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Bachmann I, Behrmann O, Klingenberg-Ernst M, Rupnik M, Hufert FT, Dame G, Weidmann M. Rapid Isothermal Detection of Pathogenic Clostridioides difficile Using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification. Anal Chem 2024; 96:3267-3275. [PMID: 38358754 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Nosocomial-associated diarrhea due to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is diagnosed after sample precultivation by the detection of the toxins in enzyme immunoassays or via toxin gene nucleic acid amplification. Rapid and direct diagnosis is important for targeted treatment to prevent severe cases and recurrence. We developed two singleplex and a one-pot duplex fluorescent 15 min isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assays targeting the toxin genes A and B (tcdA and tcdB). Furthermore, we adapted the singleplex RPA to a 3D-printed microreactor device. Analytical sensitivity was determined using a DNA standard and DNA extracts of 20 C. difficile strains with different toxinotypes. Nineteen clostridial and gastrointestinal bacteria strains were used to determine analytical specificity. Adaptation of singleplex assays to duplex assays in a 50 μL volume required optimized primer and probe concentrations. A volume reduction by one-fourth (12.4 μL) was established for the 3D-printed microreactor. Mixing of RPA was confirmed as essential for optimal analytical sensitivity. Detection limits (LOD) ranging from 119 to 1411 DNA molecules detected were similar in the duplex tube format and in the singleplex 3D-printed microreactor format. The duplex RPA allows the simultaneous detection of both toxins important for the timely and reliable diagnosis of CDI. The 3D-printed reaction chamber can be developed into a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip system use at the point of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Bachmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Ole Behrmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | | | - Maja Rupnik
- Center for Medical Microbiology, Department for Microbiological Research, National Laboratory for Health, Environment and Food, Prvomajska ulica 1, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Maribor, University of Maribor, Taborska ulica 8, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Gregory Dame
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Universitätsplatz 1, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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2
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Pfeil J, Nechyporenko A, Frohme M, Hufert FT, Schulze K. Examination of blood samples using deep learning and mobile microscopy. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:65. [PMID: 35148679 PMCID: PMC8832798 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04602-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microscopic examination of human blood samples is an excellent opportunity to assess general health status and diagnose diseases. Conventional blood tests are performed in medical laboratories by specialized professionals and are time and labor intensive. The development of a point-of-care system based on a mobile microscope and powerful algorithms would be beneficial for providing care directly at the patient's bedside. For this purpose human blood samples were visualized using a low-cost mobile microscope, an ocular camera and a smartphone. Training and optimisation of different deep learning methods for instance segmentation are used to detect and count the different blood cells. The accuracy of the results is assessed using quantitative and qualitative evaluation standards. Results Instance segmentation models such as Mask R-CNN, Mask Scoring R-CNN, D2Det and YOLACT were trained and optimised for the detection and classification of all blood cell types. These networks were not designed to detect very small objects in large numbers, so extensive modifications were necessary. Thus, segmentation of all blood cell types and their classification was feasible with great accuracy: qualitatively evaluated, mean average precision of 0.57 and mean average recall of 0.61 are achieved for all blood cell types. Quantitatively, 93% of ground truth blood cells can be detected. Conclusions Mobile blood testing as a point-of-care system can be performed with diagnostic accuracy using deep learning methods. In the future, this application could enable very fast, cheap, location- and knowledge-independent patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Pfeil
- Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences, Hochschulring 1, 15745, Wildau, Germany
| | - Alina Nechyporenko
- Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences, Hochschulring 1, 15745, Wildau, Germany.,Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Marcus Frohme
- Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics, Technical University of Applied Sciences, Hochschulring 1, 15745, Wildau, Germany.
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute for Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Katja Schulze
- Oculyze GmbH, Mobile Microscopy and Computer Vision, Wildau, Germany
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3
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Safi S, Danzer G, Raha S, Nassar E, Hufert FT, Schmailzl KJG. Does Being Ill Improve Acceptance of Medical Technology?-A Patient Survey with the Technology Usage Inventory. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18179367. [PMID: 34501957 PMCID: PMC8431124 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Acceptance of new medical technology may be influenced by social conditions and an individual’s background and particular situation. We studied this acceptance by hypothesizing that current and former COVID-19 patients would be more likely to accept an electrocardiogram (ECG) “patch” (attached to the chest) that allows continuous monitoring of the heart than individuals who did not have the disease and thus the respective experience. Currently infected COVID-19 patients, individuals who had recovered from COVID-19, and a control group were recruited online through Facebook (and Instagram) and through general practitioners (GPs). Demographic information and questions tailored to the problem were collected via an online questionnaire. An online survey was chosen in part because of the pandemic conditions, and Facebook was chosen because of the widespread discussions of health topics on that platform. The results confirmed the central hypothesis that people who had experienced a disease are more willing to accept new medical technologies and showed that curiosity about new technologies and willingness to use them were significantly higher in the two groups currently or previously affected by COVID-19, whereas fears of being “monitored” (in the sense of surveillance) were significantly higher among people who had not experienced the disease and threat. Experiencing a serious disease (“patient experience”) promotes acceptance of new medical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabur Safi
- Fakultät Humanwissenschaften, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-17-8666-6187
| | - Gerhard Danzer
- Fachbereich für Innere Medizin und Psychosomatische Medizin, Allgemeine Psychologie, Medical School Brandenburg, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany;
| | - Solaiman Raha
- Fachbereich für Digitale Medizin und Künstliche Intelligenz, Center for Connected Health Care UG, Gartenstrasse 20, 16818 Wustrau, Germany; (S.R.); (E.N.); (K.J.G.S.)
| | - Eyyad Nassar
- Fachbereich für Digitale Medizin und Künstliche Intelligenz, Center for Connected Health Care UG, Gartenstrasse 20, 16818 Wustrau, Germany; (S.R.); (E.N.); (K.J.G.S.)
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Fachbereich für Mikrobiologie und Virologie, Medical School Brandenburg, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany;
| | - Kurt J. G. Schmailzl
- Fachbereich für Digitale Medizin und Künstliche Intelligenz, Center for Connected Health Care UG, Gartenstrasse 20, 16818 Wustrau, Germany; (S.R.); (E.N.); (K.J.G.S.)
