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Das Swain V, Xie J, Madan M, Sargolzaei S, Cai J, De Choudhury M, Abowd GD, Steimle LN, Prakash BA. Empirical networks for localized COVID-19 interventions using WiFi infrastructure at university campuses. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1060828. [PMID: 37260525 PMCID: PMC10227502 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1060828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases, like COVID-19, pose serious challenges to university campuses, which typically adopt closure as a non-pharmaceutical intervention to control spread and ensure a gradual return to normalcy. Intervention policies, such as remote instruction (RI) where large classes are offered online, reduce potential contact but also have broad side-effects on campus by hampering the local economy, students' learning outcomes, and community wellbeing. In this paper, we demonstrate that university policymakers can mitigate these tradeoffs by leveraging anonymized data from their WiFi infrastructure to learn community mobility-a methodology we refer to as WiFi mobility models (WiMob). This approach enables policymakers to explore more granular policies like localized closures (LC). WiMob can construct contact networks that capture behavior in various spaces, highlighting new potential transmission pathways and temporal variation in contact behavior. Additionally, WiMob enables us to design LC policies that close super-spreader locations on campus. By simulating disease spread with contact networks from WiMob, we find that LC maintains the same reduction in cumulative infections as RI while showing greater reduction in peak infections and internal transmission. Moreover, LC reduces campus burden by closing fewer locations, forcing fewer students into completely online schedules, and requiring no additional isolation. WiMob can empower universities to conceive and assess a variety of closure policies to prevent future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vedant Das Swain
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jiajia Xie
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Maanit Madan
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sonia Sargolzaei
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - James Cai
- Department of Computer Science, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Munmun De Choudhury
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gregory D. Abowd
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
- College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lauren N. Steimle
- H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - B. Aditya Prakash
- College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
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2
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Devaux CA, Fantini J. Unravelling Antigenic Cross-Reactions toward the World of Coronaviruses: Extent of the Stability of Shared Epitopes and SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike Cross-Neutralizing Antibodies. Pathogens 2023; 12:713. [PMID: 37242383 PMCID: PMC10220573 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12050713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The human immune repertoire retains the molecular memory of a very great diversity of target antigens (epitopes) and can recall this upon a second encounter with epitopes against which it has previously been primed. Although genetically diverse, proteins of coronaviruses exhibit sufficient conservation to lead to antigenic cross-reactions. In this review, our goal is to question whether pre-existing immunity against seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) or exposure to animal CoVs has influenced the susceptibility of human populations to SARS-CoV-2 and/or had an impact upon the physiopathological outcome of COVID-19. With the hindsight that we now have regarding COVID-19, we conclude that although antigenic cross-reactions between different coronaviruses exist, cross-reactive antibody levels (titers) do not necessarily reflect on memory B cell frequencies and are not always directed against epitopes which confer cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the immunological memory of these infections is short-term and occurs in only a small percentage of the population. Thus, in contrast to what might be observed in terms of cross-protection at the level of a single individual recently exposed to circulating coronaviruses, a pre-existing immunity against HCoVs or other CoVs can only have a very minor impact on SARS-CoV-2 circulation at the level of human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Laboratory Microbes Evolution Phylogeny and Infection (MEPHI), Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire—Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS-SNC5039), 13009 Marseille, France
| | - Jacques Fantini
- Aix-Marseille Université, INSERM UMR_S 1072, 13015 Marseille, France
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3
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Addressing Complexity in the Pandemic Context: How Systems Thinking Can Facilitate Understanding of Design Aspects for Preventive Technologies. INFORMATICS 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/informatics10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a wicked problem that is defined by rapidly evolving and dynamic conditions, where the physical world changes (e.g., pathogens mutate) and, in parallel, our understanding and knowledge rapidly progress. Various preventive measures have been developed or proposed to manage the situation, including digital preventive technologies to support contact tracing or physical distancing. The complexity of the pandemic and the rapidly evolving nature of the situation pose challenges for the design of effective preventive technologies. The aim of this conceptual paper is to apply a systems thinking model, DSRP (distinctions, systems, relations, perspectives) to explain the underlying assumptions, patterns, and connections of the pandemic domain, as well as to identify potential leverage points for design of preventive technologies. Two different design approaches, contact tracing and nudging for distance, are compared, focusing on how their design and preventive logic are related to system complexity. The analysis explains why a contact tracing technology involves more complexity, which can challenge both implementation and user understanding. A system utilizing nudges can operate using a more distinct system boundary, which can benefit understanding and implementation. However, frequent nudges might pose challenges for user experience. This further implies that these technologies have different contextual requirements and are useful at different levels in society. The main contribution of this work is to show how systems thinking can organize our understanding and guide the design of preventive technologies in the context of epidemics and pandemics.
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Zhang Y, Sun Y, Gaggiano JD, Kumar N, Andris C, Parker AG. Visualization Design Practices in a Crisis: Behind the Scenes with COVID-19 Dashboard Creators. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS 2023; 29:1037-1047. [PMID: 36170401 DOI: 10.1109/tvcg.2022.3209493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of data visualizations were created to inform the public about the rapidly evolving crisis. Data dashboards, a form of information dissemination used during the pandemic, have facilitated this process by visualizing statistics regarding the number of COVID-19 cases over time. Prior work on COVID-19 visualizations has primarily focused on the design and evaluation of specific visualization systems from technology-centered perspectives. However, little is known about what occurs behind the scenes during the visualization creation processes, given the complex sociotechnical contexts in which they are embedded. Yet, such ecological knowledge is necessary to help characterize the nuances and trajectories of visualization design practices in the wild, as well as generate insights into how creators come to understand and approach visualization design on their own terms and for their own situated purposes. In this research, we conducted a qualitative interview study among dashboard creators from federal agencies, state health departments, mainstream news media outlets, and other organizations that created (often widely-used) COVID-19 dashboards to answer the following questions: how did visualization creators engage in COVID-19 dashboard design, and what tensions, conflicts, and challenges arose during this process? Our findings detail the trajectory of design practices-from creation to expansion, maintenance, and termination-that are shaped by the complex interplay between design goals, tools and technologies, labor, emerging crisis contexts, and public engagement. We particularly examined the tensions between designers and the general public involved in these processes. These conflicts, which often materialized due to a divergence between public demands and standing policies, centered around the type and amount of information to be visualized, how public perceptions shape and are shaped by visualization design, and the strategies utilized to deal with (potential) misinterpretations and misuse of visualizations. Our findings and lessons learned shed light on new ways of thinking in visualization design, focusing on the bundled activities that are invariably involved in human and nonhuman participation throughout the entire trajectory of design practice.
