Article
Virology
Smriti Krishna, Anup Jayaram, Ujwal Shetty, Prasad Varamballi, Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Anitha Jagadesh
Summary: Influenza viruses can mutate, leading to respiratory ailments. The H275Y mutation in the neuraminidase gene reduces the effectiveness of oseltamivir, a commonly used drug for treating Influenza A and B virus infection. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the H275Y mutation among hospitalized patients from 2014 to 2021. The results showed a low prevalence of oseltamivir resistance and raised concerns about the effectiveness of the recommended probes for detecting the mutation in recent years.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yulin Cong, Yixue Sun, Xiaoyu Deng, Haiying Yu, Xiaohuan Lian, Yanlong Cong
Summary: This study developed a SYBR Green-based real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) assay to differentiate between the four genetic lineages of H1N1 influenza viruses. The assay showed good specificity and sensitivity, allowing for recognition of infection and epidemic status of different H1N1 genetic lineages.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2022)
Article
Virology
Helen E. Everett, Pauline M. van Diemen, Mario Aramouni, Andrew Ramsay, Vivien J. Coward, Vincent Pavot, Laetitia Canini, Barbara Holzer, Sophie Morgan, Mark E. J. Woolhouse, Elma Tchilian, Sharon M. Brookes, Ian H. Brown, Bryan Charleston, Sarah Gilbert
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of different vaccines in reducing nasal shedding in pigs following pH1N1 virus challenge and their transmission to naive, directly in-contact pigs. Vaccines containing homologous HA significantly reduced virus shedding, yet transmission still occurred to susceptible cohoused recipients. The findings are crucial for informing disease surveillance and control strategies and determining necessary vaccine coverage for disease moderation or herd protection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Wanying Sun, Samuel S. M. Cheng, Kristy N. T. Lam, Tsz C. Kwan, Ricky W. K. Wong, Leo H. K. Lau, Gigi Y. Z. Liu, Leo L. H. Luk, John K. C. Li, Haogao Gu, Malik Peiris, Leo L. M. Poon
Summary: A study revealed the presence of a Eurasian avian-like H1N1 swine influenza virus with genes derived from the H9N2 subtype, indicating the reassortment between H9N2 viruses and swine influenza viruses in pigs in China.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Lauro Velazquez-Salinas, Elizabeth Ramirez-Medina, Ayushi Rai, Sarah Pruitt, Elizabeth A. Vuono, Nallely Espinoza, Douglas P. Gladue, Manuel V. Borca
Summary: The development of three independent real-time PCR assays for detecting genes of African swine fever virus vaccine candidates has potential to support vaccination campaigns.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dennis Maletich Junqueira, Caroline Tochetto, Tavis K. Anderson, Danielle Gava, Vanessa Haach, Mauricio E. Cantao, Amy L. Vincent Baker, Rejane Schaefer
Summary: This study analyzed a large number of H1N1pdm09 gene sequences from humans and swine globally between 2009 and 2022, and found that there was rapid transmission of the virus from humans to swine in Brazil during 2009-2011, but most of the infections in swine were self-limited with limited onward transmission. After 2012, there was a reduction in human-to-swine H1N1pdm09 transmissions in Brazil. The study highlights the dynamic interplay between human-to-swine transmission, antigenic drift, and the establishment of swine-to-swine transmission in shaping the evolution and persistence of H1N1pdm09 in swine populations.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Alvaro Lopez-Valinas, Marta Sistere-Oro, Sergi Lopez-Serrano, Laura Baioni, Ayub Darji, Chiara Chiapponi, Joaquim Segales, Llilianne Ganges, Jose Nunez
Summary: The study analyzed the intra-host diversity of SIV in samples collected from vaccinated and unvaccinated animals challenged with H1N1 influenza A virus. It found that the most significant nonsynonymous substitutions occurred in the NS1 protein in samples from vaccinated animals, indicating continuous evolution of SIV despite vaccine application. New viral variants were also discovered in both vaccinated and unvaccinated pigs, with important substitutions in the HA, NA, and NP proteins, which might enhance viral fitness in natural conditions.
