scholarly journals Diagnostic performance of four SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays in patients with COVID-19 or with bacterial and non-SARS-CoV-2 viral respiratory infections

Author(s):  
Timo Huber ◽  
Philipp Steininger ◽  
Pascal Irrgang ◽  
Klaus Korn ◽  
Matthias Tenbusch ◽  
...  

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 antibody assays are used for epidemiological studies and for the assessment of vaccine responses in highly vulnerable patients. So far, data on cross-reactivity of SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays is limited. Here, we compared four enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs; Vircell SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgA and IgG, Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG) for detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 207 patients with COVID-19, 178 patients with serological evidence of different bacterial infections, 107 patients with confirmed viral respiratory disease, and 80 controls from the pre-COVID-19 era. In COVID-19 patients, the assays showed highest sensitivity in week 3 (Vircell-IgM/A and Euroimmun-IgA: 78.9% each) and after week 7 (Vircell-IgG: 97.9%; Euroimmun-IgG: 92.1%). The antibody indices were higher in patients with fatal disease. In general, IgM/IgA assays had only limited or no benefit over IgG assays. In patients with non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infections, IgG assays were more specific than IgM/IgA assays, and bacterial infections were associated with more false-positive results than viral infections. The specificities in bacterial and viral infections were 68.0 and 81.3% (Vircell-IgM/IgA), 84.8 and 96.3% (Euroimmun-IgA), 97.8 and 86.0% (Vircell-IgG), and 97.8 and 99.1% (Euroimmun-IgG), respectively. Sera from patients positive for antibodies against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia psittaci, and Legionella pneumophila yielded particularly high rates of unspecific false-positive results in the IgM/IgA assays, which was revealed by applying a highly specific flow-cytometric assay using HEK 293 T cells expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Positive results obtained with anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgA ELISAs require careful interpretation, especially if there is evidence for prior bacterial respiratory infections.

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 ◽  
pp. 1162-1178
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Lewandowicz-Uszyńska ◽  
Piotr Naporowski ◽  
Gerard Pasternak ◽  
Danuta Witkowska

The human immune system’s response to infection is closely related with the type of pathogen. First, a rapid, metabolically inexpensive and non-specific innate immunity is induced, then a specific acquired immunity is activated. In bacterial infections caused by intracellular pathogens, the main role is played by cellular response. In infections caused by bacterial extracellular pathogens, a crucial role is played by antibodies. The clinical symptoms of bacterial and viral infections very often are similar, which is why diagnosing them based only on medical history and physical examination is insufficient. To identify the etiological factors of infections differentiating media, biochemical tests, molecular methods and serological tests are used. The detection of microorganisms or their genetic material can be performed within a short time after the occurrence of an infection. The detection of antibodies is possible only in the appropriate time called the serological window. In a serological diagnostic of infections there are problems with an appropriate interpretation of obtained results. Cross-reactivity can give false positive results for the diagnosis of Chlamydophila pneumonia infection. The problem with the detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection can be caused by a simultaneous coinfection with different spirochetes, syphilis, mononucleosis or HIV. In serological diagnostics of bacterial infections, the administration of antibiotics to patients before taking serum samples can be responsible for false negative results. Another reason for such results can be a weak humoral response in infected patients. In viral infections, false positive results can be caused by a coinfection of different viruses, especially from the same family or by bacterial or protozoal coinfections or by autoimmune diseases. False-negative results in viral infections often are caused by the early phase of an infection. To properly recognize an etiological factor of infection it is necessary to use an appropriate method, precision of test and collect samples at the appropriate time.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. 204020662096171
Author(s):  
Dimitri Poddighe ◽  
Mohamad Aljofan

Macrolides are a large group of antibiotics characterised by the presence of a macro-lactone ring of variable size. The prototype of macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin was first produced by Streptomyces and associated species more than half a century ago; other related drugs were developed. These drugs have been shown to have several pharmacological properties: in addition to their antibiotic activity, they possess some anti-inflammatory properties and have been also considered against non-bacterial infections. In this review, we analysed the available clinical evidences regarding the potential anti-viral activity of macrolides, by focusing on erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin. Overall, there is no significant evidences so far that macrolides might have a direct benefit on most of viral infections considered in this review (RSV, Influenza, coronaviruses, Ebola and Zika viruses). However, their clinical benefit cannot be ruled out without further and focused clinical studies. Macrolides may improve the clinical course of viral respiratory infections somehow, at least through indirect mechanisms relying on some and variable anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulatory effects, in addition to their well-known antibacterial activity.


Author(s):  
Valentin Sencio ◽  
Marina Gomes Machado ◽  
François Trottein

AbstractBacteria that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract are essential for good health. The gut microbiota has a critical role in pulmonary immunity and host’s defense against viral respiratory infections. The gut microbiota’s composition and function can be profoundly affected in many disease settings, including acute infections, and these changes can aggravate the severity of the disease. Here, we discuss mechanisms by which the gut microbiota arms the lung to control viral respiratory infections. We summarize the impact of viral respiratory infections on the gut microbiota and discuss the potential mechanisms leading to alterations of gut microbiota’s composition and functions. We also discuss the effects of gut microbial imbalance on disease outcomes, including gastrointestinal disorders and secondary bacterial infections. Lastly, we discuss the potential role of the lung–gut axis in coronavirus disease 2019.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amos C. Lee ◽  
Yunjin Jeong ◽  
Sumin Lee ◽  
Haewook Jang ◽  
Allen Zheng ◽  
...  

