Novel SARS-CoV-2 variants have multiple mutations that May impact molecular diagnostics. The markedly conserved S2 subunit May be utilized to detect new variants. A comparison of 694 specimens ...(2019-2022) in Thailand using a commercial RT-PCR kit and the kit in combi- nation with S2 primers and a probe was performed. Delayed amplification in ORF1ab was de- tected in one BA.4 omicron, whereas no amplification problem was encountered in the S2 target. There were no statistically significant differences in mean Ct value between the target genes (E, N, ORF1ab, and S2) and no significant differences in mean Ct value between the reagents. Furthermore, 230,821 nucleotide sequences submitted by 20 representative counties in each region (Jan-Oct 2022) have been checked for mutations in S2 primers and probe using PrimerChecker; there is a very low chance of encountering performance problems. The S2 primers and probe are still bound to the top five currently circuLating variants in all countries and Thailand without mismatch recognition (Jun-Nov 2023). This study shows the possible benefits of detecting S2 in combination with simultaneously detecting three genes in a kit without affecting the Ct value of each target. The S2 subunit May be a promising target for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants with multiple mutations.
We report a 35-year-old female nurse who possibly received the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the blood sampling of a 35-year-old male patient initially suspected as a dengue infection. The patient had mild ...thrombocytopenia and positive dengue IgG and IgM whereas the clinicians were not aware of the possibility of false-positive dengue serology revealed in the published case report from Singapore. The nurse put on a pair of gloves but did not wear a mask during the only encounter with this patient. This nosocomial transmission raised a safety concern among healthcare professionals in an area with a relatively low Covid-19 prevalence, especially when the clinical and laboratory characteristics could be confused with other viral infections.
Interactions between humans and animals are the key elements of zoonotic spillover leading to zoonotic disease emergence. Research to understand the high-risk behaviors associated with disease ...transmission at the human-animal interface is limited, and few consider regional and local contexts.
This study employed an integrated behavioral-biological surveillance approach for the early detection of novel and known zoonotic viruses in potentially high-risk populations, in an effort to identify risk factors for spillover and to determine potential foci for risk-mitigation measures.
Participants were enrolled at two community-based sites (n = 472) in eastern and western Thailand and two hospital (clinical) sites (n = 206) in northeastern and central Thailand. A behavioral questionnaire was administered to understand participants' demographics, living conditions, health history, and animal-contact behaviors and attitudes. Biological specimens were tested for coronaviruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, influenza viruses, and paramyxoviruses using pan (consensus) RNA Virus assays.
Overall 61/678 (9%) of participants tested positive for the viral families screened which included influenza viruses (75%), paramyxoviruses (15%), human coronaviruses (3%), flaviviruses (3%), and enteroviruses (3%). The most salient predictors of reporting unusual symptoms (i.e., any illness or sickness that is not known or recognized in the community or diagnosed by medical providers) in the past year were having other household members who had unusual symptoms and being scratched or bitten by animals in the same year. Many participants reported raising and handling poultry (10.3% and 24.2%), swine (2%, 14.6%), and cattle (4.9%, 7.8%) and several participants also reported eating raw or undercooked meat of these animals (2.2%, 5.5%, 10.3% respectively). Twenty four participants (3.5%) reported handling bats or having bats in the house roof. Gender, age, and livelihood activities were shown to be significantly associated with participants' interactions with animals. Participants' knowledge of risks influenced their health-seeking behavior.
The results suggest that there is a high level of interaction between humans, livestock, and wild animals in communities at sites we investigated in Thailand. This study highlights important differences among demographic and occupational risk factors as they relate to animal contact and zoonotic disease risk, which can be used by policymakers and local public health programs to build more effective surveillance strategies and behavior-focused interventions.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Surveillance for Nipah virus (NV) was conducted in Thailand's bat population. Immunoglobulin G antibodies to NV were detected with enzyme immunoassay in 82 of 1,304 bats. NV RNA was found in bat ...saliva and urine. These data suggest the persistence of NV infection in Thai bats.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Rabies encephalitis is a fatal zoonotic viral disease caused by the neurotropic rabies virus. It remains a major public health concern as it causes almost 100% fatality and has no effective ...medication after the onset of the disease. However, this illness is preventable with the timely administration of effective post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) consisting of the rabies vaccine and passive immune globulins (HRIG and ERIG). Recently, conventional PEP has been shown to have many limitations, resulting in little support for these expensive and heterologous globulins. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production via recombinant technology in animal and human cell cultures, as well as a plant-based platform, was introduced to overcome the costly and high-tech constraints of former preparations. We used transient expression technology to produce two mAbs against the rabies virus in Nicotiana benthamiana and compared their viral neutralizing activity in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of selective mAbs E559 and 62-71-3 in plants were estimated to be 17.3 mg/kg and 28.6 mg/kg in fresh weight, respectively. The plant-produced mAbs effectively neutralized the challenge virus CVS-11 strain in a cell-based RFFIT. In addition, the combination of these two mAbs in a cocktail protected hamsters from rabies virus infection more effectively than standard HRIG and ERIG. This study suggests that the plant-produced rabies antibody cocktail has promising potential as an alternative biological to polyclonal RIG in rabies PEP.