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5
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Daoust AR, Stanton K, Vandermeer MRJ, Liu P, Harkness KL, Hayden EP. Development and Preliminary Validation of the Pandemic Avoidance and Concern Scales (PACS). JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2022; 44:1029-1042. [PMID: 36097551 PMCID: PMC9452862 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-022-09995-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to radical disruptions to the routines of individuals and families, but there are few psychometrically assessed measures for indexing behavioural responses associated with a modern pandemic. Given the likelihood of future pandemics, valid tools for assessing pandemic-related behavioral responses relevant to mental health are needed. This need may be especially salient for studies involving families, as they may experience higher levels of stress and maladjustment related to school and business closures. We therefore created the Pandemic Avoidance and Concern Scales (PACS) to assess caregivers’ and youths’ adjustment to COVID-19 and future pandemics. Concern and Avoidance factors derived from exploratory factor analyses were associated with measures of internalizing symptoms, as well as other indices of pandemic-related disruption. Findings suggest that the PACS is a valid tool for assessing pandemic-related beliefs and behaviors in adults and adolescents. Preliminary findings related to differential adjustment between caregivers and youths are discussed.
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6
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Devaux CA, Raoult D. The impact of COVID-19 on populations living at high altitude: Role of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) signaling pathway in SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication. Front Physiol 2022; 13:960308. [PMID: 36091390 PMCID: PMC9454615 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.960308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported worldwide. However, one epidemiological report has claimed a lower incidence of the disease in people living at high altitude (>2,500 m), proposing the hypothesis that adaptation to hypoxia may prove to be advantageous with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This publication was initially greeted with skepticism, because social, genetic, or environmental parametric variables could underlie a difference in susceptibility to the virus for people living in chronic hypobaric hypoxia atmospheres. Moreover, in some patients positive for SARS-CoV-2, early post-infection ‘happy hypoxia” requires immediate ventilation, since it is associated with poor clinical outcome. If, however, we accept to consider the hypothesis according to which the adaptation to hypoxia may prove to be advantageous with respect to SARS-CoV-2 infection, identification of the molecular rational behind it is needed. Among several possibilities, HIF-1 regulation appears to be a molecular hub from which different signaling pathways linking hypoxia and COVID-19 are controlled. Interestingly, HIF-1α was reported to inhibit the infection of lung cells by SARS-CoV-2 by reducing ACE2 viral receptor expression. Moreover, an association of the rs11549465 variant of HIF-1α with COVID-19 susceptibility was recently discovered. Here, we review the evidence for a link between HIF-1α, ACE2 and AT1R expression, and the incidence/severity of COVID-19. We highlight the central role played by the HIF-1α signaling pathway in the pathophysiology of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Albert Devaux
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
- *Correspondence: Christian Albert Devaux,
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille University, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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7
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Analysis of energy management schemes for renewable-energy-based smart homes against the backdrop of COVID-19. SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS 2022; 52:102136. [PMCID: PMC8934517 DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2022.102136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
This article reviews energy management schemes for smart homes integrated with renewable energy resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The incorporation of distributed renewable energy system has initiated an acute transition from the traditional centralized energy management system to independent demand responsive energy systems. Renewable energy-based Smart Home Energy Management Systems (SHEMSs) play a vital role in the residential sector with the increased and dynamic electricity demand during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance the efficacy, sustainability, economical benefits, and energy conservation for a distribution system. In this regard, the reviews of various energy management schemes for smart homes appliances and associated challenges has been presented. Different energy scheduling controller techniques have also been analyzed and compared in the COVID-19 framework by reviewing several cases from the literature. The utilization and benefits of renewable-based SHEMS have also been discussed. In addition, both micro and macro-level socio-economic implications of COVID-19 on SHEMSs are discussed. A conclusion has been drawn given the strengths and limitations of different energy scheduling controllers and optimization techniques in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is observed that renewable-energy-based SHEMS with improved multi-objective meta-heuristic optimization algorithms employing artificial intelligence are better suited to deal with the dynamic residential energy demand in the pandemic. It is hoped that this review, as a fundamental platform, will facilitate the researchers aiming to investigate the performance of energy management and demand response schemes for further improvement, especially during the pandemic.
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Frutos R, Gavotte L, Devaux CA. Le virus SARS-CoV-2 n’a pas « d’origine ». Med Sci (Paris) 2022; 38:600-607. [DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2022079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Depuis le début de la pandémie de COVID-19, la question de l’origine de ce virus fait l’objet d’une vive polémique. C’est la question de « l’origine » qui est biaisée. Darwin a montré qu’il n’y a pas d’origine déterminée à aucune espèce animale ou végétale, simplement un processus évolutif et sélectif. Il en est de même pour les virus, il n’y a pas d’origine, mais un processus évolutif. Les virus circulent d’hôte à hôte, animaux ou humains. Les virus pandémiques circulent déjà chez l’homme et évoluent avant l’apparition d’une maladie. Ce processus évolutif se poursuit et donne naissance à des variants successifs. La solution n’est pas de cibler la maladie ou le possible agent causal, mais plutôt de cibler le processus d’émergence de la maladie lui-même.
