scholarly journals Significantly Low Levels of IgG Antibodies Against Oncogenic Merkel Cell Polyomavirus in Sera From Females Affected by Spontaneous Abortion

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Mazziotta ◽  
Giulia Pellielo ◽  
Mauro Tognon ◽  
Fernanda Martini ◽  
John Charles Rotondo

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is a small DNA tumor virus ubiquitous in humans. MCPyV establishes a clinically asymptomatic lifelong infection in healthy immunocompetent individuals. Viral infections are considered to be risk factors for spontaneous abortion (SA), which is the most common adverse complication of pregnancy. The role of MCPyV in SA remains undetermined. Herein, the impact of MCPyV infection in females affected by SA was investigated. Specifically, an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method with two linear synthetic peptides/mimotopes mimicking MCPyV antigens was used to investigate immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against MCPyV in sera from 94 females affected by SA [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age 35 ± (6) years] and from 96 healthy females undergoing voluntary pregnancy interruption [VI, mean (±SD) age 32 ± (7) years]. MCPyV seroprevalence and serological profiles were analyzed. The overall prevalence of serum IgG antibodies against MCPyV was 35.1% (33/94) and 37.5% (36/96) in SA and VI females, respectively (p > 0.05). Notably, serological profile analyses indicated lower optical densities (ODs) in females with SA compared to those undergoing VI (p < 0.05), thus indicating a reduced IgG antibody response in SA females. Circulating IgGs were identified in sera from SA and VI females. Our immunological findings indicate that a relatively reduced fraction of pregnant females carry serum anti-MCPyV IgG antibodies, while SA females presented a more pronounced decrease in IgG antibody response to MCPyV. Although yet to be determined, this immunological decrease might prompt an increase in MCPyV multiplication events in females experiencing abortive events. The role of MCPyV in SA, if present, remains to be determined.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Alibolandi ◽  
Amirreza Ostadian ◽  
Saeed Sayyah ◽  
Hamed Haddad Kashani ◽  
Hassan Ehteram ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to determine the levels of IgM and IgG antibody response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with different disease severity.Methods: IgM and IgG antibody levels were evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 100 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this study and viral RNA was detected by using Real-time PCR technique. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed after hospital admission for COVID-19 and two months post-admission. Results: The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody IgG was significantly higher in the severe patients than those in moderate and mild groups, 2 months after admission. Also, level of IgG was positively associated with increased WBC, NUT and LYM counts in sever than mild or moderate groups after admission to hospital.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that patients with severe illness might experience longer virus exposure times and have a stronger antibody response against viral infection. Thus, they have longer time immunity compared with other groups.


Author(s):  
Andrea Tagliapietra ◽  
John Rotondo ◽  
Ilaria Bononi ◽  
Elisa Mazzoni ◽  
Federica Magagnoli ◽  
...  

Background. The role of viruses in spontaneous abortion (SA) in not completely known. Methods. Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and Human papillomavirus (HPV), two small DNA tumor viruses, were investigated in SA. MCPyV/HPV DNAs were investigated by PCR and droplet-digital/quantitative PCRs (ddPCR/qPCR) in chorionic villi and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from SA females (n=100), the cases, and voluntary interruption (VI, n=100) of pregnancy females, the controls. Results. MCPyV DNAs were detected in 4% and 5% of SA and VI chorionic villi, respectively, with a mean DNA load of 1.99 copy/104 cells in SA and 3.02 copy/10,000 cells in VI (p>0.05). HPV DNAs were detected in 2% of VI chorionic villi, with a mean DNA load of 7.12 copy/cell. Two cases in the VI samples were HPV-45 positive. In PBMCs, MCPyV DNA was detected in 9% and 14% of SA and VI samples, with a mean viral DNA load of 2.09 and 4.70 copy/10,000 cells in SA and VI samples, respectively (p>0.05). None of PBMCs samples tested HPV-positive. Conclusions. MCPyV and HPV DNAs were quantified, for the first time, by ddPCR/qPCR in SA and VI chorionic villi and PBMCs. Data of the present study may help to better understand the role of MCPyV/HPV in SA.


