Control Of Viral Diseases Research Articles

Oral Administration of Bacillus subtilis Subunit Vaccine Significantly Enhances the Immune Protection of Grass Carp against GCRV-II Infection

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is a severe virus that causes great losses to grass carp culture every year, and GCRV-II is the current popular and fatal strain. VP56, fibrin on the outer surface of GCRV-II, mediates cell attachment. In this study, we firstly divided the VP56 gene into four fragments to screen the optimal antigen by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neutralizing antibody methods. The second fragment VP56-2 demonstrates the optimal efficiency and was employed as an antigen in the following experiments. Bacillus subtilis were used as a carrier, and VP56-2 was expressed on the surface of the spores. Then, we performed the oral immunization for grass carp and the challenge with GCRV-II. The survival rate was remarkably raised, and mRNA expressions of IgM were significantly up-regulated in spleen and head kidney tissues in the B. s-CotC-VP56-2 group. Three crucial immune indexes (complement C3, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase) in the sera were also significantly enhanced. mRNA expressions of four important genes (TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN1 and MHC-II) were significantly strengthened. Tissue lesions were obviously attenuated by histopathological slide examination in trunk kidney and spleen tissues. Tissue viral burdens were significantly reduced post-viral challenge. These results indicated that the oral recombinant B. subtilis VP56-2 subunit vaccine is effective for controlling GCRV infection and provides a feasible strategy for the control of fish virus diseases.

Phytopathological and nutraceutical evaluation of cauliflower plants treated with high dilutions of arsenic trioxide

Introduction: This research aimed at verifying the effects of highly diluted (HD) treatments on cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) plants both healthy and inoculated by the fungus Alternaria brassicicola, causing the dark leaf spot disease. In vitro spore germination assays (A), growth chamber experiments (B) and field trials (C) were performed. 
 Material and Methods: (A): spore suspensions were prepared in HD treatments and their inhibiting effect on germination was recorded microscopically after incubation at 25°C for 5 h. (B): the same treatments were tested in plants artificially inoculated with the fungus. The infection level on leaves was blindly evaluated by a previously defined infection scale. (C): the field was divided into plots according to a complete randomized block design. In the first trial (i), plants were artificially inoculated and weekly treated; the infection level was evaluated on cauliflower heads. The second trial (ii) was performed on the same field with the aim to induce a natural infection, mediated by infected crop residues. Measurement endpoints concerned the evaluation of some physiological parameters along with the glucosinolate content on cauliflower heads.
 Results: (A): arsenic trioxide (As 35x and 35x diluted 1:5000) and Cuprum 5x induced highly significant inhibition of germination rate (-60%) vs. control. (B): As 35x and Cu 3 g/l induced a significant decrease of mean infection level (-50%). (C): in (i), a significant reduction of disease symptoms on heads was recorded for As 35x and Cu 3 g/l (-45%). In (ii) natural fungal infection did not occur due to dry weather conditions; physiological and nutraceutical analyses of healthy heads demonstrated that As 35x induced a significant increase of both head size and glucosinolate content.
 Discussion: Some evidences on the efficacy of arsenic, at different decimal and centesimal HD, in fungal and viral disease control were previously reported [1]. In the present study the efficacy of HD arsenic in dark leaf spot control in field has been shown for the first time: since fungal inoculation was performed on the leaves before flowering, we can hypothesize that this treatment induced an increase of plant resistance to fungal infection. 
 Conclusions: This research showed the possibility of using HD arsenic in agriculture (“agrohomeopathy”), as it increased both plant resistance to fungal infection and the content of glucosinolates, ie secondary metabolites involved in plant resistance mechanisms [2] and considered as “plant food protection agents” [3]. 
 Acknowledgments: Authors declare there is no conflict of interest. This research has been supported by Marche Region. A grateful acknowledgement to Dr. Leonardo Valenti for his support to this research. The authors thank Laboratoires Boiron srl for the grant awarded to one of the author Dr. Grazia Trebbi. Finally, authors are grateful to Cemon srl for financial support of glucosinolate analyses. We had full access to all the data in this study and we take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis
 Keywords: cauliflower, arsenic trioxide, Alternaria brassicicola, glucosinolates 
 References
 [1] Betti L, Trebbi G, Majewsky V, Scherr C, Shah-Rossi D, Jäger T, et al. Use of homeopathic preparations in phytopathological models and in field trials: a critical review. Homeopathy 2009; 98: 244-266. 
 [2] Ménard R, Larue J-P, Silué D, Thouvenot D. Glucosinolates in cauliflower as biochemical markers for resistance against downy mildew. Phytochemistry 1999; 52: 29-35.
 [3] Talalay P, Fahey JW. Phytochemicals from Cruciferous plants protect against cancer by modulating carcinogen metabolism. J Nutr. 2001; 131:3027S- 3033S.

