo C, Tayaben J, Thilo FJS, Topaz M. A nursing informatics response to COVID-19: Perspectives from five regions of the world. J Adv Nurs 2020; 76:2462-2468. [PMID: 32420652 PMCID: PMC7276900 DOI: 10.1111/jan.14417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Suleman Atique
- Department of Health Informatics, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, University of Ha'il, Ha'il, Saudi Arabia
| | - John R Bautista
- School of Information, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA
| | - Lorraine J Block
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jung Jae Lee
- School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | | | - Raji Nibber
- School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Siobhan O'Connor
- School of Health in Social Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jude Tayaben
- College of Nursing, Benguet State University, Benguet, Philippines
| | - Friederike J S Thilo
- Applied Research and Development in Nursing, Department of Health Professions, Bern University of Applied Sciences, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maxim Topaz
- School of Nursing and Data Science Institute, Columbia University, New York, USA
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23
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Nienhaus A, Hod R. COVID-19 among Health Workers in Germany and Malaysia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E4881. [PMID: 32645826 PMCID: PMC7369938 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We report on the suspected case reports filed for SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19 illnesses among health and social welfare workers in Germany. In addition, we report about COVID-19 in health workers in Malaysia. Claims for occupational diseases caused by SARS-CoV-2 are recorded separately in a database of the Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW). This database is analyzed according to its content as of May 22, 2020. In addition, the notifiable cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections from personnel in medical institutions (e.g., clinics and doctor's office) and social welfare institutions (e.g., nursing homes, shelters and refugee camps) following the German Infection Protection Act are analyzed. The report from Malaysia is based on personal experience and publications of the government. In Germany at present, 4398 suspected case reports for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infections among health and social workers have been filed. This figure is four times the number of all reported infections normally received per year. The majority of claims, regardless of being a confirmed infection, concerned nurses (n = 6927, 63.9%). The mortality rate for workers infected with SARS-CoV-2 is 0.2% to 0.5%. Doctors are affected by severe illness more frequently than other occupational groups (8.1% vs. 4.1%). In Malaysia, work-related infection of health workers (HW) occurred mainly when COVID-19 was not suspected in patients and no adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) was worn. Although knowledge on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections among workers remains limited, the impact appears to be substantial. This is supported by the mortality rate among infected workers. Occupational health check-ups carried out at the present time should be systematically analyzed in order to gain more information on the epidemiology of COVID-19 among HW. Since the supply and use of PPE improved, the infection risk of HW in Malaysia seems to have decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Nienhaus
- Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20459 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege—BGW), 22089 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rozita Hod
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Malaysia Jln Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56 000, Malaysia;
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24
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On the Coronaviruses and Their Associations with the Aquatic Environment and Wastewater. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12061598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe respiratory disease caused by betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2, in 2019 that further developed into a pandemic has received an unprecedented response from the scientific community and sparked a general research interest into the biology and ecology of Coronaviridae, a family of positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses. Aquatic environments, lakes, rivers and ponds, are important habitats for bats and birds, which are hosts for various coronavirus species and strains and which shed viral particles in their feces. It is therefore of high interest to fully explore the role that aquatic environments may play in coronavirus spread, including cross-species transmissions. Besides the respiratory tract, coronaviruses pathogenic to humans can also infect the digestive system and be subsequently defecated. Considering this, it is pivotal to understand whether wastewater can play a role in their dissemination, particularly in areas with poor sanitation. This review provides an overview of the taxonomy, molecular biology, natural reservoirs and pathogenicity of coronaviruses; outlines their potential to survive in aquatic environments and wastewater; and demonstrates their association with aquatic biota, mainly waterfowl. It also calls for further, interdisciplinary research in the field of aquatic virology to explore the potential hotspots of coronaviruses in the aquatic environment and the routes through which they may enter it.
