Article
Virology
Lisa Dettinger, Crystal M. Gigante, Maria Sellard, Melanie Seiders, Puja Patel, Lillian A. Orciari, Pamela Yager, James Lute, Annette Regec, Yu Li, Dongxiang Xia
Summary: The Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Laboratories tested 6855 animal samples for rabies using DFA and LN34 RT-qPCR, with a sensitivity of 0.03%. Two samples initially tested negative by DFA but were positive by LN34 RT-qPCR, which were confirmed positive upon re-testing. The levels of rabies virus in different brain structures varied, with higher abundance observed in more caudal brain structures, suggesting early infection.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Kanny Diallo, Vitalis F. Feteh, Lilian Ibe, Martin Antonio, Dominique A. Caugant, Mignon du Plessis, Ala-Eddine Deghmane, Ian M. Feavers, Katya Fernandez, LeAnne M. Fox, Charlene M. C. Rodrigues, Olivier Ronveaux, Muhamed-Kheir Taha, Xin Wang, Angela B. Brueggemann, Martin C. J. Maiden, Odile B. Harrison
Summary: Bacterial meningitis is a significant global cause of morbidity and mortality, and rapid identification of the causative agent is crucial for clinical management and disease prevention. Molecular diagnostic assays have been developed as an alternative to microbiological culture, allowing for faster and more accurate detection of the pathogens causing bacterial meningitis.
Article
Microbiology
Beibei Yu, Changping Xu, Shiwang Huang, Jun Ni, Jiancang Zhou, Yuting Zhang, Maomao Wu, Jun Zhang, Lei Fang
Summary: The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for rapid diagnostic assays to monitor the virus in both human and animal populations. In this study, researchers propose an innovative primer design strategy for the diagnosis of pan-SARS-coronaviruses using RT-qPCR. They also developed a new primer-probe set for process efficacy control. The universal RT-qPCR assay demonstrated high sensitivity and accuracy in detecting SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and animal-derived SARS-related CoVs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Juan David Ramirez, Liyong Cao, Lissa Cruz-Saavedra, Carolina Hernandez, Sergio Castaneda, Marina Munoz, Nathalia Ballesteros, Radhika Banu, Paras Shrestha, Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Emilia Mia Sordillo, Alberto Paniz-Mondolfi
Summary: This study explores the feasibility of using epimastigotes to construct standard curves for quantifying parasitic loads in Chagas disease molecular diagnostics. The results indicate that there are no statistically significant differences in calculating parasitic loads in blood samples, regardless of the life stage used to construct the standard curves. This finding has practical implications for improving Chagas disease molecular diagnostic methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Fernanda Aranega Pimentel, Selma Maria Nassarden, Stefhano Luis Candido, Valeria Dutra, Luciano Nakazato
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic diversity and distribution of rabies virus in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Through molecular and phylogenetic analysis, genetic variations of the disease were identified and geolocated, providing valuable guidance for monitoring, control, and health surveillance programs in Mato Grosso state.
INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Virology
Brigitte Sigrist, Jessica Geers, Sarah Albini, Dennis Rubbenstroth, Nina Wolfrum
Summary: Avian bornaviruses were first identified as causative agents of a disease in parrots in 2008. Currently, detection of these viruses is primarily done through RT-PCR, but existing methods have limitations in specificity and breadth of detection. A new multiplex real-time RT-PCR assay has been developed to overcome these limitations and simultaneously detect and differentiate avian bornaviruses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xuexiang Lin, Xiao-Yu Liu, Bo Zhang, Ai-Qing Qin, Kwok-Min Hui, Kevin Shi, Yang Liu, Don Gabriel, X. James Li
Summary: A virus enzyme assay using a luciferin derivative as the substrate has been developed as an alternative method for detection of acute viral infection, particularly for influenza diagnosis. The assay showed similar detection rates for all influenza types and subtypes except for A(H7N9) due to lower viral titer. When tested with diluted specimens in comparison to a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay, the assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Nourin Shakeeb, Prashanth Varkey, Amita Ajit