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9
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Frutos R, Pliez O, Gavotte L, Devaux CA. There is no "origin" to SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 207:112173. [PMID: 34626592 PMCID: PMC8493644 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 caused by SARS-CoV-2, the question of the origin of this virus has been a highly debated issue. Debates have been, and are still, very disputed and often violent between the two main hypotheses: a natural origin through the "spillover" model or a laboratory-leak origin. Tenants of these two options are building arguments often based on the discrepancies of the other theory. The main problem is that it is the initial question of the origin itself which is biased. Charles Darwin demonstrated in 1859 that all species are appearing through a process of evolution, adaptation and selection. There is no determined origin to any animal or plant species, simply an evolutionary and selective process in which chance and environment play a key role. The very same is true for viruses. There is no determined origin to viruses, simply also an evolutionary and selective process in which chance and environment play a key role. However, in the case of viruses the process is slightly more complex because the "environment" is another living organism. Pandemic viruses already circulate in humans prior to the emergence of a disease. They are simply not capable of triggering an epidemic yet. They must evolve in-host, i.e. in-humans, for that. The evolutionary process which gave rise to SARS-CoV-2 is still ongoing with regular emergence of novel variants more adapted than the previous ones. The real relevant question is how these viruses can emerge as pandemic viruses and what the society can do to prevent the future emergence of pandemic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christian A Devaux
- MEPHI, Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, AP-HM, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; CNRS, Marseille, France
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10
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Barak N, Sommer U, Mualam N. Urban attributes and the spread of COVID-19: The effects of density, compliance and socio-political factors in Israel. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 793:148626. [PMID: 34182446 PMCID: PMC8219944 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Current debates identifying urban population density as a major catalyst for the spread of COVID-19, and the praise for de-densification and urban sprawl that they entail, may have dire environmental consequences. Juxtaposing competing theories about the urban antecedents of COVID-19, our key argument is that urban political attributes overshadow the effects of cities' spatial characteristics. This is true even when considering levels of compliance with movement restrictions and controlling for demographic and socio-economic conditions. Taking advantage of Israel as a living lab for studying COVID-19, we examine 271 localities during the first 3 months of the outbreak in Israel, a country where over 90% of the population is urban. Rather than density, we find social makeup and politics to have a critical effect. Cities with some types of political minority groups, but not others, exhibit higher infection rates. Compliance has a significant effect and density's influence on the spread of the disease is contingent on urban political attributes. We conclude with assessing how the relationship between the politics of cities and the spread of contagious diseases sheds new light on tensions between neo-Malthusian sentiments and concerns about urban sprawl and environmental degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nir Barak
- Deparment of Politics and Government, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
| | - Udi Sommer
- Political Science and the Center for Combating Pandemics, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
| | - Nir Mualam
- Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Israel.
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11
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Frutos R, Gavotte L, Serra-Cobo J, Chen T, Devaux C. COVID-19 and emerging infectious diseases: The society is still unprepared for the next pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111676. [PMID: 34252435 PMCID: PMC8268624 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The whole human society was caught unprepared by the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the related COVID-19 pandemic. This should have not been. We already had on hand all information to organize properly and prevent this emergence. However, this information was never translated into preparedness because the current system of sanitary crises management is not adapted. We keep implementing a medical, symptomatic, post-emergence approach which cannot stop an emerging pandemic. The only preventive action considered is the screening for viruses in the wild but it is not efficient since pandemic viruses do not exist in the wild, and indeed, have never been found. The emergence of a viral pandemic is the result of a double accident: the in-host evolution of the causative virus and its amplification to the epidemic threshold by societal factors. To be prepared the society should target this societal dimension of emerging diseases and organize accordingly. Unfortunately, the society is not organized that way and is still unprepared and vulnerable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jordi Serra-Cobo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tianmu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
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12
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Devaux CA, Pinault L, Delerce J, Raoult D, Levasseur A, Frutos R. Spread of Mink SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Humans: A Model of Sarbecovirus Interspecies Evolution. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:675528. [PMID: 34616371 PMCID: PMC8488371 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.675528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants has quickly spanned doubts and the fear about their ability escape vaccine protection. Some of these variants initially identified in caged were also found in humans. The claim that these variants exhibited lower susceptibility to antibody neutralization led to the slaughter of 17 million minks in Denmark. SARS-CoV-2 prevalence tests led to the discovery of infected farmed minks worldwide. In this study, we revisit the issue of the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in minks as a model of sarbecovirus interspecies evolution by: (1) comparing human and mink angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and neuropilin 1 (NRP-1) receptors; (2) comparing SARS-CoV-2 sequences from humans and minks; (3) analyzing the impact of mutations on the 3D structure of the spike protein; and (4) predicting linear epitope targets for immune response. Mink-selected SARS-CoV-2 variants carrying the Y453F/D614G mutations display an increased affinity for human ACE2 and can escape neutralization by one monoclonal antibody. However, they are unlikely to lose most of the major epitopes predicted to be targets for neutralizing antibodies. We discuss the consequences of these results for the rational use of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Lucile Pinault
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jérémy Delerce
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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13
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Devaux CA, Melenotte C, Piercecchi-Marti MD, Delteil C, Raoult D. Cyclosporin A: A Repurposable Drug in the Treatment of COVID-19? Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:663708. [PMID: 34552938 PMCID: PMC8450353 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.663708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now at the forefront of major health challenge faced globally, creating an urgent need for safe and efficient therapeutic strategies. Given the high attrition rates, high costs, and quite slow development of drug discovery, repurposing of known FDA-approved molecules is increasingly becoming an attractive issue in order to quickly find molecules capable of preventing and/or curing COVID-19 patients. Cyclosporin A (CsA), a common anti-rejection drug widely used in transplantation, has recently been shown to exhibit substantial anti-SARS-CoV-2 antiviral activity and anti-COVID-19 effect. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms of action of CsA in order to highlight why this molecule seems to be an interesting candidate for the therapeutic management of COVID-19 patients. We conclude that CsA could have at least three major targets in COVID-19 patients: (i) an anti-inflammatory effect reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines, (ii) an antiviral effect preventing the formation of the viral RNA synthesis complex, and (iii) an effect on tissue damage and thrombosis by acting against the deleterious action of angiotensin II. Several preliminary CsA clinical trials performed on COVID-19 patients report lower incidence of death and suggest that this strategy should be investigated further in order to assess in which context the benefit/risk ratio of repurposing CsA as first-line therapy in COVID-19 is the most favorable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Cléa Melenotte