Article
Virology
Alvaro Lopez-Valinas, Laura Baioni, Lorena Cordoba, Ayub Darji, Chiara Chiapponi, Joaquim Segales, Llilianne Ganges, Jose Nunez
Summary: Swine influenza viruses (SIV) cause a highly contagious disease that can lead to economic losses in the pig industry. Vaccination is commonly used to control SIV, but the presence of pre-existing immunity may affect the virus's evolutionary dynamics. This study analyzed the genomic variations in vaccinated and nonvaccinated pigs after a natural infection to understand the adaptability of SIV.
Article
Virology
Jin-Hui Zhu, Gaurav Rawal, Ethan Aljets, Wannarat Yim-Im, Yong-Le Yang, Yao-Wei Huang, Karen Krueger, Phillip Gauger, Rodger Main, Jianqiang Zhang
Summary: A 5-plex real-time RT-PCR method was developed for simultaneous detection and differentiation of four swine enteric coronaviruses. The method had high specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability. SADS-CoV was not detected in the tested samples, but PEDV was frequently detected.
Article
Microbiology
Xue-Lian Luo, Xiu-Dan Zhang, Bei-Jie Li, Tian Qin, Zhi-Jie Cao, Qian-Jin Fan, Jing Yang, Dong Jin, Shan Lu, Ya-Yun Zheng, Xue-Fang Xu, Ji Pu, Jianguo Xu
Summary: Lassa virus is an important human pathogen causing hemorrhagic fever in West Africa, with an increasing risk of imported cases to other countries due to increased traveling. The high nucleotide diversity of the virus strains complicates the development of diagnostic assays. The GPC RT-PCR/2007 assay and the Mabsky kit showed good sensitivity and specificity for detecting most LASV strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Virology
Jaya Garg, Vikramjeet Singh, Pranshu Pandey, Ashish Verma, Manodeep Sen, Anupam Das, Jyotsna Agarwal
Summary: The study evaluated the use of pooled-sample testing strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing that this approach can save substantial resources and time, reducing the number of tests needed by 76% to 93% in low to moderate prevalence settings with group sizes of 5-10 in a population.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Valentina Panzarin, Sabrina Marciano, Andrea Fortin, Irene Brian, Valeria D'Amico, Federica Gobbo, Francesco Bonfante, Elisa Palumbo, Yoshihiro Sakoda, Kien Trung Le, Duc-Huy Chu, Ismaila Shittu, Clement Meseko, Abdoul Malick Haido, Theophilus Odoom, Mame Nahe Diouf, Fidelia Djegui, Mieke Steensels, Calogero Terregino, Isabella Monne
Summary: Avian influenza viruses of the H9 subtype cause significant losses to poultry production and pose a risk to human health. Reliable and updated diagnostic tools are crucial for the prompt identification of this subtype. A new real-time RT-PCR method has shown improved sensitivity and inclusivity compared to existing methods, making it a potential tool for sensitive detection of H9 viruses in different settings and geographic areas.
Article
Virology
Peter W. Cook, Thomas Stark, Joyce Jones, Rebecca Kondor, Natosha Zanders, Jeffrey Benfer, Samantha Scott, Yunho Jang, Alicia Janas-Martindale, Stephen Lindstrom, Lenee Blanton, John Schiltz, Rachel Tell, Richard Griesser, Peter Shult, Erik Reisdorf, Tonya Danz, Alicia Fry, John Barnes, Amy Vincent, David E. Wentworth, C. Todd Davis
Summary: The study discusses the transmission of seasonal influenza viruses between humans and pigs, leading to sustained circulation of human-like viruses in the U.S. swine population. Two cases of human infections with A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses originating from swine hosts are identified and classified as swine-origin variant influenza viruses. The study underscores the importance of developing techniques for distinguishing human-origin and swine-origin viruses for continued surveillance of influenza viruses.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Georgi Tomov, Nikola Stamenov, Deyan Neychev, Kiril Atliev
Summary: This study aimed to examine the possible association between tongue piercing and Candida spp. infection in healthy individuals. The results suggest that the main risk factors for tongue colonization with Candida spp. are gender, smoking, and improper hygiene, while tongue piercing is not a risk factor for colonization of Candida spp.