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4
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El Wahed AA, Patel P, Maier M, Pietsch C, Rüster D, Böhlken-Fascher S, Kissenkötter J, Behrmann O, Frimpong M, Diagne MM, Faye M, Dia N, Shalaby MA, Amer H, Elgamal M, Zaki A, Ismail G, Kaiser M, Corman VM, Niedrig M, Landt O, Faye O, Sall AA, Hufert FT, Truyen U, Liebert UG, Weidmann M. Suitcase Lab for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Based on Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay. Anal Chem 2021; 93:2627-2634. [PMID: 33471510 PMCID: PMC7839158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In March 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus outbreak was declared as a world pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The only measures for controlling the outbreak are testing and isolation of infected cases. Molecular real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are very sensitive but require highly equipped laboratories and well-trained personnel. In this study, a rapid point-of-need detection method was developed to detect the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP), envelope protein (E), and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes of SARS-CoV-2 based on the reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay. RdRP, E, and N RT-RPA assays required approximately 15 min to amplify 2, 15, and 15 RNA molecules of molecular standard/reaction, respectively. RdRP and E RT-RPA assays detected SARS-CoV-1 and 2 genomic RNA, whereas the N RT-RPA assay identified only SARS-CoV-2 RNA. All established assays did not cross-react with nucleic acids of other respiratory pathogens. The RT-RPA assay's clinical sensitivity and specificity in comparison to real-time RT-PCR (n = 36) were 94 and 100% for RdRP; 65 and 77% for E; and 83 and 94% for the N RT-RPA assay. The assays were deployed to the field, where the RdRP RT-RPA assays confirmed to produce the most accurate results in three different laboratories in Africa (n = 89). The RPA assays were run in a mobile suitcase laboratory to facilitate the deployment at point of need. The assays can contribute to speed up the control measures as well as assist in the detection of COVID-19 cases in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Institute
of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Division
of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Pranav Patel
- Expert
Molecular Diagnostics, 82256Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Melanie Maier
- Institute
of Medical Microbiology and VirologyLeipzig
University Hospital, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Corinna Pietsch
- Institute
of Medical Microbiology and VirologyLeipzig
University Hospital, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dana Rüster
- Institute
of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Susanne Böhlken-Fascher
- Division
of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Kissenkötter
- Division
of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ole Behrmann
- Institute
of Microbiology & Virology, Brandenburg Medical School, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Michael Frimpong
- Kumasi Centre
for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Department of Molecular
Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Martin Faye
- Virology
Department, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ndongo Dia
- Virology
Department, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Mohamed A. Shalaby
- Virology
Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Haitham Amer
- Virology
Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Elgamal
- Virology
Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Ali Zaki
- Department
of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 11591 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada Ismail
- Department
of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, 11591 Cairo, Egypt
| | - Marco Kaiser
- GenExpress Gesellschaft für Proteindesign, 12103 Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor M. Corman
- Charité−Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, Institute
of Virology, Berlin, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Ousmane Faye
- Virology
Department, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Amadou A. Sall
- Virology
Department, Institute Pasteur de Dakar, BP 220, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute
of Microbiology & Virology, Brandenburg Medical School, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Truyen
- Institute
of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe G. Liebert
- Institute
of Medical Microbiology and VirologyLeipzig
University Hospital, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute
of Microbiology & Virology, Brandenburg Medical School, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
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5
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Behrmann O, Bachmann I, Spiegel M, Schramm M, Abd El Wahed A, Dobler G, Dame G, Hufert FT. Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by Low Volume Real-Time Single Tube Reverse Transcription Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Using an Exo Probe with an Internally Linked Quencher (Exo-IQ). Clin Chem 2020; 66:1047-1054. [PMID: 32384153 PMCID: PMC7239256 DOI: 10.1093/clinchem/hvaa116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The current outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has spread to almost every country with more than three million confirmed cases and over two hundred thousand deaths as of April 28, 2020. Rapid first-line testing protocols are needed for outbreak control and surveillance. Methods We used computational and manual design to generate a suitable set of reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) primer and exonuclease probe, internally quenched (exo-IQ) probe sequences targeting the SARS-CoV-2 N gene. RT-RPA sensitivity was determined by amplification of in vitro transcribed RNA standards. Assay selectivity was demonstrated with a selectivity panel of 32 nucleic acid samples derived from common respiratory viruses. To validate the assay against full-length SARS-CoV-2 RNA, total viral RNA derived from cell culture supernatant and 19 nasopharyngeal swab samples (8 positive and 11 negative for SARS-CoV-2) were screened. All results were compared to established RT-qPCR assays. Results The 95% detection probability of the RT-RPA assay was determined to be 7.74 (95% CI: 2.87 - 27.39) RNA copies per reaction. The assay showed no cross-reactivity to any other screened coronaviruses or respiratory viruses of clinical significance. The developed RT-RPA assay produced 100% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity when compared to RT-qPCR (n=20). Conclusion With a run time of 15 to 20 minutes and first results being available in under 7 minutes for high RNA concentrations, the reported assay constitutes one of the fastest nucleic acid based detection methods for SARS-CoV-2 to date and may provide a simple to use alternative to RT-qPCR for first-line screening at the point of need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Behrmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Iris Bachmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Martin Spiegel
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany.,Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marina Schramm
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Division of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, University of Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology (IMB), Munich, Germany
| | - Gregory Dame
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Abstract
Some months ago, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) broke out in Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly around the world. Some states, such as the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and the USA initially focused on keeping the restrictions for economy and society as low as possible. The responsible authorities were of the opinion - and still are e.g. in Sweden - that it is sufficient enough to protect particularly vulnerable persons such as the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions. The idea behind this is that as soon as 60 to 70 percent of the population is infected with a pathogen, a so-called “herd immunity” has developed. However, the increasing numbers of deaths and modelling studies showed the expected overload of the hospitals. Therefore, most countries decided for a temporary lockdown with the exception of Sweden. Based on the number of the total population, three times more people died from COVID-19 in Sweden (2679 deaths per 10 million inhabitants) compared to Germany (6848 deaths per 80 million inhabitants). The comparison Sweden versus Taiwan is even worse because 1072 times more people died in Sweden based on the number of the population (6 deaths per 24 million inhabitants). In the face of the lack of an antiviral treatment and the lack of a protective vaccine one must state Taiwan has made the best out of the pandemic situation whereas Sweden failed completely.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Jung
- Institute of Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - V Krieger
- TMM AG Böblingen, Department Head Lab Planning and Norming of Information Management, Böblingen, Germany
| | - F T Hufert
- Institute for Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School, Senftenberg, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - J-H Küpper
- Institute of Biotechnology, Molecular Cell Biology, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Joint Faculty of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane and the University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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7
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Behrmann O, Hügle M, Eckardt F, Bachmann I, Heller C, Schramm M, Turner C, Hufert FT, Dame G. 3D Printed Monolithic Microreactors for Real-Time Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and the Resistance Gene blaNDM-1 by Recombinase Polymerase Amplification. Micromachines (Basel) 2020; 11:mi11060595. [PMID: 32560308 PMCID: PMC7344889 DOI: 10.3390/mi11060595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigate the compatibility of three 3D printing materials towards real-time recombinase polymerase amplification (rtRPA). Both the general ability of the rtRPA reaction to occur while in contact with the cured 3D printing materials as well as the residual autofluorescence and fluorescence drift in dependence on post curing of the materials is characterized. We 3D printed monolithic rtRPA microreactors and subjected the devices to different post curing protocols. Residual autofluorescence and drift, as well as rtRPA kinetics, were then measured in a custom-made mobile temperature-controlled fluorescence reader (mTFR). Furthermore, we investigated the effects of storage on the devices over a 30-day period. Finally, we present the single- and duplex rtRPA detection of both the organism-specific Klebsiella haemolysin (khe) gene and the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1 (blaNDM-1) gene from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results: No combination of 3D printing resin and post curing protocol completely inhibited the rtRPA reaction. The autofluorescence and fluorescence drift measured were found to be highly dependent on printing material and wavelength. Storage had the effect of decreasing the autofluorescence of the investigated materials. Both khe and blaNDM-1 were successfully detected by single- and duplex-rtRPA inside monolithic rtRPA microreactors printed from NextDent Ortho Clear (NXOC). The reaction kinetics were found to be close to those observed for rtRPA performed in a microcentrifuge tube without the need for mixing during amplification. Singleplex assays for both khe and blaNDM-1 achieved a limit of detection of 2.5 × 101 DNA copies while the duplex assay achieved 2.5 × 101 DNA copies for khe and 2.5 × 102 DNA copies for blaNDM-1. Impact: We expand on the state of the art by demonstrating a technology that can manufacture monolithic microfluidic devices that are readily suitable for rtRPA. The devices exhibit very low autofluorescence and fluorescence drift and are compatible with RPA chemistry without the need for any surface pre-treatment such as blocking with, e.g., BSA or PEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Behrmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hügle
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering - IMTEK, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Franz Eckardt
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
| | - Iris Bachmann
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
| | - Cecilia Heller
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
| | - Marina Schramm
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
| | - Carrie Turner
- National Infections Service, Public Health England, Porton Down SP4 0JG, UK;
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
| | - Gregory Dame
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany; (O.B.); (M.H.); (F.E.); (I.B.); (C.H.); (M.S.); (F.T.H.)
