Article
Microbiology
Shuting Zhang, Peijun Ma, Marek Orzechowski, Allison Lemmer, Kara Rzasa, Josephine Bagnall, Sulyman Barkho, Michael Chen, Lorri He, Raymond Neitupski, Victoria Tran, Ross Ackerman, Emily Gath, Austin Bond, Giana Frongillo, Thomas Cleland, Aaron Golas, Anthony Gaca, Michael Fitzgerald, Kathleen Kelly, Kelsey Hazegh, Larry Dumont, Corey Hoffman, Mary Homer, Peter Marks, Ann Woolley, Sharon Wong, James Gomez, Jonathan Livny, Deborah Hung
Summary: The ability to directly measure neutralizing antibodies on live SARS-CoV-2 virus in individuals can play an important role in understanding the efficacy of therapeutic interventions or vaccines. In contrast to functional neutralization assays, serological assays only quantify the presence of antibodies as a proxy of immune protection. The study developed a high-throughput, automated neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2 and measured the neutralizing activity of over 19,000 COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) samples collected across the United States between March and August of 2020.
Review
Immunology
Haya Altawalah
Summary: The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is the causative agent of COVID-19. The severity of the disease ranges from asymptomatic to critical, and it has been a global challenge since the first case in 2019, especially with the emergence of variants in 2021. Understanding immune response during COVID-19 and vaccination is crucial for managing the pandemic and optimizing vaccination strategies.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Peter Chen, Ajay Nirula, Barry Heller, Robert L. Gottlieb, Joseph Boscia, Jason Morris, Gregory Huhn, Jose Cardona, Bharat Mocherla, Valentina Stosor, Imad Shawa, Andrew C. Adams, Jacob Van Naarden, Kenneth L. Custer, Lei Shen, Michael Durante, Gerard Oakley, Andrew E. Schade, Janelle Sabo, Dipak R. Patel, Paul Klekotka, Daniel M. Skovronsky
Summary: LY-CoV555, a neutralizing antibody, showed promising results in reducing viral load, improving symptoms, and lowering the risk of hospitalization among patients with mild or moderate Covid-19. While one of the doses appeared to accelerate the decline in viral load, others did not show significant effects by day 11.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Amal Souiri, Sanaa Lemriss, Bouchra El Maliki, Hamadi Falahi, Elmostafa El Fahime, Saad El Kabbaj
Summary: A study investigated the correlation between binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in 177 serum samples from individuals vaccinated with an adenovirus-based vector. The results showed that most serum samples had neutralizing antibodies and there was a moderate to strong correlation between the commercial immunoassays (LFIA and ELFA) and virus neutralization. This understanding is crucial for assessing protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christelle Vauloup-Fellous, Sarah Maylin, Claire Perillaud-Dubois, Segolene Brichler, Chakib Alloui, Emmanuel Gordien, Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti, Elyanne Gault, Frederique Moreau, Slim Fourati, Dominique Challine, Jean-Michel Pawlotsky, Nadhira Houhou-Fidouh, Florence Damond, Vincent Mackiewicz, Charlotte Charpentier, Jean-Francois Meritet, Flore Rozenberg, Isabelle Podglajen, Stephane Marot, Heloise Petit, Sonia Burrel, Sepideh Akhavan, Marianne Leruez-Ville, Veronique Avettand-Fenoel, Jacques Fourgeaud, Tiffany Guilleminot, Elise Gardiennet, Stephane Bonacorsi, Agnes Carol, Guislaine Carcelain, Juliette Villemonteix, Narjis Boukli, Joel Gozlan, Laurence Morand-Joubert, Jerome Legoff, Constance Delaugerre, Marie-Laure Chaix, Ana-Maria Roque-Afonso, Laurent Dortet, Thierry Naas, Jean-Baptiste Ronat, Samuel Lepape, Anne-Genevieve Marcelin, Diane Descamps
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical performances of 30 COVID-19 assays, with only 4 rapid tests and 3 automated/manual tests meeting specified criteria. Serology provides valuable information during the COVID-19 pandemic, but inconsistent performances were observed among the evaluated commercial assays.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Virology
Masaki Yamamoto, Kazuyuki Okazaki, Yoko Kitai, Koh Shinohara, Satomi Yukawa, Taro Noguchi, Michio Tanaka, Yasufumi Matsumura, Yukiko Nishiyama, Miki Nagao
Summary: This study evaluated six SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody assays and found that antibody testing should be performed 15 days after symptom onset for COVID-19 diagnosis. Pan-Ig and IgG assays showed higher sensitivity, while IgM assays were not suitable for COVID-19 diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance.