Article
Respiratory System
Yangqing Zhan, Xiaojuan Chen, Weijie Guan, Wenda Guan, Chunguang Yang, Sihua Pan, Sook-San Wong, Rongchang Chen, Feng Ye
Summary: This study investigated the clinical impacts of a nosocomial outbreak of A(H1N1)pdm09 in a hospital between January 21 and February 17, 2016. The outbreak was limited to eight patients in one ward after the implementation of an infection control measure bundle, with all patients recovering after treatment. Infected patients experienced a delay in discharge and excess costs, but there were no deaths reported.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nicola Decaro, Andrea Grassi, Eleonora Lorusso, Edward Patterson, Alessio Lorusso, Costantina Desario, Enyia R. Anderson, Violetta Vasinioti, Christida E. Wastika, Grant L. Hughes, Fabrizia Valleriani, Barbara Colitti, Dominga Ricci, Domenico Buonavoglia, Sergio Rosati, Nicola Cavaliere, Saverio Paltrinieri, Stefania Lauzi, Gabriella Elia, Canio Buonavoglia
Summary: Pets' SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies can persist for up to 10 months, similar to observations in human COVID-19 patients.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura Amato, Luca Candeloro, Arturo Di Girolamo, Lara Savini, Ilaria Puglia, Maurilia Marcacci, Marialuigia Caporale, Iolanda Mangone, Cesare Camm, Annamaria Conte, Giuseppe Torzi, Adamo Mancinelli, Francesca Di Giallonardo, Alessio Lorusso, Giacomo Migliorati, Thomas Schael, Nicola Alterio, Paolo Calistri
Summary: From 24 December 2020 to 8 February 2021, 163 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant of concern were identified in Chieti province, Abruzzo region, Italy. Epidemiological data revealed 14 clusters of infections, with the majority connected to the town of Guardiagrele. Genomic analysis showed a distinct clade formed by sequences from Guardiagrele, suggesting limited viral introductions in early December 2020. The transmission of the Alpha variant primarily occurred within family and friend networks in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Ilaria Pascucci, Marta Paniccia, Monica Giammarioli, Massimo Biagetti, Anna Duranti, Pamela Campomori, Valerio Smilari, Massimo Ancora, Silvia Scialabba, Barbara Secondini, Cesare Camma, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: This report describes a case of a paucisymptomatic dog in Italy infected with SARS-CoV-2 from a household with three confirmed human cases of COVID-19. The dog exhibited high viral RNA levels in nasal and oropharyngeal swabs, with SARS-CoV-2 RNA lasting for at least a week in the nasal swab. Sequencing revealed that the strain belonged to the AY.23 lineage, a sub-lineage of the Delta variant of concern. The findings strongly suggest a human origin for the dog infection, emphasizing the importance of a One Health approach for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and control.
Article
Parasitology
Umberto Molini, Valentina Curini, Eugene Jacobs, Eesie Tongo, Shadia Berjaoui, Maria Yvonne Hemberger, Ilaria Puglia, Mark Jago, Siegfried Khaiseb, Giovanni Cattoli, William G. Dundon, Alessio Lorusso, Francesca Di Giallonardo
Summary: This study investigated the presence of IDV in domestic ruminants and wild animals in Namibia, confirming the existence of the virus in Africa. Genetic characterization revealed the phylogenetic relationship of the African virus variants and the potential for gene reassortment.
Article
Microbiology
Lucija Jurisic, Daniela Malatesta, Guendalina Zaccaria, Giovanni Di Teodoro, Barbara Bonfini, Fabrizia Valleriani, Liana Teodori, Francesco Bencivenga, Alessandra Leone, Paola Ripa, Vincenzo 'Innocenzo, Emanuela Rossi, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV), two related flaviviruses, can cause severe neurological disease in animals and humans. The immune response and immunopathogenesis of these viruses are poorly understood. In this study, mice primed with low doses of USUV showed protection against lethal challenges of WNV, even without detectable neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, mice immunized with a chimeric virus containing USUV's E protein were also protected against WNV. These findings contribute to understanding the interaction dynamics during sequential infections of these flaviviruses.
VETERINARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Massimo Spedicato, Giovanni Di Teodoro, Liana Teodori, Mariangela Iorio, Alessandra Leone, Barbara Bonfini, Lilia Testa, Maura Pisciella, Claudia Casaccia, Ottavio Portanti, Emanuela Rossi, Tiziana Di Febo, Nicola Ferri, Giovanni Savini, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a viral disease that affects wild and domestic ruminants, primarily sheep. A study found that BTV-X induced a long-lasting viremia in goats only when administered intravenously, without causing obvious symptoms or a neutralizing immune response. Sheep were shown to be less susceptible to the infection. These findings suggest that goats may serve as reservoirs for BTV-X in the field.
