Waning of SARS-CoV-2 booster viral-load reduction effectiveness

The BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to reduce viral load of breakthrough infections (BTIs), an important factor affecting infectiousness. This viral-load protective effect has been waning with time post the second vaccine and later restored with a booster shot. It is currently unclear though for how long this regained effectiveness lasts. Analyzing Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR tests of over 22,000 infections during a Delta-variant-dominant period in Israel, we found that this viral-load reduction effectiveness significantly declines within months post the booster dose. Adjusting for age, sex and calendric date, Ct values of RdRp gene initially increased by 2.7 [CI: 2.3-3.0] relative to unvaccinated in the first month post the booster dose, yet then decayed to a difference of 1.3 [CI: 0.7-1.9] in the second month and became small and insignificant in the third to fourth months. The rate and magnitude of this post-booster decline in viral-load reduction effectiveness mirror those observed post the second vaccine. These results suggest rapid waning of the booster's effectiveness in reducing infectiousness, possibly affecting community-level spread of the virus.

Variant Prediction by Analyzing RdRp/S Gene Double or Low Amplification Pattern in Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay

The spread of delta variants (B.1.671.2) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a severe global threat. Multiplex real-time PCR is a common method for confirming SARS-CoV-2 infection, however, additional tests, such as whole genomic sequencing, are required to reveal the presence or type of viral mutation. Moreover, applying whole genomic sequencing to all SARS-CoV-2 positive samples is challenging due to time and cost constraints. Here, we report that the double or low amplification curve observed during RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene/S gene amplification in the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay is related to delta/alpha variants. We analyzed the RdRp/S gene amplification curve using 94 samples confirmed as SARS-CoV-2 infection by the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay from January to August, 2021. These positive samples identified variant types using the Novaplex SARS-CoV-2 Variants I and IV Assays. Overall, 17 samples showing a double curve and 11 samples showing a low amplification pattern were associated with alpha-/delta-type strains with variants in the P681 region. The double or low curve shown in the RdRp gene amplification curve had 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for diagnosing delta/alpha variants. During the SARS-CoV-2 virus diagnostic RT-PCR test using the Allplex SARS-CoV-2 Assay, we could consider the presence of delta/alpha variants in the samples with double or low amplification curve of the RdRp/S gene channel. This PCR amplification curve abnormality enables rapid and cost-effective variant type prediction during SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing in clinical laboratories.

CORRELATION OF PROGNOSIS OF COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS BETWEEN REAL TIME RT-PCR AND CT-VALUES OF E. GENE, N.GENE, RDRP GENE

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 – Corona virus disease-19 – A respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), colloquially referred to as coronavirus. Real-time PCR is conducted to quantify the absolute amount of target sequence or to compare relative amount of a target sequence among samples. This technique monitors amplication of the target in real time via a target specic uorescent signal emitted during amplication. During most real times PCR, a considerable amount of background uorescence occurs. Inspite of this fact PCR uorescent dyes and probes should be sequence specic. This CT value or cycle threshold value in a real time RT- PCR is dened as the number of cycles required for the uorescent signal to cross the threshold i.e., exceeds background level). This is inversely proportional to the amount of target nuclei in the sample. i.e., lower the CTlevel the greater the amount of target nuclei in the sample. AIM: To explore the association of the mutation pattern of covid-19 genetic variation with the severity and fatality of patients with covid-19 viral illness. Factors considered are Age, Sex, and Duration of hospital stay and outcome of patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a comparative, correlation, retrospective, lab values based study. All covid+ve patients tested at Peerless hospital, Kolkata by RT-PCR on admission. It is imperative to choose reference genes whose expression levels are not expected to change during our experiment. Common housekeeping genes include actin, alpha-tubuliun, gapdh and ubiquitin. it is wise to use at least two reference gene for one study may not be suitable for another. Total 370 participants were present in this study. RESULT: In our study, 114(30.8%) COVID positive patients were in E GENE GR 11-20, 147(39.7%) COVID positive patients were in E GENE GR 21-30 and 109(29.5%) COVID positive patients were in E GENE GR 31-40. 163(44.1%) COVID positive patients were in N GENE GR 11-20, 132(35.7%) COVID positive patients were in N GENE GR 21-30 and 75(20.3%) COVID positive patients were in N GENE GR 31-40. 228(61.6%) COVID positive patients were in RdRp GENE GR 11-20, 112(30.3%) COVID positive patients were in RdRp GENE GR 21-30 and 30(8.1%) COVID positive patients were in RdRp GENE GR 31-40. We found that, 30(8.1%) COVID positive patients died and 340 (91.9%) patients have survived. CONCLUSION: The patients who died had signicantly lower RT-PCR CT-values OF E. GENE, N.GENE, RdRp GENE than patients who survived. We concluded that the time of onset of symptoms were earlier for patients with lower CTvalue, than the other group who survived. So we concluded after correlating CT-values of real time RT-PCR and E. GENE, N.GENE, RdRp GENE, that the patients with lower CTvalues had more severity and had poor prognosis than the other group with higher RT-PCR CT-values of E.GENE, N, GENE, RdRp GENE