In addition to SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, emerging viruses that cause respiratory viral infections will continue to arise. Increasing evidence suggests a delayed, possibly suppressed, type 1 interferon (IFN-I) response occurs early during COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections such as SARS and MERS. These observations prompt considering IFN-β as a prophylactic or early intervention for respiratory viral infections. A rationale for developing and testing intranasal interferon beta (IFN-β) as an immediately available intervention for new respiratory viral infections that will arise unexpectedly in the future is presented and supported by basic and clinical trial observations. IFN-β prophylaxis could limit the spread and consequences of an emerging respiratory viral infection in at-risk individuals while specific vaccines are being developed.


Author(s):  
Faezeh Abbaszadeh ◽  
Narges Eslami ◽  
Parisa Shiri Aghbash ◽  
Hamed Ebrahimzadeh Leylabadlo ◽  
Hossein Bannazadeh Baghi

: Viral respiratory infections are a leading cause of illness and mortality in all age groups worldwide. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout the world, igniting the twenty-first century’s deadliest pandemic. Research has shown that phages, which are bacterial viruses, can help treat viral infections with the effect on the immune system and their antiviral activity. Phages have specific activity and affect only the target without any side effects on other parts of the human body. Human phage-related diseases have not been reported yet; therefore, phages can be a very safe treatment, especially in many viral infections. The results of clinical studies have a promising future regarding the use of phages. It is possible that the phages display technique aided in the production of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies against its viral protein, which prevented the virus from binding or replicating and preventing secondary microbial infections, which have been linked to many patient deaths. Furthermore, an effective antiviral vaccine can be produced by using the same technique. Given the growing number of coronaviruses cases around the world, in the present paper, we review the possible mechanisms of phages against the COVID-19 disease and the method that may be a solution to eliminate the virus.


eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisy X Ji ◽  
Kristen C Witt ◽  
Dmitri I Kotov ◽  
Shally R Margolis ◽  
Alexander Louie ◽  
...  

Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential for anti-viral immunity, but often impair protective immune responses during bacterial infections. An important question is how type I IFNs are strongly induced during viral infections, and yet are appropriately restrained during bacterial infections. The Super susceptibility to tuberculosis 1 (Sst1) locus in mice confers resistance to diverse bacterial infections. Here we provide evidence that Sp140 is a gene encoded within the Sst1 locus that represses type I IFN transcription during bacterial infections. We generated Sp140-/- mice and find they are susceptible to infection by Legionella pneumophila and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Susceptibility of Sp140-/- mice to bacterial infection was rescued by crosses to mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (Ifnar-/-). Our results implicate Sp140 as an important negative regulator of type I IFNs that is essential for resistance to bacterial infections.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faezeh Sabet ◽  
Ali Mirhosseini ◽  
Samira Basharkhah ◽  
Mehran Mohereri ◽  
Fatemeh Sadat Mohammadi ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundMicrobes can influence on the development and somehow on triggering of asthma attacks. Therefore, in this study the more significant microbial infections which trigger the attacks in children were evaluated.MethodsA total of 41 nasopharyngeal and oro-pharyengeal swabs were obtained from the Pediatric Allergy Clinic of two educational hospitals, and sent to a Molecular Laboratory for evaluation of 21 bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens using qPCR-TaqMan method.ResultsThe main bacterial infections were S.aur 18/41 (43.9%), S.pneu 16/41 (39%), C.pneu 12 /41 (29.3%), and HIB 17/41 (41.5%) while the most viral infections were and HRSV 3/41 (7.3%) and FluB, HRV, HMPVA.B, HPIV-2,3,4, HcoV-63 and HcoV-229 in 2 cases (4,9%), in asthmatic children. Although, bacterial infections were more common in both gender, the frequency of those agents were statistically difference between girls and boys population (P=0.02). There were positive correlations between S. pneu infection with asthma attack and bronchitis (P= 0.02 and P= 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between AV and RSVA.B infections with allergic rhinitis (P= 0.02 and P= 0.001, respectively).ConclusionIn conclusion, it is more likely that in this region with a population of 6.2 million and more than 25 million tourists, the bacterial respiratory infections, particularly, HIB, S.aur and S. pneu were more common, however, and consistence with other studies HRSV and Flu.B have been dominant viral infections in asthmatic attacks.


Author(s):  
Daisy X. Ji ◽  
Kristen C. Witt ◽  
Dmitri I. Kotov ◽  
Shally R. Margolis ◽  
Alexander Louie ◽  
...  

AbstractType I interferons (IFNs) are essential for anti-viral immunity, but often impair protective immune responses during bacterial infections. How type I IFNs are strongly induced during viral infections, and yet are appropriately restrained during bacterial infections, remains poorly understood. The Super susceptibility to tuberculosis 1 (Sst1) locus in mice confers resistance to many bacterial infections. Here we provide evidence that Sp140 is a gene encoded within the Sst1 locus that functions to repress the expression of type I IFNs during bacterial infections. We generated Sp140−/− mice and find they are susceptible to infection by diverse bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Susceptibility of Sp140−/− mice to bacterial infection was rescued by crosses to mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (Ifnar−/−). Our results implicate Sp140 as an important repressor of type I IFNs that is essential for resistance to bacterial infections.


2020 ◽  
pp. 33-48
Author(s):  
O. A. Gromova ◽  
I. Yu. Torshin

The annual increase in the incidence of influenza, SARS, and the COVID‑19 pandemic indicate the need for comprehensive programs to support congenital antiviral immunity. To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of viral respiratory infections, it is important to attenuate the effects of the so-called cytokine storm and enhanced compensation of the patient’s comorbid pathologies. Increasing the availability of zinc, vitamin C and rutoside can improve the body’s resistance to viral infections. In addition to micronutrients, to reduce the activity of allergic inflammation, second-generation H1-histamine receptor blockers (loratadine, etc.) and calcium gluconate can be used. To lower the  temperature, it is important to include paracetamol in therapy.


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