- Correspondence:
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8
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Hügle M, Behrmann O, Raum M, Hufert FT, Urban GA, Dame G. A lab-on-a-chip for free-flow electrophoretic preconcentration of viruses and gel electrophoretic DNA extraction. Analyst 2020; 145:2554-2561. [DOI: 10.1039/c9an02333j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A lab-on-a-chip for FFE preconcentration of viruses and gel electrophoretic DNA extraction: complete preparation of amplifiable DNA from dilute specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Hügle
- Laboratory for Sensors
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
- University of Freiburg
- Freiburg
- Germany
| | - Ole Behrmann
- Laboratory for Sensors
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
- University of Freiburg
- Freiburg
- Germany
| | - Madlen Raum
- Laboratory for Sensors
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
- University of Freiburg
- Freiburg
- Germany
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology
- Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane
- Neuruppin
- Germany
| | - Gerald A. Urban
- Laboratory for Sensors
- Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK)
- University of Freiburg
- Freiburg
- Germany
| | - Gregory Dame
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology
- Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane
- Neuruppin
- Germany
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9
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Behrmann O, Hügle M, Bronsert P, Herde B, Heni J, Schramm M, Hufert FT, Urban GA, Dame G. A lab-on-a-chip for rapid miRNA extraction. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226571. [PMID: 31856234 PMCID: PMC6922460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We present a simple to operate microfluidic chip system that allows for the extraction of miRNAs from cells with minimal hands-on time. The chip integrates thermoelectric lysis (TEL) of cells with native gel-electrophoretic elution (GEE) of released nucleic acids and uses non-toxic reagents while requiring a sample volume of only 5 μl. These properties as well as the fast process duration of 180 seconds make the system an ideal candidate to be part of fully integrated point-of-care applications for e.g. the diagnosis of cancerous tissue. GEE was characterized in comparison to state-of-the-art silica column (SC) based RNA recovery using the mirVana kit (Ambion) as a reference. A synthetic miRNA (miR16) as well as a synthetic snoRNA (SNORD48) were subjected to both GEE and SC. Subsequent detection by stem-loop RT-qPCR demonstrated a higher yield for miRNA recovery by GEE. SnoRNA recovery performance was found to be equal for GEE and SC, indicating yield dependence on RNA length. Coupled operation of the chip (TEL + GEE) was characterized using serial dilutions of 5 to 500 MCF7 cancer cells in suspension. Samples were split and cells were subjected to either on-chip extraction or SC. Eluted miRNAs were then detected by stem-loop RT-qPCR without any further pre-processing. The extraction yield from cells was found to be up to ~200-fold higher for the chip system under non-denaturing conditions. The ratio of eluted miRNAs is shown to be dependent on the degree of complexation with miRNA associated proteins by comparing miRNAs purified by GEE from heat-shock and proteinase-K based lysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Behrmann
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hügle
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bettina Herde
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center–University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julian Heni
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marina Schramm
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Gerald A. Urban
- Laboratory for Sensors, Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK), University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gregory Dame
- Department of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Neuruppin, Germany
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10
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Weidmann M, Faye O, Faye O, Abd El Wahed A, Patel P, Batejat C, Manugerra JC, Adjami A, Niedrig M, Hufert FT, Sall AA. Development of Mobile Laboratory for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Detection in Africa. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:1622-1630. [PMID: 29917112 PMCID: PMC6173574 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A mobile laboratory transportable on commercial flights was developed to enable local response to viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks. Methods The development progressed from use of mobile real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction to mobile real-time recombinase polymerase amplification. In this study, we describe various stages of the mobile laboratory development. Results A brief overview of mobile laboratory deployments, which culminated in the first on-site detection of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in March 2014, and their successful use in a campaign to roll back EVD cases in Conakry in the West Africa Ebola virus outbreak are described. Conclusions The developed mobile laboratory successfully enabled local teams to perform rapid disgnostic testing for viral hemorrhagic fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Correspondence: M. Weidmann, Dr. rer. nat., University of Stirling, Institute of Aquaculture, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, United Kingdom ()
| | - Ousmane Faye
- Arbovirus Unit, Pasteur Institute, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Oumar Faye
- Arbovirus Unit, Pasteur Institute, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Unit of Infection Models, German Primate Center, Goettingen, Germany
- Division of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, University of Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Christophe Batejat
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean Claude Manugerra
- Laboratory for Urgent Response to Biological Threats (CIBU), Environment and Infectious Risks Unit, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Aimee Adjami
- Multi Disease Surveillance Centre WHO, Ougadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane (and Member of the Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences of B-TU Senftenberg site), Senftenberg, Brandenburg, Germany
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11
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Davi SD, Kissenkötter J, Faye M, Böhlken-Fascher S, Stahl-Hennig C, Faye O, Faye O, Sall AA, Weidmann M, Ademowo OG, Hufert FT, Czerny CP, Abd El Wahed A. Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of Monkeypox virus. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 95:41-45. [PMID: 31126795 PMCID: PMC9629024 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2019.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a rapid method for the detection of Central and West Africa clades of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay targeting the G2R gene was developed. MPXV, an Orthopoxvirus, is a zoonotic dsDNA virus, which is listed as a biothreat agent. RPA was operated at a single constant temperature of 42°C and produced results within 3 to 10 minutes. The MPXV-RPA-assay was highly sensitive with a limit of detection of 16 DNA molecules/μl. The clinical performance of the MPXV-RPA-assay was tested using 47 sera and whole blood samples from humans collected during the recent MPXV outbreak in Nigeria as well as 48 plasma samples from monkeys some of which were experimentally infected with MPXV. The specificity of the MPXV-RPA-assay was 100% (50/50), while the sensitivity was 95% (43/45). This new MPXV-RPA-assay is fast and can be easily utilised at low resource settings using a solar powered mobile suitcase laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Dede Davi
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Jonas Kissenkötter
- Department of Animal Sciences, Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Böhlken-Fascher
- Department of Animal Sciences, Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | | | - Oumar Faye
- Institute Pasteur de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | | | | | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Olusegun George Ademowo
- Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Czerny
- Department of Animal Sciences, Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Department of Animal Sciences, Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
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12
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Shalaby MA, El-Deeb A, El-Tholoth M, Hoffmann D, Czerny CP, Hufert FT, Weidmann M, Abd El Wahed A. Recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of lumpy skin disease virus. BMC Vet Res 2016; 12:244. [PMID: 27806722 PMCID: PMC5094145 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0875-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a Capripoxvirus infecting cattle and Buffalos. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) leads to significant economic losses due to hide damage, reduction of milk production, mastitis, infertility and mortalities (10 %). Early detection of the virus is crucial to start appropriate outbreak control measures. Veterinarians rely on the presence of the characteristic clinical signs of LSD. Laboratory diagnostics including virus isolation, sequencing and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are performed at well-equipped laboratories. In this study, a portable, simple, and rapid recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay for the detection of LSDV-genome for the use on farms was developed. RESULTS The LSDV RPA assay was performed at 42 °C and detected down to 179 DNA copies/reaction in a maximum of 15 min. Unspecific amplification was observed with neither LSDV-negative samples (n = 12) nor nucleic acid preparations from orf virus, bovine papular stomatitis virus, cowpoxvirus, Peste des petits ruminants and Blue tongue virus (serotypes 1, 6 and 8). The clinical sensitivity of the LSDV RPA assay matched 100 % (n = 22) to real-time PCR results. In addition, the LSDV RPA assay detected sheep and goat poxviruses. CONCLUSION The LSDV RPA assay is a rapid and sensitive test that could be implemented in field or at quarantine stations for the identification of LSDV infected case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed A. Shalaby
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Ayman El-Deeb
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Tholoth
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, 35516 Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Donata Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Claus-Peter Czerny
- Division of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, Georg-August-University, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology & Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA Stirling, Scotland UK
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Division of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture Sciences, Georg-August-University, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
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13
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Patel P, Abd El Wahed A, Faye O, Prüger P, Kaiser M, Thaloengsok S, Ubol S, Sakuntabhai A, Leparc-Goffart I, Hufert FT, Sall AA, Weidmann M, Niedrig M. A Field-Deployable Reverse Transcription Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Rapid Detection of the Chikungunya Virus. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2016; 10:e0004953. [PMID: 27685649 PMCID: PMC5042537 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne virus currently transmitted in about 60 countries. CHIKV causes acute flu-like symptoms and in many cases prolonged musculoskeletal and joint pain. Detection of the infection is mostly done using RT-RCR or ELISA, which are not suitable for point-of-care diagnosis. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, a reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the detection of the CHIKV was developed. The assay sensitivity, specificity, and cross-reactivity were tested. CHIKV RT-RPA assay detected down to 80 genome copies/reaction in a maximum of 15 minutes. It successfully identified 18 isolates representing the three CHIKV genotypes. No cross-reactivity was detected to other alphaviruses and arboviruses except O'nyong'nyong virus, which could be differentiated by a modified RPA primer pair. Seventy-eight samples were screened both by RT-RPA and real-time RT-PCR. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the CHIKV RT-RPA assay were determined at 100%. Conclusions/Significance The developed RT-RPA assay represents a promising method for the molecular detection of CHIKV at point of need. CHIKV is transmitted to humans via mosquitos. CHIKV induces clinical signs similar to Influenza, Dengue, and Zika viruses. We have developed a molecular assay for the detection of CHIKV genome based on isothermal„recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay”performed at 42°C. The result was obtained in maximum of 15 minutes, which is 4–6 times faster than the current molecular diagnostic techniques. Our CHIKV RPA assay is rapid and sensitive, as well as easy to use at the point of need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranav Patel