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marie-Dominique Piercecchi-Marti
- Department of Legal Medicine, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille University Hospital Center, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Clémence Delteil
- Department of Legal Medicine, Hôpital de la Timone, Marseille University Hospital Center, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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14
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Chan OSK, Bradley KCF, Grioni A, Lau SKP, Li WT, Magouras I, Naing T, Padula A, To EMW, Tun HM, Tutt C, Woo PCY, Bloch R, Mauroo NF. Veterinary Experiences can Inform One Health Strategies for Animal Coronaviruses. ECOHEALTH 2021; 18:301-314. [PMID: 34542794 PMCID: PMC8450722 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-021-01545-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Olivia S K Chan
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Patrick Manson Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
| | - Katriona C F Bradley
- Tai Wai Small Animal and Exotic Hospital, G/F, Lap Wo Building, 69-75 Chik Shun St, Tai Wai, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Alessandro Grioni
- Fauna Conservation Department, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Lam Kam Road, Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Susanna K P Lau
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Room 26, 19/F, Block T, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wen-Ta Li
- Department of Pathology, Pangolin International Biomedical Consultant Ltd., Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ioannis Magouras
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Tint Naing
- Soares Avenue Paws and Claws Clinic, G/F No 29 - 33 Soares Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Andrew Padula
- Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Esther M W To
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Room 509, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Hein Min Tun
- LKS Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Patrick Manson Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Cedric Tutt
- Cape Animal Dentistry Service, 78 Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth, Cape Town, 7708, South Africa
| | - Patrick C Y Woo
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Hong Kong, Room 26, 19/F, Block T, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Rebecca Bloch
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Nathalie F Mauroo
- Hong Kong Wildlife Health Foundation, GPO Box 12585, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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15
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Osman IO, Melenotte C, Brouqui P, Million M, Lagier JC, Parola P, Stein A, La Scola B, Meddeb L, Mege JL, Raoult D, Devaux CA. Expression of ACE2, Soluble ACE2, Angiotensin I, Angiotensin II and Angiotensin-(1-7) Is Modulated in COVID-19 Patients. Front Immunol 2021; 12:625732. [PMID: 34194422 PMCID: PMC8236950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.625732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent of COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2, is primarily a pulmonary-tropic coronavirus. Infection of alveolar pneumocytes by SARS-CoV-2 requires virus binding to the angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) monocarboxypeptidase. ACE2, present on the surface of many cell types, is known to be a regulator of blood pressure homeostasis through its ability to catalyze the proteolysis of Angiotensin II (Ang II) into Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)]. We therefore hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 could trigger variations of ACE2 expression and Ang II plasma concentration in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We report here, that circulating blood cells from COVID-19 patients express less ACE2 mRNA than cells from healthy volunteers. At the level of circulating cells, this ACE2 gene dysregulation mainly affects the monocytes, which also show a lower expression of membrane ACE2 protein. Moreover, soluble ACE2 (sACE2) plasma concentrations are lower in prolonged viral shedders than in healthy controls, while the concentration of sACE2 returns to normal levels in short viral shedders. In the plasma of prolonged viral shedders, we also found higher concentrations of Ang II and angiotensin I (Ang I). On the other hand, the plasma levels of Ang-(1-7) remains almost stable in prolonged viral shedders but seems insufficient to prevent the adverse effects of Ang II accumulation. Altogether, these data evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 may affect the expression of blood pressure regulators with possible harmful consequences on COVID-19 outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ikram Omar Osman
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Cléa Melenotte
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Brouqui
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Matthieu Million
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Philippe Parola
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, SSA, VITROME, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Andréas Stein
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard La Scola
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Line Meddeb
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mege
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Marseille, France
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16
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Ecology and Evolution of Betacoronaviruses. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1318:41-60. [PMID: 33973171 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63761-3_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The crown-like outline of the virions of coronaviruses will long endure as the iconic image of 2020 - the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This major human health emergency has been caused by a betacoronavirus, as have others in the past. In this chapter, we outline the taxonomy of betacoronaviruses and their properties, both genetic and biological. We discuss their recombinational and mutational histories separately to show that the sequence of the RaTG13 bat virus isolate is the closest currently known full-length genetic homolog of that of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the RaTG13 bat virus and SARS-CoV-2 have probably diverged over 20 years. We discuss the ecology of their pangolin and bat hosts and conclude that, like other recent viral pandemics, the underlying cause of the SARS-CoV-2 emergence is probably the relentless growth of the world's human population and the overexploitation and disturbance of the environment.
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17
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Maurin M, Fenollar F, Mediannikov O, Davoust B, Devaux C, Raoult D. Current Status of Putative Animal Sources of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Humans: Wildlife, Domestic Animals and Pets. Microorganisms 2021; 9:868. [PMID: 33920724 PMCID: PMC8072559 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9040868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is currently considered to have emerged from a bat coronavirus reservoir. However, the real natural cycle of this virus remains to be elucidated. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to novel opportunities for SARS-CoV-2 transmission between humans and susceptible animal species. In silico and in vitro evaluation of the interactions between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and eucaryotic angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor have tentatively predicted susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection of several animal species. Although useful, these data do not always correlate with in vivo data obtained in experimental models or during natural infections. Other host biological properties may intervene such as the body temperature, level of receptor expression, co-receptor, restriction factors, and genetic background. The spread of SARS-CoV-2 also depends on the extent and duration of viral shedding in the infected host as well as population density and behaviour (group living and grooming). Overall, current data indicate that the most at-risk interactions between humans and animals for COVID-19 infection are those involving certain mustelids (such as minks and ferrets), rodents (such as hamsters), lagomorphs (especially rabbits), and felines (including cats). Therefore, special attention should be paid to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection associated with pets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Maurin
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, 38000 Grenoble, France;
| | - Florence Fenollar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France; (F.F.); (O.M.); (B.D.); (C.D.)
- IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France; (F.F.); (O.M.); (B.D.); (C.D.)
- IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Davoust
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France; (F.F.); (O.M.); (B.D.); (C.D.)
- IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France; (F.F.); (O.M.); (B.D.); (C.D.)
- IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France; (F.F.); (O.M.); (B.D.); (C.D.)
- IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France
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18
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Fenollar F, Mediannikov O, Maurin M, Devaux C, Colson P, Levasseur A, Fournier PE, Raoult D. Mink, SARS-CoV-2, and the Human-Animal Interface. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:663815. [PMID: 33868218 PMCID: PMC8047314 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.663815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mink are small carnivores of the Mustelidae family. The American mink is the most common and was imported to Europe, Asia, and Latin America for breeding, as its fur is very popular. Denmark, the Netherlands, and China are the biggest producers of mink. Mink farms with a high population density in very small areas and a low level of genetic heterogeneity are places conducive to contagion. The mink’s receptor for SARS-CoV-2 is very similar to that of humans. Experimental models have shown the susceptibility of the ferret, another mustelid, to become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and to transmit it to other ferrets. On April 23, 2020, for the first time, an outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in a mink farm was reported in the Netherlands. Since then, COVID-19 has reached numerous mink farms in the Netherlands, Denmark, United States, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Canada. Not only do mink become infected from each other, but also they are capable of infecting humans, including with virus variants that have mutated in mink. Human infection with variant mink viruses with spike mutations led to the culling in Denmark of all mink in the country. Several animals can be infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, anthropo-zoonotic outbreaks have only been reported in mink farms. The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms raises questions regarding their potential role at the onset of the pandemic and the impact of mutants on viral fitness, contagiousness, pathogenicity, re-infections with different mutants, immunotherapy, and vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Fenollar
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Oleg Mediannikov
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Max Maurin
- CNRS, Grenoble INP, CHU Grenoble Alpes, TIMC-IMAG, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Christian Devaux
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Colson
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Anthony Levasseur
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre-Edouard Fournier
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
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19
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Sunyer J, Dadvand P, Foraster M, Gilliland F, Nawrot T. Environment and the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110819. [PMID: 33524330 PMCID: PMC7845501 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Sunyer
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain; IMIM-Parc Salut Mar, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Payam Dadvand
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Foraster
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frank Gilliland
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tim Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Frutos R, Gavotte L, Devaux CA. Understanding the origin of COVID-19 requires to change the paradigm on zoonotic emergence from the spillover to the circulation model. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 95:104812. [PMID: 33744401 PMCID: PMC7969828 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread with currently more than 117 million cumulated cases and 2.6 million deaths worldwide as per March 2021, its origin is still debated. Although several hypotheses have been proposed, there is still no clear explanation about how its causative agent, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in human populations. Today, scientifically-valid facts that deserve to be debated still coexist with unverified statements blurring thus the knowledge on the origin of COVID-19. Our retrospective analysis of scientific data supports the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 is indeed a naturally occurring virus. However, the spillover model considered today as the main explanation to zoonotic emergence does not match the virus dynamics and somehow misguided the way researches were conducted. We conclude this review by proposing a change of paradigm and model and introduce the circulation model for explaining the various aspects of the dynamic of SARS-CoV-2 emergence in humans.
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21
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Frutos R, Serra-Cobo J, Pinault L, Lopez Roig M, Devaux CA. Emergence of Bat-Related Betacoronaviruses: Hazard and Risks. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:591535. [PMID: 33790874 PMCID: PMC8005542 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.591535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with more than 111 million reported cases and 2,500,000 deaths worldwide (mortality rate currently estimated at 2.2%), is a stark reminder that coronaviruses (CoV)-induced diseases remain a major threat to humanity. COVID-19 is only the latest case of betacoronavirus (β-CoV) epidemics/pandemics. In the last 20 years, two deadly CoV epidemics, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS; fatality rate 9.6%) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS; fatality rate 34.7%), plus the emergence of HCoV-HKU1 which causes the winter common cold (fatality rate 0.5%), were already a source of public health concern. Betacoronaviruses can also be a threat for livestock, as evidenced by the Swine Acute Diarrhea Syndrome (SADS) epizootic in pigs. These repeated outbreaks of β-CoV-induced diseases raise the question of the dynamic of propagation of this group of viruses in wildlife and human ecosystems. SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and HCoV-HKU1 emerged in Asia, strongly suggesting the existence of a regional hot spot for emergence. However, there might be other regional hot spots, as seen with MERS-CoV, which emerged in the Arabian Peninsula. β-CoVs responsible for human respiratory infections are closely related to bat-borne viruses. Bats are present worldwide and their level of infection with CoVs is very high on all continents. However, there is as yet no evidence of direct bat-to-human coronavirus infection. Transmission of β-CoV to humans is considered to occur accidentally through contact with susceptible intermediate animal species. This zoonotic emergence is a complex process involving not only bats, wildlife and natural ecosystems, but also many anthropogenic and societal aspects. Here, we try to understand why only few hot spots of β-CoV emergence have been identified despite worldwide bats and bat-borne β-CoV distribution. In this work, we analyze and compare the natural and anthropogenic environments associated with the emergence of β-CoV and outline conserved features likely to create favorable conditions for a new epidemic. We suggest monitoring South and East Africa as well as South America as these regions bring together many of the conditions that could make them future hot spots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Frutos
- Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, UMR 17, Intertryp, Montpellier, France.,Institut d'Électronique et des Systèmes, UMR 5214, Université de Montpellier-CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Jordi Serra-Cobo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Biodiversity Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucile Pinault
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Lopez Roig
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Biodiversity Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian A Devaux
- Aix Marseille University, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Marseille, France
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22
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Cottin M, Hernández C, Núñez C, Labbé N, Quevedo Y, Davanzo A, Behn A. "What If We Get Sick?": Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Fear of Illness and Virus Evaluation Scale in a Non-clinical Sample Exposed to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Psychol 2021; 12:590283. [PMID: 33776833 PMCID: PMC7990903 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.590283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Distinct sources of stress have emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Particularly, fear is expected to generate significant psychological burden on individuals and influence on either unsafe behavior that may hinder recovery efforts or virus-mitigating behaviors. However, little is known about the properties of measures to capture them in research and clinical settings. To resolve this gap, we evaluated the psychometric properties of a novel measure of fear of illness and viruses and tested its predictive value for future development of distress. We extracted a random sample of 450 Chilean adult participants from a large cross-sectional survey panel and invited to participate in this intensive longitudinal study for 35 days. Of these, 163 ended up enrolling in the study after the demanding nature of the measurement schedule was clearly explained to them. For this final sample, we calculated different Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) to evaluate the preliminary proposed structure for the instrument. Complementarily, we conducted a content analysis of the items to qualitatively extract its latent structure, which was also subject to empirical test via CFA. Results indicated that the original structure did not fit the data well; however, the new proposed structure based on the content analysis did. Overall, the modified instrument showed good reliability through all subscales both by its internal consistency with Cronbach's alphas ranging from 0.814 to 0.913, and with test-retest correlations ranging from 0.715 to 0.804. Regarding its convergent validity, individuals who scored higher in fears tended to also score higher in depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms at baseline. Furthermore, higher fears at baseline predicted a higher score in posttraumatic stress symptomatology 7 days later. These results provide evidence for the validity, reliability, and predictive performance of the scale. As the scale is free and multidimensional potentially not circumscribed to COVID-19, it might work as a step toward understanding the psychological impact of current and future pandemics, or further life-threatening health situations of similar characteristics. Limitations, practical implications, and future directions for research are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Cottin