Article
Virology
Kimberly J. Paiva, Ricky D. Grisson, Philip A. Chan, Richard C. Huard, Angela M. Caliendo, John R. Lonks, Ewa King, Eric W. Tang, Diane L. Pytel-Parenteau, Ga H. Nam, Evgeny Yakirevich, Shaolei Lu
Summary: This study assessed the sensitivity and specificity of different serology testing methods in COVID-19 patient samples, demonstrating that SQ IgG, Abbott IgG, and Wondfo Total could detect antibodies from 100% of the PCR-confirmed patients after 14 days post-symptom onset with high concordance.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Anna Sabrina Kuechler, Sandra Weinhold, Fritz Boege, Ortwin Adams, Lisa Mueller, Florian Babor, Sabrina B. Bennstein, T-X Uyen Pham, Maryam Hejazi, Sarah B. Reusing, Derik Hermsen, Markus Uhrberg, Karin Schulze-Bosse
Summary: This study describes a diagnostic procedure for scheduling (re-)vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 based on individual humoral immunization status. The researchers monitored individuals before, during, and six months after vaccination with the Spikevax vaccine. The study found that measuring serum-based SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels could potentially support personalized vaccination schedules.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jim Boonyaratanakornkit, Chihiro Morishima, Stacy Selke, Danniel Zamora, Sarah McGuffin, Adrienne E. Shapiro, Victoria L. Campbell, Christopher L. McClurkan, Lichen Jing, Robin Gross, Janie Liang, Elena Postnikova, Steven Mazur, Vladimir V. Lukin, Anu Chaudhary, Marie K. Das, Susan L. Fink, Andrew Bryan, Alex L. Greninger, Keith R. Jerome, Michael R. Holbrook, Terry B. Gernsheimer, Mark H. Wener, Anna Wald, David M. Koelle
Summary: SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in convalescent plasma could potentially provide protection from reinfection and disease. nAb titers correlated with COVID-19 severity, age, and sex, serving as useful surrogates for plasma donor selection. Functional nAb levels declined over time, and a small proportion of convalescent individuals lacked adaptive immune responses.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Wayne Dimech, Shannon Curley, Lorenzo Subissi, Ute Stroher, Mark D. D. Perkins, Jane Cunningham
Summary: The markets are flooded with various SARS-CoV-2 serology tests, but there are limited comparative reports on their performance. This study compared 35 rapid diagnostic tests and enzyme immunoassays using samples from individuals with mild to moderate COVID-19 and other coronavirus infections. The results show that independent comparative assessments are important for selecting appropriate test kits, especially during a pandemic.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Luis M. Jara, Cusi Ferradas, Francesca Schiaffino, Camila Sanchez-Carrion, Ana Martinez-Vela, Alexandra Ulloa, Gisela Isasi-Rivas, Angela Montalvan, Luis Guevara Sarmiento, Manolo Fernandez, Mirko Zimic
Summary: This report investigates the exposure of domestic cats to SARS-CoV-2 in Lima, Peru, finding serum neutralizing antibodies against the virus in cats whose owners had been infected. The study reveals heterogeneity in exposure and immunity among cohabiting animals. Further research is needed to determine the prevalence of SARS-COV-2 exposure among domestic cats.