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Division of Microbiology and Animal Hygiene, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Oumar Faye
- Arbovirus Unit, Pasteur Institute, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Pauline Prüger
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marco Kaiser
- GenExpress Gesellschaft für Proteindesign, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sasikanya Thaloengsok
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sukathida Ubol
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anavaj Sakuntabhai
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology & Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Fontane, Senftenberg, Germany
| | | | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
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14
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Weidmann M, Avsic-Zupanc T, Bino S, Bouloy M, Burt F, Chinikar S, Christova I, Dedushaj I, El-Sanousi A, Elaldi N, Hewson R, Hufert FT, Humolli I, Jansen van Vuren P, Koçak Tufan Z, Korukluoglu G, Lyssen P, Mirazimi A, Neyts J, Niedrig M, Ozkul A, Papa A, Paweska J, Sall AA, Schmaljohn CS, Swanepoel R, Uyar Y, Weber F, Zeller H. Biosafety standards for working with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. J Gen Virol 2016; 97:2799-2808. [PMID: 27667586 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In countries from which Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is absent, the causative virus, CCHF virus (CCHFV), is classified as a hazard group 4 agent and handled in containment level (CL)-4. In contrast, most endemic countries out of necessity have had to perform diagnostic tests under biosafety level (BSL)-2 or -3 conditions. In particular, Turkey and several of the Balkan countries have safely processed more than 100 000 samples over many years in BSL-2 laboratories. It is therefore advocated that biosafety requirements for CCHF diagnostic procedures should be revised, to allow the tests required to be performed under enhanced BSL-2 conditions with appropriate biosafety laboratory equipment and personal protective equipment used according to standardized protocols in the countries affected. Downgrading of CCHFV research work from CL-4, BSL-4 to CL-3, BSL-3 should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, UK
| | - Tatjana Avsic-Zupanc
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Silvia Bino
- Institute of Public Health, Control of Infectious Diseases Department, Tirana, Albania
| | - Michelle Bouloy
- Institut Pasteur, Bunyaviruses Molecular Genetics, Paris, France
| | - Felicity Burt
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Sadegh Chinikar
- Laboratory of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Ref Lab), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Iva Christova
- National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Isuf Dedushaj
- National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo, Pristina, Kosovo
| | - Ahmed El-Sanousi
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nazif Elaldi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Sivas, Turkey
| | - Roger Hewson
- Public Health England, Porton Down, Wiltshire, Salisbury, UK
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Isme Humolli
- National Institute of Public Health in Kosovo, Pristina, Kosovo
| | | | - Zeliha Koçak Tufan
- Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Department, Yildirim Beyazit University, Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gülay Korukluoglu
- Public Health Institution of Turkey, Virology Reference and Research Laboratory, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Pieter Lyssen
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Department for Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institute, and Karolinska Hospital University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Neyts
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Matthias Niedrig
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Aykut Ozkul
- Department of Virology, Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Anna Papa
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Janusz Paweska
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Connie S Schmaljohn
- US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, MD, USA
| | - Robert Swanepoel
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Yavuz Uyar
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Cerrahpasa Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Institute for Virology, Justus Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Herve Zeller
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Stockholm, Sweden
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15
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Abd El Wahed A, Patel P, Faye O, Thaloengsok S, Heidenreich D, Matangkasombut P, Manopwisedjaroen K, Sakuntabhai A, Sall AA, Hufert FT, Weidmann M. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification Assay for Rapid Diagnostics of Dengue Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129682. [PMID: 26075598 PMCID: PMC4468249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over 2.5 billion people are exposed to the risk of contracting dengue fever (DF). Early diagnosis of DF helps to diminish its burden on public health. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase amplification assays (RT-PCR) are the standard method for molecular detection of the dengue virus (DENV). Real-time RT-PCR analysis is not suitable for on-site screening since mobile devices are large, expensive, and complex. In this study, two RT-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assays were developed to detect DENV1-4. Methodology/Principal Findings Using two quantitative RNA molecular standards, the analytical sensitivity of a RT-RPA targeting the 3´non-translated region of DENV1-4 was found to range from 14 (DENV4) to 241 (DENV1-3) RNA molecules detected. The assay was specific and did not cross detect other Flaviviruses. The RT-RPA assay was tested in a mobile laboratory combining magnetic-bead based total nucleic acid extraction and a portable detection device in Kedougou (Senegal) and in Bangkok (Thailand). In Kedougou, the RT-RPA was operated at an ambient temperature of 38°C with auxiliary electricity tapped from a motor vehicle and yielded a clinical sensitivity and specificity of 98% (n=31) and 100% (n=23), respectively. While in the field trial in Bangkok, the clinical sensitivity and specificity were 72% (n=90) and 100%(n=41), respectively. Conclusions/Significance During the first 5 days of infection, the developed DENV1-4 RT-RPA assays constitute a suitable accurate and rapid assay for DENV diagnosis. Moreover, the use of a portable fluorescence-reading device broadens its application potential to the point-of-care for outbreak investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Unit of Infection Models, German Primate Center, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Virology, Mansoura University, Dakahlia, Egypt
| | - Pranav Patel
- CBS1-Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oumar Faye
- Arbovirus Unit, Pasteur Institute, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Sasikanya Thaloengsok
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Doris Heidenreich
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Ponpan Matangkasombut
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit at Faculty of Science and Center of Emerging and Neglected Infectious Diseases, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Anavaj Sakuntabhai
- Functional Genetics of Infectious Diseases Unit, Institute Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Frank T. Hufert
- Institute of Microbiology and Virology, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor-Fontane, Senftenberg, Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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16
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Silva SP, Dilcher M, Weber F, Hufert FT, Weidmann M, Cardoso JF, Carvalho VL, Chiang JO, Martins LC, Lima CPS, Da Silva DEA, Vianez-Júnior JLSG, Popov VL, Travassos da Rosa APA, Tesh RB, Vasconcelos PFC, Nunes MRT. Genetic and biological characterization of selected Changuinola viruses (Reoviridae, Orbivirus) from Brazil. J Gen Virol 2014; 95:2251-2259. [PMID: 24986085 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.064691-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae comprises 22 virus species including the Changuinola virus (CGLV) serogroup. The complete genome sequences of 13 CGLV serotypes isolated between 1961 and 1988 from distinct geographical areas of the Brazilian Amazon region were obtained. All viral sequences were obtained from single-passaged CGLV strains grown in Vero cells. CGLVs are the only orbiviruses known to be transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. Ultrastructure and molecular analysis by electron microscopy and gel electrophoresis, respectively, revealed viral particles with typical orbivirus size and morphology, as well as the presence of a segmented genome with 10 segments. Full-length nucleotide sequencing of each of the ten RNA segments of the 13 CGLV serotypes provided basic information regarding the genome organization, encoded proteins and genetic traits. Segment 2 (encoding VP2) of the CGLV is uncommonly larger in comparison to those found in other orbiviruses and shows varying sizes even among different CGLV serotypes. Phylogenetic analysis support previous serological findings, which indicate that CGLV constitutes a separate serogroup within the genus Orbivirus. In addition, six out of 13 analysed CGLV serotypes showed reassortment of their genome segments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro P Silva
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Meik Dilcher
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Franziska Weber
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Jedson F Cardoso
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Valéria L Carvalho
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministério da Saúde, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Jannifer O Chiang
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministério da Saúde, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Lívia C Martins
- Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministério da Saúde, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Clayton P S Lima
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Daisy E A Da Silva
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - João L S G Vianez-Júnior
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Vsevolod L Popov
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Amélia P A Travassos da Rosa
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Robert B Tesh
- Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Pedro F C Vasconcelos
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade do Estado do Pará, Belém, Brazil.,Departamento de Arbovirologia e Febres Hemorrágicas, Instituto Evandro Chagas, Ministério da Saúde, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
| | - Márcio R T Nunes
- Center for Technological Innovation of Evandro Chagas Institute, Ministry of Health, BR 316, Km 07, s/n CEP 67.030-000, Ananindeua, Brazil
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17
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Abd El Wahed A, El-Deeb A, El-Tholoth M, Abd El Kader H, Ahmed A, Hassan S, Hoffmann B, Haas B, Shalaby MA, Hufert FT, Weidmann M. A portable reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assay for rapid detection of foot-and-mouth disease virus. PLoS One 2013; 8:e71642. [PMID: 23977101 PMCID: PMC3748043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a trans-boundary viral disease of livestock, which causes huge economic losses and constitutes a serious infectious threat for livestock farming worldwide. Early diagnosis of FMD helps to diminish its impact by adequate outbreak management. In this study, we describe the development of a real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the detection of FMD virus (FMDV). The FMDV RT-RPA design targeted the 3D gene of FMDV and a 260 nt molecular RNA standard was used for assay validation. The RT-RPA assay was fast (4–10 minutes) and the analytical sensitivity was determined at 1436 RNA molecules detected by probit regression analysis. The FMDV RT-RPA assay detected RNA prepared from all seven FMDV serotypes but did not detect classical swine fever virus or swine vesicular disease virus. The FMDV RT-RPA assay was used in the field during the recent FMD outbreak in Egypt. In clinical samples, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-RPA showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and 98%, respectively. In conclusion, FMDV RT-RPA was quicker and much easier to handle in the field than real-time RT-PCR. Thus RT-RPA could be easily implemented to perform diagnostics at quarantine stations or farms for rapid spot-of-infection detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Abd El Wahed
