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Sommariva M, Dolci M, Triulzi T, Ambrogi F, Dugo M, De Cecco L, Le Noci V, Bernardo G, Anselmi M, Montanari E, Pupa SM, Signorini L, Gagliano N, Sfondrini L, Delbue S, Tagliabue E. Impact of in vitro SARS-CoV-2 infection on breast cancer cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13134. [PMID: 38849411 PMCID: PMC11161491 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63804-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), had severe repercussions for breast cancer patients. Increasing evidence indicates that SARS-CoV-2 infection may directly impact breast cancer biology, but the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on breast tumor cells are still unknown. Here, we analyzed the molecular events occurring in the MCF7, MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937 breast cancer cell lines, representative of the luminal A, basal B/claudin-low and basal A subtypes, respectively, upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. Viral replication was monitored over time, and gene expression profiling was conducted. We found that MCF7 cells were the most permissive to viral replication. Treatment of MCF7 cells with Tamoxifen reduced the SARS-CoV-2 replication rate, suggesting an involvement of the estrogen receptor in sustaining virus replication in malignant cells. Interestingly, a metagene signature based on genes upregulated by SARS-CoV-2 infection in all three cell lines distinguished a subgroup of premenopausal luminal A breast cancer patients with a poor prognosis. As SARS-CoV-2 still spreads among the population, it is essential to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal patients diagnosed with the luminal A subtype, and to assess the long-term impact of COVID-19 on breast cancer outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Sommariva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy.
- Microambiente e Biomarcatori dei Tumori Solidi, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Maria Dolci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche ed Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Tiziana Triulzi
- Microambiente e Biomarcatori dei Tumori Solidi, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Ambrogi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 22, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Dugo
- Department of Medical Oncology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Loris De Cecco
- Integrated Biology of Rare Tumors, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentino Le Noci
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giancarla Bernardo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Martina Anselmi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Montanari
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Serenella M Pupa
- Microambiente e Biomarcatori dei Tumori Solidi, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Signorini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche ed Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Gagliano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Sfondrini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche per la Salute, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Mangiagalli 31, 20133, Milan, Italy
- Microambiente e Biomarcatori dei Tumori Solidi, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Delbue
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Chirurgiche ed Odontoiatriche, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Pascal 36, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Elda Tagliabue
- Microambiente e Biomarcatori dei Tumori Solidi, Dipartimento di Oncologia Sperimentale, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Via Amadeo 42, 20133, Milan, Italy
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Equestre M, Marcantonio C, Marascio N, Centofanti F, Martina A, Simeoni M, Suffredini E, La Rosa G, Bonanno Ferraro G, Mancini P, Veneri C, Matera G, Quirino A, Costantino A, Taffon S, Tritarelli E, Campanella C, Pisani G, Nisini R, Spada E, Verde P, Ciccaglione AR, Bruni R. Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Military and Civilian Personnel of an Air Force Airport during Three Pandemic Waves in Italy. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2711. [PMID: 38004723 PMCID: PMC10672769 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating, from November 2020 to March 2022, among military and civilian personnel at an Air Force airport in Italy in order to classify viral isolates in a potential hotspot for virus spread. Positive samples were subjected to Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of the whole viral genome and Sanger sequencing of the spike coding region. Phylogenetic analysis classified viral isolates and traced their evolutionary relationships. Clusters were identified using 70% cut-off. Sequencing methods yielded comparable results in terms of variant classification. In 2020 and 2021, we identified several variants, including B.1.258 (4/67), B.1.177 (9/67), Alpha (B.1.1.7, 9/67), Gamma (P.1.1, 4/67), and Delta (4/67). In 2022, only Omicron and its sub-lineage variants were observed (37/67). SARS-CoV-2 isolates were screened to detect naturally occurring resistance in genomic regions, the target of new therapies, comparing them to the Wuhan Hu-1 reference strain. Interestingly, 2/30 non-Omicron isolates carried the G15S 3CLpro substitution responsible for reduced susceptibility to protease inhibitors. On the other hand, Omicron isolates carried unusual substitutions A1803V, D1809N, and A949T on PLpro, and the D216N on 3CLpro. Finally, the P323L substitution on RdRp coding regions was not associated with the mutational pattern related to polymerase inhibitor resistance. This study highlights the importance of continuous genomic surveillance to monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution in the general population, as well as in restricted communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Equestre
- Department of Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Cinzia Marcantonio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Nadia Marascio
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Federica Centofanti
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Antonio Martina
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Matteo Simeoni
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Elisabetta Suffredini
- Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giuseppina La Rosa
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giusy Bonanno Ferraro
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Pamela Mancini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Carolina Veneri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (G.L.R.); (G.B.F.); (P.M.); (C.V.)