Impact of COVID-19 pre-test probability on positive predictive value of high cycle threshold SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription PCR test results

Objectives Performance characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection assays are understudied within contexts of low pre-test probability, including screening asymptomatic persons without epidemiological links to confirmed cases, or asymptomatic surveillance testing. SARS-CoV-2 detection without symptoms may represent presymptomatic or asymptomatic infection, resolved infection with persistent RNA shedding, or a false positive test. This study assessed positive predictive value of SARS-CoV-2 real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays by retesting positive specimens from five pre-test probability groups ranging from high to low with an alternate assay. Methods A total of 122 rRT-PCR positive specimens collected from unique patients between March and July 2020 were retested using a laboratory-developed nested RT-PCR assay targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene followed by Sanger sequencing. Results Significantly fewer (15.6%) positive results in the lowest pre-test probability group (facilities with institution-wide screening having ≤ 3 positive asymptomatic cases) were reproduced with the nested RdRp gene RT-PCR assay than in each of the four groups with higher pre-test probability (individual group range 50·0% to 85·0%). Conclusions Large-scale SARS-CoV-2 screening testing initiatives among low pre-test probability populations should be evaluated thoroughly prior to implementation given the risk of false positives and consequent potential for harm at the individual and population level.

Astrovirus in Reunion Free-Tailed Bat (Mormopterus francoismoutoui)

Astroviruses (AstVs) are RNA viruses infecting a large diversity of avian and mammalian species, including bats, livestock, and humans. We investigated AstV infection in a free-tailed bat species, Mormopterus francoismoutoui, endemic to Reunion Island. A total of 380 guano samples were collected in a maternity colony during 38 different sampling sessions, from 21 June 2016 to 4 September 2018. Each sample was tested for the presence of the AstV RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase (RdRp) gene using a pan-AstV semi-nested polymerase chain reaction assay. In total, 27 guano samples (7.1%) tested positive, with high genetic diversity of the partial RdRp gene sequences among positive samples. Phylogenetic analysis further revealed that the detected viruses were genetically related to AstVs reported in rats, reptiles, dogs, and pigs, but did not cluster with AstVs commonly found in bats. Although more investigations need to be conducted to assess the prevalence of infected bats in the studied population, our findings show that Reunion free-tailed bats are exposed to AstVs, and suggest that cross-species transmission may occur with other hosts sharing the same habitat.

First Report of Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus infecting Cucumber Plants in Spain

During the winter 2018, symptoms of leaf chlorotic spots (Figure 1) followed by symptoms of leaf interveinal chlorosis (Figure 2) and severe chlorosis in basal leaves were observed in cucumber cv Laredo (Cucumis sativus) plants in three separated greenhouses, sited in distinct locations in southern Spain. In all cases, Bemisia tabaci populations were observed on infected plants. The symptomology observed was similar to that caused by whitefly transmitted Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV, genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae), which is usually found infecting cucumber plants in this geographical area (1). Samples from four different cucumber plants of distinct greenhouses were collected and tested for the presence of CYSDV. Total RNA was extracted from the samples using the NucleoSpin RNA Plant kit (Macherey-Nagel, Germany). Molecular detection of CYSDV was performed using the multiplex and degenerate primer RT-PCR method (2), specific to the region of the highly conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene of criniviruses, which also detects other criniviruses such as Lettuce infectious yellows virus (LIYV) and Beet pseudo-yellows virus (BPYV). Results indicated that the viral species CYSDV, LIYV and BPYV were not detected in the four cucurbit plant samples. In 2004, an emergent crinivirus (Cucurbit chlorotic yellows virus, CCYV), inducing symptoms similar to those caused by CYSDV, was described infecting cucurbits in Japan (3). Recently, CCYV was detected in 2011 in Greece (4) and in 2014 in Egypt (5) and Saudi Arabia (6). Therefore, the four RNA samples were tested for the presence of the CCYV by a RT-PCR method previously described (7). Specific primers were designed to amplify 336 nt of the capsid protein (CP) gene and 680 nt of the RdRp gene, located on CCYV genomic RNA 1 and RNA 2, respectively. In all cases, clear cDNA bands of both expected sizes were detected for each cucumber sample that were then purified and sequenced via Sanger technology. BLAST analysis of those sequences showed 99% identity with the nucleotide sequence of the CP and RpRd genes from the CCYV isolates from Greece (LT992911, LT992910), China (KY400633.1, KX118632) and Taiwan (JF502222). To our knowledge, this is the first report of CCYV infecting cucurbits in Spain. Probably CCYV has been spread throughout the Mediterranean basin, remaining undetected due to the yellowing symptom similarities between CYSDV and CCYV. Detection of the emergent virus CCYV in Spain represents a new threat for the horticultural area of southern Europe.