scholarly journals Genetic and pathogenic characterization of SARS-CoV-2: a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 533-549
Author(s):  
Afsane Bahrami ◽  
Gordon A Ferns

The first case of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was reported in December 2019. This virus belongs to the beta-coronavirus group that contains a single stranded RNA with a nucleoprotein within a capsid. SARS-CoV-2 shares 80% nucleotide identity to SARS-CoV. The virus is disseminated by its binding to the ACE2 receptors on bronchial epithelial cells. The diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on a laboratory-based reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test together with chest computed tomography imaging. To date, no antiviral therapy has been approved, and many aspects of the COVID-19 are unknown. In this review, we will focus on the recent information on genetics and pathogenesis of COVID-19 as well as its clinical presentation and potential treatments.

2021 ◽  
pp. 003022282110598
Author(s):  
Hümeyra Aslaner ◽  
Betül Özen ◽  
Zeliha K. Erten ◽  
Mebrure Beyza Gökçek

Urgent measures were taken for those at the age of 65 and over who were at the risk group all over the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is known that many individuals at the age of 65 and over have experienced anxiety due to the uncertainties. This study aimed to determine the anxiety and death anxiety in individuals aged 65 and over who were isolation at home due to being diagnosed with COVID-19 or being in contact during the pandemic process. The study is descriptive and cross-sectional. It was performed with 656 home-quarantined individuals aged between 65–80 years with positive or negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result. A form including questions about the death anxiety and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale Short Form prepared by the researchers were administered to the individuals by phone call. Of the participants, 49.5% were male. Median COVID-19 anxiety score was 4 (0–18). Anxiety scores of the male and female participants were similar. Participants with negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results and those with death anxiety had higher COVID anxiety scores. Death anxiety has increased by 1.661 times in male gender, 1.983 times in RT-PCR positivity and 0.146 times in the presence of symptoms. Individuals with positive COVID-19 test results or those aged 65 and over who had death anxiety and negative COVID-19 test result but who were in home-isolation due to being a contact had higher anxiety score. For this reason, those with death anxiety can be supported in line with their religious beliefs to reduce anxiety. Those with negative PCR test results in quarantine can be adequately informed about the COVID-19.


2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. O. Elimian ◽  
C. L. Ochu ◽  
E. Ilori ◽  
J. Oladejo ◽  
E. Igumbor ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria with a view of generating evidence to enhance planning and response strategies. A national surveillance dataset between 27 February and 6 June 2020 was retrospectively analysed, with confirmatory testing for COVID-19 done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality (CF). A total of 40 926 persons (67% of total 60 839) had complete records of RT-PCR test across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, 12 289 (30.0%) of whom were confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those confirmed cases, 3467 (28.2%) had complete records of clinical outcome (alive or dead), 342 (9.9%) of which died. The overall CI and CF were 5.6 per 100 000 population and 2.8%, respectively. The highest proportion of COVID-19 cases and deaths were recorded in persons aged 31–40 years (25.5%) and 61–70 years (26.6%), respectively; and males accounted for a higher proportion of confirmed cases (65.8%) and deaths (79.0%). Sixty-six per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In conclusion, this paper has provided an insight into the early epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which could be useful for contextualising public health planning.


Author(s):  
Arghadip Samaddar ◽  
Ravisekhar Gadepalli ◽  
Vijaya Lakshmi Nag ◽  
Sanjeev Misra ◽  
Pankaj Bhardwaj ◽  
...  

Abstract We studied the pattern and duration of viral RNA shedding in 32 asymptomatic and 11 pauci-symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Viral RNA shedding in exhaled breath progressively diminished and became negative after six days of a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. Therefore, the duration of isolation can be minimised to six days.


Author(s):  
Tugba Erat ◽  
Müge Atar ◽  
Tugba Kontbay

AbstractObjectivesCoronavirus disease (COVID-19) rapidly spread worldwide in a few months and was declared as a worldwide pandemic by WHO in March 2020. Transient benign hyperphosphatasemia (THI) is a benign condition associated with marked elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) without any other kidney, bone, and liver pathologies.Case presentationHerein, we report a previously healthy 16-month-old female patient who developed a secondary transient benign hyperphosphatasemia associated with SARS-CoV-2. Patient whole family’s SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were positive. Since THI is a diagnosis of exclusion, other reasons that may cause ALP elevation should be ruled out. ALP activity decreased and turned to normal ranges within the following month. THI has been reported to be in association with various conditions. Its relationship with many viruses has been reported previously.ConclusionsIf ALP elevation is detected in patients with COVID 19 due to the increasing number of infections, THI should be considered if there is no other accompanying pathology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-45
Author(s):  
Dinesh Kumar

Recently, an argument was put forth because a symptomatic and positive patient for CoVID-19 turned tested negative after 7 days, so discharged from the hospital. Both at the time of admission and discharge real-time reverse transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) was done for testing of CoVID-19. Immediately, patient again developed respiratory symptoms and was admitted to hospital again. Amidst of current CoVID-19 pandemic, a question was asked “What is the specificity of the Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test for COVID-19?” with an assumption that what if at the time of discharge the disease is present in patient but test turned out to be negative? In response to that a counter statement was posed that “It is the sensitivity that should be asked rather than specificity”. It was based on the implication of primary question that was implying false negative report of the RT-PCR. It means, since patient was discharged with negative result that could be false negative.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 408-410
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Bahreini ◽  
Rezvan Najafi ◽  
Razieh Amini ◽  
Salman Khazaei ◽  
Saeid Bashirian