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25
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Salomaa S, Cardis E, Bouffler SD, Atkinson MJ, Hamada N. Low dose radiation therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia: is there any supportive evidence? Int J Radiat Biol 2020; 96:1224-1227. [DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2020.1762020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sisko Salomaa
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- STUK-Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elisabeth Cardis
- Campus Mar, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain
- University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Carlos III Institute of Health, C/Sinesio Delgado, Madrid, Spain
| | - Simon D. Bouffler
- Public Health England Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Oxon, UK
| | - Michael J. Atkinson
- Institute of Radiation Biology, Helmholtz-Center Munich, National Research Centre for Health and Environment, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nobuyuki Hamada
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Nuclear Technology Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI), Tokyo, Japan
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Rasool N, Akhtar A, Hussain W. Insights into the inhibitory potential of selective phytochemicals against Mpro of 2019-nCoV: a computer-aided study. Struct Chem 2020; 31:1777-1783. [PMID: 32362735 PMCID: PMC7193139 DOI: 10.1007/s11224-020-01536-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
At the end of December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, given the name of 2019-nCoV, emerged for exhibiting symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome. The virus is spreading rapidly in China and around the globe, affecting thousands of people leading to a pandemic. To control the mortality rate associated with the 2019-nCoV, prompt steps are needed. Until now there is no effective treatment or drug present to control its life-threatening effects in the humans. The scientist is struggling to find new inhibitors of this deadly virus. In this study, to identify the effective inhibitor candidates against the main protease (Mpro) of 2019-nCoV, computational approaches were adopted. Phytochemicals having immense medicinal properties as ligands were docked against the Mpro of 2019-nCoV to study their binding properties. ADMET and DFT analyses were also further carried out to analyze the potential of these phytochemicals as an effective inhibitor against Mpro of 2019-nCoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nouman Rasool
- 1Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, 75270 Pakistan.,Center for Professional Studies, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ammara Akhtar
- 2Department of Life Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Waqar Hussain
- 3National Center of Artificial Intelligence, Punjab University College of Information Technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.,Center for Professional Studies, Lahore, Pakistan
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27
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Zheng S, Fan J, Yu F, Feng B, Lou B, Zou Q, Xie G, Lin S, Wang R, Yang X, Chen W, Wang Q, Zhang D, Liu Y, Gong R, Ma Z, Lu S, Xiao Y, Gu Y, Zhang J, Yao H, Xu K, Lu X, Wei G, Zhou J, Fang Q, Cai H, Qiu Y, Sheng J, Chen Y, Liang T. Viral load dynamics and disease severity in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Zhejiang province, China, January-March 2020: retrospective cohort study. BMJ 2020; 369:m1443. [PMID: 32317267 PMCID: PMC7190077 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.m1443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 990] [Impact Index Per Article: 247.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate viral loads at different stages of disease progression in patients infected with the 2019 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the first four months of the epidemic in Zhejiang province, China. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING A designated hospital for patients with covid-19 in Zhejiang province, China. PARTICIPANTS 96 consecutively admitted patients with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection: 22 with mild disease and 74 with severe disease. Data were collected from 19 January 2020 to 20 March 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Ribonucleic acid (RNA) viral load measured in respiratory, stool, serum, and urine samples. Cycle threshold values, a measure of nucleic acid concentration, were plotted onto the standard curve constructed on the basis of the standard product. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and treatment and outcomes data were obtained through data collection forms from electronic medical records, and the relation between clinical data and disease severity was analysed. RESULTS 3497 respiratory, stool, serum, and urine samples were collected from patients after admission and evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 RNA viral load. Infection was confirmed in all patients by testing sputum and saliva samples. RNA was detected in the stool of 55 (59%) patients and in the serum of 39 (41%) patients. The urine sample from one patient was positive for SARS-CoV-2. The median duration of virus in stool (22 days, interquartile range 17-31 days) was significantly longer than in respiratory (18 days, 13-29 days; P=0.02) and serum samples (16 days, 11-21 days; P<0.001). The median duration of virus in the respiratory samples of patients with severe disease (21 days, 14-30 days) was significantly longer than in patients with mild disease (14 days, 10-21 days; P=0.04). In the mild group, the viral loads peaked in respiratory samples in the second week from disease onset, whereas viral load continued to be high during the third week in the severe group. Virus duration was longer in patients older than 60 years and in male patients. CONCLUSION The duration of SARS-CoV-2 is significantly longer in stool samples than in respiratory and serum samples, highlighting the need to strengthen the management of stool samples in the prevention and control of the epidemic, and the virus persists longer with higher load and peaks later in the respiratory tissue of patients with severe disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufa Zheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Fan
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baihuan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bin Lou
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qianda Zou
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoliang Xie
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sha Lin
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruonan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xianzhi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Weizhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Renjie Gong
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaohui Ma
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Siming Lu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanyan Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yaxi Gu
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinming Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangping Yao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaijin Xu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyang Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Guoqing Wei
- Bone Marrow Transplantation Centre, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianying Zhou
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Fang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongliu Cai