Article
Virology
Soufien Sghaier, Corinne Sailleau, Maurilia Marcacci, Sarah Thabet, Valentina Curini, Thameur Ben Hassine, Liana Teodori, Ottavio Portanti, Salah Hammami, Lucija Jurisic, Massimo Spedicato, Lydie Postic, Ines Gazani, Raja Ben Osman, Stephan Zientara, Emmanuel Breard, Paolo Calistri, Jurgen A. Richt, Edward C. Holmes, Giovanni Savini, Francesca Di Giallonardo, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: Epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) is a viral disease transmitted by Culicoides and affects domestic and wild ruminants, particularly white-tailed deer and cattle. Recent outbreaks of EHDV-8 have been reported in cattle farms in central/western Tunisia, spreading rapidly throughout the country with more than 200 confirmed cases. This study emphasizes the need for vaccines targeting various serotypes of EHDV.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sondes Haddad-Boubaker, Marwa Arbi, Oussema Souiai, Anissa Chouikha, Wasfi Fares, Kate Edington, Sam Sims, Cesare Camma, Alessio Lorusso, Moussa Moise Diagne, Amadou Diallo, Ilhem Boutiba Ben Boubaker, Sana Ferjani, Maha Mastouri, Salma Mhalla, Hela Karray, Saba Gargouri, Olfa Bahri, Abdelhalim Trabelsi, Ouafa Kallala, Naila Hannachi, Yassine Chaabouni, Hanen Smaoui, Khaoula Meftah, Sophia Besbes Bouhalila, Soumaya Foughali, Mariem Zribi, Asma Lamari, Henda Touzi, Mouna Safer, Nissaf Ben Alaya, Alia Ben Kahla, Mariem Gdoura, Henda Triki
Summary: This study investigated the genetic diversity and spatio-temporal dynamics of the Delta variant in Tunisia. The predominant variant was AY.122, which showed specific mutations compared to the Wuhan reference genome. The study also identified the transmission centers and dispersion of the AY.122 sub-lineage. These findings are important for understanding the future waves and variants of COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Paolo Calistri, Harsharn Gill, Alessio Lorusso
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lourens de Villiers, Umberto Molini, Lauren M. Coetzee, Leandra Visser, Jani Spangenberg, Mari de Villiers, Shadia Berjaoui, Siegfried Khaiseb, Alessio Lorusso, Giovanni Franzo
Summary: In this study, CanineCV presence and genetic features were investigated in domestic dogs and wild jackals in Africa. The results showed a high prevalence of CanineCV in both populations, as well as evidence of strain exchange between them. However, due to limitations in the host populations, conclusions regarding host adaptation and clinical features could not be definitive. Further studies are needed to expand our knowledge of CanineCV in Namibia, other African regions, and associated host species in Africa.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ottavio Portanti, Sarah Thabet, Elena Abenza, Eugenia Ciarrocchi, Maura Pisciella, Roberta Irelli, Giovanni Savini, Salah Hammami, Simone Pulsoni, Claudia Casaccia, Lauren Coetzee, Maurilia Marcacci, Marco Di Domenico, Alessio Lorusso
Summary: Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a Culicoides-transmitted virus with multiple serotypes. A novel serotype 8 strain (EHDV-8) of Northern African origin has recently been discovered in cattle in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, causing concern in the European Union. Current molecular typing methods are unable to detect this novel EHDV-8 strain, so a new typing assay was developed and validated to detect and quantify the novel EHDV-8 RNA from field samples.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Haifa Khemiri, Mariem Gdoura, Samar Ben Halima, Henda Krichen, Cesare Camma, Alessio Lorusso, Massimo Ancora, Adriano Di Pasquale, Asma Cherni, Henda Touzi, Amel Sadraoui, Zina Meddeb, Nahed Hogga, Radhia Ammi, Henda Triki, Sondes Haddad-Boubaker
Summary: This study investigated the shedding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in nasopharyngeal and stool samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic children. The results showed that children can shed the virus for up to 21 days in nasopharyngeal samples and up to 14 days in fecal samples. Although viral RNA was detected in stool samples, the virus was not successfully isolated.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Valentina Curini, Massimo Ancora, Lucija Jurisic, Valeria Di Lollo, Barbara Secondini, Luana Fiorella Mincarelli, Marialuigia Caporale, Ilaria Puglia, Luigina Di Gialleonardo, Iolanda Mangone, Marco Di Domenico, Adriano Di Pasquale, Alessio Lorusso, Maurilia Marcacci, Cesare Camma
Summary: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of SARS-CoV-2 is essential for public health control strategies, allowing for tracking viral spread and monitoring the emergence of variants. The study found that Illumina COVIDSeq Test is the most cost-effective and time-efficient approach for producing consensus sequences.
