scholarly journals COMPARISON OF CULTURE AND MOLECULAR TECHNIQUES TO IDENTIFY THE MICROBIOLOGICAL ETIOLOGY OF SEVERE PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN: IMPACT ON NEW VACCINE DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Arrieta
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Molecular Techniques

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology of Tuberculosis: Current Insights

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 658-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barun Mathema ◽  
Natalia E. Kurepina ◽  
Pablo J. Bifani ◽  
Barry N. Kreiswirth
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Tb Control ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
Accuracy And Precision ◽  
Outbreak Investigations ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Exogenous Reinfection

SUMMARY Molecular epidemiologic studies of tuberculosis (TB) have focused largely on utilizing molecular techniques to address short- and long-term epidemiologic questions, such as in outbreak investigations and in assessing the global dissemination of strains, respectively. This is done primarily by examining the extent of genetic diversity of clinical strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. When molecular methods are used in conjunction with classical epidemiology, their utility for TB control has been realized. For instance, molecular epidemiologic studies have added much-needed accuracy and precision in describing transmission dynamics, and they have facilitated investigation of previously unresolved issues, such as estimates of recent-versus-reactive disease and the extent of exogenous reinfection. In addition, there is mounting evidence to suggest that specific strains of M. tuberculosis belonging to discrete phylogenetic clusters (lineages) may differ in virulence, pathogenesis, and epidemiologic characteristics, all of which may significantly impact TB control and vaccine development strategies. Here, we review the current methods, concepts, and applications of molecular approaches used to better understand the epidemiology of TB.

scholarly journals Perspectives in Peptide-Based Vaccination Strategies for Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concetta Di Natale ◽  
Sara La Manna ◽  
Ilaria De Benedictis ◽  
Paola Brandi ◽  
Daniela Marasco
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
World Health ◽  
Primary Host ◽  
Viral Pathogen ◽  
Drug Candidates ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Spread Of Infection

At the end of December 2019, an epidemic form of respiratory tract infection now named COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China. It is caused by a newly identified viral pathogen, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. On January 30, 2020, due to the rapid spread of infection, COVID-19 was declared as a global health emergency by the World Health Organization. Coronaviruses are enveloped RNA viruses belonging to the family of Coronaviridae, which are able to infect birds, humans and other mammals. The majority of human coronavirus infections are mild although already in 2003 and in 2012, the epidemics of SARS-CoV and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), respectively, were characterized by a high mortality rate. In this regard, many efforts have been made to develop therapeutic strategies against human CoV infections but, unfortunately, drug candidates have shown efficacy only into in vitro studies, limiting their use against COVID-19 infection. Actually, no treatment has been approved in humans against SARS-CoV-2, and therefore there is an urgent need of a suitable vaccine to tackle this health issue. However, the puzzled scenario of biological features of the virus and its interaction with human immune response, represent a challenge for vaccine development. As expected, in hundreds of research laboratories there is a running out of breath to explore different strategies to obtain a safe and quickly spreadable vaccine; and among others, the peptide-based approach represents a turning point as peptides have demonstrated unique features of selectivity and specificity toward specific targets. Peptide-based vaccines imply the identification of different epitopes both on human cells and virus capsid and the design of peptide/peptidomimetics able to counteract the primary host-pathogen interaction, in order to induce a specific host immune response. SARS-CoV-2 immunogenic regions are mainly distributed, as well as for other coronaviruses, across structural areas such as spike, envelope, membrane or nucleocapsid proteins. Herein, we aim to highlight the molecular basis of the infection and recent peptide-based vaccines strategies to fight the COVID-19 pandemic including their delivery systems.

scholarly journals The Quest for System-Theoretical Medicine in the COVID-19 Era

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Tretter ◽  
Olaf Wolkenhauer ◽  
Michael Meyer-Hermann ◽  
Johannes W. Dietrich ◽  
Sara Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
General System ◽  
Medical Problem ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Systems Science ◽  
Systems Medicine ◽  
Theoretical Medicine ◽  
Systems Pathology ◽  
Multi Level

Precision medicine and molecular systems medicine (MSM) are highly utilized and successful approaches to improve understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases from bench-to-bedside. Especially in the COVID-19 pandemic, molecular techniques and biotechnological innovation have proven to be of utmost importance for rapid developments in disease diagnostics and treatment, including DNA and RNA sequencing technology, treatment with drugs and natural products and vaccine development. The COVID-19 crisis, however, has also demonstrated the need for systemic thinking and transdisciplinarity and the limits of MSM: the neglect of the bio-psycho-social systemic nature of humans and their context as the object of individual therapeutic and population-oriented interventions. COVID-19 illustrates how a medical problem requires a transdisciplinary approach in epidemiology, pathology, internal medicine, public health, environmental medicine, and socio-economic modeling. Regarding the need for conceptual integration of these different kinds of knowledge we suggest the application of general system theory (GST). This approach endorses an organism-centered view on health and disease, which according to Ludwig von Bertalanffy who was the founder of GST, we call Organismal Systems Medicine (OSM). We argue that systems science offers wider applications in the field of pathology and can contribute to an integrative systems medicine by (i) integration of evidence across functional and structural differentially scaled subsystems, (ii) conceptualization of complex multilevel systems, and (iii) suggesting mechanisms and non-linear relationships underlying the observed phenomena. We underline these points with a proposal on multi-level systems pathology including neurophysiology, endocrinology, immune system, genetics, and general metabolism. An integration of these areas is necessary to understand excess mortality rates and polypharmacological treatments. In the pandemic era this multi-level systems pathology is most important to assess potential vaccines, their effectiveness, short-, and long-time adverse effects. We further argue that these conceptual frameworks are not only valid in the COVID-19 era but also important to be integrated in a medicinal curriculum.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Viral Genomics, Epidemiology, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Interventions