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunqing Qiu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jifang Sheng
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Centre for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Centre for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Centre of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- The Innovation Centre for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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28
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Chu DKW, Pan Y, Cheng SMS, Hui KPY, Krishnan P, Liu Y, Ng DYM, Wan CKC, Yang P, Wang Q, Peiris M, Poon LLM. Molecular Diagnosis of a Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Causing an Outbreak of Pneumonia. Clin Chem 2020; 66:549-555. [PMID: 32031583 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvaa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 862] [Impact Index Per Article: 215.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel coronavirus of zoonotic origin (2019-nCoV) has recently been identified in patients with acute respiratory disease. This virus is genetically similar to SARS coronavirus and bat SARS-like coronaviruses. The outbreak was initially detected in Wuhan, a major city of China, but has subsequently been detected in other provinces of China. Travel-associated cases have also been reported in a few other countries. Outbreaks in health care workers indicate human-to-human transmission. Molecular tests for rapid detection of this virus are urgently needed for early identification of infected patients. METHODS We developed two 1-step quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR assays to detect two different regions (ORF1b and N) of the viral genome. The primer and probe sets were designed to react with this novel coronavirus and its closely related viruses, such as SARS coronavirus. These assays were evaluated using a panel of positive and negative controls. In addition, respiratory specimens from two 2019-nCoV-infected patients were tested. RESULTS Using RNA extracted from cells infected by SARS coronavirus as a positive control, these assays were shown to have a dynamic range of at least seven orders of magnitude (2x10-4-2000 TCID50/reaction). Using DNA plasmids as positive standards, the detection limits of these assays were found to be below 10 copies per reaction. All negative control samples were negative in the assays. Samples from two 2019-nCoV-infected patients were positive in the tests. CONCLUSIONS The established assays can achieve a rapid detection of 2019n-CoV in human samples, thereby allowing early identification of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel K W Chu
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yang Pan
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China.,School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Samuel M S Cheng
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kenrie P Y Hui
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Pavithra Krishnan
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yingzhi Liu
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daisy Y M Ng
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Carrie K C Wan
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Peng Yang
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China.,School of Public Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Quanyi Wang
- Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, China.,Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Malik Peiris
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Leo L M Poon
- School of Public Health, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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29
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Pal M, Berhanu G, Desalegn C, Kandi V. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2): An Update. Cureus 2020; 12:e7423. [PMID: 32337143 PMCID: PMC7182166 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.7423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 306] [Impact Index Per Article: 76.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) belong to the family of Coronaviridae, the order Nidovirales, and the genus Coronavirus. They are the largest group of viruses causing respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Morphologically, CoVs are enveloped viruses containing a non-segmented positive-sense, single-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses. CoVs are categorized into four important genera that include Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus, Gammacoronavirus, and Deltacoronavirus. A novel member of human CoV that has recently emerged in Wuhan, China, is now formally named as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). This is a unique strain of RNA viruses that have not been previously observed in humans. The virus has wide host adaptability and is capable of causing severe diseases in humans, masked palm civets, mice, dogs, cats, camels, pigs, chickens, and bats. The SARS-CoV-2 typically causes respiratory and gastrointestinal sickness in both humans and animals. It can be transmitted through aerosols and direct/indirect contact, as well as during medical cases and laboratory sample handling. Specific structural proteins, which might be found on the surface of the virus, play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of the complications. The disease is characterized by distinct medical signs and symptoms that include high fever, chills, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. The infected people may also present with other symptoms such as diarrhea, myalgia, fatigue, expectoration, and hemoptysis. It is important from the public health and economic point of view as it affects the growth of the country, which is majorly attributed to the restriction in the movement of the people and the cost associated with the control and prevention of the disease. Since there is no specific therapeutic intervention nor a vaccine available against the virus, supportive management and treatment with non-specific therapeutic agents (repurposed drugs) may provide relief to the patients. Some preventive strategies of the disease include blocking the routes of transmission of the infections, disinfection of instruments used during medical case handling, using personal protective equipment, proper and early diagnosis of the disease, avoiding contact with the sick patients, and quarantine of the infected/exposed people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendra Pal
- Veterinary and Public Health, Narayan Consultancy on Veterinary Public Health and Microbiology, Anand, IND
| | - Gemechu Berhanu
- Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Dambi Dollo University, Dambi Dollo, ETH
| | - Chaltu Desalegn
- Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, ETH
| | - Venkataramana Kandi
- Clinical Microbiology, Prathima Institute of Medical Sciences, Karimnagar, IND
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30