| | - Giovanni Matera
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Quirino
- Clinical Microbiology Unit, Department of Health Sciences, “Magna Grecia” University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.M.); (A.Q.)
| | - Angela Costantino
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Stefania Taffon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Elena Tritarelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Carmelo Campanella
- Clinical Analysis and Molecular Biology Laboratory Rome, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giulio Pisani
- Center for Immunobiologicals Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (A.M.); (M.S.); (G.P.)
| | - Roberto Nisini
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Enea Spada
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Paola Verde
- Aerospace Medicine Department, Aerospace Test Division, Militay Airport Mario De Bernardi, Pratica di Mare, 00040 Rome, Italy;
| | - Anna Rita Ciccaglione
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
| | - Roberto Bruni
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy; (C.M.); (F.C.); (A.C.); (S.T.); (E.T.); (R.N.); (E.S.); (A.R.C.); (R.B.)
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Mahmoudi S, Pourakbari B, Benvari S, Hosseinpour Sadeghi R, Abdolsalehi MR, Shahbabaie MA, Jalali F, Safari F, Navaeian A, Mamishi S. Clinical and laboratory features of SARS-CoV-2 variants across multiple rounds of pandemic waves in hospitalized children in an Iranian referral hospital. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:241. [PMID: 37193986 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04042-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has evolved into independent new forms, variants of concern (VOCs). While epidemiological data showed increased transmissibility of VOCs, their impact on clinical outcomes is less clear. This study aimed to investigate the differences between the clinical and laboratory features of children infected with VOCs. METHODS This study included all cases with SARS-CoV-2-positive nasopharyngeal swabs obtained from patients referred to Children's Medical Center (CMC), an Iranian referral hospital, between July 2021 and March 2022. The inclusion criteria for this study included all patients, regardless of age, who had a positive test anywhere in the hospital setting. Exclusion criteria for the study included those whose data was obtained from non-hospital outpatient settings, or referred from another hospital. The SARS-CoV-2 genome area encoding the S1 domain was amplified and sequenced. The type of variant in each sample was identified based on the mutations in the S1 gene. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, and laboratory findings were collected from the patient's medical records. RESULTS This study included 87 pediatric cases with confirmed COVID-19, with a median age of 3.5 years (IQR: 1-8.12). Data from sequencing reveals the type of variants as 5 (5.7%) alpha, 53 (60.9%) Delta, and 29 (33.3%) Omicron. The incidence of seizure was higher in patients with Alpha and Omicron infection compared to the Delta group. A higher incidence of diarrhea was reported in Alpha-infected patients, and a higher risk of disease severity, distress, and myalgia was associated with Delta infection. CONCLUSION Laboratory parameters did not mostly differ among the patients infected with Alpha, Delta, and Omicron. However, these variants may manifest different clinical features. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to fully understand the clinical manifestations of each variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Mahmoudi
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Biotechnology Centre, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, 44-100, Poland
| | - Babak Pourakbari
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sepideh Benvari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | | | - Mohammad Reza Abdolsalehi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Shahbabaie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Jalali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Safari
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amene Navaeian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Setareh Mamishi
- Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Rasheed MK, Awrahman HA, Amin Al‐Jaf SM, Niranji SS. Identification of SARS CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and a novel Delta lineage by rapid methods and partial spike protein sequences in Sulaymaniyah Province, Iraq. Immun Inflamm Dis 2023; 11:e801. [PMID: 36988244 PMCID: PMC10022420 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.801] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Five variants of concern (VOCs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) have been globally recorded including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. The Omicron variant has outcompeted the other variants including the Delta variant. Molecular screenings of VOCs are important for surveillance, treatment, and vaccination programs. This study aimed to