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
- * E-mail:
| | - Ayman El-Deeb
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed El-Tholoth
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | | | - Abeer Ahmed
- Animal Health Research Institute, Faiyum, Egypt
| | | | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Bernd Haas
- Institute of Diagnostic Virology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Mohamed A. Shalaby
- Virology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, Goettingen, Germany
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18
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Amer HM, Abd El Wahed A, Shalaby MA, Almajhdi FN, Hufert FT, Weidmann M. A new approach for diagnosis of bovine coronavirus using a reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assay. J Virol Methods 2013; 193:337-40. [PMID: 23811231 PMCID: PMC7113639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) is an economically significant cause of calf scours and winter dysentery of adult cattle, and may induce respiratory tract infections in cattle of all ages. Early diagnosis of BCoV helps to diminish its burden on the dairy and beef industry. Real-time RT-PCR assay for the detection of BCoV has been described, but it is relatively expensive, requires well-equipped laboratories and is not suitable for on-site screening. A novel assay, using reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA), for the detection of BCoV is developed. The BCoV RT-RPA was rapid (10-20 min) and has an analytical sensitivity of 19 molecules. No cross-reactivity with other viruses causing bovine gastrointestinal and/or respiratory infections was observed. The assay performance on clinical samples was validated by testing 16 fecal and 14 nasal swab specimens and compared to real-time RT-PCR. Both assays provided comparable results. The RT-RPA assay was significantly more rapid than the real-time RT-PCR assay. The BCoV RT-RPA constitutes a suitable accurate, sensitive and rapid alternative to the common measures used for BCoV diagnosis. In addition, the use of a portable fluorescence reading device extends its application potential to use in the field and point-of-care diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Amer
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211 Giza, Egypt
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19
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Weidmann M, Frey S, Freire CCM, Essbauer S, Růžek D, Klempa B, Zubrikova D, Vögerl M, Pfeffer M, Hufert FT, Zanotto PM, Dobler G. Molecular phylogeography of tick-borne encephalitis virus in central Europe. J Gen Virol 2013; 94:2129-2139. [PMID: 23784447 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.054478-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to obtain a better understanding of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) strain movements in central Europe the E gene sequences of 102 TBEV strains collected from 1953 to 2011 at 38 sites in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria and Germany were determined. Bayesian analysis suggests a 350-year history of evolution and spread in central Europe of two main lineages, A and B. In contrast to the east to west spread at the Eurasian continent level, local central European spreading patterns suggest historic west to east spread followed by more recent east to west spread. The phylogenetic and network analyses indicate TBEV ingressions from the Czech Republic and Slovakia into Germany via landscape features (Danube river system), biogenic factors (birds, red deer) and anthropogenic factors. The identification of endemic foci showing local genetic diversity is of paramount importance to the field as these will be a prerequisite for in-depth analysis of focal TBEV maintenance and long-distance TBEV spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Frey
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany
| | - Caio C M Freire
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute - ICB II University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Růžek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.,Department of Virology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Boris Klempa
- Institute of Virology Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Science, Dubravska cesta 9, 84505 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Dana Zubrikova
- Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Science, Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Maria Vögerl
- Comparative Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Paolo M Zanotto
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute - ICB II University of São Paulo, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, 80937 Munich, Germany
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20
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Abstract
Pyrosequencing data and phylogenetic analysis for the full genome of Ilesha virus, Ngari virus and Calovo virus are described clarifying their much discussed relationship within the species Bunyamwera virus of the genus Orthobunyavirus of the Bunyaviridae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meik Dilcher
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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21
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Abstract
Presentation of pyrosequencing data and phylogenetic analysis for the full genome of Ntaya virus, type virus of the Ntaya virus group of the Flaviviridae isolated in Cameroon in 1966.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meik Dilcher
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Amadou A. Sall
- Institut Pasteur de Dakar, 36 Avenue Pasteur, B.P. 220, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Frank T. Hufert
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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22
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Dilcher M, Hasib L, Lechner M, Wieseke N, Middendorf M, Marz M, Koch A, Spiegel M, Dobler G, Hufert FT, Weidmann M. Genetic characterization of Tribeč virus and Kemerovo virus, two tick-transmitted human-pathogenic Orbiviruses. Virology 2012; 423:68-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2011.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2011] [Revised: 09/17/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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23
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Kocak Tufan Z, Weidmann M, Bulut C, Kinikli S, Hufert FT, Dobler G, Demiroz AP. Clinical and laboratory findings of a sandfly fever Turkey Virus outbreak in Ankara. J Infect 2011; 63:375-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2011.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2011] [Revised: 06/22/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Weidmann M, Růžek D, Křivanec K, Zöller G, Essbauer S, Pfeffer M, Zanotto PMDA, Hufert FT, Dobler G. Relation of genetic phylogeny and geographical distance of tick-borne encephalitis virus in central Europe. J Gen Virol 2011; 92:1906-1916. [PMID: 21593276 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.032417-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important arboviral agent causing disease of the central nervous system in central Europe. In this study, 61 TBEV E gene sequences derived from 48 isolates from the Czech Republic, and four isolates and nine TBEV strains detected in ticks from Germany, covering more than half a century from 1954 to 2009, were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic and Bayesian phylodynamic analysis to determine the phylogeography of TBEV in central Europe. The general Eurasian continental east-to-west pattern of the spread of TBEV was confirmed at the regional level but is interlaced with spreading that arises because of local geography and anthropogenic influence. This spread is reflected by the disease pattern in the Czech Republic that has been observed since 1991. The overall evolutionary rate was estimated to be approximately 8×10(-4) substitutions per nucleotide per year. The analysis of the TBEV E genes of 11 strains isolated at one natural focus in žďár Kaplice proved for the first time that TBEV is indeed subject to local evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Weidmann
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - D Růžek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - K Křivanec
- Central Military Institute of Health, Army Forces of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - G Zöller
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - S Essbauer
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - M Pfeffer
- Institute of Animal Hygiene and Veterinary Public Health, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - P M de A Zanotto
- Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Biomedical Sciences Institute - ICB II, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F T Hufert
- Department of Virology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
| | - G Dobler
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
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25
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Kranaster R, Drum M, Engel N, Weidmann M, Hufert FT, Marx A. One-step RNA pathogen detection with reverse transcriptase activity of a mutated thermostable Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase. Biotechnol J 2010; 5:224-31. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.200900200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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26
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Weidmann M, Armbruster K, Hufert FT. Challenges in designing a Taqman-based multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and Varicella-zoster virus. J Clin Virol 2008; 42:326-34. [PMID: 18439871 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2008.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2006] [Revised: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 03/03/2008] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
To optimise molecular detection of herpesviruses an internally controlled multiplex Taqman-PCR for the detection of Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was developed. The selection of the dye combination working on the ABI 7700 cycler for this multiplex PCR revealed crosstalk phenomena between several combinations of reference dyes and reporter dyes. A final dye combination with CY5 as reference dye and FAM/JOE/TXR as reporter dyes was selected. The influence of the concentration of the internal positive control (IPC) concentration on the quantitative results of HSV1, HSV2 and VZV positive patient samples was analysed. The results indicate that high IPC concentrations are detrimental for the sensitivity of the multiplex assay and that the presence of the IPC molecule narrows the dynamic range of the duplex PCRs between any of the virus PCRs and the IPC-PCR. The optimised multiplex assay detecting HSV1, HSV2 and VZV using 10(3) IPC molecules showed a performance and sensitivity comparable to that of the individual assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Virology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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27
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Weidmann M, Sanchez-Seco MP, Sall AA, Ly PO, Thiongane Y, Lô MM, Schley H, Hufert FT. Rapid detection of important human pathogenic Phleboviruses. J Clin Virol 2007; 41:138-42. [PMID: 18006376 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2007.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2006] [Revised: 09/26/2007] [Accepted: 10/01/2007] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnostics are not available for several human pathogens in the genus Phlebovirus of the Bunyaviridae. OBJECTIVES To develop RT-PCR assays for Sandfly Fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), Sandfly Fever Naples virus (SFNV), Toscana virus (TOSV) and Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV). STUDY DESIGN RNA standards were generated and used to test the performance of the assays. RESULTS A detection limit of 10-100 RNA molecules was determined for the SFSV, TOSV and RVFV assays. The sensitivity of the SFNV assay was not determined. The TOSV and the RVFV assays detected recent isolates from Spain and Africa, respectively. CONCLUSION The assays should help to improve surveillance of pathogenic Phleboviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Virology, University of Göttingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Göttingen, Germany.