Summary: Saliva is increasingly studied as a non-invasive and stress-free diagnostic material, with RNA extracted from saliva being used for early disease detection through real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Assessing the host inflammatory response and its resolution at early stages can serve as a prognostic and predictive method for determining therapeutic response or disease progression. The potential of saliva as a specimen for diagnosing early inflammatory biomarkers using RT-PCR is fascinating and useful.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ava N. Medberry, Ashish Srivastava, Alfredo Diaz-Lara, Maher Al Rwahnih, Dan E. V. Villamor, Ioannis E. Tzanetakis
Summary: Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a global important berry crop that is constantly threatened by viruses. A novel virus called strawberry virus 3 (StrV-3) was discovered, which does not show significant similarity with known rhabdoviruses, suggesting the establishment of a new genus. A triplex reverse-transcription PCR test was developed for detecting the virus in the National Clonal Germplasm Repository Fragaria collection. A CRISPR-Cas-based protocol was also developed for detecting the virus in candidate G1 plants. The potential of the strawberry aphid (Chaetosiphon fragaefolii) as a vector of the virus was evaluated, but with no success. This work enhances our knowledge of the Rhabdoviridae family and aids in the goal of releasing virus-free plant materials.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Swetha Mariam Stanley, Harvinder Kour Khera, Sindhulina Chandrasingh, Carolin Elizabeth George, Rakesh K. Mishra
Summary: This comprehensive review focuses on diagnostic techniques for dengue, including environmental and clinical surveillance, virus detection, and diagnostics. It highlights the increasing incidence of dengue and the importance of addressing it to reduce morbidity and mortality. The review delves into the complexities of diagnostic methods, considering their challenges and potential for accuracy and accessibility. It should be noted that clinical aspects and regional variations of the disease are not extensively covered.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Saihong Yan, Rui Chen, Miao Wang, Jinmiao Zha
Summary: The study revealed that exposure to carbamazepine induced DNA damage and apoptosis in Chinese rare minnows through the Ras/Raf/ERK/p53 signaling pathway.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Virology
Huanhuan Lu, Jinbo Xiao, Keyi Zhang, Zhenzhi Han, Yang Song, Dongyan Wang, Tianjiao Ji, Dongmei Yan, Shuangli Zhu, Wenbo Xu, Yong Zhang
Summary: A real-time RT-PCR assay targeting PeV-A virus was developed and validated, showing high sensitivity and specificity in detecting PeV-A genotypes. The assay successfully identified PeV-A1, 4, and 6 genotypes in fecal samples from 728 healthy children. These findings provide a foundation for future studies on PeV-As and contribute to expanding gene sequence information in GenBank.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bong Kyun Kim, Sang-A Lee, Minju Park, Eui Ju Jeon, Mi Jung Kim, Jung Min Kim, Heesuk Kim, Seungwon Jung, Sang Kyung Kim
Summary: This article introduces a photonic PCR platform using hydrogel microparticles, which utilizes photothermal nanomaterials as heating elements for rapid and portable POCT. The researchers successfully demonstrate the ability to perform multiplex assays by loading multiple encoded pPIN microparticles in a single reaction.
Article
Virology
Diego A. Caraballo, Maria A. Lombardo, Paula Becker, Maria S. Sabio, Cristina Lema, Leila M. Martinez, Fernando J. Beltran, Yu Li, Daniel M. Cisterna
Summary: The study compared the applicability of two widely used qRT-PCR assays for detecting RABV in Argentina, finding that the LN34 qRT-PCR assay successfully detected all variants while the LysGT1 assay failed to detect three bat-related variants. Sequencing revealed that mismatches between the LysGT1 primers and probe sequences with the viral gene sequences can lead to detection failure. It was concluded that the LN34 assay is more effective for RABV detection in Argentina compared to the LysGT1 assay.
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
Immunology
Matthew R. Mauldin, Andrea M. McCollum, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Anna Mandra, Erin R. Whitehouse, Whitni Davidson, Hui Zhao, Jinxin Gao, Yu Li, Jeffrey Doty, Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye, Afolabi Akinpelu, Olusola Aruna, Dhamari Naidoo, Kuiama Lewandowski, Babak Afrough, Victoria Graham, Emma Aarons, Roger Hewson, Richard Vipond, Jake Dunning, Meera Chand, Colin Brown, Inbar Cohen-Gihon, Noam Erez, Ohad Shifman, Ofir Israeli, Melamed Sharon, Eli Schwartz, Adi Beth-Din, Anat Zvi, Tze Minn Mak, Yi Kai Ng, Lin Cui, Raymond T. P. Lin, Victoria A. Olson, Tim Brooks, Nir Paran, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Mary G. Reynolds
