scholarly journals Multiplex qPCR discriminates variants of concern to enhance global surveillance of SARS-CoV-2

PLoS Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. e3001236
Author(s):  
Chantal B. F. Vogels ◽  
Mallery I. Breban ◽  
Isabel M. Ott ◽  
Tara Alpert ◽  
Mary E. Petrone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Primary Target ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Gene Target ◽  
Spike Gene ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World

With the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that may increase transmissibility and/or cause escape from immune responses, there is an urgent need for the targeted surveillance of circulating lineages. It was found that the B.1.1.7 (also 501Y.V1) variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, could be serendipitously detected by the Thermo Fisher TaqPath Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) PCR assay because a key deletion in these viruses, spike Δ69–70, would cause a “spike gene target failure” (SGTF) result. However, a SGTF result is not definitive for B.1.1.7, and this assay cannot detect other variants of concern (VOC) that lack spike Δ69–70, such as B.1.351 (also 501Y.V2), detected in South Africa, and P.1 (also 501Y.V3), recently detected in Brazil. We identified a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a Δ3675–3677) in all 3 variants, which has not yet been widely detected in other SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Using ORF1a Δ3675–3677 as the primary target and spike Δ69–70 to differentiate, we designed and validated an open-source PCR assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 VOC. Our assay can be rapidly deployed in laboratories around the world to enhance surveillance for the local emergence and spread of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1.

scholarly journals PCR assay to enhance global surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal B.F. Vogels ◽  
Mallery Breban ◽  
Tara Alpert ◽  
Mary E. Petrone ◽  
Anne E. Watkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Open Source ◽  
Primary Target ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Gene Target ◽  
Spike Gene ◽  
The World ◽  
The Uk

AbstractWith the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that may increase transmissibility and/or cause escape from immune responses1–3, there is an urgent need for the targeted surveillance of circulating lineages. It was found that the B.1.1.7 (also 501Y.V1) variant first detected in the UK4,5 could be serendipitously detected by the ThermoFisher TaqPath COVID-19 PCR assay because a key deletion in these viruses, spike Δ69-70, would cause a “spike gene target failure” (SGTF) result. However, a SGTF result is not definitive for B.1.1.7, and this assay cannot detect other variants of concern that lack spike Δ69-70, such as B.1.351 (also 501Y.V2) detected in South Africa6 and P.1 (also 501Y.V3) recently detected in Brazil7. We identified a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a Δ3675-3677) in all three variants, which has not yet been widely detected in other SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Using ORF1a Δ3675-3677 as the primary target and spike Δ69-70 to differentiate, we designed and validated an open source PCR assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern8. Our assay can be rapidly deployed in laboratories around the world to enhance surveillance for the local emergence spread of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1.

The research work of Glaxo Laboratories Limited

1957 ◽  
Vol 146 (923) ◽  
pp. 181-193
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Research Work ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
The World ◽  
Manufacturing Facilities

Before considering its research activities, the Company, and more particularly, lie nature of its business must be described, for this determines the field of its; Research. Glaxo Laboratories Limited has its headquarters at Greenford, Middlesex, and as, in addition to the factory at Greenford, five other factories in the United Kingdom, at Ulverston, Barnard Castle, Montrose, Driffield and Uxbridge. The company has also Subsidiary Companies in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Eire, India, Italy, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Uruguay, most of them with manufacturing facilities. The products of the Company are therefore known throughout most of the world.

scholarly journals Neutralizing response against E484K variant after original SARS-CoV-2 infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuma Hayashi ◽  
Nobuo Yaegashi ◽  
Ikuo Konishi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
The Body ◽  
Proliferative Potential ◽  
Spike Glycoprotein ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Neutralization Response

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, which are spreading in the United Kingdom (UK) and elsewhere, have been found in infected individuals in Japan. The virus mutates, to facilitate its life in the host, during the process of repeated proliferation in the body of the host, including humans. In other words, it is natural that a human-compatible mutant strain always predominates in infection and proliferation. As a result, the viral mutants acquire strong proliferative potential in the host and are highly pathogenic. The number of people infected with the mutated SARS-CoV-2 variant E484K, which is different from the SARS-CoV-2 variants that are spreading in the UK, South Africa, and Brazil, is increasing in Tokyo. It has been pointed out that the effects of immunity and vaccines may be reduced against the Tokyo-type SARS-CoV-2 variant E484K. We have investigated the neutralization response to various mutations in the spike glycoprotein using the serum of people already infected with the original SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that SARS-CoV-2 variants with Y543F or N501Y mutations in the spike glycoprotein affect the neutralization reaction. However, single E484K mutations within the spiked glycoprotein of the Tokyo-type SARS-CoV-2 variant are unlikely to have a significant effect on the affinity of the host antibody for the virus.