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Hernández
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago, Chile
| | - Catalina Núñez
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Nicolás Labbé
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Yamil Quevedo
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Oriente, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Antonella Davanzo
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alex Behn
- Instituto Milenio para la Investigación en Depresión y Personalidad, MIDAP, Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias Sociales, Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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23
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Donia A, Hassan SU, Zhang X, Al-Madboly L, Bokhari H. COVID-19 Crisis Creates Opportunity towards Global Monitoring & Surveillance. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030256. [PMID: 33668358 PMCID: PMC7996165 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The spectrum of emerging new diseases as well as re-emerging old diseases is broadening as infectious agents evolve, adapt, and spread at enormous speeds in response to changing ecosystems. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a recent phenomenon and may take a while to understand its transmission routes from less traveled territories, ranging from fomite exposure routes to wastewater transmission. The critical challenge is how to negotiate with such catastrophic pandemics in high-income countries (HICs ~20% of the global population) and low-and middle-income countries (LMICs ~ 80% of the global population) with a total global population size of approximately eight billion, where practical mass testing and tracing is only a remote possibility, particularly in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Keeping in mind the population distribution disparities of high-income countries (HICs) and LMICs and urbanisation trends over recent years, traditional wastewater-based surveillance such as that used to combat polio may help in addressing this challenge. The COVID-19 era differs from any previous pandemics or global health challenges in the sense that there is a great deal of curiosity within the global community to find out everything about this virus, ranging from diagnostics, potential vaccines/therapeutics, and possible routes of transmission. In this regard, the fact that the gut is the common niche for both poliovirus and SARS-CoV-2, and due to the shedding of the virus through faecal material into sewerage systems, the need for long-term wastewater surveillance and developing early warning systems for better preparedness at local and global levels is increasingly apparent. This paper aims to provide an insight into the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, how it can be managed, and what measures are required to deal with a current global international public health concern. Additionally, it shed light on the importance of using wastewater surveillance strategy as an early warning practical tool suitable for massive passive screening, as well as the urgent need for microfluidic technology as a rapid and cost-effective approach tracking SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Donia
- Biosciences Department, Faculty of Science, Comsats University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
| | - Sammer-ul Hassan
- Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
- Correspondence: (S.-u.H.); (H.B.)
| | - Xunli Zhang
- Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK;
| | - Lamiaa Al-Madboly
- Pharmaceutical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt;
| | - Habib Bokhari
- Biosciences Department, Faculty of Science, Comsats University Islamabad, Islamabad 45550, Pakistan;
- Correspondence: (S.-u.H.); (H.B.)
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24
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Cazzolla Gatti R, Menéndez LP, Laciny A, Bobadilla Rodríguez H, Bravo Morante G, Carmen E, Dorninger C, Fabris F, Grunstra NDS, Schnorr SL, Stuhlträger J, Villanueva Hernandez LA, Jakab M, Sarto-Jackson I, Caniglia G. Diversity lost: COVID-19 as a phenomenon of the total environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 756:144014. [PMID: 33279199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
If we want to learn how to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to embrace the complexity of this global phenomenon and capture interdependencies across scales and contexts. Yet, we still lack systematic approaches that we can use to deal holistically with the pandemic and its effects. In this Discussion, we first introduce a framework that highlights the systemic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of the total environment as a self-regulating and evolving system comprising of three spheres, the Geosphere, the Biosphere, and the Anthroposphere. Then, we use this framework to explore and organize information from the rapidly growing number of scientific papers, preprints, preliminary scientific reports, and journalistic pieces that give insights into the pandemic crisis. With this work, we point out that the pandemic should be understood as the result of preconditions that led to depletion of human, biological, and geochemical diversity as well as of feedback that differentially impacted the three spheres. We contend that protecting and promoting diversity, is necessary to contribute to more effective decision-making processes and policy interventions to face the current and future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Cazzolla Gatti
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk, Russia.
| | - Lumila Paula Menéndez
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Anthropology of the Americas, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Alice Laciny
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Entomology Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hernán Bobadilla Rodríguez
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Philosophy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Guillermo Bravo Morante
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Esther Carmen
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, UK
| | - Christian Dorninger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Flavia Fabris
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Nicole D S Grunstra
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Mammal Collection, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephanie L Schnorr
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Julia Stuhlträger
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria; Department of Human Evolution, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Manuel Jakab
- Department for Academic Communication, Sigmund Freud University, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Guido Caniglia
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research, Klosterneuburg, Austria
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Devaux CA, Pinault L, Osman IO, Raoult D. Can ACE2 Receptor Polymorphism Predict Species Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2? Front Public Health 2021; 8:608765. [PMID: 33643982 PMCID: PMC7902720 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.608765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, emerged in China in December 2019 and spread worldwide, causing more than 1.3 million deaths in 11 months. Similar to the human SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2 shares strong sequence homologies with a sarbecovirus circulating in Rhinolophus affinis bats. Because bats are expected to be able to transmit their coronaviruses to intermediate animal hosts that in turn are a source of viruses able to cross species barriers and infect humans (so-called spillover model), the identification of an intermediate animal reservoir was the subject of intense researches. It was claimed that a reptile (Ophiophagus hannah) was the intermediate host. This hypothesis was quickly ruled out and replaced by the pangolin (Manis javanica) hypothesis. Yet, pangolin was also recently exonerated from SARS-CoV-2 transmission to humans, leaving other animal species as presumed guilty. Guided by the spillover model, several laboratories investigated in silico the species polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to find the best fits with the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding site. Following the same strategy, we used multi-sequence alignment, 3-D structure analysis, and electrostatic potential surface generation of ACE2 variants to predict their binding capacity to SARS-CoV-2. We report evidence that such simple in silico investigation is a powerful tool to quickly screen which species are potentially susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. However, possible receptor binding does not necessarily lead to successful replication in host. Therefore, we also discuss here the limitations of these in silico approaches in our quest on the origins of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A. Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - Lucile Pinault
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Ikram Omar Osman
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Université, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Fondation IHU–Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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26
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Devaux CA, Camoin-Jau L, Mege JL, Raoult D. Can hydroxychloroquine be protective against COVID-19-associated thrombotic events ? JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2021; 54:37-45. [PMID: 33500211 PMCID: PMC7783458 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although SARS-CoV-2 is considered a lung-tropic virus, severe COVID-19 is not just a viral pulmonary infection, clinically it is a multi-organ pathology with major coagulation abnormalities and thromboembolism events. Recently, antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies were found increased in a large number of COVID-19 patients. Elevated aPL have been well documented in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent venous or arterial thrombosis and/or obstetrical morbidity. Among treatment regimen of APS, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the molecules proposed in the primary prevention of thrombosis and obstetrical morbidity in those patients. Due to its antithrombotic properties documented in APS therapy, HCQ could be considered a good candidate for the prevention of thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients in association with anticoagulant and its repurposing deserves further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A Devaux
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; CNRS, Marseille, France.
