Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alyaa Elhazmi, Jaffar A. Al-Tawfiq, Hend Sallam, Awad Al-Omari, Saad Alhumaid, Ahmad Mady, Abbas Al Mutair
Summary: This study described the clinical characteristics and demographics of 8 patients coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, highlighting a higher proportion of males, an average age of approximately 44 years, and a majority of obese patients. The average length of hospital stay was 21.1 days, most patients received corticosteroid treatment, and the outcomes were generally positive with half of the patients being discharged and a minority dying.
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ambroise Mercier, Antoine Meheut, Enagnon Kazali Alidjinou, Mouna Lazrek, Karine Faure, Didier Hober, Ilka Engelmann
Summary: From 2014 to 2019, no cases of MERS-CoV infection were found among 98 patients returning from endemic areas. However, infections with other respiratory viruses, especially Enterovirus/Rhinoviruses and Influenzaviruses, were common.
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
In-Cheol Baek, Eun-Jeong Choi, Dong-Hwan Shin, Hyoung-Jae Kim, Haeyoun Choi, Hyoung-Shik Shin, Dong-Gyun Lim, Tai-Gyu Kim
Summary: The study found that HLA-DQB1*03:02 is significantly associated with moderate/mild cases of MERS-CoV, while other alleles showed no statistical significance. Future treatment strategies may benefit from targeting the HLA gene based on this research on MERS-CoV.
IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Satoko Sugimoto, Masatoshi Kakizaki, Miyuki Kawase, Kengo Kawachi, Makoto Ujike, Wataru Kamitani, Hiroshi Sentsui, Kazuya Shirato
Summary: Despite the presence of MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV), there have been no reported cases of human Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in Africa. Previous studies have shown that recombinant MERS-CoV carrying the S protein of an Ethiopian isolate replicated slower and was more easily neutralized relative to MERS-CoV carrying the S protein of a Middle Eastern isolate. This highlights the virological differences between MERS-CoVs in Africa and the Middle East, and emphasizes the need for careful genetic monitoring to detect the emergence of virulent strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Peninah M. Munyua, Isaac Ngere, Elizabeth Hunsperger, Adano Kochi, Patrick Amoth, Lydia Mwasi, Suxiang Tong, Athman Mwatondo, Natalie Thornburg, Marc-Alain Widdowson, M. Kariuki Njenga
Summary: Although the seroprevalence of Middle East respiratory coronavirus syndrome is high among camels in Africa, zoonotic transmission has not been detected in Kenya. A study following 262 camel handlers in Kenya from April 2018 to March 2020 found 3 asymptomatic handlers with PCR-confirmed Middle East respiratory coronavirus syndrome.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Javier Gutierrez-Alvarez, Jose M. Honrubia, Raul Fernandez-Delgado, Li Wang, Carlos Castano-Rodriguez, Sonia Zuniga, Isabel Sola, Luis Enjuanes
Summary: There is a potential vaccine candidate for MERS-CoV developed by generating mutants with partial deletions in the E protein, which has been shown to be attenuated and provide complete protection against virulent MERS-CoV. This approach highlights the importance of identifying and targeting virulence factors to design efficient vaccines.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Gutierrez-Alvarez, J. M. Honrubia, A. Sanz-Bravo, E. Gonzalez-Miranda, R. Fernandez-Delgado, M. T. Rejas, S. Zuniga, I Sola, L. Enjuanes
Summary: Deletion of the envelope (E) gene from the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) generates a replication-competent propagation-defective RNA replicon. Further combination with accessory open reading frames (ORFs) can enhance the attenuation of the replicon, resulting in highly safe and promising vaccine candidates.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yen-Hung Wu, I-Jeng Yeh, Nam Nhut Phan, Meng-Chi Yen, Jui-Hsiang Hung, Chung-Chieh Chiao, Chien-Fu Chen, Zhengda Sun, Hui-Ping Hsu, Chih-Yang Wang, Ming-Derg Lai
Summary: By integrating miRNA and mRNA expression profiles, we identified 251 upregulated genes and eight highly differentiated miRNAs in MERS-CoV-infected cells. We revealed immune, olfactory/sensory system-related, and signal-transduction networks associated with MERS-CoV infection. Using the Connectivity Map platform, potential compounds against MERS-CoV infection were suggested.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Jung-ah Choi, Jae-Ouk Kim
Summary: This paper reviews the structure and progress of vaccine candidates for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and emphasizes the need for a unified approach in assessing the immunogenicity of various candidate vaccine platforms.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Young Joo Han, Keum Hwa Lee, Sojung Yoon, Seoung Wan Nam, Seohyun Ryu, Dawon Seong, Jae Seok Kim, Jun Young Lee, Jae Won Yang, Jinhee Lee, Ai Koyanagi, Sung Hwi Hong, Elena Dragioti, Joaquim Radua, Lee Smith, Hans Oh, Ramy Abou Ghayda, Andreas Kronbichler, Maria Effenberger, Daniela Kresse, Sara Denicolo, Woosun Kang, Louis Jacob, Hanwul Shin, Jae Il Shin
Summary: This review conducted a systematic search to identify potential therapeutic agents for treating COVID-19 based on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on SARS, MERS, and COVID-19. Results showed that there is no consistent therapeutic agent for the three diseases, but remdesivir demonstrated a therapeutic effect for COVID-19 in two randomized controlled trials with the largest number of participants. Further research and randomized controlled trials are needed to establish effective treatment strategies for COVID-19.