scholarly journals Reduced antibody cross-reactivity following infection with B.1.1.7 than with parental SARS-CoV-2 strains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Faulkner ◽  
Kevin W. Ng ◽  
Mary Wu ◽  
Ruth Harvey ◽  
Marios Margaritis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
The South ◽  
The United Kingdom

We examined the immunogenicity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant B.1.1.7 that arose in the United Kingdom and spread globally. Antibodies elicited by B.1.1.7 infection exhibited significantly reduced recognition and neutralisation of parental strains or of the South Africa B.1.351 variant, than of the infecting variant. The drop in cross-reactivity was more pronounced following B.1.1.7 than parental strain infection, indicating asymmetric heterotypic immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 variants.

scholarly journals Reduced antibody cross-reactivity following infection with B.1.1.7 than with parental SARS-CoV-2 strains

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikhil Faulkner ◽  
Kevin W Ng ◽  
Mary Y Wu ◽  
Ruth Harvey ◽  
Marios Margaritis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Parental Strain ◽  
Cross Reactivity ◽  
Major Determinant ◽  
Spike Glycoprotein ◽  
Neutralising Antibodies ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Vaccination Campaigns

Background: The degree of heterotypic immunity induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) strains is a major determinant of the spread of emerging variants and the success of vaccination campaigns, but remains incompletely understood.Methods: We examined the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 (Alpha) that arose in the United Kingdom and spread globally. We determined titres of spike glycoprotein-binding antibodies and authentic virus neutralising antibodies induced by B.1.1.7 infection to infer homotypic and heterotypic immunity.Results: Antibodies elicited by B.1.1.7 infection exhibited significantly reduced recognition and neutralisation of parental strains or of the South Africa variant B.1.351 (Beta) than of the infecting variant. The drop in cross-reactivity was significantly more pronounced following B.1.1.7 than parental strain infection.Conclusions: The results indicate that heterotypic immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 variants is asymmetric.

Pre-Strike Ballots in Comparative Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 60-89
Author(s):  
Breen Creighton ◽  
Catrina Denvir ◽  
Richard Johnstone ◽  
Shae McCrystal ◽  
Alice Orchiston
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Light Touch ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
The World ◽  
Formal Requirements

Chapter 3 contains a comparative review of pre-strike ballot requirements, describing the principal forms adopted around the world. It demonstrates that pre-strike ballot requirements can range from ‘light touch’ regulation specifying that union rules must contain provisions requiring the conduct of pre-strike ballots but attaching almost no consequence to failure to do so, through to highly prescriptive requirements which can have the effect of making it exceedingly difficult lawfully to take strike action. Chapter 3 then examines in detail the pre-strike ballot requirements that have been adopted in four jurisdictions: the United States, where there are no formal pre-strike ballot requirements; South Africa, where formerly stringent ballot requirements were replaced by light touch regulation in 1995; Canada, where there are formal requirements for the conduct of pre-strike ballots, but where they appear to be of only very marginal inconvenience to trade unions; and the United Kingdom which has adopted exceedingly complex provisions which betoken an almost obsessive desire to regulate the circumstances and manner in which strike action can lawfully be taken. The chapter also points to the case of Australia, which has adopted an approach that is, in many respects, similar to that of the United Kingdom—albeit with some significant differences. The similarities are such that the detailed study of the operation of the Australian provision affords many insights into the operation of the British provisions, and into the role of law as a means of regulating industrial behaviour more generally.

International Civil Aviation Organization

1962 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-224 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
International Civil Aviation Organization ◽  
The Past ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World ◽  
To Come ◽  
Article 50

The first extraordinary session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly was convened at headquarters in Montreal from June 19 to 21, 1961, at the request of twelve of the contracting states, to consider increasing the size of the ICAO Council. The delegate of the United Kingdom proposed a change in article 50(a) of the ICAO convention to provide for 27 members of the ICAO Council instead of 21, and delegates of Venezuela, Cameroun, and South Africa immediately supported the increase. Among arguments advanced for expanding the Council were the following: 1) a Council of 21 no longer adequately represented the membership of the organization, which had reached 86; 2) adequate geographic representation was of paramount importance since international routes covered most of the world; 3) the increase would facilitate the participation in the Council's work of the more than twenty states that had achieved independence in the past few years; 4) the practice of holding an Assembly session only every three years placed greater responsibilities on the Council; and 5) all the specialized agencies except ICAO and the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization had increased the size of their executive bodies. Although there was some debate as to whether the increase ought to be to 25 or 27 members, the United Kingdom motion for the latter number prevailed, along with a proposal sponsored by the Italian and Venezuelan delegations stating that it was highly desirable for the amendment to the convention to come into force before the next Assembly session. Consequently, all contracting states to the convention were urged to ratify the amendment as soon as possible.