Article
Microbiology
Eszter Csoma, Agnes Nagy Koroknai, Renata Suto, Erika Szakacs Szilagyi, Marianna Pocsi, Attila Nagy, Klara Biro, Janos Kappelmayer, Bela Nagy
Summary: This study evaluated humoral responses after different types of COVID-19 vaccinations by analyzing anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers using two different neutralization assays and comparing them to total spike antibody levels. The results showed that individuals who received mRNA vaccines had significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies and spike antibodies compared to those who received adenoviral vector and inactivated whole-virus vaccines. The neutralizing antibody values can be used to determine seropositivity, and low levels were observed in individuals who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 within 6 months after vaccination.
Article
Microbiology
C. Therrien, B. Serhir, M. Belanger-Collard, J. Skrzypczak, D. K. Shank, C. Renaud, J. Girouard, V Loungnarath, M. Carrier, G. Brochu, F. Tourangeau, B. Gilfix, A. Piche, R. Bazin, R. Guerin, M. Lavoie, V Martel-Laferriere, C. Fortin, A. Benoit, D. Marcoux, N. Gauthier, A. M. Laumaea, R. Gasser, A. Finzi, M. Roger
Summary: As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic emerges, screening population immunity is crucial to track infected individuals. Accumulating data on immune responses and nAb production in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals will lead to new applications for serological assays. This study evaluated the clinical performances, reproducibility, and nAb level correlations of 10 immunoassays, with spike-based immunoassays showing better correlates of nAb activity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Roberto Rodriguez-Moncayo, Diana F. Cedillo-Alcantar, Pablo E. Guevara-Pantoja, Oriana G. Chavez-Pineda, Jose A. Hernandez-Ortiz, Josue U. Amador-Hernandez, Gustavo Rojas-Velasco, Fausto Sanchez-Munoz, Daniel Manzur-Sandoval, Luis D. Patino-Lopez, Daniel A. May-Arrioja, Rosalinda Posadas-Sanchez, Gilberto Vargas-Alarcon, Jose L. Garcia-Cordero
Summary: The applications of serology tests for SARS-CoV-2 include diagnosing COVID-19, understanding humoral responses, estimating prevalence, and modeling the pandemic. A new high-throughput microfluidic device can assess antibody reactivities to four SARS-CoV-2 antigens from 50 serum samples simultaneously, with high sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Virology
Fainareti N. Zervou, Ping Louie, Anna Stachel, Ioannis M. Zacharioudakis, Yadira Ortiz-Mendez, Kristen Thomas, Maria E. Aguero-Rosenfeld
Summary: The timing of antibody detection after viral infection varies, with IgA being the predominant immunoglobulin in early disease and IgG remaining detectable up to two months after infection.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Valeria Caputo, Martina Libera, Sofia Sisti, Benedetta Giuliani, Roberta A. Diotti, Elena Criscuolo
Summary: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major global health issue, and the mucosal innate immune response and microbiota play crucial roles in HIV infection. The mucosae act as a physical barrier that can be compromised by the virus, leading to innate immune response, and the mucosal microbiota can influence the development of opportunistic infections. However, a proper characterization of mucosal innate immune response and microbiota is still lacking, and further studies are needed to understand their potential in vaccine development.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mattia Mori, Deborah Quaglio, Andrea Calcaterra, Francesca Ghirga, Leonardo Sorrentino, Silvia Cammarone, Matteo Fracella, Alessandra D'Auria, Federica Frasca, Elena Criscuolo, Nicola Clementi, Nicasio Mancini, Bruno Botta, Guido Antonelli, Alessandra Pierangeli, Carolina Scagnolari
Summary: Flavonoids, such as baicalein, have been shown to inhibit the key enzyme 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 and exhibit antiviral activity against multiple coronaviruses.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Silvia Galbiati, Daniela Gabellini, Alessandro Ambrosi, Nadia Soriani, Federica Pasi, Massimo Locatelli, Roberta Luciano, Massimo Candiani, Luca Valsecchi, Gianpaolo Zerbini, Maddalena Smid
