New Unknown Sars-Cov-2 Virus Variants and Hidden Pandemics Within Them in Developing Countries

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.21203/rs.3.rs-898454/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Shohreh Ghasemi ◽

Mahmood Dashti

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Secondary Infection ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Asymptomatic Carriers ◽

New Variant ◽

Rapid Laboratory

Abstract It is not known whether one or a combination of different mutations will alter the viral clinical and epidemiological manifestations, transmissibility, virulence, or efficacy of the vaccine. Transmission of the new variant by asymptomatic carriers is also unknown. Vaccines or antiviral agents have not yet induced the pressure of the mutation; however, other mutations are anticipated after global vaccination and after the introduction of proven therapies. Thus, a willingness to rapidly emerge new options is prudent. Less virulent but highly heritable variants can also be expected, which may contribute to herd immunity. There is a need to develop clinical and rapid laboratory tests to monitor vaccinated individuals for secondary infection potentially caused by the new variant. Importantly, restrictive countermeasures, spatial distancing, personal hygiene, travel bans, and facial disguises remain relevant in the fight against the virus.

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Efficacy of the CoronaVac® Vaccine in a Region of the Colombian Amazon, Was Herd Immunity Achieved?

10.21203/rs.3.rs-593936/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Salim Mattar ◽

Héctor Serrano-Coll ◽

Hollman Miller ◽

Camilo Guzmán ◽

Ricardo Rivero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Observational Study ◽

Urban Population ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Severe Infection ◽

Mass Vaccination ◽

Mild Disease ◽

Immunization Strategies ◽

Mass Immunization ◽

Colombian Amazon

Abstract Introduction. Currently, more than 1.8 billion doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been applied worldwide. However, some developing countries are still a long way from achieving herd immunity through vaccination. In some territories, such as the Colombian Amazon, mass immunization strategies have been implemented with the CoronaVac® vaccine. Due to its proximity to Brazil, where one of the variants of interest of SARS-CoV-2 circulates. Objective. To determine the efficacy of the CoronaVac® vaccine in a population of the Colombian Amazon. Methods. Between February 24, 2021, and May 19, 2021, a descriptive observational study was carried out in which a population of individuals over 18 years of age immunized with two doses of the CoronaVac® vaccine was evaluated. The study site was in the municipality of Mitú, Vaupés, in southeastern Colombia, a region located in the Amazon bordering Brazil. Results. 87% of the urban population of the Mitú municipality were vaccinated with CoronaVac®. To date, 2.1% of vaccinated individuals have become ill, and only 0.1% of these require hospitalization. No deaths attributable to COVID-19 have been reported among vaccinated individuals, and the vaccine has shown 97% efficacy against mild disease and 100% against severe infection. Conclusions. The herd immunity achieved through mass vaccination in this population has made it possible to reduce the rate of complicated cases and mortality from COVID-19 in this region of the Colombian Amazon.

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Consultation with the specialist

Pediatrics in Review ◽

10.1542/pir.13.7.273 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 273-274

Author(s):

Frederick H. Lovejoy

Keyword(s):

Physical Examination ◽

Case History ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Deep Inspiration ◽

Deep Breathing ◽

Logical Sequence ◽

History Of ◽

Difficult Challenge ◽

Diagnostic Trial ◽

Rapid Laboratory

Diagnosing poisoning by an unknown agent can be a difficult challenge. Five strategies of assessment may be used in logical sequence, however, to arrive at a diagnosis: (a) history, (b) physical examination, (c) rapid laboratory tests, (d) diagnostic trial, and (e) screening for toxins. This is illustrated by a case history, followed by discussion of a recommended approach and the utilization of these principles to arrive at a diagnosis in the case. Initial Case History A 41/2-year-old boy, with a history of onset of deep breathing following supper, is brought to your office by his mother. He had been alert and well all day, without fever, fully oriented, and without vomiting or diarrhea. He had been playing both in the house and garage in the morning and had spent the afternoon watching television. His temperature is 37.6°C, respiratory rate is 60 breaths per minute with deep inspiration and expiration, and pulse is 100 beats per minute and regular. He is without cyanosis. His pupils are midpoint, his lungs are clear, and his breath has no noticeable odor. What would you ask the mother in an effort to establish a diagnosis? History An unknown agent often can be suspected by history alone. The location of ingestion, if known, can offer clues.

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Rapid laboratory tests.