As the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic spreads rapidly, there is need for a diagnostic test with high accuracy to detect infected individuals especially those without symptoms. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a common molecular test for diagnosing SARS-CoV-2. If some factors are not taken into consideration when performing this test, it can have a relatively large number of false negative results. In this article, we discuss important considerations that could lead to false negative test reduction. Key words: • SARS-CoV-2 • COVID-19 • Real time polymerase chain reaction • RT-PCR test • Diagnosis • False negatives • Genetics • Emerging disease   Copyright © 2020 Bahreini et al. Published by Global Health and Education Projects, Inc. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in this journal, is properly cited.


Author(s):  
Bushra A. A. Albazi ◽  
Dr Noof. Albaz ◽  
Dr Nayef. Alqahtani ◽  
Dr. Angham Salih ◽  
Dr Rafat Mohtasab

A large number of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present at hospitals. There are a limited number of isolation rooms open, and patients must often wait a long time to get a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test done. This necessitates the introduction of effective triage plans. A patient with suspicions is referred to an emergency room (ED) depending on their medical record for a simple physical assessment, blood test findings, and chest imaging.A retrospective study design was conduct at Prince Sultan Medical Military City (PSMMC). Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional board to wave the consent forms since it is a retrospective study. Only the primary investigator has had the data access to the patients’ medical records. The collected patient records were under specific categories, including symptoms score starts from 5 and above, RT-PCR test result done after CXRP imaging, the patient admitted to the emergency department (ED). Excluding all CXRP done after RT-PCR TEST, positive Covid 19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), pediatric patients, and patients with score symptoms were less than five. Two experienced radiologists reviewed the images blindly, and the inter-observer reliability of observations noted by the radiologists was calculated. As for the relationship between the x-ray reading and the RT-PCR test result, our results showed a high correlation between the variables (chi-square χ² = 12.44, with df =1, and p<0.001). The sensitivity of x-ray diagnosing covid19 was 65.52 %, while the specificity was 54.51 %, and the accuracy of radiologists reading was 58.17 %. Furthermore, the positive predictive value (PPV) was 41.76 %, and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 76.05%. Finally, the false positive rate (type-i error (alpha) was 45.49%, and the false-negative rate (type-ii error (beta) was 34.48% Our research findings show that CXRP imaging can detect COVID-19 infection in symptomatic patients and can be a valuable addition to RT-PCR testing. In an inpatient ED environment where availability of test kits, laboratory equipment, and laboratory personnel is compromised and risks delaying patient treatment and hospital workflow, serial CXRP could theoretically be used as an adjunct diagnostic function and monitoring in patients suspected of having COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Nishant Kumar ◽  
Shibal Bhartiya ◽  
Tarundeep Singh

Background: A seroprevalence study for COVID-19 antibodies was conducted amongst health workers in Mumbai, India, in June 2020.Methods: Healthcare workers (n=801) underwent a cross sectional survey through electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (Roche diagnostics’ Elecsys anti-SARS-CoV-2 assay, Roche diagnostics, Rotkreuz, Switzerland).Results: Of the 801 healthcare workers, 62 who had been previously diagnosed with a real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, 45 (73.6%) were found to be seronegative during the study. The duration between the positive RT-PCR test and the serological testing ranged from 15 to 49 days for 34 (54.8%), and was >50 days in 28 subjects. Up to 28 days after a positive PCR test, 90% of the subjects were found to be seropositive, but this reduced to less than half over the next two weeks (38.5% between 29 and 42 days).Conclusions: Our findings are in agreement with previous reports that demonstrate a peak antibody formation after 3 weeks, and also an early antibody decay that is almost exponential. This may also have a significant effect on the protection vaccines are able to provide considering that a natural infection has such a transient antibody response. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salit Supakitthanakorn ◽  
Garnjana Wichitrakoonthavorn ◽  
Kaewalin Kunasakdakul ◽  
On-Uma Ruangwong

Abstract Chrysanthemum is one of the important ornamental plants in worldwide due to its high economic and cultural values. Chrysanthemum leaves showed mosaic, ringspot, yellowing and mild mottle symptoms were observed and collected from cultivation areas in northern Thailand and used for detection of important viruses infecting chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum virus B (CVB) was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from samples showing yellowing and mild mottle symptoms. Sequences of the coat protein (CP) gene of two CVB isolates found in this study were sequenced and shared 93.15% homology with other CVB isolates from different countries deposited in GenBank. Biological indexing of these CVB found that they induced both local and systemic symptoms in tobacco plants while petunia displayed a systemic symptom. The particles of CVB were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM), prepared by dip preparation and negative staining methods, showing slightly flexuous rod-shaped virions approximately 600–650 nm in length. To our knowledge, this is the first detection and study on molecular and biological characteristics of CVB infecting chrysanthemum in Thailand.


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