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Uddin ◽  
Farah Mustafa ◽  
Tahir A. Rizvi ◽  
Tom Loney ◽  
Hanan Al Suwaidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Viral Genomics ◽  
Map Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic is due to infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus that impacts the lower respiratory tract. The spectrum of symptoms ranges from asymptomatic infections to mild respiratory symptoms to the lethal form of COVID-19 which is associated with severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and fatality. To address this global crisis, up-to-date information on viral genomics and transcriptomics is crucial for understanding the origins and global dispersion of the virus, providing insights into viral pathogenicity, transmission, and epidemiology, and enabling strategies for therapeutic interventions, drug discovery, and vaccine development. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 epidemiology, genomic etiology, findings from recent transcriptomic map analysis, viral-human protein interactions, molecular diagnostics, and the current status of vaccine and novel therapeutic intervention development. Moreover, we provide an extensive list of resources that will help the scientific community access numerous types of databases related to SARS-CoV-2 OMICs and approaches to therapeutics related to COVID-19 treatment.

scholarly journals Molecular Epidemiology of Group A Rotaviruses in Water Sources and Selected Raw Vegetables in Southern Africa

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 4554-4560 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. B. van Zyl ◽  
N. A. Page ◽  
W. O. K. Grabow ◽  
A. D. Steele ◽  
M. B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Viral Gastroenteritis ◽  
Group A Rotaviruses ◽  
Group A ◽  
Treated Drinking Water

ABSTRACT Group A rotaviruses (RVs) are the most important cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children. In this study raw and treated drinking water supplies at plants in two geographic areas, as well as selected irrigation water and corresponding raw vegetables in three regions of southern Africa, were screened for the presence of RVs using molecular techniques. Group A RVs were detected in 11.8% of partially treated and 1.7% of finally treated drinking water samples and in 14% of irrigation water samples and 1.7% of corresponding raw vegetable samples. Type-specific reverse transcriptase-PCR and sequence analysis revealed the presence of multiple types (G1, G2, G8, and G9) in irrigation water and single types (G1 or G3) in raw and treated drinking water. Group A RVs detected in all samples consisted of mixed P types (P[4], P[6], P[8], and P[9]), with P[6] predominating. The detection of types G8, G9, and P[6] reflects the emergence of these types in clinical infections. The similarity of environmental types to those in patients with clinical RV infections confirms the value of wastewater screening as a tool for assessing RVs circulating in communities, with the benefit of detecting types that cause both clinical and subclinical infections. The results provide new information on RV types in water and related environments and identify the potential risk of waterborne transmission. In addition, the presence of RVs in drinking water underlines shortcomings in quality specifications. These data provide valuable information regarding the prevalence of RVs in environmental sources, with important implications for vaccine development.

scholarly journals Virulence and pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques: A nonhuman primate model of COVID-19 progression

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e1008949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiwen Zheng ◽  
Heng Li ◽  
Lei Guo ◽  
Yan Liang ◽  
Jing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Virus Shedding ◽  
Infection Period ◽  
Enhanced Production