scholarly journals The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 204993612110243
Author(s):  
Adekunle Sanyaolu ◽  
Chuku Okorie ◽  
Aleksandra Marinkovic ◽  
Nafees Haider ◽  
Abu Fahad Abbasi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
World Health ◽  
Medical Community ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World ◽  
Disease Spreading ◽  
Health Organization

Since emerging from Wuhan, China, in December of 2019, the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has been causing devastating severe respiratory infections in humans worldwide. With the disease spreading faster than the medical community could contain it, death tolls increased at an alarming rate worldwide, causing the World Health Organization to officially sanction the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as a pandemic, leading to a state of worldwide lockdown for the majority of the year 2020. There have been reports of new strains of the virus emerging in various parts of the world, with some strains displaying even greater infectivity and transmissibility. Areas of the emerging variant of concern arise from countries like the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, and India. These mutations carry a lineage from N501Y, D614G, N439K, Y453F, and others, which are globally dominated by clades 20A, 20B, and 20C. This literature review intends to identify and report SARS-CoV-2 variants that are currently evolving and their disease implications.

scholarly journals Plausible Transition of Covid-19 from Pandemic to an Endemic State: Impact of Variant UK Strain, b 7.1.1, on the Spread of Covid-19 in the Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Original Form ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
The World ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Disease Spreading ◽  
Endemic State

Covid-19 is a contagious disease spreading without showing any signs of abatement across the world. Presently, sars-cov-2, the causative agent of covid-19, is giving a fresh threatening signs to renew its devastation as several new mutated strains have been detected in United Kingdom, south africa, brazil & the usa; the first variant being detected in the united kingdom (b 7.1.1). Here we have shown that there was a gradual waning of active cases of covid-19 (strain originated in wuhan, china) across the nation after implementation of complete lockdown; this demonstrated that covid-19 had lost its sheen and the covid-19 pandemic was nearing an end. However, the recent emergence of the mutated forms of sars-cov-2 in different countries including India, appears to be more contagious and virulent than the original form. This property of the variant strain could affect the ongoing pandemic. The implication of all the data obtained from the old and the new UK variant, b7.1.1, in context of pandemic has been discussed in this article.

British Council as an Instrument of Public Diplomacy of Great Britain

2017 ◽  
pp. 305-312
Author(s):  
Mykola Trofymenko
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Great Britain ◽  
Public Diplomacy ◽  
Cultural Diplomacy ◽  
Foreign Minister ◽  
Cultural Relations ◽  
British Council ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The World ◽  
The Government

Public diplomacy of Great Britain is one of the most developed in the EU and in the world. The United Kingdom has developed an extremely efficient public diplomacy mechanism which includes BBC World Service (which due to its popularity boosts the reputation and the image of Great Britain), Chevening Scholarships (provides outstanding foreign students with opportunity to study in Great Britain and thus establishes long-lasting relations with public opinion leaders and foreign countries elite) and the British Council, which deals with international diplomatic ties in the field of culture. The British Council is a unique organization. Being technically independent, it actively and efficiently works on consolidating Great Britain’s interests in the world and contributes to the development of public diplomacy in Great Britain.   The author studies the efforts of the British Council as a unique public diplomacy tool of the United Kingdom. Special attention is paid to the role of British Council, which is independent of the governing board and at the same time finds itself under the influence of the latter due to the peculiarities of the appointment of Board’s officials, financing etc. The author concludes that the British Council is a unique organization established in 1934, which is a non-departmental state body, charitable organization and public corporation, technically independent of the government. The British Council, thanks to its commercial activities covers the lack of public funding caused by the policy of economy conducted by the government. It has good practices in this field worth paying attention by other countries. It is also worth mentioning that the increment in profit was getting higher last year, however the issue of increasing the influence of the government on the activities of British Council is still disputable. Although the Foreign Minister officially reports to the parliament on the activities of the British Council, approves the appointment of the leaders of organizations, the British Council preserves its independence of the government, which makes it more popular abroad, and makes positive influence on the world image of Great Britain. The efficiency of the British Council efforts on fulfillment of targets of the United Kingdom public diplomacy is unquestionable, no matter how it calls its activities: whether it is a cultural relations establishment or a cultural diplomacy implementation. Keywords: The British Council, public diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, cultural relations, Foreign Office, Her Majesty’s Government, official assistance for development

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