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Lam DSC, Wong RLM, Lai KHW, Ko CN, Leung HY, Lee VYW, Lau JYN, Huang SS. COVID-19: Special Precautions in Ophthalmic Practice and FAQs on Personal Protection and Mask Selection. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila) 2020; 9:67-77. [PMID: 32349113 PMCID: PMC7227209 DOI: 10.1097/apo.0000000000000280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2, was first reported in December 2019. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020 and as of April 17, 2020, 210 countries are affected with >2,000,000 infected and 140,000 deaths. The estimated case fatality rate is around 6.7%. We need to step up our infection control measures immediately or else it may be too late to contain or control the spread of COVID-19. In case of local outbreaks, the risk of infection to healthcare workers and patients is high. Ophthalmic practice carries some unique risks and therefore high vigilance and special precautions are needed. We share our protocols and experiences in the prevention of infection in the current COVID-19 outbreak and the previous severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in Hong Kong. We also endeavor to answer the key frequently asked questions in areas of the coronaviruses, COVID-19, disease transmission, personal protection, mask selection, and special measures in ophthalmic practices. COVID-19 is highly infectious and could be life-threatening. Using our protocol and measures, we have achieved zero infection in our ophthalmic practices in Hong Kong and China. Preventing spread of COVID-19 is possible and achievable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Shun Chiu Lam
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- International Eye Research Institute of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, China
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Raymond Lai Man Wong
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kenny Ho Wa Lai
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chung-Nga Ko
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hiu Ying Leung
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Vincent Yau Wing Lee
- C-MER Dennis Lam & Partners Eye Center, C-MER International Eye Care Group, Hong Kong
- C-MER (Shenzhen) Dennis Lam Eye Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Johnson Yiu Nam Lau
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Suber S. Huang
- Retina Center of Ohio, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, USA
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31
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Delogu M, Cotti C, Lelli D, Sozzi E, Trogu T, Lavazza A, Garuti G, Castrucci MR, Vaccari G, De Marco MA, Moreno A. Eco-Virological Preliminary Study of Potentially Emerging Pathogens in Hedgehogs ( Erinaceus europaeus) Recovered at a Wildlife Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Northern Italy. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E407. [PMID: 32121543 PMCID: PMC7143230 DOI: 10.3390/ani10030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Western European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is one of the four hedgehog species belonging to the genus Erinaceus. Among them, E. amurensis is extant in East Asia's areas only, whereas E. europaeus, E. roumanicus and E. concolor are mainly found in Europe. E. europaeus is endemically distributed from western to central and southern Europe, including Italy. Western European hedgehogs' ecological and feeding habits, along with their high population densities, notable synanthropic attitudes, frequent contacts with sympatric wild and domestic species, including humans, implicate the possible involvement of E. europaeus in the ecology of potentially emerging viruses, such as coronaviruses, influenza A and influenza D viruses, canine distemper virus, pestiviruses and Aujeszky's disease virus. We examined 24 E. europaeus individuals found injured in urban and rural areas of Northern Italy. Of the 24 fecal samples collected and tested for the above-mentioned pathogens by both PCR-based and virus isolation methods, 14 were found PCR-positive for betacoronaviruses belonging to lineage C and related to the known Erinaceus coronaviruses (EriCoVs), as determined by partial sequencing of the virus genome. Our findings suggest that hedgehogs could be considered natural reservoirs of CoVs, and also act as chronic shedding carriers of these potentially emerging RNA viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Delogu
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 50 Via Tolara di Sopra, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy; (M.D.); (C.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Claudia Cotti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 50 Via Tolara di Sopra, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy; (M.D.); (C.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Virology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 7/9 Via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.L.); (E.S.); (T.T.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Enrica Sozzi
- Virology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 7/9 Via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.L.); (E.S.); (T.T.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Tiziana Trogu
- Virology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 7/9 Via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.L.); (E.S.); (T.T.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Virology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 7/9 Via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.L.); (E.S.); (T.T.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
| | - Giacomo Garuti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 50 Via Tolara di Sopra, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy; (M.D.); (C.C.); (G.G.)
| | - Maria Rita Castrucci
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 Viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Gabriele Vaccari
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 299 Viale Regina Elena, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Maria Alessandra De Marco
- Wildlife Service, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), 9 Via Ca’ Fornacetta, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), Italy
| | - Ana Moreno
- Virology Unit, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell’Emilia Romagna, 7/9 Via Bianchi, 25124 Brescia, Italy; (D.L.); (E.S.); (T.T.); (A.L.); (A.M.)
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32
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Long-term bone and lung consequences associated with hospital-acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome: a 15-year follow-up from a prospective cohort study. Bone Res 2020; 8:8. [PMID: 32128276 PMCID: PMC7018717 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-020-0084-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The most severe sequelae after rehabilitation from SARS are femoral head necrosis and pulmonary fibrosis. We performed a 15-year follow-up on the lung and bone conditions of SARS patients. We evaluated the recovery from lung damage and femoral head necrosis in an observational cohort study of SARS patients using pulmonary CT scans, hip joint MRI examinations, pulmonary function tests and hip joint function questionnaires. Eighty medical staff contracted SARS in 2003. Two patients died of SARS, and 78 were enrolled in this study from August 2003 to March 2018. Seventy-one patients completed the 15-year follow-up. The percentage of pulmonary lesions on CT scans diminished from 2003 (9.40 ± 7.83)% to 2004 (3.20 ± 4.78)% (P < 0.001) and remained stable thereafter until 2018 (4.60 ± 6.37)%. Between 2006 and 2018, the proportion of patients with interstitial changes who had improved pulmonary function was lower than that of patients without lesions, as demonstrated by the one-second ratio (FEV1/FVC%, t = 2.21, P = 0.04) and mid-flow of maximum expiration (FEF25%–75%, t = 2.76, P = 0.01). The volume of femoral head necrosis decreased significantly from 2003 (38.83 ± 21.01)% to 2005 (30.38 ± 20.23)% (P = 0.000 2), then declined slowly from 2005 to 2013 (28.99 ± 20.59)% and plateaued until 2018 (25.52 ± 15.51)%. Pulmonary interstitial damage and functional decline caused by SARS mostly recovered, with a greater extent of recovery within 2 years after rehabilitation. Femoral head necrosis induced by large doses of steroid pulse therapy in SARS patients was not progressive and was partially reversible.