Article
Immunology
Hatem A. Abuelizz, Maha M. AlRasheed, Ali Alhoshani, Tariq Alhawassi
Summary: The MERS-CoV was first isolated from a patient in Saudi Arabia. The study found high mutation frequency in the DPP4 gene region in the Saudi Genome database, especially SNPs related to MERS-CoV infection. These SNPs are significant for understanding the pathogenesis of the disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jing-Hui Tian, Nita Patel, Robert Haupt, Haixia Zhou, Stuart Weston, Holly Hammond, James Logue, Alyse D. Portnoff, James Norton, Mimi Guebre-Xabier, Bin Zhou, Kelsey Jacobson, Sonia Maciejewski, Rafia Khatoon, Malgorzata Wisniewska, Will Moffitt, Stefanie Kluepfel-Stahl, Betty Ekechukwu, James Papin, Sarathi Boddapati, C. Jason Wong, Pedro A. Piedra, Matthew B. Frieman, Michael J. Massare, Louis Fries, Karin Lovgren Bengtsson, Linda Stertman, Larry Ellingsworth, Gregory Glenn, Gale Smith
Summary: The study reports the development of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine candidate that contains full-length spike protein stabilized in its prefusion conformation, showing immunogenicity in mice and protection in baboons with Matrix-M adjuvanted vaccine, supporting ongoing phase 1/2 clinical evaluation of NVX-CoV2373 with Matrix-M (NCT04368988).
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Salmaan Sharif, Aamer Ikram, Adnan Khurshid, Muhammad Salman, Nayab Mehmood, Yasir Arshad, Jamal Ahmed, Rana Muhammad Safdar, Lubna Rehman, Ghulam Mujtaba, Jaffar Hussain, Johar Ali, Mehar Angez, Muhammad Masroor Alam, Ribqa Akthar, Muhammad Wasif Malik, Mirza Zeeshan Iqbal Baig, Muhammad Suleman Rana, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Qaisar Ali, Abdul Ahad, Nazish Badar, Massab Umair, Sana Tamim, Asiya Ashraf, Faheem Tahir, Nida Ali
Summary: The study found 27% of wastewater samples tested positive for SARs-CoV-2, indicating the potential for monitoring viral spread through wastewater surveillance. Additionally, the detection of virus sequence data in wastewater highlights the importance of surveillance for early warning signs.
Article
Virology
Francesca Curreli, Shahad Ahmed, Sofia M. B. Victor, Aleksandra Drelich, Siva S. Panda, Andrea Altieri, Alexander V. Kurkin, Chien-Te K. Tseng, Christopher D. Hillyer, Asim K. Debnath
Summary: This study reported the discovery of highly potent small molecules with low-nM potency against SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV, as well as their inhibitory activities on variants of concern. Surface plasmon resonance analysis confirmed the binding of a potent inhibitor to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimer. The in vivo pharmacokinetics study of the most active inhibitor NBCoV1 in rats showed promising results with good half-life and oral bioavailability.
