scholarly journals Assessment of the cellular immunity response to the new coronavirus infection COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 10-17
Author(s):  
A. V. Lobov ◽  
P. I. Ivanova ◽  
E. A. Pogodina ◽  
V. I. Kazey ◽  
E. D. Maksimova ◽  
...  

In December 2019 humanity faced a new coronavirus infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease referred to as COVID-19 has spread globally.Specially adapted for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests based on polymerase chain reaction are used to identify infected patients by processing nasal and oropharyngeal swabs. However, often it may not be sufficient to use polymerase chain reaction only, but in many cases it is very important to assess the humoral and cellular immune reactions to the infection.The present review aims to summarize and analyze the available literature data on the formation of the immune response and diagnostic methods used for characteristics of the immune reactions in patients who recovered from COVID-19 or received an anti-COVID-19 vaccine.Currently, the effectiveness of anti-COVID-19 vaccination and the developing immunity after a previous illness are assessed by detecting specific antibodies. A number of observations show that anti-S and anti-RDB IgG titers significantly decline within 6–8 months after diagnosis. It is important to note that although the antibody levels in the blood of recovered patients decrease, the memory cells can be determined by the appropriate tests.The ELISPOT (Enzyme-linked immunospot) method, which is a variation of the ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), allows estimation the T- and B-cells that release activation factors such as cytokines and antibodies in response to the presented antigens.The assessment of the generation and effective function of the immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 requires the evaluation of the content and functional activity of its various components, including B-lymphocytes, CD8+, CD4+T-lymphocytes, since they have rather independent mechanisms of action of cellular memory.Therefore, it is crucially important to have tools for evaluating the immunity to SARS-CoV-2 when the level of antibodies is insufficient for determination by the available registered tests, and the introduction of test systems into clinical diagnostic practice, allowing to identify markers of long-term cellular memory, are relevant.

2011 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazar M Abdalla

Objective: This study aimed to identify cases of leishmaniasis in the Nuba Mountain area, which is situated in a unique geographical site located in the centre of Sudanese leishmania belt. Wide range of investigations are available for detection of leishmania cases, but still the most reliable and easy test used as screening and epidemiological tool in field studies needs to be evaluated. The most commonly used conventional diagnostic methods direct microscopy and culture have some drawbacks in diagnosing subclinical cases of leishmaniasis. Materials and methods: In this study, comparative properties of various immune-diagnostic tools with Polymerase Chain Reaction used in sub-clinical leishmaniasis isolates were explored. The immune-diagnostic tools involved in this study include- Leishmanin Skin Test (LST), Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Direct Agglutination Test (DAT). The study was conducted in the Green Valley village (Rashad Province, South Kordofan State) with a population of 332. Most of the villagers presented with sub-clinical form of leishmaniasis with minor symptoms and signs without the features found in clinical form of visceral leishmaniasis such as fever, diarrhoea, epistaxis, enlarged lymph nodes, spleen and liver. In this study we collected demographic, clinical and epidemiological data using special questionnaire. Leishmanin skin test (LST), ELISA, DAT and PCR for parasite DNA detection were used. Result: The final positive cases detected by PCR were 32 out of 332 belong to L. donovani species. The final positive cases detected by LST were 51.2% of the total population under study, while 11 out of the 37 tested samples were positive by ELISA. All of the 332 villagers showed negative readings by DAT with exception of three individuals who were positive with very high titers. Conclusion: DNA etxtraction and amplification with primers can be a good screening tool in subclinical leishmaniasis isolates. Keyword: Sub-clinical; Leishmaniasis; Leishmanin Skin Test; ELISA; DAT; PCR. DOI: 10.3329/jom.v12i1.5422J Medicine 2011; 12 : 34-39


2022 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. 417-424
Author(s):  
V. G. Akimkin ◽  
V. V. Petrov ◽  
K. V. Krasovitov ◽  
N. I. Borisova ◽  
I. A. Kotov ◽  
...  