Perspective of HLA-G Induced Immunosuppression in SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

COVID-19, the disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has threatened public health worldwide. Host antiviral immune responses are essential for viral clearance and disease control, however, remarkably decreased immune cell numbers and exhaustion of host cellular immune responses are commonly observed in patients with COVID-19. This is of concern as it is closely associated with disease severity and poor outcomes. Human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) is a ligand for multiple immune inhibitory receptors, whose expression can be upregulated by viral infections. HLA-G/receptor signalling, such as engagement with immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 (ILT-2) or ILT-4, not only inhibit T and natural killer (NK) cell immune responses, dendritic cell (DC) maturation, and B cell antibody production. It also induces regulatory cells such as myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSCs), or M2 type macrophages. Moreover, HLA-G interaction with CD8 and killer inhibitory receptor (KIR) 2DL4 can provoke T cell apoptosis and NK cell senescence. In this context, HLA-G can induce profound immune suppression, which favours the escape of SARS-CoV-2 from immune attack. Although detailed knowledge on the clinical relevance of HLA-G in SARS-CoV-2 infection is limited, we herein review the immunopathological aspects of HLA-G/receptor signalling in SARS-CoV-2 infection, which could provide a better understanding of COVID-19 disease progression and identify potential immunointerventions to counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection.

High-Throughput Sequencing of Small RNAs for Diagnostics of Grapevine Viruses and Viroids in Russia.

The use of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technology has led to significant progress in the identification of many viruses and their genetic variants. In this study, we used the HTS platform to sequence small RNAs (sRNAs) of grapevine to study the virome. Isolation of RNA was performed using symptomatic grapevines collected from commercial vineyards in Krasnodar Krai in 2017–2018. To determine the viromes of vineyards, we used an integrated approach that included a bioinformatic analysis of the results of sRNA HTS and the molecular method RT-PCR, which made it possible to identify 13 viruses and 4 viroids. Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 4 (GLRaV-4), Grapevine Syrah Virus-1 (GSyV-1), Raspberry bushy dwarf virus (RBDV), Australian grapevine viroid (AGVd), and Grapevine yellow speckle viroid 2 (GYSVd-2) were identified for the first time in Russia. Out of 38 samples analyzed, 37 had mixed infections with 4–11 viruses, indicating a high viral load. Analysis of the obtained sequences of fragments of virus genomes made it possible to identify recombination events in GLRaV-1, GLRaV-2, GLRaV-3, GLRaV-4, GVT, GPGV, GRSPaV, GVA, and GFLV. The obtained results indicate a wide spread of the viruses and a high genetic diversity in the vineyards of Krasnodar Krai and emphasize the urgent need to develop and implement long-term strategies for the control of viral grapevine diseases.

Development and Adoption of Genetically Engineered Plants for Virus Resistance: Advances, Opportunities and Challenges.