identify VOCs by using rapid inexpensive methods and partial sequencing of the virus's spike gene. METHODS Mutation-specific rRT PCR probes were used for both D614G and K417N mutations to potentially discriminate between Delta and Omicron variants. These were followed by sequencing of a fragment of spike gene (748 nucleotides), which covers the most notable VOC mutations in the receptor binding domain of SARS CoV-2. RESULTS Rapid methods showed that out of 24 SARS CoV-2 positive samples, 19 carried the N417 mutation, which is present in the Omicron variant. Furthermore, 3 samples carried K417 wildtype, which is present in the Delta variant. Additionally, 2 samples containing both K417 and N417 suggested mixed infections between the two variants. The D614G mutation was present in all samples. Among the 4 samples sequenced, 3 samples carried 13 mutations, which are present in Omicron BA.1. The fourth sample contained the two common mutations (T478K and L452R) present in Delta, in addition to two more rare mutations (F456L and F490S), which are not commonly seen in Delta. Our data suggested that both Omicron variant BA.1 and a novel Delta variant might have circulated in this region that needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariwan Kadir Rasheed
- College of Health ScienceUniversity of Human DevelopmentSulaymaniyahIraq
- Sulaimani Veterinary DirectorateSulaimaniIraq
| | - Harem Abdalla Awrahman
- Hiwa Hospital, Sulaymaniyah General Directory of HealthMinistry of HealthSulaymaniyahIraq
| | - Sirwan M. Amin Al‐Jaf
- College of MedicineUniversity of GarmianKalarIraq
- Coronavirus Research and Identification LabUniversity of GarmianKalarIraq
| | - Sherko S. Niranji
- College of MedicineUniversity of GarmianKalarIraq
- Coronavirus Research and Identification LabUniversity of GarmianKalarIraq
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Zhu R, Canena D, Sikora M, Klausberger M, Seferovic H, Mehdipour AR, Hain L, Laurent E, Monteil V, Wirnsberger G, Wieneke R, Tampé R, Kienzl NF, Mach L, Mirazimi A, Oh YJ, Penninger JM, Hummer G, Hinterdorfer P. Force-tuned avidity of spike variant-ACE2 interactions viewed on the single-molecule level. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7926. [PMID: 36566234 PMCID: PMC9789309 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35641-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent waves of COVID-19 correlate with the emergence of the Delta and the Omicron variant. We report that the Spike trimer acts as a highly dynamic molecular caliper, thereby forming up to three tight bonds through its RBDs with ACE2 expressed on the cell surface. The Spike of both Delta and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant enhance and markedly prolong viral attachment to the host cell receptor ACE2, as opposed to the early Wuhan-1 isolate. Delta Spike shows rapid binding of all three Spike RBDs to three different ACE2 molecules with considerably increased bond lifetime when compared to the reference strain, thereby significantly amplifying avidity. Intriguingly, Omicron (B.1.1.529) Spike displays less multivalent bindings to ACE2 molecules, yet with a ten time longer bond lifetime than Delta. Delta and Omicron (B.1.1.529) Spike variants enhance and prolong viral attachment to the host, which likely not only increases the rate of viral uptake, but also enhances the resistance of the variants against host-cell detachment by shear forces such as airflow, mucus or blood flow. We uncover distinct binding mechanisms and strategies at single-molecule resolution, employed by circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants to enhance infectivity and viral transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhu
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Daniel Canena
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Mateusz Sikora
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Miriam Klausberger
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hannah Seferovic
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Ahmad Reza Mehdipour
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Molecular Modeling, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lisa Hain
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vanessa Monteil
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Ralph Wieneke
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert Tampé
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biocenter, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Nikolaus F Kienzl
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Unit of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yoo Jin Oh
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Josef M Penninger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna, Austria.
- Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Gerhard Hummer
- Department of Theoretical Biophysics, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Institute of Biophysics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Peter Hinterdorfer
- Department of Experimental Applied Biophysics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria.