Introduction. Currently, the basis for molecular diagnostics of most infections is the use of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Technologies based on reverse transcription isothermal loop amplification (RT-LAMP) can be used as an alternative to RT-PCR for diagnostic purposes. In this study, we compared the RTLAMP and RT-PCR methods in order to analyze both the advantages and disadvantages of the two approaches.Material and methods. For the study, we used reagent kits based on RT-PCR and RT-LAMP. The biological material obtained by taking swabs from the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and nasopharynx in patients with symptoms of a new coronavirus infection was used.Results. We tested 381 RNA samples of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (Coronaviridae: Coronavirinae: Betacoronavirus; Sarbecovirus) from various patients. The obtained values of the threshold cycle (Ct) for RT-PCR averaged 20.0 ± 3.7 s (1530 ± 300 s), and for RT-LAMP 12.8 ± 3.7 s (550 ± 160 s). Proceeding from the theoretical assumptions, a linear relationship between values obtained in two kits was proposed as a hypothesis; the correlation coefficient was approximately 0.827. At the same time, for samples with a low viral load (VL), the higher Ct values in RT-LAMP did not always correlated with those obtained in RT-PCR.Discussion. We noted a significant gain in time for analysis using RT-LAMP compared to RT-PCR, which can be important in the context of testing a large number of samples. Being easy to use and boasting short turnaround time, RT-LAMP-based test systems can be used for mass screening in order to identify persons with medium and high VLs who pose the greatest threat of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, while RT-PCR-based diagnostic methods are also suitable for estimation of VL and its dynamics in patients with COVID-19.


Intervirology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Salman Khan ◽  
Syed Asad Ali Shah ◽  
Syed Muhammad Jamal

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an infectious and highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals, causing heavy economic losses to the livestock industry. Rapid and reliable diagnosis of the disease is essential for the implementation of effective control measures. This study compared sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (S-ELISA) and conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of FMD. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A total of 60 epithelial samples from suspected cases of FMD were tested using both S-ELISA and RT-PCR assays. The level of agreement between the assays was assessed by calculating the Kappa value. <b><i>Results:</i></b> S-ELISA detected 38 (63%) samples positive for FMD virus (FMDV). Being predominant, serotype O was detected in 22 (57.9%) of the total samples tested positive, whereas 9 (23.7%) and 7 (18.4%) samples were found positive for serotypes A and Asia-1, respectively. RT-PCR detected viral genome in 51 (85%) of the samples using pan-FMDV primers set, 1F/1R. Thirty-six samples were found positive and 7 negative by both the tests. The level of agreement between the tests was assessed by calculating the Kappa value, which was found to be fair (Kappa value = 0.303 and 95% CI = 0.089; 0.517) and significant (<i>p</i> = 0.009). However, 2 samples, which were found positive on S-ELISA tested negative on RT-PCR. This may be attributed to the presence of nucleotide mismatch(es) in the primer-binding sites that may have resulted in failure of amplification of the viral genome. The serotype-specific RT-PCR assays not only confirmed serotyping results of S-ELISA but were also able to establish serotype in 9 S-ELISA-negative but pan-FMDV RT-PCR-positive samples. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The RT-PCR assay contributes significantly to establishing a quick, sensitive, and definitive diagnosis of FMD in resource-constrained countries. Samples giving negative results in S-ELISA should be tested in RT-PCR for the disease detection and virus typing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-379
Author(s):  
Huitao Li ◽  
Xueyu Chen ◽  
Xiaomei Qiu ◽  
Weimin Huang ◽  
Chuanzhong Yang

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is the leading cause of death in neonatal patients, yet the diagnosis of IFI remains a major challenge. At present, most IFI laboratory diagnostic methods are based on classical, but limited, methods such as fungal isolation and culture and histopathological examination. Recently, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) technology have been adopted to quantify nucleic-acid identification. In this study, we established qPCR and ddPCR assays for IFI diagnosis and quantification. qPCR and ddPCR were carried out using identical primers and probe for the amplification of 18S rRNA. Assay results for three fungal strains were positive, whereas ten non-fungal strains had negative results, indicating 100% specificity for both ddPCR and qPCR methods. Genomic DNA of Candida albicans was tested after a serial dilution to compare the sensitivity of the two PCR methods. The limit of detection of ddPCR was 3.2 copies/L, which was a ten-fold increase compared with that of the qPCR method (32 copies/L). Blood samples from 127 patients with high-risk factors and clinical symptoms for IFI were collected from a NICU in Shenzhen, China, and analyzed using qPCR and ddPCR. Thirty-four blood samples from neonates had a proven or probable diagnosis of IFI, and 25 of these were positive by qPCR, whereas 30 were positive by ddPCR. Among the 93 blood samples from neonates who had a possible IFI or no IFI, 24 were positive using qPCR, and 7 were positive using ddPCR. In conclusion, ddPCR is a rapid and accurate pan-fungal detection method and provides a promising prospect for IFI clinical screening.