Author(s):  
EP Sizova ◽  
MA Patyashina ◽  
LV Stavropolskaya ◽  
GG Badamshina ◽  
LM Fatkhutdinova

Introduction: Today, the novel coronavirus disease (hereinafter referred to as COVID-19) is spreading very quickly, and the healthcare workers exposed to COVID-19 patients represent the most vulnerable occupational cohort at risk of this contagious disease. Issues of immunological protection and health monitoring in medical personnel are of special interest and importance during the pandemic. The objective of our study was to assess humoral immunity in healthcare professionals by the presence of class G (IgG) antibodies to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: We selected 345 healthcare workers of different specialties who might have been exposed to COVID-19 patients in hospitals and 72 age- and sex-matched controls (engineers, IT-personnel, and accountants) working elsewhere. Blood immunoglobulins G to the nucleocapsid protein of SARS-CoV-2 were tested by enzyme immunoassay using the commercial test kit produced by the Scientific Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, Obolensk, Russian Federation. The presence of IgG antibodies was established by the SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response index (index of positivity) calculated as the ratio of the optical density of the sample to the cut-off level of the assay. Results: The average IgG antibody response index value was significantly higher in the healthcare workers compared to the controls (p < 0.05). IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were more prevalent in nurses than in physicians (42.2 ± 3.6 % vs 31.0 ± 3.7 %, p < 0.05) and controls (42.2 ± 3.6 % vs 27.8 ± 5.3 %, p < 0.05) and their index values were higher than in the comparison group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of diagnostically important SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody response and higher index values in nurses possibly related to prolonged contacts with COVID-19 patients. IgG antibodies found in 37.1 ± 2.6 % of the healthcare workers may be a consequence of both symptomatic and asymptomatic diseases and requires further study. According to the generally accepted opinion about the mechanisms of immune response to viral infections, we could assume the presence of protective immunity against COVID-19, but this issue requires further investigation. In the current epidemic situation, however, detection of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 can be used for implementation of preventive strategies among healthcare workers.


2006 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. E. Hoelzle ◽  
K. Hoelzle ◽  
M. Ritzmann ◽  
K. Heinritzi ◽  
M. M. Wittenbrink

ABSTRACT Today, serodiagnostic tests for Mycoplasma suis infections in pigs have low accuracies. The development of novel serodiagnostic strategies requires a detailed analysis of the humoral immune response elicited by M. suis and, in particular, the identification of antigenic proteins of the agent. For this study, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot analyses were performed using pre- and sequential postinoculation sera from M. suis-infected and mock-infected control pigs. M. suis purified from porcine blood served as the antigen. Eight M. suis-specific antigens (p33, p40, p45, p57, p61, p70, p73, and p83) were identified as targets of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response during experimental infection, with p40, p45, and p70 being the preferentially recognized M. suis antigens. Besides the M. suis-specific antigens, porcine immunoglobulins were identified in blood-derived M. suis preparations. By immunoglobulin depletion, the specificity of the M. suis antigen for use in indirect ELISA was significantly improved. M. suis-specific Western blot and ELISA reactions were observed in all infected pigs by 14 days postinfection at the latest and until week 14, the end of the experiments. During acute clinical attacks of eperythrozoonosis, a derailment of the antibody response, determined by decreases in both the M. suis net ELISA values and the numbers of M. suis-specific immunoblot bands, was accompanied by peaking levels of autoreactive IgG antibodies. In conclusion, the M. suis-specific antigens found to stimulate specific IgG antibodies are potentially useful for the development of novel serodiagnostic tests.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahra Alibolandi ◽  
Amirreza Ostadian ◽  
Saeed Sayyah ◽  
Hamed Haddad Kashani ◽  
Hassan Ehteram ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to determine the levels of IgM and IgG antibody response to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with different disease severity.Methods: IgM and IgG antibody levels were evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In total, 100 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled in this study and viral RNA was detected by using Real-time PCR technique. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed after hospital admission for COVID-19 and two months post-admission. Results: The level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody IgG was significantly higher in the severe patients than those in moderate and mild groups, 2 months after admission. Also, level of IgG was positively associated with increased WBC, NUT and LYM counts in sever than mild or moderate groups after admission to hospital.Conclusion: Our findings suggested that patients with severe illness might experience longer virus exposure times and have a stronger antibody response against viral infection. Thus, they have longer time immunity compared with other groups.


mSphere ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e00128-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danka Pavliakova ◽  
Peter C. Giardina ◽  
Soraya Moghazeh ◽  
Shite Sebastian ◽  
Maya Koster ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A Luminex-based direct immunoassay (dLIA) platform has been developed to replace the standardized pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay platform. The multiplex dLIA simultaneously measures the concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies specific for pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PnPS) serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F. The assay uses poly-l-lysine (PLL)-conjugated PnPS, chemically coupled to spectrally distinct Luminex microspheres. Assay validation experiments were performed using residual human serum samples obtained from 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPnC) clinical studies. Assay results are expressed as IgG antibody concentrations in micrograms per milliliter using the international reference serum, 007sp. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for all serotypes covered in the 13-plex dLIA fell within the range of 0.002 to 0.038 µg/ml serum IgG. The difference between the lower limit and upper limit of the assay range was >500-fold for all serotypes, and assay variability was <20% relative standard deviation (RSD) for all serotypes. IgG antibody measurements were shown to be serotype-specific (some cross-reactivity was observed only between the structurally related serotypes 6A and 6B as well as 19A and 19F), and no interference was observed between the serotypes when the assay was performed in the 13-plex format compared to the singleplex assays. The 13-plex dLIA platform developed by Pfizer Inc. generates up to 143 test results in a single 96-well plate and is a suitable replacement of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platform for evaluating vaccine clinical trials. IMPORTANCE The pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measures IgG antibodies in human serum, and it is an important assay that supports licensure of pneumococcal vaccines. The immune correlate of protection, 0.35 µg/ml of IgG antibodies, was determined by the ELISA method. Pfizer has developed a new Luminex-based assay platform to replace the ELISA. These papers describe the important work of (i) validating the Luminex-based assay and (ii) bridging the immune correlate of protection (0.35 µg/ml IgG) to equivalent values reported by the Luminex platform.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Pecora ◽  
Federica Persico ◽  
Alberto Argentiero ◽  
Cosimo Neglia ◽  
Susanna Esposito