Article
Virology
Isaac Ngere, Elizabeth A. Hunsperger, Suxiang Tong, Julius Oyugi, Walter Jaoko, Jennifer L. Harcourt, Natalie J. Thornburg, Harry Oyas, Mathew Muturi, Eric M. Osoro, John Gachohi, Cynthia Ombok, Jeanette Dawa, Ying Tao, Jing Zhang, Lydia Mwasi, Caroline Ochieng, Athman Mwatondo, Boku Bodha, Daniel Langat, Amy Herman-Roloff, M. Kariuki Njenga, Marc-Alain Widdowson, Peninah M. Munyua
Summary: The majority of camels in Kenya have antibodies against MERS-CoV, but human infection is rare in Africa. A study was conducted in Northern Kenya from 2018 to 2020, involving 243 camels and their handlers. Respiratory illnesses were observed in some camels, with the highest number recorded in 2019. The sequencing of the virus showed a unique Clade C2 variant, and there were cases of human infections linked to the camel outbreaks.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bruce R. Dalton, Sandra J. MacTavish, Lauren C. Bresee, Nipunie Rajapakse, Otto Vanderkooi, Joseph Vayalumkal, John Conly
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2015)
Editorial Material
Pediatrics
Nipunie Srimalie Rajapakse, Joseph Varkey Vayalumkal, Otto Gerben Vanderkooi, Leah Jeanne Ricketson, James Duncan Kellner
PAEDIATRICS & CHILD HEALTH
(2016)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nipunie Rajapakse, Joseph Vayalumkal, Debbie Lam-Li, Craig Pearce, Gwynne Rees, Linda Kamhuka, Gisele Peirano, Corrinne Pidhorney, Donna Ledgerwood, Nancy Alfieri, Karen Hope, Dan Gregson, Johann Pitout, Thomas Louie, John Conly
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2014)
Review
Pediatrics
Devika Dixit, Kasereka Masumbuko Claude, Lindsey Kjaldgaard, Michael T. Hawkes
Summary: The article discusses the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings of pediatric Ebola virus disease, as well as the unique challenges and psychosocial anthropological factors that need to be considered in pediatric care.
PAEDIATRICS AND INTERNATIONAL CHILD HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Christina G. Rivera, Alison M. Beieler, Lindsey M. Childs-Kean, Nicolas Cortes-Penfield, Ann-Marie Idusuyi, Sara C. Keller, Nipunie S. Rajapakse, Keenan L. Ryan, Leah H. Yoke, Monica Mahoney
Summary: As outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) becomes more common, it may be challenging to keep up with recent publications. A group of multidisciplinary OPAT clinicians reviewed and ranked all OPAT publications published in 2021. This article provides a high-level summary of the top 10 OPAT manuscripts voted in 2021.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Heidi M. O'Grady, Devika Dixit, Zoha Khawaja, Kate Snedeker, Jennifer Ellison, Joyce Erebor, Peter Jamieson, Amanda Weiss, Daniel Salcedo, Kimberley Roberts, Karen Wiens, Nicholas Etches, Jenine Leal, John M. Conly
Summary: Comprehensive symptoms and signs assessment, in combination with adequate follow-up, allows a more precise determination of COVID-19 symptoms.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jenine Leal, Brenlea Farkas, Liza Mastikhina, Jordyn Flanagan, Becky Skidmore, Charleen Salmon, Devika Dixit, Stephanie Smith, Stephen Tsekrekos, Bonita Lee, Joseph Vayalumkal, Jessica Dunn, Robyn Harrison, Melody Cordoviz, Roberta Dubois, Uma Chandran, Fiona Clement, Kathryn Bush, John Conly, Oscar Larios
Summary: This systematic review assessed the risk of viral respiratory infections to healthcare workers during aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs), finding limited evidence that respirators were more effective than medical/surgical masks in reducing the risk of transmission. Further research is needed to address the existing research gap in the epidemiology of VRIs among HCWs during AGMPs.
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND INFECTION CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Lindsey Kjaldgaard, Kasereka Masumbuko Claude, Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka, Richard Kitenge-Omasumbu, Devika Dixit, Francois Edidi-Atani, Meris Matondo Kuamfumu, Junior Bulabula-Penge, Fabrice Mambu-Mbika, Olivier Tshiani-Mbaya, Janet Diaz, Sabue Mulangu, Anais Legand, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni, Pierre Formenty, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke, Jean-Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Michael T. Hawkes
Summary: This retrospective study analyzed the cases of pediatric Ebola virus disease (EVD) patients and young adults in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2018 to 2020. The study found that pediatric patients had similar biochemical abnormalities to adult patients, but higher viral loads and longer duration of the disease. Risk factors for mortality in children included high viral load, abnormal liver function, elevated inflammatory markers, kidney injury, rhabdomyolysis, and acute kidney injury.
Review
Immunology
Lindsey M. Childs-Kean, Alison M. Beieler, Ann-Marie Coroniti, Nicolas Cortes-Penfield, Sara C. Keller, Monica Mahoney, Nipunie S. Rajapakse, Christina G. Rivera, Leah H. Yoke, Keenan L. Ryan
Summary: As the use of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) becomes more common in clinical settings, there has been an increase in related research. This article summarizes the top 10 OPAT articles of 2022, as chosen by 10 geographically and clinically diverse OPAT practitioners.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Nipunie S. Rajapakse, Kevin Ellsworth, Rachael M. Liesman, Mai Lan Ho, Nancy Henry, Elitza S. Theel, Adam Wallace, Ana Catarina Ishigami Alvino, Luisa Medeiros de Mello, Jucille Meneses
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2018)