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28
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Weidmann M, Hufert FT, Sall AA. Viral load among patients infected with Marburgvirus in Angola. J Clin Virol 2007; 39:65-6. [PMID: 17360231 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2006.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2006] [Accepted: 12/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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29
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Weidmann M, Schmidt P, Hufert FT, Krivanec K, Meyer H. Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus in Clethrionomys glareolus in the Czech Republic. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2006; 6:379-81. [PMID: 17187572 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.6.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 474 specimens from 157 rodents caught at the military training area of Boletice in the south of the Czech Republic from May to November 1999 were screened for TBEV by nested PCR. TBEV-specific RNA was amplified from lung, kidney, and spleen derived from one Clethrionomys glareolus in the first RT-PCR round. Sequence analysis revealed a 100% identity to the TBEV strain Neudoerfl. TBEV presence in the sample was confirmed by mouse brain passage of backup samples and cell culture. The results support the observation that hantaviruses and TBEV transmission can occur sympatrically in the same rodent population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Institute of Virology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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30
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Meyer-Koenig U, Romberg I, Schneider K, Weidmann M, Kern WV, Hufert FT. Diagnostic value of reverse transcription-PCR for detection of cytomegalovirus pp67 in samples from solid-organ transplant recipients. J Clin Microbiol 2006; 44:3394-6. [PMID: 16954283 PMCID: PMC1594687 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00493-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated a highly sensitive quantitative real-time one-step reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for detection of human cytomegalovirus pp67 transcripts in monitoring of solid-organ transplant recipients. Results were compared with those of pp65 antigen testing and quantitative DNA-PCR. Due to a low clinical sensitivity, the pp67 RT-PCR was not able to replace these assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Meyer-Koenig
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 11, D 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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31
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Spiegel M, Schneider K, Weber F, Weidmann M, Hufert FT. Interaction of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus with dendritic cells. J Gen Virol 2006; 87:1953-1960. [PMID: 16760397 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.81624-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) of humans is caused by a novel coronavirus of zoonotic origin termed SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV). The virus induces severe injury of lung tissue, as well as lymphopenia and destruction of the architecture of lymphatic tissue by as-yet-unknown mechanisms. In this study, the interaction of SARS-CoV with dendritic cells (DCs), the key regulators of immune responses, was analysed. Monocyte-derived DCs were infected with SARS-CoV and analysed for viability, surface-marker expression and alpha interferon (IFN-alpha) induction. SARS-CoV infection was monitored by quantitative RT-PCR, immunofluorescence analysis and recovery experiments. SARS-CoV infected both immature and mature DCs, although replication efficiency was low. Immature DCs were activated by SARS-CoV infection and by UV-inactivated SARS-CoV. Infected DCs were still viable on day 6 post-infection, but major histocompatibility complex class I upregulation was missing, indicating that DC function was impaired. Additionally, SARS-CoV infection induced a delayed activation of IFN-alpha expression. Therefore, it is concluded that SARS-CoV has the ability to circumvent both the innate and the adaptive immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Spiegel
- Institute for Virology, University of Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schneider
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Friedemann Weber
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Weidmann
- Institute for Virology, University of Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Institute for Virology, University of Goettingen, Kreuzbergring 57, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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32
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Weidmann M, Schmidt P, Vackova M, Krivanec K, Munclinger P, Hufert FT. Identification of genetic evidence for dobrava virus spillover in rodents by nested reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and TaqMan RT-PCR. J Clin Microbiol 2005; 43:808-12. [PMID: 15695684 PMCID: PMC548048 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.43.2.808-812.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A survey of 158 rodents caught in the Czech Republic identified Dobrava virus sequences closely related to that of the Dobrava virus type strain in Apodemus sylvaticus and Mus musculus rodents. The identity of A. sylvaticus was unequivocally confirmed by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis. The data seem to indicate hantavirus spillover from Apodemus flavicollis to other rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Unit for Microbiological Preparedness and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Stefan-Meier-Str. 19, 79014 Freiburg, Germany.
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33
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Meyer-Koenig U, Hufert FT, Duffner U, Neumann-Haefelin D, Henschen M. G-CSF-mobilised granulocyte transfusion to an ALL patient complicated by cytomegalovirus transmission. Bone Marrow Transplant 2005; 34:1095-6. [PMID: 15502855 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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34
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of filovirus disease outbreaks has been increasing in recent years. Although there have been advances in the developments of diagnostics, field tests are rare. Apart from family members of infected patients, health care workers are at high risk of being infected during the initial phase of an outbreak. RT-PCR has been shown to be helpful in containing outbreaks. OBJECTIVES To develop Taqman-RT-PCR for the detection of Ebola-Zaire virus (EBOV-Z), Ebola-Sudan virus (EBOV-S) and Marburg virus (MBGV). STUDY DESIGN Quantitative Taqman-RT-PCRs for the detection of these viruses were developed and established on a portable Smartcycler TD. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS All three assays were highly sensitive and specific. The mobility of the assay system may help to contain future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Street 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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35
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Weidmann M, Zanotto PMDA, Weber F, Spiegel M, Brodt HR, Hufert FT. High-efficiency detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome virus genetic material. J Clin Microbiol 2004; 42:2771-3. [PMID: 15184466 PMCID: PMC427811 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.6.2771-2773.2004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A Taqman amplicon targeting the nucleocapsid gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is 5 log(10) times more sensitive for SARS-CoV target RNA extracted from infected cells and 2.79 log(10) times more sensitive for RNA extracted from patient material of the index case in Frankfurt than an amplicon targeting the polymerase gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Str. 11, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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36
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Meyer-Koenig U, Weidmann M, Kirste G, Hufert FT. CYTOMEGALOVIRUS INFECTION IN ORGAN-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS: DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF PP65 ANTIGEN TEST, QUALITATIVE POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) AND QUANTITATIVE TAQMAN PCR. Transplantation 2004; 77:1692-8. [PMID: 15201668 DOI: 10.1097/01.tp.0000133992.89191.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in transplant patients. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of pp65 antigen test, qualitative nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and quantitative Taqman PCR in predicting the clinical outcome of CMV infection. METHODS A total of 169 samples derived from 59 organ-transplant recipients (kidney n= 46, liver n= 11, kidney and pancreas n= 2) were analyzed. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were isolated using dextran gradient centrifugation, and 2 x 10 cells were analyzed for pp65 antigen by immunofluorescence. A crude DNA extract obtained from the same number of cells was used for qualitative nested PCR and quantitative Taqman PCR analysis. RESULTS.: The correlation coefficient of pp65 antigen test and Taqman PCR was R= 0.699 (P = 0.001). With cut-off values for pp65 antigen test set at greater than 10 positive nuclei per 2 x 10 PBL, sensitivity was 91%, and positive predictive value (PPV) was 70%. When the corresponding cut-off value for Taqman PCR was applied (>125000 genome copies per 2 x 10 PBL), a sensitivity of 83% and a PPV of 68% were found. Both assays allowed for the monitoring of successful antiviral therapy. Although qualitative nested PCR was highly sensitive (95%), it was less useful in predicting CMV disease (PPV 47%) and in therapy control. CONCLUSION Our data show that pp65 antigen test and Taqman PCR are almost equivalent in the monitoring of CMV infection and disease when identical cell numbers are used for both assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Meyer-Koenig
- Abteilung Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie and Hygiene, Universität Freiburg, Germany.
