scholarly journals High Rate of Circulating MERS-CoV in Dromedary Camels at Slaughterhouses in Riyadh, 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taibh Aljasim ◽  
Abdulrahman Almasoud ◽  
Haya A. Aljami ◽  
Mohamed W. Alenazi ◽  
Suliman A. Alsagaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Spike Gene ◽  
Nasal Swabs

Background: MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus that have emerged in humans in 2012 and caused severe respiratory illness with mortality rate of 34.4%. Since its appearance, MERS-CoV have been reported in 27 countries and most of these cases were in Saudi Arabia. So far, dromedaries are considered to be the intermediate host and the only known source of human infection. Method: This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and the infection rate of MERS-CoV in slaughtered food-camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 171 nasal swabs along with 161 serum samples were collected during the winter; from January to April 2019. Nasal swabs were examined by Rapid test and RT-qPCR to detect MERS-CoV RNA, while serum samples were tested primarily using S1-based ELISA Kit to detect MERS-CoV (IgG) antibodies and subsequently by MERS pseudotyped viral particles (MERSpp) neutralization assay for confirmation. Genetic diversity of the positive isolates was determined based on the amplification and sequencing of the spike gene. Results: Our results showed high prevalence (38%) of MERS-CoV infection in slaughtered camels and high seropositivity (70.81%) during the time of the study. These data indicate previous and ongoing MERS-CoV infection in camels. Phylogenic analysis revealed relatively low genetic variability among our isolated samples. When these isolates were aligned against published spike sequences of MERS-CoV, deposited in global databases, there was sequence similarity of 94%. Conclusion: High seroprevalence and high genetic stability of MERS-CoV in camels indicating that camels pose a public health threat. The widespread of MERS-CoV infections in camels increases the risk of future zoonotic transmission into people with direct contact with these infected camels. This study confirms re-infections in camels, highlighting a challenge for vaccine development when it comes to protective immunity.

scholarly journals High Rate of Circulating MERS-CoV in Dromedary Camels at Slaughterhouses in Riyadh, 2019

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1215
Author(s):  
Taibah A. Aljasim ◽  
Abdulrahman Almasoud ◽  
Haya A. Aljami ◽  
Mohamed W. Alenazi ◽  
Suliman A. Alsagaby ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Spike Gene ◽  
Nasal Swabs

MERS-CoV is a zoonotic virus that has emerged in humans in 2012 and caused severe respiratory illness with a mortality rate of 34.4%. Since its appearance, MERS-CoV has been reported in 27 countries and most of these cases were in Saudi Arabia. So far, dromedaries are considered to be the intermediate host and the only known source of human infection. This study was designed to determine the seroprevalence and the infection rate of MERS-CoV in slaughtered food-camels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 171 nasal swabs along with 161 serum samples were collected during the winter; from January to April 2019. Nasal swabs were examined by Rapid test and RT-PCR to detect MERS-CoV RNA, while serum samples were tested primarily using S1-based ELISA Kit to detect MERS-CoV (IgG) antibodies and subsequently by MERS pseudotyped viral particles (MERSpp) neutralization assay for confirmation. Genetic diversity of the positive isolates was determined based on the amplification and sequencing of the spike gene. Our results showed high prevalence (38.6%) of MERS-CoV infection in slaughtered camels and high seropositivity (70.8%) during the time of the study. These data indicate previous and ongoing MERS-CoV infection in camels. Phylogenic analysis revealed relatively low genetic variability among our isolated samples. When these isolates were aligned against published spike sequences of MERS-CoV, deposited in global databases, there was sequence similarity of 94%. High seroprevalence and high genetic stability of MERS-CoV in camels indicating that camels pose a public health threat. The widespread MERS-CoV infections in camels might lead to a risk of future zoonotic transmission into people with direct contact with these infected camels. This study confirms re-infections in camels, highlighting a challenge for vaccine development when it comes to protective immunity.

scholarly journals Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Dromedary Camels in Africa and Middle East

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kandeil ◽  
Gomaa ◽  
Nageh ◽  
Shehata ◽  
Kayed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
East African ◽  
Dromedary Camels ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Clade C