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Lopes AM, Machado JAT, Galhano AM. Computational Comparison and Visualization of Viruses in the Perspective of Clinical Information. Interdiscip Sci 2019; 11:86-94. [PMID: 28391493 PMCID: PMC7090701 DOI: 10.1007/s12539-017-0229-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Revised: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper addresses the visualization of complex information using multidimensional scaling (MDS). MDS is a technique adopted for processing data with multiple features scattered in high-dimensional spaces. For illustrating the proposed techniques, the case of viral diseases is considered. The study evaluates the characteristics of 21 viruses in the perspective of clinical information. Several new schemes are proposed for improving the visualization of the MDS charts. The results follow standard clinical practice, proving that the method represents a valuable tool to study a large number of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- António M Lopes
- UISPA - LAETA/INEGI, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - J A Tenreiro Machado
- Institute of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, Department of Electrical Engineering, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alexandra M Galhano
- Institute of Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, Department of Electrical Engineering, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015, Porto, Portugal
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Nienhaus A. Infections in Healthcare Workers in Germany-22-Year Time Trends. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 15:ijerph15122656. [PMID: 30486322 PMCID: PMC6313552 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15122656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Health workers (HWs) run an increased risk of infection. The standardised data set of an accident insurer was used to analyse the time trends of infection-related claims and confirmed occupational diseases (ODs) in HWs. The numbers of claims and confirmed claims for different infections were analysed for the years 1996 to 2017. The rate of claims and confirmed ODs were calculated per 100,000 full-time workers. The number of claims was relatively stable over time. However, the rate per 100,000 full-time workers decreased from 25.2 to 15.4. The decrease was most pronounced for hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections, which were the most frequent infections for which claims were made at the start of the period. In 2017, tuberculosis (TB)-related claims were more frequent than those related to blood-borne virus infections. However, the growing number of TB claims does not reflect an increased infection risk, but rather improved methods for the diagnosis of latent TB infection (LTBI). Measures to prevent blood-borne virus infections in HWs were successful in the last 22 years, but attention should be paid to newly emerging infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Nienhaus
- Competence Centre for Epidemiology and Health Services Research for Healthcare Professionals (CVcare), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Hazardous Substances and Public Health, Institution for Statutory Accident Insurance and Prevention in the Health and Welfare Services (BGW), Hamburg, Germany.
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Phan MVT, Ngo Tri T, Hong Anh P, Baker S, Kellam P, Cotten M. Identification and characterization of Coronaviridae genomes from Vietnamese bats and rats based on conserved protein domains. Virus Evol 2018; 4:vey035. [PMID: 30568804 PMCID: PMC6295324 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vey035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronaviridae family of viruses encompasses a group of pathogens with a zoonotic potential as observed from previous outbreaks of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus. Accordingly, it seems important to identify and document the coronaviruses in animal reservoirs, many of which are uncharacterized and potentially missed by more standard diagnostic assays. A combination of sensitive deep sequencing technology and computational algorithms is essential for virus surveillance, especially for characterizing novel- or distantly related virus strains. Here, we explore the use of profile Hidden Markov Model-defined Pfam protein domains (Pfam domains) encoded by new sequences as a Coronaviridae sequence classification tool. The encoded domains are used first in a triage to identify potential Coronaviridae sequences and then processed using a Random Forest method to classify the sequences to the Coronaviridae genus level. The application of this algorithm on Coronaviridae genomes assembled from agnostic deep sequencing data from surveillance of bats and rats in Dong Thap province (Vietnam) identified thirty-four Alphacoronavirus and eleven Betacoronavirus genomes. This collection of bat and rat coronaviruses genomes provided essential information on the local diversity of coronaviruses and substantially expanded the number of coronavirus full genomes available from bat and rats and may facilitate further molecular studies on this group of viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- My V T Phan
- Virus Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tue Ngo Tri
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Pham Hong Anh
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Stephen Baker
- Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Paul Kellam
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Matthew Cotten
- Virus Genomics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Kiyuka PK, Agoti CN, Munywoki PK, Njeru R, Bett A, Otieno JR, Otieno GP, Kamau E, Clark TG, van der Hoek L, Kellam P, Nokes DJ, Cotten M. Human Coronavirus NL63 Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Patterns in Rural Coastal Kenya. J Infect Dis 2018; 217:1728-1739. [PMID: 29741740 PMCID: PMC6037089 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) is a globally endemic pathogen causing mild and severe respiratory tract infections with reinfections occurring repeatedly throughout a lifetime. Methods Nasal samples were collected in coastal Kenya through community-based and hospital-based surveillance. HCoV-NL63 was detected with multiplex real-time reverse transcription PCR, and positive samples were targeted for nucleotide sequencing of the spike (S) protein. Additionally, paired samples from 25 individuals with evidence of repeat HCoV-NL63 infection were selected for whole-genome virus sequencing. Results HCoV-NL63 was detected in 1.3% (75/5573) of child pneumonia admissions. Two HCoV-NL63 genotypes circulated in Kilifi between 2008 and 2014. Full genome sequences formed a monophyletic clade closely related to contemporary HCoV-NL63 from other global locations. An unexpected pattern of repeat infections was observed with some individuals showing higher viral titers during their second infection. Similar patterns for 2 other endemic coronaviruses, HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43, were observed. Repeat infections by HCoV-NL63 were not accompanied by detectable genotype switching. Conclusions In this coastal Kenya setting, HCoV-NL63 exhibited low prevalence in hospital pediatric pneumonia admissions. Clade persistence with low genetic diversity suggest limited immune selection, and absence of detectable clade switching in reinfections indicates initial exposure was insufficient to elicit a protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patience K Kiyuka