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Zeiser R, Grüllich C, Bertz H, Pantazis G, Hufert FT, Bley TA, Finke J. Late cytomegalovirus polyradiculopathy following haploidentical CD34+-selected hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 2004; 33:243-5. [PMID: 14716290 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1704311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A 55-year-old man with acute myeloid leukemia in second relapse presented 4 months after haploidentical CD34+-selected hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with symmetric, progressive neurological deficits of the lower extremities. Although there was no molecular evidence for drug resistance in the cerebral-spinal fluid, antiviral combination therapy failed to control the rapidly progressing CMV polyradiculopathy (PRP) and encephalitis, which were confirmed by autopsy studies. Late CMV PRP as an unusual manifestation of CMV disease should be kept in mind in patients with suggestive neurological symptoms after HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Zeiser
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, Freiburg 79106, Germany.
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Abstract
Modern detection and identification tools can help to provide answers to urgent questions about the incidence, prevalence, and epidemiology of currently emerging diseases. We developed highly sensitive one-step TaqMan reverse transcription-PCR assays with sensitivities ranging from 10(4) to 10(1) molecules for 11 human pathogens of the orthobunyaviruses. We compared the performances of these assays on three currently available cyclers (ABI-PRISM 7700, LightCycler, and SmartCycler). The assay for Oropouche virus (OROV) was tested using sera collected from days 1 to 5 after onset of OROV disease and was found to be greatly superior to an established nested PCR system. A mean copy number of 1.31 x 10(7) OROV RNA/ml of serum was detected. Diagnostic RNA detection can be used as early as day 1 after onset of OROV disease. The use of a mobile SmartCycler and a hands-on time of less than 3 h could help to intensify outbreak surveillance and control, especially in field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
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Beck K, Meyer-König U, Weidmann M, Nern C, Hufert FT. Human cytomegalovirus impairs dendritic cell function: a novel mechanism of human cytomegalovirus immune escape. Eur J Immunol 2003; 33:1528-38. [PMID: 12778470 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200323612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) employs multiple mechanisms to evade the immune system and succeeds to persist lifelong in the host. Human dendritic cells (DC) are the main antigen-presenting cells and play the key role in inducing and maintaining immune responses. Here, we studied the interaction of HCMV with DC. We found that DC, irrespectively of their stage of maturation, were fully permissive for HCMV when endothelial cell-adapted HCMV strains were applied. When fibroblast-adapted strains were used, viral replication was abrogated at the level of immediate early (IE) and/or early (E) gene expression. Irrespective of the HCMV strain used, infection of DC prevented the signal delivery essential for T cell activation in a multistep manner. Furthermore, we observed an altered expression of adhesion molecules. This might contribute to an impairment of DC migration. Our data indicate that a soluble factor induced by IE and/or E genes is involved in these processes. The impairment of DC function upon HCMV infection may contribute to virus-mediated immunosuppression and help the virus to establish persistence in the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Beck
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Germany
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40
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Abstract
The herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system and lead to severe infections in immunocompromised subjects and newborns. In these cases, rapid diagnosis is crucial. We developed three different real-time PCR assays based on TaqMan chemistry for the LightCycler instrument to detect HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV. When the TaqMan assays were compared to our in-house nested PCR assays, the test systems had equal sensitivities of <or=10 plasmid copies per assay. When clinical samples were investigated by TaqMan PCR to detect HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV DNA, 95, 100, and 96% of the samples determined to be positive by nested PCR, respectively, were positive by the real-time PCR assays. The specificities of all PCR assays were almost 100%. Furthermore, the TaqMan PCR assays could be performed within 2.5 h, whereas nested PCR results were available after 9 h. In addition to offering more rapid results, the TaqMan PCR assays appear to be less expensive than nested PCR assays due to less hands-on time. In summary, TaqMan PCR is an excellent alternative to conventional nested PCR assays for the rapid detection of HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV in clinical samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Weidmann
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Koetz AC, Delbrück R, Furtwängler A, Hufert FT, Neumann-Haefelin D, Kirste G, Meyer-König U. Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen-guided preemptive therapy with ganciclovir in solid organ transplant recipients: a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Transplantation 2001; 72:1325-7. [PMID: 11602864 DOI: 10.1097/00007890-200110150-00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate pp65 antigen-guided antiviral therapy in preventing human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in solid organ transplant recipients. METHODS Ten kidney and two liver transplant recipients with asymptomatic HCMV infection were randomized either for i.v. ganciclovir or placebo treatment in a prospective, double-blind study. All patients were positive by HCMV pp65 antigen test at levels >5 positive cells/2 x 10(5) investigated cells. RESULTS No cases of HCMV end-organ disease occurred. In contrast to patients on placebo (5/7), none of the patients on ganciclovir (0/5) developed HCMV-associated symptoms (P=0.01). However, because of the small number of patients, all three high-risk patients (donor seropositive, recipient seronegative) were randomized to placebo and all three developed symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Preemptive antiviral therapy guided by the pp65 antigen test seems to have a beneficial effect on preventing HCMV-associated symptoms in kidney and liver transplant recipients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Koetz
- Section of Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Germany
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in nonhuman primates. Serum samples from Europe, Thailand and Vietnam were analyzed. Sera obtained from 262 apes and 454 monkeys were tested for HBV infection serologically and for HBV DNA using nested PCR (nPCR). A total number of 198 ape sera and all but one (Cercopithecus aethiops) of the 4543 monkey sera had no serological signs of HBV infection. Among the 64 of 262 (24.4%) seropositive ape sera, we found, as in humans, different stages of HBV infection: very early HBV infection, active infection with high level of infectivity, virus carriers with low infectivity, and passed HBV infection. In the cases with passed infection, 47.8% harbored HBV DNA in the presence of protective antibodies to the HBV surface antigen (HBsAb). This indicates HBV persistence in apes despite immune control. In contrast to apes, in monkeys HBV infection is a very rare event.