Zika virus (ZIKV) continues to affect certain parts of the World. Here we report a case that supports breastfeeding regardless of mother ZIKV status by providing clinical and virological studies.
Background
The fatality rates and factors associated with death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hemodialysis patients have been extensively investigated. However, data on peritoneal ...dialysis (PD) patients remain scarce.
Materials and methods
In this nationwide cohort study, we assessed the 28-day COVID-19-related fatality rate in PD patients between August 2021 and July 2022 using data from the InCov19-PD registry. Predictors associated with death were evaluated using a multivariable Cox regression model. Changes in functional status before and during COVID-19 were also examined.
Results
A total of 1,487 eligible participants were evaluated. During the study period, 196 participants died within 28 days after COVID-19 diagnosis (case fatality rate: 13%). In a multivariable Cox regression model, an increased risk of death within 28 days after COVID-19 diagnosis among PD patients was independently associated with functional impairment during COVID-19 adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.59–3.81, SARS-CoV-2 infection with the Delta variant (HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.55–3.21), and the need for respiratory support (HR 7.13, 95% CI 3.74–13.57) (
p
< 0.01 for all). Conversely, the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55–0.87;
p
= 0.001) and receiving corticosteroid therapy during COVID-19 (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.54–0.97;
p
= 0.03) were associated with a decreased risk of death within 28 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. The number of functionally independent PD patients dropped from 94% at baseline to 63% during COVID-19 (
p
< 0.01).
Conclusions
The COVID-19-related 28-day fatality rate was high among PD patients. The predictors of COVID-19-related death in PD patients were similar to those in hemodialysis patients. During COVID-19, PD patients commonly experienced functional deterioration.
After 12 serial Nipah virus outbreaks in humans since 1998, it has been noted that all except the initial event in Malaysia occurred during the first 5 months of the year. Increasingly higher ...morbidity and mortality have been observed in subsequent outbreaks in India and Bangladesh. This may have been related to different virus strains and transmission capability from bat to human without the need for an amplifying host and direct human-to-human transmission. A survey of virus strains in Pteropus lylei and seasonal preference for spillover of these viruses was completed in seven provinces of Central Thailand between May 2005 and June 2007. Nipah virus RNA sequences, which belonged to those of the Malaysian and Bangladesh strains, were detected in the urine of these bats, with the Bangladesh strain being dominant. Highest recovery of Nipah virus RNA was observed in May. Of two provincial sites where monthly surveys were done, the Bangladesh strain was almost exclusively detected during April to June. The Malaysian strain was found dispersed during December to June. Although direct contact during breeding (in December to April) was believed to be an important transmission factor, our results may not entirely support the role of breeding activities in spillage of virus. Greater virus shedding over extended periods in the case of the Malaysian strain and the highest peak of virus detection in May in the case of the Bangladesh strain when offspring started to separate may suggest that there may be responsible mechanisms other than direct contact during breeding in the same roost. Knowledge of seasonal preferences of Nipah virus shedding in P. lylei will help us to better understand the dynamics of Nipah virus transmission and have implications for disease management.
Studies of the furious and paralytic forms of canine rabies at the early stage of disease have shown a more rapid viral colonization of the cerebral hemispheres in the furious form, as measured by ...viral antigen within neuronal cell bodies and viral RNA levels. Measurement of cellular processes separate from neuronal cell body provides a visual record of the spread of rabies virus which occurs across synapses. In this study, the amount of rabies viral antigen within cell processes was quantitatively assessed by image analysis in a cohort of naturally rabies infected non-vaccinated dogs (5 furious and 5 paralytic) that were sacrificed shortly after developing illness. Measurements were taken at different levels of the spinal cord, brain stem, and cerebrum. Results were compared to the amount of rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies. Generally, the amount of rabies viral antigen in cell processes decreased in a rostral direction, following the pattern for the amount of rabies viral antigen in neuronal cell bodies and the percentage of involved cell bodies. However, there was a delay in cell process involvement following cell body involvement, consistent with replication occurring in the cell body region and subsequent transport out to cell processes. Greater amounts of antigen were seen in cell processes in dogs with the furious compared to paralytic form, at all anatomic levels examined. This difference was even evident when comparing (1) neurons with similar amounts of antigen, (2) similar percentages of involved neurons, and (3) anatomic levels that showed 100% positive neurons. These findings suggest that intracellular transport of the virus may be slower in the paralytic form, resulting in slower viral propagation. Possible mechanisms might involve host-specific differences in intracellular virus transport. The latter could be cytokine-mediated, since previous studies have documented greater inflammation in the paralytic form.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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