Letter
Immunology
Alessio Lorusso, Stefano Cappai, Federica Loi, Luigia Pinna, Angelo Ruiu, Giantonella Puggioni, Annalisa Guercio, Giuseppa Purpari, Domenico Vicari, Soufien Sghaier, Stephan Zientara, Massimo Spedicato, Salah Hammami, Thameur Ben Hassine, Ottavio Portanti, Emmanuel Breard, Corinne Sailleu, Massimo Ancora, Daria Di Sabatino, Daniela Morelli, Paolo Calistri, Giovanni Savini
Summary: The detection of EHDV serotype 8, with an identical genome to strains found in Tunisia in 2021, was reported in cattle farms in Sar-dinia and Sicily in October-November 2022.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Georgia Diakoudi, Costantina Desario, Gianvito Lanave, Stefania Salucci, Linda A. Ndiana, Aya Attia Koraney Zarea, Ehab Ali Fouad, Alessio Lorusso, Flora Alfano, Alessandra Cavalli, Canio Buonavoglia, Vito Martella, Nicola Decaro
Summary: FPV variants were identified and characterized in dogs from Italy and Egypt using genomic sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Cost-effective sequencing strategies should be employed to monitor interspecies spread, evolution dynamics, and potential host jumping of FPV.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Atif Khurshid Wani, Chirag Chopra, Daljeet Singh Dhanjal, Nahid Akhtar, Himanshu Singh, Poorvi Bhau, Anjuvan Singh, Varun Sharma, Rafael Silvio Bonilha Pinheiro, Juliana Heloisa Pine Americo-Pinheiro, Reena Singh
Summary: Zoonotic viral infections pose significant threats to global public health. Understanding the origins and dynamics of these infections is crucial for prevention and management of future outbreaks. Metagenomics is a powerful tool for studying the diversity of viral populations and potential zoonotic events.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2024)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Michel V. F. Sucupira, Ana P. C. Argondizzo, Mariana Miguez, Anna E. de Araujo, Leila B. R. Silva, Marcelle B. Mello, Christiane F. S. Marques, Danielle Brito Cunha, Renata C. Bastos, Vanessa S. de Paula, Luciane A. Amado Leon
Summary: This study focuses on improving the purification, solubility, and protein expression levels of recombinant VP1-2A, a hepatitis A virus (HAV) structural protein with immunogenic activity. The results show that the modified approach successfully produces biologically active HAV VP1-2A, which can be used as a diagnostic tool for HAV infection.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2024)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Arun K. Dhar, Roberto Cruz-Flores, Hung N. Mai, Janet Warg
Summary: A sensitive and robust TaqMan PCR method for detecting IHHNV in three commercially important shrimp species was developed and compared with other published methods. Multiple primer/probe sets, including qIH-Fw/qIH-Rv and 3144F/3232R, are recommended for the detection of IHHNV. These findings are valuable for large-scale screening of shrimp using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2024)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kemal Mehinagic, Matthias Liniger, Maksym Samoilenko, Nick Soltermann, Markus Gerber, Nicolas Ruggli
Summary: A plasmid-based reporter assay has been developed for sensitive detection and titration of infectious African swine fever virus (ASFV). This novel method allows accurate measurement of ASFV titers and is applicable to ASFV of different genotypes, virulence, and sources.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2024)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jan Van Slambrouck, Charlotte Schoenaers, Lies Laenen, Xin Jin, Kurt Beuselinck, Ann Verdonck, Joost Wauters, Geert Molenberghs, Bart M. Vanaudenaerde, Robin Vos, Peter Mombaerts, Katrien Lagrou, Laurens J. Ceulemans
Summary: The ability to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen in BAL fluid samples using point-of-care tests (POCTs) can reduce the risk of developing severe COVID-19 after lung transplantation.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGICAL METHODS
(2024)