The COVID-19 has emerged as an epidemic, causing severe pneumonia with a high infection rate globally. To better understand the pathogenesis caused by SARS-CoV-2, we developed a rhesus macaque model to mimic natural infection via the nasal route, resulting in the SARS-CoV-2 virus shedding in the nose and stool up to 27 days. Importantly, we observed the pathological progression of marked interstitial pneumonia in the infected animals on 5–7 dpi, with virus dissemination widely occurring in the lower respiratory tract and lymph nodes, and viral RNA was consistently detected from 5 to 21 dpi. During the infection period, the kinetics response of T cells was revealed to contribute to COVID-19 progression. Our findings implied that the antiviral response of T cells was suppressed after 3 days post infection, which might be related to increases in the Treg cell population in PBMCs. Moreover, two waves of the enhanced production of cytokines (TGF-α, IL-4, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL-10, IL-15, IL-1β), chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2, IL-8/CXCL8, and MIP-1β/CCL4) were detected in lung tissue. Our data collected from this model suggested that T cell response and cytokine/chemokine changes in lung should be considered as evaluation parameters for COVID-19 treatment and vaccine development, besides of observation of virus shedding and pathological analysis.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19: Viral Genomics, Epidemiology, Vaccines, and Therapeutic Interventions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Uddin ◽  
Farah Mustafa ◽  
Tahir A. Rizvi ◽  
Tom Loney ◽  
Hanan Al Suwaidi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Intervention Development ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Viral Genomics ◽  
Map Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic is due to infection caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 that impacts the lower respiratory tract. The spectrum of symptoms ranges from asymptomatic infections to mild respiratory symptoms to the lethal form of COVID-19 which is associated with severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and fatality. At present, the global case fatality rate of COVID-19 laboratory confirmed cases is ~4.7% ranging from ~0.3-0.4% in Chile and Israel to ~10.8% in Italy. To address this global crisis, up-to-date information on the viral genomics and transcriptomics is crucial for understanding the origins and global dispersal of the virus, providing insight into viral pathogenicity, transmission and epidemiology, and enabling strategies for therapeutic interventions, drug discovery and vaccine development. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 epidemiology, genomic etiology, findings from recent transcriptomic map analysis, viral-human protein interactions, molecular diagnostics, and the current status of vaccine and novel therapeutic intervention development. Moreover, we provide an extensive list of resources that will help the scientific community access numerous types of databases related to SARS-CoV-2 OMICs and approaches to therapeutics related to COVID-19 treatment.

scholarly journals Covid-19 Pandemic-Insights and Challenges

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 070-087
Author(s):  
Lakshmi S ◽  
Shehna S ◽  
Vimal S ◽  
Midhu GV ◽  
Shiny DV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Distress Syndrome ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Respiratory Illness ◽  
The Public ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
Genetic Makeup ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak affected a large number of deaths with millions of confirmed cases worldwide. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) is associated with respiratory illness that lead to severe pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). Although related to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Covid-19 shows some unique pathogenetic, epidemiological and clinical features. On the basis of the phylogenetic relationship as well as genomic structures, the Covid-19 belongs to genera Betacoronavirus. Human Betacoronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV) have shared similarities, yet differences also in their genomic and phenotypic level that influence the pathogenesis. To gain knowledge regarding the pathophysiology and virulence of the Covid-19 virus, it is absolutely necessary to understand its genetic makeup, transmission, virulence factors, risk factors, diagnosis, clinical presentations, outcome predictions, management of risk factors and ways to control the disease thus providing an insight to the current or future treatment and management protocols. To provide a review of the differences in pathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical features of Covid-19, its transmission and replication dynamics, genome organization, current clinical trials and vaccine development strategies, Immunoinformatics, diagnostics and ways to control the pandemic, inorder to raise an increasing awareness, both to the public and for scientific perspectives.

Immunogold labeling of Pneumocystis carinii for Electron microscopy

1991 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 270-271
Author(s):  
Michael P. Goheen ◽  
Marilyn S. Bartlett ◽  
James W. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Pneumocystis Carinii ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Culture Fluid ◽  
Immunogold Labeling ◽  
Antigenic Sites ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Response To Chemotherapy ◽  
Acquired Immunodeficiency ◽  
Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Studies of the biology of Pneumocystis carinii (PC) are of increasing importance because this extracellular pathogen is a frequent source of severe pneumonia in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and is a leading cause of mortality in these patients. Immunoelectron microscopic localization of antigenic sites on the surface of PC would improve the understanding of these sites and their role in pathenogenisis of the disease and response to chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to develop a methodology for visualizing immunoreactive sites on PC with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using immunogold labeled probes.Trophozoites of PC were added to spinner flask cultures and allowed to grow for 7 days, then aliquots of tissue culture fluid were centrifuged at 12,000 RPM for 30 sec. Pellets of organisims were fixed in either 1% glutaraldehyde, 0.1% glutaraldehyde-4% paraformaldehyde, or 4% paraformaldehyde for 4h. All fixatives were buffered with 0.1M Na cacodylate and the pH adjusted to 7.1. After fixation the pellets were rinsed in 0.1M Na cacodylate (3X), dehydrated with ethanol, and immersed in a 1:1 mixture of 95% ethanol and LR White resin.

Multimode light microscopy and fluorescence-based reagents as tools for the study of chemical and molecular dynamics of living cells and tissues

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 418-419
Author(s):  
D. L. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Living Cells ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Macromolecular Assemblies ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
Full Knowledge ◽  
Structural Methods

Cells function through the complex temporal and spatial interplay of ions, metabolites, macromolecules and macromolecular assemblies. Biochemical approaches allow the investigator to define the components and the solution chemical reactions that might be involved in cellular functions. Static structural methods can yield information concerning the 2- and 3-D organization of known and unknown cellular constituents. Genetic and molecular techniques are powerful approaches that can alter specific functions through the manipulation of gene products and thus identify necessary components and sequences of molecular events. However, full knowledge of the mechanism of particular cell functions will require direct measurement of the interplay of cellular constituents. Therefore, there has been a need to develop methods that can yield chemical and molecular information in time and space in living cells, while allowing the integration of information from biochemical, molecular and genetic approaches at the cellular level.

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