Plant viruses cause yield losses to crops of agronomic and economic significance and are a challenge to the achievement of global food security. Although conventional plant breeding has played an important role in managing plant viral diseases, it will unlikely meet the challenges posed by the frequent emergence of novel and more virulent viral species or viral strains. Hence there is an urgent need to seek alternative strategies of virus control that can be more readily deployed to contain viral diseases. The discovery in the late 1980s that viral genes can be introduced into plants to engineer resistance to the cognate virus provided a new avenue for virus disease control. Subsequent advances in genomics and biotechnology have led to the refinement and expansion of genetic engineering (GE) strategies in crop improvement. Importantly, many of the drawbacks of conventional breeding, such as long lead times, inability or difficulty to cross fertilize, loss of desirable plant traits, are overcome by GE. Unfortunately, public skepticism towards genetically modified (GM) crops and other factors have dampened the early promise of GE efforts. These concerns are principally about the possible negative effects of transgenes to humans and animals, as well as to the environment. However, with regards to engineering for virus resistance, these risks are overstated given that most virus resistance engineering strategies involve transfer of viral genes or genomic segments to plants. These viral genomes are found in infected plant cells and have not been associated with any adverse effects in humans or animals. Thus, integrating antiviral genes of virus origin into plant genomes is hardly unnatural as suggested by GM crop skeptics. Moreover, advances in deep sequencing have resulted in the sequencing of large numbers of plant genomes and the revelation of widespread endogenization of viral genomes into plant genomes. This has raised the possibility that viral genome endogenization is part of an antiviral defense mechanism deployed by the plant during its evolutionary past. Thus, GM crops engineered for viral resistance would likely be acceptable to the public if regulatory policies were product-based (the North America regulatory model), as opposed to process-based. This review discusses some of the benefits to be gained from adopting GE for virus resistance, as well as the challenges that must be overcome to leverage this technology. Furthermore, regulatory policies impacting virus-resistant GM crops and some success cases of virus-resistant GM crops approved so far for cultivation are discussed.

Enemy of My Enemy: A Novel Insect-Specific Flavivirus Offers a Promising Platform for a Zika Virus Vaccine.

Vaccination remains critical for viral disease outbreak prevention and control, but conventional vaccine development typically involves trade-offs between safety and immunogenicity. We used a recently discovered insect-specific flavivirus as a vector in order to develop an exceptionally safe, flavivirus vaccine candidate with single-dose efficacy. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of this platform, we created a chimeric Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidate, designated Aripo/Zika virus (ARPV/ZIKV). ZIKV has caused immense economic and public health impacts throughout the Americas and remains a significant public health threat. ARPV/ZIKV vaccination showed exceptional safety due to ARPV/ZIKV’s inherent vertebrate host-restriction. ARPV/ZIKV showed no evidence of replication or translation in vitro and showed no hematological, histological or pathogenic effects in vivo. A single-dose immunization with ARPV/ZIKV induced rapid and robust neutralizing antibody and cellular responses, which offered complete protection against ZIKV-induced morbidity, mortality and in utero transmission in immune-competent and -compromised murine models. Splenocytes derived from vaccinated mice demonstrated significant CD4+ and CD8+ responses and significant cytokine production post-antigen exposure. Altogether, our results further support that chimeric insect-specific flaviviruses are a promising strategy to restrict flavivirus emergence via vaccine development.

Large-Scale Microcarrier Culture of Chinese Perch Brain Cell for Viral Vaccine Production in a Stirred Bioreactor.

Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) is one of the important cultured fish species in China. Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) and Siniperca Chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV) have hindered the development of mandarin fish farming industry. Vaccination is the most effective method for control of viral diseases, however viral vaccine production requires the large-scale culture of cells. Herein, a suspension culture system of Chinese perch brain cell (CPB) was developed on Cytodex 1 microcarrier in a stirred bioreactor. Firstly, CPB cells were cultured using Cytodex 1 microcarrier in 125 mL stirring flasks. With the optimum operational parameters, CPB cells grew well, distributed uniformly, and could fully cover the microcarriers. Then, CPB cells were digested with trypsin and expanded step-by-step with different expansion ratios from the 125 mL stirring bottle to a 500 mL stirring bottle, and finally to a 3-L bioreactor. Results showed that with an expansion ratio of 1:3, we achieved a high cell density level (2.25 × 106 cells/mL) with an efficient use of the microcarriers, which also confirmed the data obtained from the 125 mL stirring flask. Moreover, obvious cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed in the suspended CPB cells post-infection with ISKNV and SCRV. This study provided a large-scale culture system of CPB cells for virus vaccine production.

Have the rules of engagement changed?: Clinic visits in 2022 and beyond

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has demanded changes in the asthma and allergy practice, including staff administration, office layout, patient interactions, care provision, and procedures.1,2 Control of viral disease and transmission by vaccination may allow for a return to more normal practice, but in reality, with the emergence of new viral variants, it is unlikely that COVID-19 will entirely disappear. (Authors’ note to the reader: This Perspective was written in July 2021, so please forgive any inaccuracies in our predictive capabilities) At the same time, necessary adaptation during the pandemic with telemedicine, in-office infectious disease modifications, and vaccination could facilitate not only a return to pre–COVID-19 patient flow but also even practice expansion.