Summary: There is no direct linkage between the individuals who exported the monkeypox cases from Nigeria, but there is limited genetic variation among the viruses, suggesting a possible common source or independent infections within a small geographic area.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christine M. Hughes, Lindy Liu, Whitni B. Davidson, Kay W. Radford, Kimberly Wilkins, Benjamin Monroe, Maureen G. Metcalfe, Toutou Likafi, Robert Shongo Lushima, Joelle Kabamba, Beatrice Nguete, Jean Malekani, Elisabeth Pukuta, Stomy Karhemere, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, Emile Okitolonda Wemakoy, Mary G. Reynolds, D. Scott Schmid, Andrea M. McCollum
Summary: Recent enhanced monkeypox surveillance in the Democratic Republic of Congo has identified cases of monkeypox and varicella zoster virus coinfections. Coinfections were more likely to exhibit symptoms compared to cases with VZV alone, but less severe compared to cases with MPX alone. This study highlights the importance of ongoing surveillance to assess variations in coinfected cases over time.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kelsey T. Young, Kevin K. Lahmers, Holly S. Sellers, David E. Stallknecht, Rebecca L. Poulson, Jerry T. Saliki, Stephen Mark Tompkins, Ian Padykula, Chris Siepker, Elizabeth W. Howerth, Michelle Todd, James B. Stanton
Summary: RNA viruses mutate rapidly, making targeted detection methods limited in detecting unknown viruses. Random deep sequencing can more comprehensively detect and characterize RNA viruses.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Carl S. Cloyed, Brian C. Balmer, Lori H. Schwacke, Ryan Takeshita, Aleta Hohn, Randall S. Wells, Teresa K. Rowles, Jeremiah T. Saliki, Cynthia R. Smith, Mandy C. Tumlin, Eric S. Zolman, Deborah A. Fauquier, Ruth H. Carmichael
Summary: Research findings indicate that the risk of exposure to Dolphin Morbillivirus (DMV) in dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico's Barataria Bay and Mississippi Sound is influenced by spatial overlap in habitat use with reservoir populations. High DMV antibody seroprevalences were detected among dolphins at Barataria Bay and Mississippi Sound, with variations within sites.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sai Narayanan, John C. Ritchey, Girish Patil, Teluguakula Narasaraju, Sunil More, Jerry Malayer, Jeremiah Saliki, Anil Kaul, Pratul K. Agarwal, Akhilesh Ramachandran
Summary: Genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical samples in Oklahoma revealed known and possible novel mutations, with phylogenetic analysis showing similarity to viruses reported globally. The mutations identified in this study may influence protein conformation and function, highlighting the importance of ongoing genomic surveillance during the pandemic.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Virology
Ekaterine Khmaladze, Matthew R. Mauldin, Davit Tsaguria, Mari Gavashelidze, Ketevan Sidamonidze, Tea Tevdoradze, Yu Li, Mary G. Reynolds, Paata Imnadze, Yoshinori Nakazawa
Summary: This study identified previously unrecognized poxvirus infections in Georgia through retrospective screening of archived DNA samples that were originally diagnosed as anthrax-negative. The presence of orf virus, bovine papular stomatitis virus, and pseudocowpox virus was confirmed in the human samples tested. This highlights the importance of timely identification of such infections by enhancing laboratory capacity.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Erin R. Whitehouse, Jesse Bonwitt, Christine M. Hughes, Robert Shongo Lushima, Toutou Likafi, Beatrice Nguete, Joelle Kabamba, Benjamin Monroe, Jeffrey B. Doty, Yoshinori Nakazawa, Inger Damon, Jean Malekani, Whitni Davidson, Kimberly Wilkins, Yu Li, Kay W. Radford, D. Scott Schmid, Elisabeth Pukuta, Elisabeth Muyamuna, Stomy Karhemere, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, Emile Wemakoy Okitolonda, Andrea M. McCollum, Mary G. Reynolds
Summary: A study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo found that the annual incidence rate of monkeypox in Tshuapa Province was 14.1 per 100,000 population, with higher rates in males except for the 20-29 age group. Females aged 20-29 reported a high frequency of exposures to people with monkeypox-like symptoms. The highest incidence was among 10-19-year-old males who also reported the highest proportion of animal exposures.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Galileu Barbosa Costa, Jaqueline Silva de Oliveira, Michael B. Townsend, William C. Carson, Iara Apolinario Borges, Andrea M. McCollum, Erna Geessien Kroon, Panayampalli Subbian Satheshkumar, Mary G. Reynolds, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Giliane de Souza Trindade
Summary: The study evaluated milking practices associated with VACV infections in Brazil and proposed an educational tool to prevent infections. The findings highlighted the importance of proper hygiene practices and disinfection in preventing BV. The study also identified a need for educational materials targeting individuals in rural areas to enhance BV control efforts.