Author(s):  
Yogita Singh ◽  
Raji Vasanth ◽  
Shrikala Baliga ◽  
Dhanashree B

Objectives: Cultivation and identification of mycobacteria to species level remains difficult and time-consuming. Hence, easy and rapid diagnostic methods are necessary for the differentiation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The present study aims to detect and differentiate MTB from NTM isolated from clinical samples by immunochromatographic test (ICT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Over a period of 1 year, clinical samples (n=496) received from suspected cases of TB, at the Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Mangalore were cultured to isolate Mycobacterium spp. Identification of all the isolates was done by conventional biochemical technique, ICT, and PCR. Results: Among the 496 samples processed, 49 (9.87%) were acid-fast bacilli smear positive and 59 (11.89%) samples showed the growth of Mycobacterium spp. Among these, 10 were rapid growers, 49 were slow-growing mycobacteria, out of which 30 were MTB as identified by conventional biochemical reaction. Out of 59 Mycobacterial isolates subjected to ICT for the detection of MPT 64 antigen, only 28 were identified as MTB. However, all the 30 isolates were correctly identified as MTB by PCR. Conclusion: Hence, PCR is essential for rapid differentiation of non-tuberculous Mycobacterium from MTB. False negative results seen with immunochromatographic MPT 64 antigen assay could be due to mutations within the mpt64 gene. Further studies are necessary to characterize these PCR-positive and immunochromatographic assay negative MTB isolates.


Blood ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1027-1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
DB Duggan ◽  
GD Ehrlich ◽  
FP Davey ◽  
S Kwok ◽  
J Sninsky ◽  
...  

Abstract A patient with a localized HTLV-I-associated lymphoproliferative disease that was misdiagnosed as Hodgkin's disease is presented. The patient's serum was negative for HTLV-I antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot, and radioimmunoprecipitation. Tumor tissue DNA was negative for HTLV-I by Southern blotting but was positive for distinct HTLV-I sequences when subjected to DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. We conclude that the clinical and pathologic diagnosis of HTLV-I-related lymphoma can be difficult and can be confused with Hodgkin's disease. Extremely sensitive molecular biological techniques may be required to establish a diagnosis of HTLV-I-induced lymphoma.


Author(s):  
María Fernanda Calderón Hernádez ◽  

Background: The main objective of this research is to learn the symptoms that occur in this pathology, since we are currently still fighting COVID-19, because of this, it is important to keep us informed about the different diagnostic methods available, which help us reach an earlier and more effective diagnosis. Various articles have been compiled to identify as soon as possible the active cases and thus reduce the number of infections. Materials and methods: This research was conducted on the basis of scientific articles and books, related to COVID-19. Methods: This research was conducted based on 15 scientific articles and 3 books, related to COVID-19. Results: The most important risk factors are diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, age and sex. The most common symptoms in Latin America are dry cough, fatigue, sore throat, and fever. The preferred diagnostic test for COVID-19 is the polymerase chain reaction for its specificity and sensitivity Conclusions: As a conclusion, the main objective of the research was achieved, which is to inform the reader about the most relevant symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 in order to improve the identification of suspected cases. Furthermore, we compare various diagnostic methods that exist to date and determine that PCR is the most specific and sensitive.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birhanu Hadush Abera ◽  
Molla Michaelay ◽  
Habtamu Taddele ◽  
Nigus Abebe ◽  
Abrha Tesfay ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Epizootic lymphangitis (EL), caused by Histoplasma capsulatum variety farciminosum (HCF) is a contagious chronic disease of equines characterized by development of nodular lesions in the lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels and skin. This disease is the most important diseases of equines in Ethiopia causing a significant economic loss, particularly cart pulling equines. Todate there is no sound diagnostic nor control measure implemented in the country. Furthermore, there is a shortage of data on the epidemiology of the disease in different regions of the country including northern Ethiopia. This study was conducted to investigate the epidemiology of EL in northern Ethiopia using the conventional methods and the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: A total of 191 cart-horses were enrolled and used as sources of pus and blood samples. The blood was used for the extraction of the DNA of HCF from buffy coat for nested PCR while the pus samples were cultured on Sabourauds Dextrose Agar for isolation. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 was used for data analysis by applying logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Cohen’s kappa coefficient test. In addition, the level of agreement between the clinical examination and the nested PCR was evaluated. Results: Infection with HCF was confirmed in 44% (84/191) of the horses using nested PCR. Subclinical infection was observed in 18.18% (22/121) of the apparently healthy horses. Considering nested PCR as a gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of the clinical examination were 74% and 95%, respectively while the area under the ROC curve (AUR) was 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.77, 0.896). Moreover, a moderate (k=0.675) agreement was observed between the nested PCR and clinical examination.Conclusions: The findings of the present study showed the wide spread occurrence of EL in northern Ethiopia and the advantage of the nested PCR in detecting of the infection of HCF even before the clinical symptoms are apparent.


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