| | - Laurence Camoin-Jau
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France; Laboratoire D'Hématologie, Hôpital de La Timone, APHM, Boulevard Jean- Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mege
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Didier Raoult
- Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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27
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Kim IK. The impact of social distancing on box-office revenue: Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic. QUANTITATIVE MARKETING AND ECONOMICS 2021; 19:93-125. [PMCID: PMC7575864 DOI: 10.1007/s11129-020-09230-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, I study the short-run effect of social distancing due to the COVID-19 outbreak on movie demand and box-office revenue. Using longitudinal data on the Korean movie theater industry, I first estimate a nested logit model of movie demand, and then quantify the revenue loss in the industry. Estimation results reveal that the revenue loss due to the decrease in underlying movie demand is approximately 52 million dollars nationwide during the first five weeks after the outbreak, implying a 34 percent decrease in sales. The results also suggest an additional 42 million dollars were lost as the delay of some major movies lowered the overall quality of available movies in the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- In Kyung Kim
- Department of Economics, Nazarbayev University, Astana,, 010000 Kazakhstan
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28
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Lalaoui R, Bakour S, Raoult D, Verger P, Sokhna C, Devaux C, Pradines B, Rolain JM. What could explain the late emergence of COVID-19 in Africa? New Microbes New Infect 2020; 38:100760. [PMID: 32983542 PMCID: PMC7508045 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2020.100760] [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: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
At the end of November 2019, a novel coronavirus responsible for respiratory tract infections emerged in China. Despite drastic containment measures, this virus, known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), spread in Asia and Europe. The pandemic is ongoing with a particular hotspot in southern Europe and America in spring 2020. Many studies predicted an epidemic in Africa similar to that currently seen in Europe and the USA. However, reported data do not confirm these predictions. Several hypotheses that could explain the later emergence and spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in African countries are being discussed, including the lack of health-care infrastructure capable of clinically detecting and confirming COVID-19 cases, the implementation of social distancing and hygiene, international air traffic flows, the climate, the relatively young and rural population, the genetic polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor, cross-immunity and the use of antimalarial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Lalaoui
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - S. Bakour
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - D. Raoult
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - P. Verger
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Southeastern Health Regional Observatory, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - C. Sokhna
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France
| | - C. Devaux
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- CNRS, Marseille, France
| | - B. Pradines
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, SSA, AP-HM, VITROME, Marseille, France
- Unité parasitologie et entomologie, Institut de recherche biomédicale des armées, Marseille, France
- Centre national de référence du paludisme, Marseille, France
| | - J.-M. Rolain
- Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, APHM, MEPHI, Marseille, France
- IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
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29
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Sameni F, Hajikhani B, Yaslianifard S, Goudarzi M, Owlia P, Nasiri MJ, Shokouhi S, Bakhtiyari M, Dadashi M. COVID-19 and Skin Manifestations: An Overview of Case Reports/Case Series and Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Studies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:573188. [PMID: 33224961 PMCID: PMC7668416 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.573188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Since the onset of the 2019-nCoV disease (COVID-19), many skin manifestations have been reported in COVID-19 patients. This study aims to provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of various skin manifestations among patients with COVID-19 through case reports/case series and prevalence studies. Methods: A systematic literature search strategy was conducted by reviewing original research articles published in Medline, Web of Science, and Embase databases in 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA software, version 14.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA) to report the global prevalence of skin manifestations among patients with COVID-19. Results: Forty-three studies (35 articles were case reports/case series, and 8 articles were prevalence studies) were included in our study. A meta-analysis of prevalence studies showed that skin manifestations among patients with COVID-19 were reported in four countries (China, Thailand, France, and Italy), with an overall prevalence of 1.0% [(95% CI) 0.1-1.9] among 2,621 patients. Evaluation of the results of the case reports/case series revealed that, out of 54 patients with COVID-19, 48 patients (88.8%) showed skin manifestations. Erythematous rash (59.1%) and urticaria (14.8%) were the most common skin manifestation reported in studied patients. Conclusion: Infection with 2019-nCoV may lead to skin manifestations with various clinical symptoms. These clinical features combined with clinical symptoms of COVID-19 may aid in the timely diagnosis of patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sameni
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Hajikhani
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayeh Yaslianifard
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mehdi Goudarzi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parviz Owlia
- Molecular Microbiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Nasiri
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shervin Shokouhi
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Bakhtiyari
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Department of Community Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Masoud Dadashi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
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30
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Skalny AV, Lima TRR, Ke T, Zhou JC, Bornhorst J, Alekseenko SI, Aaseth J, Anesti O, Sarigiannis DA, Tsatsakis A, Aschner M, Tinkov AA. Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 146:111809. [PMID: 33069759 PMCID: PMC7563920 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiple medical, lifestyle, and environmental conditions, including smoking and particulate pollution, have been considered as risk factors for COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity. Taking into account the high level of toxic metals in both particulate matter (PM2.5) and tobacco smoke, the objective of this review is to discuss recent data on the role of heavy metal exposure in development of respiratory dysfunction, immunotoxicity, and severity of viral diseases in epidemiological and experimental studies, as to demonstrate the potential crossroads between heavy metal exposure and COVID-19 severity risk. The existing data demonstrate that As, Cd, Hg, and Pb exposure is associated with respiratory dysfunction and respiratory diseases (COPD, bronchitis). These observations corroborate laboratory findings on the role of heavy metal exposure in impaired mucociliary clearance, reduced barrier function, airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The association between heavy metal exposure and severity of viral diseases, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus has been also demonstrated. The latter may be considered a consequence of adverse effects of metal exposure on adaptive immunity. Therefore, reduction of toxic metal exposure may be considered as a potential tool for reducing susceptibility and severity of viral diseases affecting the respiratory system, including COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly V Skalny
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agro-technologies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Orenburg, Russia.