Integrated food safety and veterinary public health ◽

10.1079/9780851999081.0196 ◽

2009 ◽

pp. 196-201

Author(s):

S. Buncic

Keyword(s):

Laboratory Tests ◽

Rapid Laboratory

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Case for diagnosis

Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia ◽

10.1590/abd1806-4841.20132114 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 88 (4) ◽

pp. 652-654 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Amanda Nascimento Cavalleiro de Macedo Mota ◽

Natalia Solon Nery ◽

Carlos Baptista Barcaui

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Conservative Management ◽

Laboratory Tests ◽

Secondary Infection ◽

Normal Skin ◽

Rare Disorder ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Bullous Disease ◽

Bullosis Diabeticorum

We present a case of bullosis diabeticorum. It is a rare disorder, probably underdiagnosed, associated with long-term diabetes mellitus. Its etiology remains unclear. It is characterized by tense blisters, with serous content, recurrent and spontaneous on normal skin especially in the acral regions. Displays self-limiting course. No specific laboratory tests for diagnosis of this bullous disease exist. Clinical and conservative management to prevent secondary infection reduces morbidity in diabetic patients.

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Modeling the Spread and Control of COVID-19

Systems ◽

10.3390/systems9030053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Ashutosh Trivedi ◽

Nanda Kishore Sreenivas ◽

Shrisha Rao

Keyword(s):

Herd Immunity ◽

Black Box ◽

Personal Hygiene ◽

Confined Space ◽

Real Situation ◽

Seir Model ◽

Agent Based ◽

Social Distancing ◽

The Difference ◽

And Control

Data-centric models of COVID-19 have been attempted, but have certain limitations. In this work, we propose an agent-based model of the epidemic in a confined space of agents representing humans. An extension to the SEIR model allows us to consider the difference between the appearance (black-box view) of the spread of disease and the real situation (glass-box view). Our model allows for simulations of lockdowns, social distancing, personal hygiene, quarantine, and hospitalization, with further considerations of different parameters, such as the extent to which hygiene and social distancing are observed in a population. Our results provide qualitative indications of the effects of various policies and parameters, for instance, that lockdowns by themselves are extremely unlikely to bring an end to an epidemic and may indeed make things worse, that social distancing is more important than personal hygiene, and that the growth of infection is significantly reduced for moderately high levels of social distancing and hygiene, even in the absence of herd immunity.

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Does Good National Governance Boost COVID-19 Vaccination? Cross-Country Evidence

10.21203/rs.3.rs-888069/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Takeshi Aida ◽

Masahiro Shoji

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Administrative Support ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Ordinary Least Squares ◽

Least Squares Regression ◽

Standard Deviation Increase ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Governance Index ◽

Cross Country

Abstract BackgroundAs herd immunity by universal vaccination is essential to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility has been established to provide developing countries with subsidized vaccines. However, a critical issue is that the developing countries also need to effectively deploy vaccines to citizens. Although this argument suggests positive effects of good national governance on vaccination coverage, to the best of our knowledge, there is no such evidence. The goal of this study was to examine the association between the national governance index and vaccination coverage, particularly among developing countries.MethodsUsing cross-country data, an ordinary least squares regression was conducted to examine the association between the national governance index and two outcome variables on vaccination—the number of days until the administration of the first dose in the country since December 2019 and the number of doses per 100 citizens as of the end of July 2021. The results were compared between the model including all countries and the model including only non-OECD countries. We also examined the influence of governance on the selection of vaccine manufacturers.ResultsA one standard deviation increase in the national governance index was associated with 9.1 days (95%CI: -15.76, -2.43) earlier administration of vaccines in the country, and a 12.1 dose increase (95%CI: 4.76, 19.34) per 100 citizens. Results also showed that these associations were larger in the non-OECD sample and indicated the role of governance in the type of vaccine that is predominantly administered in the country.ConclusionThe provision of subsidized vaccines alone is not sufficient to control the spread of infection in developing countries; logistical and administrative support should also be offered, especially in countries with low governance indices.Trial registrationNot applicable.

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Missed takes towards a pandemic of COVID-19? A systematic literature review of Coronavirus related diseases in Pakistan

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.12771 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (07) ◽

pp. 726-731

Author(s):

Wajiha Haq ◽

Syed Hassan Raza ◽

Muhammad Wasif Malik

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Literature Review ◽

Health Care System ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Systematic Approach ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Scientific Investigation ◽

Open Research

Pakistan is also seeing the profound effect of the outbreak of COVID-19, which demands an urgent investigation of literature and further scientific investigation for cure and prevention. This study has employed the systematic approach for searching the literature from the recently compiled database of researches namely COVID-19 Open Research Dataset (CORD-19) and related diseases. The literature on Pakistan has shown the evidence of human-to-human and animal-to-human transmission of viruses, the presence of antibodies of MERS-CoV in camels, and careless attitude towards preventive measures of such respiratory diseases. There is a lot of gap in the literature regarding coronaviruses and their antibodies creating herd immunity for another coronavirus and COVID-19. In particular to Pakistan, and in general, for other developing countries, a weak health-care system coupled with the trembling economy has many implications of COVID-19 which should be carefully thought-out to combat the spread.