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Berno G, Fabeni L, Matusali G, Gruber CEM, Rueca M, Giombini E, Garbuglia AR. SARS-CoV-2 Variants Identification: Overview of Molecular Existing Methods. Pathogens 2022; 11:1058. [PMID: 36145490 PMCID: PMC9504725 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11091058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic the Real Time sharing of genome sequences of circulating virus supported the diagnostics and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and its transmission dynamics. SARS-CoV-2 straightaway showed its tendency to mutate and adapt to the host, culminating in the emergence of variants; so it immediately became of crucial importance to be able to detect them quickly but also to be able to monitor in depth the changes on the whole genome to early identify the new possibly emerging variants. In this scenario, this manuscript aims to provide an overview of the existing methods for the identification of SARS-CoV-2 variants (from rapid method based on identification of one or more specific mutations to Whole Genome sequencing approach-WGS), taking into account limitations, advantages and applications of them in the field of diagnosis and surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Anna Rosa Garbuglia
- Laboratory of Virology, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani” (IRCCS), 00149 Rome, Italy
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Textiles Functionalized with Copper Oxides: A Sustainable Option for Prevention of COVID-19. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14153066. [PMID: 35956581 PMCID: PMC9370190 DOI: 10.3390/polym14153066] [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] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent severe problems in health centers and public areas. Polyester/cotton (PES/CO) blend fabrics have been functionalized with copper oxides on an industrial scale. For functionalization, the impregnation dyeing technique was applied. The functionalized samples were tested virologically against SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (229E) according to ISO 18184-2019 and microbiologically against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) bacteria according to ASTM E2149-2013. The results show that the fabric functionalized with copper oxides inactivated both viruses after 30 min of exposure, presenting excellent virucidal activity against 229E and SARS-CoV-2, respectively. Furthermore, its inactivation efficiency for SARS-CoV-2 was 99.93% and 99.96% in 30 min and 60 min exposure, respectively. The fabric inhibited bacterial growth by more than 99% before and after 10 and 20 washes. In conclusion, 265 m of PES/CO fabric (wide 1.7 m) was functionalized in situ on an industrial scale with copper oxide nanoparticles. The functionalized fabric presented virucidal and bactericidal properties against SARS-CoV-2 and Escherichia coli.
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Excess Mortality on Italian Small Islands during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An Ecological Study. Infect Dis Rep 2022; 14:391-412. [PMID: 35735753 PMCID: PMC9223021 DOI: 10.3390/idr14030043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Small islands have been considered at an advantage when dealing with infectious diseases, including COVID-19, but the evidence is still lacking. Crude mortality rates (CMRs) and excess mortality rates (EMRs) were calculated for 35 municipalities on the Italian small islands for 2020 and 2021, and the corresponding estimates were compared to those of the parent provinces and the national estimates. Notification rates for COVID-19 were retrieved, but detailed data at the municipality level were not available. A relatively low CMR (1.069 per 100 per year, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.983−1.164) was identified in 2020, compared to 1.180, 95% CI 1.098−1.269 for 2021. EMRs of small islands ranged between −25.6% and +15.6% in 2020, and between −13.0% and +20.9% in 2021, with an average gain of +0.3% (95% CI −5.3 to +5.8) for the entirety of the assessed timeframe, and no substantial differences between 2020 and 2021 (pooled estimates of −4.1%, 95% CI −12.3 to 4.1 vs. 4.6%, 95% CI −3.1 to 12.4; p = 0.143). When dealing with COVID-19 notification rates, during the first wave, parent provinces of Italian small islands exhibited substantially lower estimates than those at the national level. Even though subsequent stages of the pandemic (i.e., second, third, and fourth waves) saw a drastic increase in the number of confirmed cases and CMR, estimates from small islands remained generally lower than those from parent provinces and the national level. In regression analysis, notification rates and mortality in the parent provinces were the main effectors of EMRs in the small islands (β = 0.469 and β = 22.768, p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). Contrarily, the management of incident cases in hospital infrastructures and ICUs was characterized as a negative predictor for EMR (β = −11.208, p = 0.008, and −59.700, p = 0.003, respectively). In summary, the study suggests a potential role of small geographical and population size in strengthening the effect of restrictive measures toward countering the spread and mortality rate of COVID-19.
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