Article
Parasitology
Laura Binkley, Asefa Deressa, Mang Shi, Manuel Jara, Luis E. Escobar, Mathew R. Mauldin, Audrey Matheny, Jeanette O'Quin, Emily G. Pieracci, Chantal Kling, Claire Hartloge, Getnet Yimer, Ebba Abate, Wondwossen Gebreyes, Mary Reynolds, Ermias Belay, Miriam Shiferaw, Yoshinori Nakazawa, Andres Velasco-Villa
Summary: This study sequenced samples of wild and domestic animals collected in five Ethiopian regions during 2010-2017, identifying different rabies virus lineages causing recurrent spillover infections, with no evidence of importation from other African countries or vaccine-induced cases.
Article
Immunology
Roberto A. Palomares, Joao H. J. Bittar, Amelia R. Woolums, Alejandro Hoyos-Jaramillo, David J. Hurley, Jeremiah T. Saliki, Maria S. Ferrer, Anna C. Bullington, Adriana Rodriguez, Tyler Murray, Merrilee Thoresen, Katie Jones, Agne Stoskute
Summary: The study indicated that booster vaccination of young beef calves via subcutaneous or intranasal routes two months after primary intranasal vaccination resulted in similar immune responses, with only minor differences observed in the systemic and mucosal immune responses against BHV1 and BRSV. Subcutaneous booster vaccination induced significantly greater BRSV-specific SNA and secretory IgA titers compared to intranasal booster vaccination.
VETERINARY IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Catalina Barboza-Solis, Shahnas M. Najimudeen, Ana Perez-Contreras, Ahmed Ali, Tomy Joseph, Robin King, Madhu Ravi, Delores Peters, Kevin Fonseca, Carl A. Gagnon, Frank van der Meer, Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of a recombinant herpesvirus of turkey (rHVT-LT) vaccine against a genotype VI Canadian wild-type ILTV infection and found that the vaccine had limited effectiveness in reducing clinical symptoms but significantly reduced ILTV shedding. Overall, rHVT-LT provided partial protection against genotype VI ILTV infection.
Article
Pediatrics
Amy M. Beeson, Julia Haston, David W. McCormick, Mary Reynolds, Kevin Chatham-Stephens, Andrea M. McCollum, Shana Godfred-Cato
Summary: Though rare among children in the US, there have been pediatric cases reported during the 2022 multinational mpox outbreak. Vaccines and antiviral medications developed for other orthopoxviruses have been widely used to prevent and treat mpox in both children and adults. This review summarizes the epidemiology and clinical features of mpox in children and adolescents and provides recommendations for diagnosis, management, and prevention for clinicians.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Phillip R. Pittman, James W. Martin, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, Gaston Mwema, Qingwen Wan, Pierre Ewala, Jules Alonga, Guy Bilulu, Mary G. Reynolds, Xiaofei Quinn, Sarah Norris, Michael B. Townsend, Panayampalli S. Satheshkumar, James Wadding, Bryony Soltis, Anna Honko, Fernando B. Guerena, Lawrence Korman, Kerry Patterson, David A. Schwartz, John W. Huggins
Summary: This prospective observational study provides a clinical description of human monkeypox (mpox) disease, including presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, and treatment recommendations. The study also presents the research findings on the natural history and pathology of mpox disease in a remote region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study highlights the characteristic rash and lymphadenopathy observed in patients, as well as the increased risk of severe disease in patients with hypoalbuminemia.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Taha Y. Taha, Michael B. Townsend, Jan Pohl, Kevin L. Karem, Inger K. Damon, Placide Mbala Kingebeni, Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, James W. Martin, Phillip R. Pittman, John W. Huggins, Panayampalli S. Satheshkumar, Dennis A. Bagarozzi Jr, Mary G. Reynolds, Laura J. Hughes
Summary: Monkeypox virus, endemic to central and western Africa, can cause smallpox-like symptoms in humans with a fatality rate of up to 15%. Since the end of smallpox vaccination in 1980, the incidence of MPXV infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has increased significantly. Accurate epidemiological surveillance of MPXV is crucial due to the risk of global spread and recent outbreaks occurring in non-endemic areas.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amy Beeson, Ashley Styczynski, Christina L. Hutson, Florence Whitehill, Kristina M. Angelo, Faisal S. Minhaj, Clint Morgan, Kaitlyn Ciampaglio, Mary G. Reynolds, Andrea M. McCollum, Sarah Anne J. Guagliardo
Summary: The respiratory route's contribution to the transmission of monkeypox (mpox) is still unclear. Our review examines evidence from animal models, human outbreaks, case reports, and environmental studies. Laboratory experiments have shown respiratory transmission in animals, while environmental sampling has detected airborne monkeypox virus (MPXV). Real-life outbreaks suggest transmission through close contact, but so far, respiratory transmission has not been specifically implicated. Although the available evidence suggests a low likelihood of human-to-human respiratory transmission of MPXV, further studies should investigate this possibility.