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Charles N Agoti
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
- School of Health and Human Sciences, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Patrick K Munywoki
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Regina Njeru
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Anne Bett
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - James R Otieno
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Grieven P Otieno
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Everlyn Kamau
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
| | - Taane G Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lia van der Hoek
- Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Paul Kellam
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London
- Kymab Ltd., Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge
| | - D James Nokes
- Epidemiology and Demography Department, Kenya Medical Research Institute-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
- School of Life Sciences and Zeeman Institute, University of Warwick, Coventry
| | - Matthew Cotten
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom
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Reinke LM, Spiegel M, Plegge T, Hartleib A, Nehlmeier I, Gierer S, Hoffmann M, Hofmann-Winkler H, Winkler M, Pöhlmann S. Different residues in the SARS-CoV spike protein determine cleavage and activation by the host cell protease TMPRSS2. PLoS One 2017. [PMID: 28636671 PMCID: PMC5479546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The spike (S) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) mediates viral entry into target cells. Cleavage and activation of SARS S by a host cell protease is essential for infectious viral entry and the responsible enzymes are potential targets for antiviral intervention. The type II transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 cleaves and activates SARS S in cell culture and potentially also in the infected host. Here, we investigated which determinants in SARS S control cleavage and activation by TMPRSS2. We found that SARS S residue R667, a previously identified trypsin cleavage site, is also required for S protein cleavage by TMPRSS2. The cleavage fragments produced by trypsin and TMPRSS2 differed in their decoration with N-glycans, suggesting that these proteases cleave different SARS S glycoforms. Although R667 was required for SARS S cleavage by TMPRSS2, this residue was dispensable for TMPRSS2-mediated S protein activation. Conversely, residue R797, previously reported to be required for SARS S activation by trypsin, was dispensable for S protein cleavage but required for S protein activation by TMPRSS2. Collectively, these results show that different residues in SARS S control cleavage and activation by TMPRSS2, suggesting that these processes are more complex than initially appreciated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Spiegel
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Virologie, Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Teresa Plegge
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anika Hartleib
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Nehlmeier
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gierer
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Michael Winkler
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Abteilung Infektionsbiologie, Deutsches Primatenzentrum, Göttingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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38
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Hocke AC, Suttorp N, Hippenstiel S. Human lung ex vivo infection models. Cell Tissue Res 2016; 367:511-524. [PMID: 27999962 PMCID: PMC7087833 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-016-2546-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pneumonia is counted among the leading causes of death worldwide. Viruses, bacteria and pathogen-related molecules interact with cells present in the human alveolus by numerous, yet poorly understood ways. Traditional cell culture models little reflect the cellular composition, matrix complexity and three-dimensional architecture of the human lung. Integrative animal models suffer from species differences, which are of particular importance for the investigation of zoonotic lung diseases. The use of cultured ex vivo infected human lung tissue may overcome some of these limitations and complement traditional models. The present review gives an overview of common bacterial lung infections, such as pneumococcal infection and of widely neglected pathogens modeled in ex vivo infected lung tissue. The role of ex vivo infected lung tissue for the investigation of emerging viral zoonosis including influenza A virus and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus is discussed. Finally, further directions for the elaboration of such models are revealed. Overall, the introduced models represent meaningful and robust methods to investigate principles of pathogen-host interaction in original human lung tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas C Hocke
- Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Norbert Suttorp
- Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Hippenstiel
- Department of Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases and Pulmonary Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj D Shah
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Arkes 14-045, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Richard G Wunderink
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North St. Clair Street, Arkes 14-045, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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40
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Payne DC, Iblan I, Rha B, Alqasrawi S, Haddadin A, Al Nsour M, Alsanouri T, Ali SS, Harcourt J, Miao C, Tamin A, Gerber SI, Haynes LM, Al Abdallat MM. Persistence of Antibodies against Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus. Emerg Infect Dis 2016; 22:1824-6. [PMID: 27332149 PMCID: PMC5038413 DOI: 10.3201/eid2210.160706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To determine how long antibodies against Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus persist, we measured long-term antibody responses among persons serologically positive or indeterminate after a 2012 outbreak in Jordan. Antibodies, including neutralizing antibodies, were detectable in 6 (86%) of 7 persons for at least 34 months after the outbreak.
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41
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Abstract
Ever since the successful Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969, a “moonshot” has come to signify a bold effort to achieve a seemingly impossible task. The Obama administration recently called for a moonshot to cure cancer, an initiative that has elicited mixed responses from researchers who welcome additional funding but worry about raising expectations. We suggest that a successful moonshot requires a sufficient understanding of the basic science underlying a problem in question so that efforts can be focused on engineering a solution. Current gaps in our basic knowledge of cancer biology make the cancer moonshot a uniquely challenging endeavor. Nevertheless, history has shown that intensive research efforts have frequently yielded conceptual and technological breakthroughs with unanticipated benefits for society. We expect that this effort will be no different.