: Dromedary camels are the natural reservoirs of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels are mostly bred in East African countries then exported into Africa and Middle East for consumption. To understand the distribution of MERS-CoV among camels in North Africa and the Middle East, we conducted surveillance in Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. We also performed longitudinal studies of three camel herds in Egypt and Jordan to elucidate MERS-CoV infection and transmission. Between 2016 and 2018, a total of 4027 nasal swabs and 3267 serum samples were collected from all countries. Real- time PCR revealed that MERS-CoV RNA was detected in nasal swab samples from Egypt, Senegal, Tunisia, and Saudi Arabia. Microneutralization assay showed that antibodies were detected in all countries. Positive PCR samples were partially sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was built. The tree suggested that all sequences are of clade C and sequences from camels in Egypt formed a separate group from previously published sequences. Longitudinal studies showed high seroprevalence in adult camels. These results indicate the widespread distribution of the virus in camels. A systematic active surveillance and longitudinal studies for MERS-CoV are needed to understand the epidemiology of the disease and dynamics of viral infection.

scholarly journals Coronavirus respiratory illness in Saudi Arabia

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 692-694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed N. Al-Ahdal ◽  
Ahmed Ali Al-Qahtani ◽  
Salvatore Rubino
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Viral Infection ◽  
Molecular Analysis ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Gulf Region ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
The World

Although viruses that belong to the coronavirus family are known since the 1930s, they only gained public health attention when they were discovered to be the causative agent of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in China in 2002–2003. On 22 September 2012, the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Saudi Arabia announced the detection of what was described as a “rare pattern” of coronavirus respiratory infection in three individuals, two Saudi citizens and one person from the Gulf Region. Neither Saudi citizen survived the infection. Molecular analysis of the isolates showed that the virus belongs to the genus beta-coronavirus. It is not known if the new isolates are circulating in the population or has recently diverged. The emergence of these novel isolates that resulted in fatal human infection ascertains that health authorities all over the world must be vigilant for the possibility of new global pandemics due to novel viral infection.

scholarly journals Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Quasispecies That Include Homologues of Human Isolates Revealed through Whole-Genome Analysis and Virus Cultured from Dromedary Camels in Saudi Arabia

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Briese ◽  
Nischay Mishra ◽  
Komal Jain ◽  
Iyad S. Zalmout ◽  
Omar J. Jabado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Whole Genome ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Dromedary Camels ◽  
Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia ◽  
Nasal Swabs

ABSTRACTComplete Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) genome sequences were obtained from nasal swabs of dromedary camels sampled in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through direct analysis of nucleic acid extracts or following virus isolation in cell culture. Consensus dromedary MERS-CoV genome sequences were the same with either template source and identical to published human MERS-CoV sequences. However, in contrast to individual human cases, where only clonal genomic sequences are reported, detailed population analyses revealed the presence of more than one genomic variant in individual dromedaries. If humans are truly infected only with clonal virus populations, we must entertain a model for interspecies transmission of MERS-CoV wherein only specific genotypes are capable of passing bottleneck selection.IMPORTANCEIn most cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), the route for human infection with the causative agent, MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), is unknown. Antibodies to and viral nucleic acids of MERS-CoV have been found in dromedaries, suggesting the possibility that they may serve as a reservoir or vector for human infection. However, neither whole viral genomic sequence nor infectious virus has been isolated from dromedaries or other animals in Saudi Arabia. Here, we report recovery of MERS-CoV from nasal swabs of dromedaries, demonstrate that MERS-CoV whole-genome consensus sequences from dromedaries and humans are indistinguishable, and show that dromedaries can be simultaneously infected with more than one MERS-CoV. Together with data indicating widespread dromedary infection in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, these findings support the plausibility of a role for dromedaries in human infection.

scholarly journals Detection of pandemic influenza A/H1N1/pdm09 virus among pigs but not in humans in slaughterhouses in Kenya, 2013–2014

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Mogaka Osoro ◽  
Shirley Lidechi ◽  
Jeremiah Nyaundi ◽  
Doris Marwanga ◽  
Athman Mwatondo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza A Virus ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
Influenza A Viruses ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Influenza A H1n1 ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Abstract Objective We conducted four cross-sectional studies over 1 year among humans and pigs in three slaughterhouses in Central and Western Kenya (> 350 km apart) to determine infection and exposure to influenza A viruses. Nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were collected from participants who reported acute respiratory illness (ARI) defined as fever, cough or running nose. Nasal swabs and blood samples were collected from pigs. Human NP/OP and pig nasal swabs were tested for influenza A virus by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and pig serum was tested for anti-influenza A antibodies by ELISA. Results A total of 288 participants were sampled, 91.3% of them being male. Fifteen (5.2%) participants had ARI but the nine swabs collected from them were negative for influenza A virus by PCR. Of the 1128 pigs sampled, five (0.4%) nasal swabs tested positive for influenza A/H1N1/pdm09 by PCR whereas 214 of 1082 (19.8%) serum samples tested for Influenza A virus antibodies. There was higher seroprevalence in colder months and among pigs reared as free-range. These findings indicate circulation of influenza A/H1N1/pdm09 among pigs perhaps associated with good adaptation of the virus to the pig population after initial transmission from humans to pigs.