Summary: Preeclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy, and finding predictive biomarkers is crucial for prevention. This study compared the diagnostic accuracy of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and sFlt1/PlGF ratio as biomarkers for predicting preeclampsia. CAIX levels significantly increased before the onset of preeclampsia, and it performed better than sFlt1/PlGF ratio in predicting the disease. CAIX could be an effective predictive biomarker for preeclampsia, but further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Virology
Elena Criscuolo, Benedetta Giuliani, Roberto Ferrarese, Davide Ferrari, Massimo Locatelli, Massimo Clementi, Nicasio Mancini, Nicola Clementi
Summary: Since May 2022, there have been reported cases of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections in non-endemic countries, leading to the most severe outbreak described so far. Despite genetic variations in the current outbreak's isolated viruses, serum antibodies produced by first-generation smallpox vaccines have shown the ability to neutralize the current MPXV more than 40 years after vaccination.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Laura Cristina Gironi, Elia Esposto, Francesca Zottarelli, Roberto Giorgione, Pamela Farinelli, Elisa Zavattaro, Edoardo Cammarata, Nunzia Di Cristo, Paola Ogliara, Lara Camillo, Mara Giordano, Simona Mellone, Barbara Pasini, Alessandro Ambrosi, Paola Savoia
Summary: We investigated the correlation between the occurrence of cutaneous melanoma and noncutaneous tumors in CDKN2A mutation carriers and wild-type melanoma patients. The study found that mutation carriers had a significantly higher number of cutaneous melanoma cases compared to the wild-type patients. Additionally, both groups had a similar rate of diagnosis for malignant NCTs. The onset of cutaneous melanoma generally preceded the occurrence of NCTs, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive surveillance for melanoma patients.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pietro Panni, Lucia Riccio, Roberta Cao, Alessandro Pedicelli, Enrico Marchese, Anselmo Caricato, Alberto Feletti, Mattia Testa, Paolo Zanatta, Nicola Gitti, Simone Piva, Dikran Mardighian, Vittorio Semeraro, Giordano Nardin, Emilio Lozupone, Giafranco Paiano, Edoardo Picetti, Vito Montanaro, Massimo Petranca, Carlo Bortolotti, Antonino Scibilia, Luigi Cirillo, Andrea Luigi Lanterna, Alessandro Ambrosi, Pietro Mortini, Luigi Beretta, Andrea Falini
Summary: This study aimed to investigate predictors and clinical impact of rebleeding in poor-grade aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The study found that ultra-early vasospasm (UEV) and presence of dissecting aneurysm were the strongest predictors of aneurysmal rebleeding, while a history of hypertension reduced the chances of rebleeding. Additionally, rebleeding emerged as an independent predictor of intrahospital mortality.
Article
Immunology
Chiara Oltolini, Andrea Acerbis, Giorgio Orofino, Sara Racca, Maddalena Noviello, Stefania Dispinseri, Nicola Clementi, Simona Piemontese, Elisabetta Xue, Fabio Giglio, Maria Teresa Lupo Stanghellini, Elisa Diral, Alessandro Bruno, Elena Tassi, Valeria Beretta, Ilaria Marzinotto, Gabriella Scarlatti, Vito Lampasona, Anna Ardemagni, Michela Sampaolo, Chiara Bonini, Consuelo Corti, Jacopo Peccatori, Antonella Castagna, Fabio Ciceri, Raffaella Greco
Summary: This report describes a case of a 34-year-old patient with active SARS-CoV-2 infection and high-risk leukemia who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Timely anti-SARS-CoV-2 preventive therapies and prompt management of transplant-related complications resulted in a favorable outcome.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Alice Bergamini, Giorgia Mangili, Alessandro Ambrosi, Gianluca Taccagni, Emanuela Rabaiotti, Luca Bocciolone, Giorgio Candotti, Raffaella Cioffi, Francesca Pella, Giulia Sabetta, Costanza Saponaro, Massimo Candiani