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Affiliation(s)
- J O Heckel
- Zoological and botanical garden Wilhelma, Stuttgart, Germany
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Abstract
We characterized hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates from sera of 21 hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive apes, members of the families Pongidae and Hylobatidae (19 gibbon spp., 1 chimpanzee, and 1 gorilla). Sera originate from German, French, Thai, and Vietnamese primate-keeping institutions. To estimate the phylogenetic relationships, we sequenced two genomic regions, one located within the pre-S1/pre-S2 region and one including parts of the polymerase and the X protein open reading frames. By comparison with published human and ape HBV isolates, the sequences could be classified into six genomic groups. Four of these represented new genomic groups of gibbon HBV variants. The gorilla HBV isolate was distantly related to the chimpanzee isolate described previously. To confirm these findings, the complete HBV genome from representatives of each genomic group was sequenced. The HBV isolates from gibbons living in different regions of Thailand and Vietnam could be classified into four different phylogenetically distinct genomic groups. The same genomic groups were found in animals from European zoos. Therefore, the HBV infections of these apes might have been introduced into European primate-keeping facilities by direct import of already infected animals from different regions in Thailand. Taken together, our data suggest that HBV infections are indigenous in the different apes. One event involving transmission between human and nonhuman primates in the Old World of a common ancestor of human HBV genotypes A to E and the ape HBV variants might have occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Grethe
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Göttingen, D-37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Stellbrink HJ, Hufert FT, Tenner-Racz K, Lauer J, Schneider C, Albrecht H, Racz P, van Lunzen J. Kinetics of productive and latent HIV infection in lymphatic tissue and peripheral blood during triple-drug combination therapy with or without additional interleukin-2. Antivir Ther 2000; 3:209-14. [PMID: 10682140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study decay rates of productively and latently infected cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes during triple antiretroviral therapy and the possible impact of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on viral kinetics. METHODS In this non-randomized study, nine antiretroviral-naive HIV-positive patients received either saquinavir hard gel capsules 2400 mg three times daily (group I; four patients) or saquinavir soft gel capsules 1200 mg three times daily and IL-2 (group II), in both cases together with two nucleoside analogues. Plasma viraemia and lymphocyte subsets were analysed. Axillary lymph nodes were excised before and after 12 weeks of therapy. Lymph node sections were examined by in situ hybridization for HIV RNA, and productively infected cells were counted. Infection rates of FACS-sorted CD3, CD4 lymph node and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined by nested DNA PCR. RESULTS Baseline plasma HIV RNA levels ranged from < 25 to > 1 x 10(6) copies/ml and remained undetectable throughout the study in one patient in group I. Plasma viraemia became undetectable after 3 months in four patients (three in group I). Productively infected cells were markedly reduced in the follow-up lymph node specimens. HIV DNA-positive CD4 T cells were reduced in lymphoid tissue and peripheral blood in all six evaluable patients. There were no significant differences between the groups in the clearance rates of plasma virus and of HIV DNA-positive cells. CONCLUSIONS Combined antiretroviral therapy rapidly suppressed active HIV replication in plasma and lymphoid tissue. Latently infected cells were cleared at a slower rate. Viral clearance did not appear to be markedly affected by additional IL-2 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- H J Stellbrink
- Medical Department, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Czygan M, Hallensleben W, Hofer M, Pollak S, Sauder C, Bilzer T, Blümcke I, Riederer P, Bogerts B, Falkai P, Schwarz MJ, Masliah E, Staeheli P, Hufert FT, Lieb K. Borna disease virus in human brains with a rare form of hippocampal degeneration but not in brains of patients with common neuropsychiatric disorders. J Infect Dis 1999; 180:1695-9. [PMID: 10515835 DOI: 10.1086/315068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
To estimate the frequency of persistent Borna disease virus (BDV) infections of the human central nervous system and to determine which neuropsychiatric disorders might be associated with this viral infection, reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction was used to screen a large collection of autopsy brain samples for the presence of BDV-specific nucleic acids. The presence of BDV RNA was found in 3 brains of persons with psychiatric symptoms and prominent hippocampal degeneration previously reported to be positive by others. However, no BDV RNA was detected in 86 randomly collected brains from persons with various psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, affective disorders, and Alzheimer's disease, or from suicide victims or in 52 brains from healthy controls. Furthermore, no BDV-RNA was detected in 16 surgical brain samples from persons with epilepsy-associated hippocampal sclerosis. These results indicate that life-long persistent BDV infections are rare in humans and that such infections may be associated with certain forms of hippocampal degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Czygan
- Abteilung Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologieand Hygiene, and Abteilung Psychiatrie, Universität Freiburg, Germany
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Haberland M, Meyer-K Nig U, Hufert FT. Variation within the glycoprotein B gene of human cytomegalovirus is due to homologous recombination. J Gen Virol 1999; 80 ( Pt 6):1495-1500. [PMID: 10374968 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-80-6-1495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains can be classified into different glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes. In a previous study, frequent intragenic variation of the gB gene was shown. The aim of this study was to analyse whether gB variation was due to homologous recombination. The gB gene of DNA extracts derived from the peripheral blood leukocytes of 14 immunosuppressed patients was amplified by PCR and cloned. Three variable sites of gB were analysed by restriction fragment analysis and DNA sequencing and compared with published prototypic strains. In three patients doubly infected with two distinct HCMV gB strains, prototypic (60-85%) and non-prototypic recombinant strains (5-40%) were detected. To demonstrate that homologous recombination is driving HCMV gB variability, cells were coinfected with plaque-purified prototypic gB strains and recombinant gB genes were selectively amplified by PCR. gB recombinants were detected after 15 days of coculture and cross-over sites were determined by sequencing. These data indicate that homologous recombination contributes to the variability of the gB gene in vitro and in vivo.
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Meyer-König U, Schrage B, Huzly D, Bongarts A, Hufert FT. High variability of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B gene and frequent multiple infections in HIV-infected patients with low CD4 T-cell count. AIDS 1998; 12:2228-30. [PMID: 9833867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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Meyer-König U, Haberland M, von Laer D, Haller O, Hufert FT. Intragenic variability of human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B in clinical strains. J Infect Dis 1998; 177:1162-9. [PMID: 9592998 DOI: 10.1086/515262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains can be classified into four glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes, and there has been evidence of differences in viral virulence. In this study, intragenic variability of HCMV gB strains was analyzed. The gB gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction using samples from immunosuppressed patients. The genotype of fragments corresponding to the cleavage site of gB was determined by restriction fragment analysis; fragments corresponding to the N- and C-termini (gBn and gBc) were sequenced and compared with published sequences. At the cleavage site, the four known genotypes were found. Typing revealed four major genotypes at the N-terminus and two at the C-terminus. In 22 of 44 strains, the gB type determined at the cleavage site was different from the gBn or gBc type (or either), indicating that intragenic variability within the gB gene occurs frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Meyer-König
- Abteilung Virologie, Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie und Hygiene, Universität Freiburg, Germany.
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Stellbrink HJ, Hufert FT, Tenner-Racz K, Lauer J, Schneider C, Albrecht H, Racz P, van Lunzen J. Kinetics of Productive and Latent HIV Infection in Lymphatic Tissue and Peripheral Blood during Triple-Drug Combination Therapy with or without Additional Interleukin-2. Antivir Ther 1998. [DOI: 10.1177/135965359800300409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective To study decay rates of productively and latently infected cells in peripheral blood and lymph nodes during triple antiretroviral therapy and the possible impact of interleukin-2 (IL-2) on viral kinetics. Methods: In this non-randomized study, nine antiretro-viral-naive HIV-positive patients received either saquinavir hard gel capsules 2400 mg three times daily (group I; four patients) or saquinavir soft gel capsules 1200 mg three times daily and IL-2 (group II), in both cases together with two nucleoside analogues. Plasma viraemia and lymphocyte subsets were analysed. Axillary lymph nodes were excised before and after 12 weeks of therapy. Lymph node sections were examined by in situ hybridization for HIV RNA, and productively infected cells were counted. Infection rates of FACS-sorted CD3, CD4 lymph node and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were determined by nested DNA PCR. Results Baseline plasma HIV RNA levels ranged from <25 to >1x106 copies/ml and remained undetectable throughout the study in one patient in group I. Plasma viraemia became undetectable after 3 months in four patients (three in group I). Productively infected cells were markedly reduced in the follow-up lymph node specimens. HIV DNA-positive CD4 T cells were reduced in lymphoid tissue and peripheral blood in all six evaluable patients. There were no significant differences between the groups in the clearance rates of plasma virus and of HIV DNA-positive cells. Conclusions Combined antiretroviral therapy rapidly suppressed active HIV replication in plasma and lymphoid tissue. Latently infected cells were cleared at a slower rate. Viral clearance did not appear to be markedly affected by additional IL-2 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frank T Hufert
- Department of Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Klara Tenner-Racz
- Department of Pathology of the Bernhard Nocht Institute Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Lauer
- Medical Department, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Claus Schneider
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Helmut Albrecht
- Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paul Racz
- Department of Pathology of the Bernhard Nocht Institute Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan van Lunzen
- Medical Department, Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Freiburg, Germany
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