scholarly journals Serosurvey of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from urban and rural areas from Parana State, Brazil

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thállitha Samih Wischral Jayme Vieira ◽  
Rafael Felipe da Costa Vieira ◽  
Denise Amaral Gomes do Nascimento ◽  
Kátia Tamekuni ◽  
Roberta dos Santos Toledo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Immunofluorescence Assay ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Risk Exposure ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Babesia Vogeli ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Considering the zoonotic potential of tick-borne disease (TBD) agents and the fact that dogs may act as sentinels for human infection, the aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of TBD agents and risk factors for exposure in two different canine populations from Parana State, Southern Brazil. A total of 138 dog serum samples from urban (UA) (n=68) and rural (RA) (n=70) areas were tested with commercial ELISA rapid test forAnaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canisand Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFAT) for Babesia vogeli. An overall of 92∕138 (66.7%) dogs, being 62∕68 (91.2%) from UA and 30∕70 (42.9%) from RA, were seropositive for at least one TBD agent. From the total number of dogs, sixty-two were positive for E. canis (44.9%), 19 (13.8%) for A. phagocytophilum, and 64 (46.4%) for B. vogeli. Anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies were not detected. Dogs from UA showed a higher percentage of tick infestation (p = 0.0135) and were highly associated with seropositivity to E. canis (p = 0.000005), A. phagocytophilum (p = 0.0001), and B. vogeli (p = 0.0012). In summary, the findings indicate that dogs from urban areas present higher potential risk exposure to TBD pathogens than those from rural areas.

scholarly journals P052 Nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic profiling of IBD patients under anti-TNF treatment. Are the pathways network deregulated?

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S160-S160
Author(s):  
S Notararigo ◽  
M Martin-Pastor ◽  
J E Dominguez Munoz ◽  
M Barreiro-de Acosta
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Nmr Spectra ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Spectral Window ◽  
Metabolomic Study ◽  
Nuclear Magnetic

Abstract Background The deregulation of immune system cell response implies loss of T-cell apoptosis, high rate of proinflammatory cytokines production and subsequent exacerbate activation of TNF-α pathway. The use of biologic antibody decrease inflammation rate and symptoms, but it remains unclear if it has a direct effect on the pathways activation/inactivation on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The aim of this study is evaluate the role of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) applied to the metabolomic study of serum samples isolated from fresh blood from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients under IFX treatment to understand the activated/inactivated pathways of PBMCs. Methods A case–control study was performed. Inclusion criteria were IBD patients under IFX treatment. Blood samples were obtained in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients before IFX and in healthy controls (CTRL). CD patients were divided into subgroups according to the gut affected, in Ileocolic (IC), ileum and colon. NMR samples of the serum were collected and measured according to Standard Operation Procedures. Three types of NMR spectra were measured for each serum sample (1Hnoepresat, 1Hcpmgpresat and 1HDfilterpresat). The signal in each NMR spectrum was integrated in a series of equidistant little portion of the spectrum called buckets of a constant width of 0.04 ppm, covering the complete 1H NMR spectral window from −5 to 14 ppm. Buckets in regions depleted from signal at the two extremes of the spectrum were discarded as well as those in the proximity of the water peak at ca. 4.7 ppm which was affected by the presaturation. The vectors corresponding to a number of samples of two or more groups can be rapidly analysed using Multivariant Statistical Analysis methods. Results Twenty-two IBD patients (12 CD and nine UC) were included, 10 CTRL were also included. The metabolomic analyses of the NMR spectra of the serum of the different patients and control groups by the fingerprinting and targeting profiling strategies provided OPLS-DA statistical models (Figure 1) that permitted the successful classification of certain groups of samples which are summarised in Table 1. Conclusion The results of this pilot NMR metabolomic study of serum samples of IBD found a series of spectral fingerprints that are able to discriminate between groups of patients CTRL and CD, which underlines its potential use for the diagnosis of the disease.