Viral infections are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the importance of public health practices including handwashing and vaccinations in reducing their spread is well established. Furthermore, it is well known that proper nutrition can help support optimal immune function, reducing the impact of infections. Several vitamins and trace elements play an important role in supporting the cells of the immune system, thus increasing the resistance to infections. Other nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, help sustain optimal function of the immune system. The main aim of this manuscript is to discuss of the potential role of micronutrients supplementation in supporting immunity, particularly against respiratory virus infections. Literature analysis showed that in vitro and observational studies, and clinical trials, highlight the important role of vitamins A, C, and D, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc in modulating the immune response. Supplementation with vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids and zinc appears to be a safe and low-cost way to support optimal function of the immune system, with the potential to reduce the risk and consequences of infection, including viral respiratory infections. Supplementation should be in addition to a healthy diet and fall within recommended upper safety limits set by scientific expert bodies. Therefore, implementing an optimal nutrition, with micronutrients and omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, might be a cost-effective, underestimated strategy to help reduce the burden of infectious diseases worldwide, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2034
Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed Ratan ◽  
Fazla Rabbi Mashrur ◽  
Anisha Parsub Chhoan ◽  
Sadi Md. Shahriar ◽  
Mohammad Faisal Haidere ◽  
...  

Since the early 1990s, nanotechnology has led to new horizons in nanomedicine, which encompasses all spheres of science including chemistry, material science, biology, and biotechnology. Emerging viral infections are creating severe hazards to public health worldwide, recently, COVID-19 has caused mass human casualties with significant economic impacts. Interestingly, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited the potential to destroy viruses, bacteria, and fungi using various methods. However, developing safe and effective antiviral drugs is challenging, as viruses use host cells for replication. Designing drugs that do not harm host cells while targeting viruses is complicated. In recent years, the impact of AgNPs on viruses has been evaluated. Here, we discuss the potential role of silver nanoparticles as antiviral agents. In this review, we focus on the properties of AgNPs such as their characterization methods, antiviral activity, mechanisms, applications, and toxicity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Md Shariful Alam Jilani ◽  
Tang Thean Hock ◽  
Sraboni Mazumder ◽  
Fahmida Rahman ◽  
Md Mohiuddin ◽  
...  

Background and objectives: Several types of Burkholderia pseudomallei antigens have been used to determine the antibody response in acute and asymptomatic cases. In the present study, we have detected immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to recombinant truncated flagellin antigen (RTFA) of B. pseudomallei in the sera of acute melioidosis cases and healthy individuals from melioidosis endemic areas of Bangladesh by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In parallel, IgG antibody to sonicated whole cell antigen (SWCA) of B. pseudomallei was determined to compare with anti-RTFA antibody. Methodology: Serum samples from culture confirmed melioidosis cases and from healthy individuals aged 21 years and above residing in melioidosis endemic rural areas were included in the study. Serum IgG antibody to RTFA and SWCA of B. pseudomallei was determined by indirect ELISA. Results: Out of 8 culture confirmed acute melioidosis cases, 7 (87.5%) and 8 (100%) were positive for anti-B. pseudomallei IgG antibodies by RTFA and SWCA methods respectively. Among 361 healthy individuals, the rate of seropositivity by RTFA-ELISA was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA (16.1% versus 26.8%; p = 0.001). The mean optical density (OD) of RTFA-ELISA of positive cases was significantly less than that of SWCA-ELISA in both melioidosis and healthy individuals (0.79±0.11 versus 2.4±0.08, p = 0.0001; 0.67±0.01 versus 1.27±0.02, p = 0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of RTFA-ELISA were 88.9% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: Findings of the study suggest that multiple or combination of antigens should be used to study the seroprevalence of B. pseudomallei infection in a community. Also, prospective study is necessary to find out the duration of persistence of antibodies to different antigenic components of B. pseudomallei after exposure. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2020; 14(1): 47-52


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