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SARS-CoV-2 ribosomal frameshifting pseudoknot: Improved secondary structure prediction and detection of inter-viral structural similarity

10.1101/2020.09.15.298604 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Luke Trinity ◽

Lance Lansing ◽

Hosna Jabbari ◽

Ulrike Stege

Keyword(s):

Rna Structure ◽

Structure Prediction ◽

Secondary Structure Prediction ◽

Structural Alignment ◽

Antiviral Agents ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Structural Similarity ◽

Ribosomal Frameshifting ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

The Impact

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to the COVID-19 pandemic; a pandemic of a scale that has not been seen in the modern era. Despite over 29 million reported cases and over 900, 000 deaths worldwide as of September 2020, herd immunity and widespread vaccination efforts by many experts are expected to be insufficient in addressing this crisis for the foreseeable future. Thus, there is an urgent need for treatments that can lessen the effects of SARS-CoV-2 in patients who become seriously affected. Many viruses including HIV, the common cold, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 use a unique mechanism known as −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (−1 PRF) to successfully replicate and infect cells in the human host. SARS-CoV (the coronavirus responsible for SARS) and SARS-CoV-2 possess a unique RNA structure, a three-stemmed pseudoknot, that stimulates −1 PRF. Recent experiments identified that small molecules can be introduced as antiviral agents to bind with the pseudoknot and disrupt its stimulation of −1 PRF. If successfully developed, small molecule therapy that targets −1 PRF in SARS-CoV-2 is an excellent strategy to improve patients’ prognoses. Crucial to developing these successful therapies is modeling the structure of the SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot. Following a structural alignment approach, we identify similarities in the −1 PRF pseudoknots of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the original SARS-CoV, as well as a third coronavirus: MERS-CoV, the coronavirus responsible for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). In addition, we provide a better understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot by comprehensively investigating the structural landscape using a hierarchical folding approach. Since understanding the impact of mutations is vital to long-term success of treatments that are based on predicted RNA functional structures, we provide insight on SARS-CoV-2 −1 PRF pseudoknot sequence mutations and their effect on the resulting structure and its function.

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Dengue Virus Serotype 4 Is Responsible for the Outbreak of Dengue in East Java City of Jember, Indonesia

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12090913 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. 913

Author(s):

Aryati Aryati ◽

Billy J. Wrahatnala ◽

Benediktus Yohan ◽

May Fanny ◽

Faradila K. N. Hakim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dengue Virus ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Secondary Infection ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

Antibody Detection ◽

Severe Dengue ◽

Envelope Gene ◽

Genotype I ◽

Denv Serotypes ◽

Virus Serotype

Outbreaks of dengue virus (DENV) in Indonesia have been mainly caused by the DENV serotype-1; -2; or -3. The DENV-4 was the least-reported serotype in Indonesia during the last five decades. We recently conducted a molecular epidemiology study of dengue in the Jember regency, East Java province, Indonesia. Dengue is endemic in the region and outbreaks occur annually. We investigated the clinical characteristics and etiology of dengue-like febrile illness in this regency to understand the disease dynamics. A total of 191 patients with clinical symptoms similar to dengue were recruited during an 11-month study in 2019–2020. Children accounted for the majority of cases and dengue burden was estimated in 41.4% of the cases based on NS1 antigen, viral RNA, and IgG/IgM antibody detection with the majority (73.4%) being primary infections. Secondary infection was significantly associated with a higher risk of severe dengue manifestation. All four DENV serotypes were detected in Jember. Strikingly, we observed the predominance of DENV-4, followed by DENV-3, DENV-1, and DENV-2. Genotype determination using Envelope gene sequence revealed the classification into Genotype I, Cosmopolitan Genotype, Genotype I, and Genotype II for DENV-1, -2, -3, and -4, respectively. The predominance of DENV-4 in Jember may be associated with a new wave of DENV infections and spread in a non-immune population lacking a herd-immunity to this particular serotype.

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