scholarly journals Role of Circulating Immune Complexes in the Pathogenesis of Canine Leishmaniasis: New Players in Vaccine Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Cristina Cacheiro-Llaguno ◽  
Nuria Parody ◽  
Marta R. Escutia ◽  
Jerónimo Carnés
Keyword(s):  
Immune Complexes ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Circulating Immune Complexes ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Canine Leishmaniasis ◽  
Leishmania Infection ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Humoral Immune

During canine visceral leishmaniasis (CanL), due to Leishmania infantum (L. infantum), uncontrolled infection leads to a strong humoral immune response. As a consequence of the production of high antibody levels and the prolonged presence of parasite antigens, circulating immune complexes (CIC) are formed, which can be deposited in certain organs and tissues, inducing vasculitis, uveitis, dermatitis and especially glomerulonephritis and renal failure. A method to detect CIC and quantify their levels in serum samples from dogs infected with L. infantum has been recently described. It allowed demonstration of a correlation between CIC levels and disease severity. Thus, CIC measurement may be useful for diagnosis, assessment of disease progression and monitoring response to treatment. This is an interesting finding, considering that there remains an urgent need for identification of novel biomarkers to achieve a correct diagnosis and for optimal disease staging of dogs suffering from Leishmania infection. The objective of the present review is to shed light on the role of CIC in CanL, as well as to highlight their potential use not only as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers but also as a valuable tool in vaccine development and new immunotherapy strategies to prevent or control disease outcome.

scholarly journals Abnormal upregulation of cardiovascular disease biomarker PLA2G7 induced by proinflammatory macrophages in COVID-19 patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Yongzhong Jiang ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Naizhe Li ◽  
Qiangling Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Normal Limit ◽  
Genomic Analysis ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Hub Gene ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Positive Rate ◽  
Validation Stage

AbstractHigh rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been reported among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Importantly, CVD, as one of the comorbidities, could also increase the risks of the severity of COVID-19. Here we identified phospholipase A2 group VII (PLA2G7), a well-studied CVD biomarker, as a hub gene in COVID-19 though an integrated hypothesis-free genomic analysis on nasal swabs (n = 486) from patients with COVID-19. PLA2G7 was further found to be predominantly expressed by proinflammatory macrophages in lungs emerging with progression of COVID-19. In the validation stage, RNA level of PLA2G7 was identified in nasal swabs from both COVID-19 and pneumonia patients, other than health individuals. The positive rate of PLA2G7 were correlated with not only viral loads but also severity of pneumonia in non-COVID-19 patients. Serum protein levels of PLA2G7 were found to be elevated and beyond the normal limit in COVID-19 patients, especially among those re-positive patients. We identified and validated PLA2G7, a biomarker for CVD, was abnormally enhanced in COVID-19 at both nucleotide and protein aspects. These findings provided indications into the prevalence of cardiovascular involvements seen in patients with COVID-19. PLA2G7 could be a potential prognostic and therapeutic target in COVID-19.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Pseudovirus Neutralization Assay for SARS-CoV-2 and Correlation with Live Virus-Based Micro Neutralization Assay

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Ahmed Majdi K. Tolah ◽  
Sayed S. Sohrab ◽  
Khaled Majdi K. Tolah ◽  
Ahmed M. Hassan ◽  
Sherif A. El-Kafrawy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Live Virus ◽  
Spike Gene ◽  
Microneutralization Assay ◽  
Viral Particles ◽  
Reliable Performance ◽  
Prior Infection

The unusual cases of pneumonia outbreak were reported from Wuhan city in late December 2019. Serological testing provides a powerful tool for the identification of prior infection and for epidemiological studies. Pseudotype virus neutralization assays are widely used for many viruses and applications in the fields of serology. The accuracy of pseudotype neutralizing assay allows for its use in low biosafety lab and provides a safe and effective alternative to the use of wild-type viruses. In this study, we evaluated the performance of this assay compared to the standard microneutralization assay as a reference. The lentiviral pseudotype particles were generated harboring the Spike gene of SARS-CoV-2. The generated pseudotype particles assay was used to evaluate the activity of neutralizing antibodies in 300 human serum samples from a COVID-19 sero-epidemiological study. Testing of these samples resulted in 55 positive samples and 245 negative samples by pseudotype viral particles assay while microneutralization assay resulted in 64 positive and 236 negative by MN assay. Compared to the MN, the pseudotyped viral particles assay showed a sensitivity of 85.94% and a specificity of 100%. Based on the data generated from this study, the pseudotype-based neutralization assay showed a reliable performance for the detection of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and can be used safely and efficiently as a diagnostic tool in a biosafety level 2 laboratory.

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