Summary: The study compares data from patients with endometrioid and clear cell ovarian tumors associated with endometriosis to investigate the hypothesis of a dichotomy in their histogenesis. It found that the occurrence of endometriosis is more frequent in patients with clear cell ovarian cancer. The EAOEC group showed higher bilateral occurrences and a higher solid/cystic rate at gross pathology. ECC patients had a more advanced disease stage and a synchronous endometrial carcinoma was found in 38% of EAEOC patients.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cinzia Giacometti, Kathrin Ludwig, Monica Guidi, Elvira Colantuono, Anna Coracina, Marcello Rigano, Mauro Cassaro, Alessandro Ambrosi
Summary: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can affect placental villous maturation and vascularity. The expression of hENT1 and the formation of vasculo-syncytial membranes (VSM) are reduced in GDM placentas, while the proliferative pattern of trophoblasts is increased.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Francesco Damin, Silvia Galbiati, Nicola Clementi, Roberto Ferrarese, Nicasio Mancini, Laura Sola, Marcella Chiari
Summary: Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, monitoring and tracking the distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants is crucial for adjusting public health interventions. However, genome sequencing is not cost-effective and rapid. We have developed a microarray-based assay that can accurately detect known viral variants present in clinical samples by detecting mutations in the Spike protein gene. This assay can genotype the WHO-reported variants of concern (VOCs) in patient samples.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Michele Lai, Veronica La Rocca, Elena Iacono, Carolina Filipponi, Alessandro De Carli, Domenico Favaro, Rossella Fonnesu, Fabio Filippini, Pietro Giorgio Spezia, Rachele Amato, Elisa Catelli, Baggiani Matteo, Giulia Lottini, Marco Onorati, Nicola Clementi, Giulia Freer, Daniele Piomelli, Mauro Pistello
Summary: Recent evidence suggests that lipids play a crucial role in viral infections by altering host lipids and interfering with lipogenesis. In the case of Zika virus (ZIKV), inhibiting N-Acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) reduces viral replication and blocks virus maturation. This study highlights NAAA as a potential target for combating ZIKV infection.
ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
M. Tonelli, K. A. Knutsson, F. Buffoli, S. Carletti, F. Gona, E. Scifo, P. Rizzi, A. Prigitano, M. Sampaolo, N. Clementi, P. Rama, N. Mancini
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
M. Tonelli, K. A. Knutsson, F. Buffoli, S. Carletti, F. Gona, E. Scifo, P. Rizzi, A. Prigitano, M. Sampaolo, N. Clementi, P. Rama, N. Mancini
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Claudia Godi, Francesco Destro, Paolo Garofalo, Enrico Tombetti, Alessandro Ambrosi, Antonella Iadanza, Caterina Michelozzi, Andrea Falini, Nicoletta Anzalone
Summary: Vessel wall imaging (VWI) with black-blood (BB) technique can reveal aneurysmal enhancement prior to growth/rupture in treatment-naive cerebral aneurysms. Recent studies suggest that BB enhancement may also occur in endovascularly treated aneurysms, but its significance is debatable. This study explores the relationship between BB enhancement and incomplete occlusion status and coil packing density, hypothesizing a flow-related mechanism.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Roberto Giambruno, Elsa Zacco, Camilla Ugolini, Andrea Vandelli, Logan Mulroney, Manfredi D. ' Onghia, Bianca Giuliani, Elena Criscuolo, Matteo Castelli, Nicola Clementi, Massimo Clementi, Nicasio Mancini, Tiziana Bonaldi, Stefano Gustincich, Tommaso Leonardi, Gian Gaetano Tartaglia, Francesco Nicassio
Summary: This study predicts and validates the host proteins that specifically bind to the terminal regions of SARS-CoV-2 RNA using the catRAPID algorithm and RNA-protein interaction detection coupled with mass spectrometry technology. It also discovers extensive post-transcriptional modifications in the viral RNA and highlights the significance of pseudouridine synthases in the viral life cycle.
MOLECULAR THERAPY NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