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42
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Millar M, Hsu DTS. Can Healthcare Workers Reasonably Question the Duty to Care Whilst Healthcare Institutions Take a Reactive (Rather than Proactive) Approach to Infectious Disease Risks? Public Health Ethics 2016; 12:94-98. [PMID: 32288787 PMCID: PMC7107166 DOI: 10.1093/phe/phw037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) carry a substantial risk of harm from infectious disease, particularly, but not exclusively, during outbreaks. More can be done by healthcare institutions to identify risks, quantify the current burden of preventable infectious disease amongst HCWs and identify opportunities for prevention. We suggest that institutional obligations should be clarified with respect to the mitigation of infectious disease risks to staff, and question the duty of HCWs to care while healthcare institutions persist with a reactive rather than proactive attitude to infectious disease threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Millar
- Department of Infection, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust
| | - Desmond T S Hsu
- Department of Infection, The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust
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43
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Lopes AM, Andrade JP, Tenreiro Machado JA. Multidimensional scaling analysis of virus diseases. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2016; 131:97-110. [PMID: 27265052 PMCID: PMC7114580 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2016.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Viruses are infectious agents that replicate inside organisms and reveal a plethora of distinct characteristics. Viral infections spread in many ways, but often have devastating consequences and represent a huge danger for public health. It is important to design statistical and computational techniques capable of handling the available data and highlighting the most important features. METHODS This paper reviews the quantitative and qualitative behaviour of 22 infectious diseases caused by viruses. The information is compared and visualized by means of the multidimensional scaling technique. RESULTS The results are robust to uncertainties in the data and revealed to be consistent with clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS The paper shows that the proposed methodology may represent a solid mathematical tool to tackle a larger number of virus and additional information about these infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- António M Lopes
- UISPA-LAETA/INEGI, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - José P Andrade
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - J A Tenreiro Machado
- Institute of Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
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44
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Banerjee N, Mukhopadhyay S. Viral glycoproteins: biological role and application in diagnosis. Virusdisease 2016; 27:1-11. [PMID: 26925438 PMCID: PMC4758313 DOI: 10.1007/s13337-015-0293-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The viruses that infect humans cause a huge global disease burden and produce immense challenge towards healthcare system. Glycoproteins are one of the major components of human pathogenic viruses. They have been demonstrated to have important role(s) in infection and immunity. Concomitantly high titres of antibodies against these antigenic viral glycoproteins have paved the way for development of novel diagnostics. Availability of appropriate biomarkers is necessary for advance diagnosis of infectious diseases especially in case of outbreaks. As human mobilization has increased manifold nowadays, dissemination of infectious agents became quicker that paves the need of rapid diagnostic system. In case of viral infection it is an emergency as virus spreads and mutates very fast. This review encircles the vast arena of viral glycoproteins, their importance in health and disease and their diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilotpal Banerjee
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R Avenue, Kolkata, 700073 India
| | - Sumi Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tropical Medicine, 108, C.R Avenue, Kolkata, 700073 India
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45
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Corman VM, Albarrak AM, Omrani AS, Albarrak MM, Farah ME, Almasri M, Muth D, Sieberg A, Meyer B, Assiri AM, Binger T, Steinhagen K, Lattwein E, Al-Tawfiq J, Müller MA, Drosten C, Memish ZA. Viral Shedding and Antibody Response in 37 Patients With Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection. Clin Infect Dis 2015; 62:477-483. [PMID: 26565003 PMCID: PMC7108065 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 263] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus causes isolated cases and outbreaks of severe respiratory disease. Essential features of the natural history of disease are poorly understood. METHODS We studied 37 adult patients infected with MERS coronavirus for viral load in the lower and upper respiratory tracts (LRT and URT, respectively), blood, stool, and urine. Antibodies and serum neutralizing activities were determined over the course of disease. RESULTS One hundred ninety-nine LRT samples collected during the 3 weeks following diagnosis yielded virus RNA in 93% of tests. Average (maximum) viral loads were 5 × 10(6) (6 × 10(10)) copies/mL. Viral loads (positive detection frequencies) in 84 URT samples were 1.9 × 10(4) copies/mL (47.6%). Thirty-three percent of all 108 serum samples tested yielded viral RNA. Only 14.6% of stool and 2.4% of urine samples yielded viral RNA. All seroconversions occurred during the first 2 weeks after diagnosis, which corresponds to the second and third week after symptom onset. Immunoglobulin M detection provided no advantage in sensitivity over immunoglobulin G (IgG) detection. All surviving patients, but only slightly more than half of all fatal cases, produced IgG and neutralizing antibodies. The levels of IgG and neutralizing antibodies were weakly and inversely correlated with LRT viral loads. Presence of antibodies did not lead to the elimination of virus from LRT. CONCLUSIONS The timing and intensity of respiratory viral shedding in patients with MERS closely matches that of those with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Blood viral RNA does not seem to be infectious. Extrapulmonary loci of virus replication seem possible. Neutralizing antibodies do not suffice to clear the infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor M Corman
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre.,German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Mohamed Elamin Farah
- Central Military Laboratory and Blood Bank, Microbiology Division, Prince Sultan Military City
| | | | - Doreen Muth
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre.,German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andrea Sieberg
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre
| | - Benjamin Meyer
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre
| | | | - Tabea Binger
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre
| | | | | | - Jaffar Al-Tawfiq
- Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran.,Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis
| | | | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, University of Bonn Medical Centre.,German Centre for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ziad A Memish
- Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.,College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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46
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Patarčić I, Gelemanović A, Kirin M, Kolčić I, Theodoratou E, Baillie KJ, de Jong MD, Rudan I, Campbell H, Polašek O. The role of host genetic factors in respiratory tract infectious diseases: systematic review, meta-analyses and field synopsis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16119. [PMID: 26524966 PMCID: PMC4630784 DOI: 10.1038/srep16119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Host genetic factors have frequently been implicated in respiratory infectious diseases, often with inconsistent results in replication studies. We identified 386 studies from the total of 24,823 studies identified in a systematic search of four bibliographic databases. We performed meta-analyses of studies on tuberculosis, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, SARS-Coronavirus and pneumonia. One single-nucleotide polymorphism from IL4 gene was significant for pooled respiratory infections (rs2070874; 1.66 [1.29–2.14]). We also detected an association of TLR2 gene with tuberculosis (rs5743708; 3.19 [2.03–5.02]). Subset analyses identified CCL2 as an additional risk factor for tuberculosis (rs1024611; OR = 0.79 [0.72–0.88]). The IL4-TLR2-CCL2 axis could be a highly interesting target for translation towards clinical use. However, this conclusion is based on low credibility of evidence - almost 95% of all identified studies had strong risk of bias or confounding. Future studies must build upon larger-scale collaborations, but also strictly adhere to the highest evidence-based principles in study design, in order to reduce research waste and provide clinically translatable evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Patarčić
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Andrea Gelemanović
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Mirna Kirin
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Ivana Kolčić
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
| | - Evropi Theodoratou
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kenneth J Baillie
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.,Intensive Care Unit, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Menno D de Jong
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Igor Rudan
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harry Campbell
- Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ozren Polašek
- Department of Public Health, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.,Centre for Global Health Research, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics , University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Zhu L, Olsen RJ, Nasser W, Beres SB, Vuopio J, Kristinsson KG, Gottfredsson M, Porter AR, DeLeo FR, Musser JM. A molecular trigger for intercontinental epidemics of group A Streptococcus. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:3545-59. [PMID: 26258415 DOI: 10.1172/jci82478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of the molecular events responsible for strain emergence, enhanced virulence, and epidemicity has been a long-pursued goal in infectious diseases research. A recent analysis of 3,615 genomes of serotype M1 group A Streptococcus strains (the so-called "flesh-eating" bacterium) identified a recombination event that coincides with the global M1 pandemic beginning in the early 1980s. Here, we have shown that the allelic variation that results from this recombination event, which replaces the chromosomal region encoding secreted NADase and streptolysin O, is the key driver of increased toxin production and enhanced infection severity of the M1 pandemic strains. Using isoallelic mutant strains, we found that 3 polymorphisms in this toxin gene region increase resistance to killing by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes, increase bacterial proliferation, and increase virulence in animal models of pharyngitis and necrotizing fasciitis. Genome sequencing of an additional 1,125 streptococcal strains and virulence studies revealed that a highly similar recombinational replacement event underlies an ongoing intercontinental epidemic of serotype M89 group A Streptococcus infections. By identifying the molecular changes that enhance upper respiratory tract fitness, increased resistance to innate immunity, and increased tissue destruction, we describe a mechanism that underpins epidemic streptococcal infections, which have affected many millions of people.
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Ebola virus disease in nonendemic countries. J Formos Med Assoc 2015; 114:384-98. [PMID: 25882189 PMCID: PMC7135111 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2015.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2014 West African outbreak of Ebola virus disease was unprecedented in its scale and has resulted in transmissions outside endemic countries. Clinicians in nonendemic countries will most likely face the disease in returning travelers, either among healthcare workers, expatriates, or visiting friends and relatives. Clinical suspicion for the disease must be heightened for travelers or contacts presenting with compatible clinical syndromes, and strict infection control measures must be promptly implemented to minimize the risk of secondary transmission within healthcare settings or in the community. We present a concise review on human filoviral disease with an emphasis on issues that are pertinent to clinicians practicing in nonendemic countries.
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Hoosen AA, Lecatsas G. Developments in the laboratory diagnosis of SARS—coronavirus infections. S Afr Fam Pract (2004) 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/20786204.2005.10873214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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A tale of two specificities: bispecific antibodies for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Trends Biotechnol 2013; 31:621-32. [PMID: 24094861 PMCID: PMC7114091 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Revised: 08/01/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant DNA technologies are leading the rapid expansion of bispecific antibody formats. The therapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies is being realized through creative design. Bispecific antibodies are potentially underutilized reagents for diagnostics.
Artificial manipulation of antibody genes has facilitated the production of several unique recombinant antibody formats, which have highly important therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Although bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) are not new, they are coming to the forefront as our knowledge of the potential efficacy of antibody-based therapeutics expands. The next generation of bsAbs is developing due to significant improvements in recombinant antibody technologies. This review focuses on recent advances with a particular focus on improvements in format and design that are contributing to the resurgence of bsAbs, and in particular, on innovative structures applicable to next generation point-of-care (POC) devices with applicability to low resource environments.
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