| | - Thania Rios Rossi Lima
- São Paulo State University - UNESP, Center for Evaluation of Environmental Impact on Human Health (TOXICAM), Botucatu, SP, Brazil; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Tao Ke
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ji-Chang Zhou
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Julia Bornhorst
- Food Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Svetlana I Alekseenko
- I.I. Mechnikov North-Western State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia; K.A. Rauhfus Children's City Multidisciplinary Clinical Center for High Medical Technologies, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Jan Aaseth
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway
| | - Ourania Anesti
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi, Greece
| | - Dimosthenis A Sarigiannis
- HERACLES Research Center on the Exposome and Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thermi, Greece; University School of Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Aristides Tsatsakis
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Michael Aschner
- IM Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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31
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Chen CF, Zarazua de Rubens G, Xu X, Li J. Coronavirus comes home? Energy use, home energy management, and the social-psychological factors of COVID-19. ENERGY RESEARCH & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2020; 68:101688. [PMID: 32839705 PMCID: PMC7341977 DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2020.101688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the dynamics of energy use patterns, climate change issues and the relationship between social-psychological factors, with residents' acceptance of and willingness to pay (WTP) for home energy management systems (HEMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. The results of our survey suggest that there were no longer morning or evening usage peaks on weekdays, and a significant portion of respondents are experiencing higher or much higher electricity use than average. Most residents' perception of climate change issues during COVID-19 remained unchanged. Attitude, perceived behavioral control, and social norms are overall the strongest predictors of adoption intention and WTP for HEMS. Regarding WTP for specific well-being features, attitude was the strongest positive predictor of telemedical and home security features, and social norms are the strongest positive predictor of elderly assistance and job search. Technology anxiety, surprisingly, positively influences WTP for the well-being features. Trust in utilities is not related to adoption intention, but is positively associated with WTP for the well-being features. Although cybersecurity concerns are positively associated with HEMS adoption intention for energy and well-being features, this relationship is not significant in WTP. Residents who had moderate perceived risk of getting COVID-19 are willing to pay more than the high- and low-risk groups. This paper addresses the interactions among technology attributes, and users' social-psychological and demographics factors. Additionally, this study provides insights for further research in examining technology adoption and energy dynamics during times of crises, such as the COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Fei Chen
- Center for Ultra-wide-area Resilient Electrical Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT), Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, USA
| | - Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens
- Center for Energy Technologies, Department of Business Development and Technology, Aarhus University, Birk Centerpark 15, DK-7400 Herning, Denmark
| | - Xiaojing Xu
- Center for Ultra-wide-area Resilient Electrical Energy Transmission Networks (CURENT), Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tennessee, USA
| | - Jiayi Li
- Department of Sociology, University of Tennessee, USA
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32
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Frutos R, Serra-Cobo J, Chen T, Devaux CA. COVID-19: Time to exonerate the pangolin from the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2020; 84:104493. [PMID: 32768565 PMCID: PMC7405773 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of COVID-19 has triggered many works aiming at identifying the animal intermediate potentially involved in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans. The presence of SARS-CoV-2-related viruses in Malayan pangolins, in silico analysis of the ACE2 receptor polymorphism and sequence similarities between the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the spike proteins of pangolin and human Sarbecoviruses led to the proposal of pangolin as intermediary. However, the binding affinity of the pangolin ACE2 receptor for SARS-CoV-2 RBD was later on reported to be low. Here, we provide evidence that the pangolin is not the intermediate animal at the origin of the human pandemic. Moreover, data available do not fit with the spillover model currently proposed for zoonotic emergence which is thus unlikely to account for this outbreak. We propose a different model to explain how SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses could have circulated in different species, including humans, before the emergence of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Frutos
- Cirad, UMR 17, Intertryp, Montpellier, France; IES, UMR 5214 Univ. Montpellier-CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Jordi Serra-Cobo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Biodiversity Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tianmu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
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33
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Pandemics and the future of human-landscape interactions. ANTHROPOCENE 2020; 31:100256. [PMCID: PMC7451098 DOI: 10.1016/j.ancene.2020.100256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Pandemics have accelerated in frequency in recent decades, with COVID-19 the latest to join the list. Emerging in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, the virus has spread quickly through the world, affecting billions of people through quarantine, and at the same time claiming more than 800,000 lives worldwide. While early reflections from the academic community have tended to target the microbiology, medicine, and animal science communities, this article articulates a viewpoint from a perspective of human interactions with Earth systems. We highlight the link between rising pandemics and accelerating global human impacts on Earth, thereby suggesting that pandemics may be an emerging element of the “Anthropocene.” Examples from Denver, Colorado, USA, show how policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic changed human-environment interactions and created anomalous landscapes at the local scale, in relation to the quality of air and patterns of acquiring and consuming food. In recognizing the significance of novel infectious diseases as part of understanding human-landscape interactions in the Anthropocene, as well as the multi-scale interconnectedness between environment and health, this viewpoint converges toward an urgent need for new paradigms for research and teaching. The program required extends well beyond the already broad interdisciplinary scholarship essential for addressing human-landscape interactions, by integrating the work of health scientists, disease specialists, immunologists, virologists, veterinarians, behavioral scientists, and health policy experts.
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34
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Zahawi RA, Reid JL, Fagan ME. Potential impacts of COVID-19 on tropical forest recovery. Biotropica 2020; 52:803-807. [PMID: 33173235 PMCID: PMC7646646 DOI: 10.1111/btp.12851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 has impacted humanity and the global environment in myriad ways, and more changes are on the horizon. Here we consider the impact of COVID-19 on our collective ability to restore degraded habitats and facilitate forest recovery in the tropics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J. Leighton Reid
- School of Plant and Environmental SciencesVirginia TechBlacksburgVAUSA
| | - Matthew E. Fagan
- Department of Geography and Environmental SystemsUniversity of MarylandBaltimore CountyBaltimoreMDUSA
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35
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Anthropocene in an age of pandemics. ANTHROPOCENE 2020. [PMCID: PMC7233237 DOI: 10.1016/j.ancene.2020.100247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
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