Cannabinoids for SARS-CoV-2 and is there evidence of their therapeutic efficacy?

To combat the coronaviruses and their novel variants, therapeutic drugs and the development of vaccines that are to be effective throughout human life are urgently needed. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) acts as a modulator in the activation of the microcirculation, immune system, and autonomic nervous system, along with controlling pharmacological functions such as emotional responses, homeostasis, motor functions, cognition, and motivation. The ECS contains endogenous cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptor (CBRs), and enzymes that regulate their biosynthesis, transport, and degradation. Moreover, phytocannabinoids and synthetic cannabinoids that mimic the action of endocannabinoids also play an essential role in the modulation of the ECS. Cannabinoids, the main constituents of cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.), are therapeutic compounds that have received international attention in the health field due to their therapeutic properties. Recently, they have been tested for the treatment of COVID-19 due to their antiviral properties. Indeed, cannabinoid-type compounds, and in particular cannabidiol (CBD), isolated from glandular trichomes found in the calyx of cannabis flowers with reported antiviral properties is hypothesized to be a therapeutic option in the ministration of SARS-CoV-2 consorted with COVID-19 disease. The relevant articles were determined from the database search published mainly in Web of Science, Google scholar, PubMed, Crossref, and ClinicalTrials.gov database during the pandemic period. The articles were evaluated for the therapeutic potentials, mechanisms of action of cannabinoids, the roles of the ECS in the immune system, impact of cannabinoids in SARS-CoV-2 septic, especially if they address the application of cannabinoids as drugs for the curability and management of SARS-CoV-2 and its novel variants. Although the evidence needed to be considered using cannabinoids in the control and treatment of viral diseases is currently in its infancy, they already offer an opportunity for clinicians due to their effects in relieving pain, improving appetite, and improving childhood epilepsy, especially in cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) patients. In addition to these, the most recent scientific evidence emphasizes their use in the treatment of the coronavirus infected patients. In brief, all preclinic and clinic studies that have been reported show that, through the cannabinoid system, cannabinoids, particularly CBD, have many mechanisms that are effective in the treatment of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2. Thus, more extensive studies are necessary in this area to fully identify the effects of cannabinoids on SARS-CoV-2.

Emerging epidemics: is the Zanzibar healthcare system ready to detect and respond to mosquito-borne viral diseases?

BackgroundEffective control of emerging mosquito-borne viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika requires, amongst other things, a functional healthcare system, ready and capable of timely detection and prompt response to incipient epidemics. We assessed the readiness of Zanzibar health facilities and districts for early detection and management of mosquito-borne viral disease outbreaks.MethodsA cross-sectional study involving all 10 District Health Management Teams and 45 randomly selected public and private health facilities in Zanzibar was conducted using a mixed-methods approach including observations, document review, and structured interviews with health facility in-charges and District Health Management Team members.ResultsThe readiness of the Zanzibar healthcare system for timely detection, management, and control of dengue and other mosquito-borne viral disease outbreaks was critically low. The majority of health facilities and districts lacked the necessary requirements including standard guidelines, trained staff, real-time data capture, analysis and reporting systems, as well as laboratory diagnostic capacity. In addition, health education programmes for creating public awareness and Aedes mosquito surveillance and control activities were non-existent.ConclusionsThe Zanzibar healthcare system has limited readiness for management, and control of mosquito-borne viral diseases. In light of impending epidemics, the critical shortage of skilled human resource, lack of guidelines, lack of effective disease and vector surveillance and control measures as well as lack of laboratory capacity at all levels of health facilities require urgent attention across the Zanzibar archipelago.

Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of chikungunya, dengue, and Zika in eight districts in Tanzania

Background: This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of chikungunya (CHIKV), dengue (DENV), and Zika (ZIKV) viruses in Tanzania.Methods: The study covered the districts of Buhigwe, Kalambo, Kilindi, Kinondoni, Kondoa, Kyela, Mvomero, and Ukerewe in Tanzania. Blood samples were collected from individuals recruited from households and healthcare facilities. An ELISA was used to screen for immunoglobulin G antibodies against CHIKV, DENV, and ZIKV.Results: A total of 1818 participants (median age 34 years) were recruited. The overall CHIKV, DENV, and ZIKV seroprevalence rates were 28.0%, 16.1%, and 6.8%, respectively. CHIKV prevalence was highest in Buhigwe (46.8%), DENV in Kinondoni (43.8%), and ZIKV in Ukerewe (10.6%) and Mvomero (10.6%). Increasing age and frequent mosquito bites were significantly associated with CHIKV and DENV seropositivity (P < 0.05). Having piped water or the presence of stagnant water around the home (P < 0.01) were associated with higher odds of DENV seropositivity. Fever was significantly associated with increased odds of CHIKV seropositivity (P < 0.001). Visiting mines had higher odds of ZIKV seropositivity (P < 0.05).Conclusions: These findings indicate that DENV, CHIKV, and ZIKV are circulating in diverse ecological zones of Tanzania. There is a need to strengthen the control of mosquito-borne viral diseases in Tanzania.

Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus hijacks SNARE complex of its insect vector for its effective transmission to rice.

Vesicular trafficking is an important dynamic process that facilitates intracellular transport of biological macromolecules and their release into the extracellular environment. However, little is known about whether or how plant viruses utilize intracellular vesicles to their advantage. Here, we report that southern rice black‐streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) enters intracellular vesicles in epithelial cells of its insect vector by engaging VAMP7 and Vti1a proteins in the soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex. The major outer capsid protein P10 of SRBSDV was shown to interact with VAMP7 and Vti1a of the white‐backed planthopper and promote the fusion of vesicles into a large vesicle, which finally fused with the plasma membrane to release virions from midgut epithelial cells. Downregulation of the expression of either VAMP7 or Vti1a did not affect viral entry and accumulation in the gut, but significantly reduced viral accumulation in the haemolymph. It also did not affect virus acquisition, but significantly reduced the virus transmission efficiency to rice. Our data reveal a critical mechanism by which a plant reovirus hijacks the vesicle transport system to overcome the midgut escape barrier in vector insects and provide new insights into the role of the SNARE complex in viral transmission and the potential for developing novel strategies of viral disease control.

Analysis of Residents’ Preparedness Protocols during Ebola Pandemic in Urban Environment

Background: The study provided empirical analysis of the change in hygiene behavioural practices among community in Ogun and Lagos State with respect to Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. Methods: The data were extracted from a 2015 Cross-Sectional Survey on wellness, knowledge, attitude and practices towards the control and prevention of Ebola virus disease (EVD). Out of 1093 respondents selected in the main survey through simple random sampling technique within two enumeration areas (EAs), only 933 data cases were analyzable, leaving an attrition rate of 14.6%. The EAs represents the sampling points within the local government areas selected for the interviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were both employed in the data analysis. Results: The results revealed high level of knowledge of EVD but over 70% were not aware of centre for treatment of EVD; 60.2% believed they cannot be susceptible to EVD. There were changes in certain practices that were canvassed and earlier adhered to during the outbreak. The practice of handshaking reduced, eating of hunted animals decreased only marginally by 6.9% and washing with soap increased by 4%. Conclusion: The study provides helpful insights for public health policy on possible mitigating strategies, especially in terms of behavioral risk factors that are prone to Ebola virus infections or other communicable diseases. The study emphasises that regular hand washing with soap and the use of sanitising agents including availability of treatment centres would be helpful in preventing the occurrence or re-occurrence of pandemic. The protocols identified in this study could be relevant to both medical personnel and the community for adoption especially as the unlikelihood of Ebola (or other pandemic) re-emergence have not been established.

Anti-lipopolysaccharide factor D from kuruma shrimp exhibits antiviral activity

Anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs) exhibit a potent antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria, filamentous fungi, and viruses. In previous reports, seven groups of ALFs (groups A–G) were identified in penaeid shrimp. Among them, group D showed negative net charges and weak antimicrobial activity. Whether this group has antiviral function is not clear. In this study, the ALF sequences of penaeid shrimp were analyzed, and eight groups of ALF family (groups A–H) were identified. The four ALFs including MjALF-C2, MjALF-D1, MjALF-D2, and MjALF-E2 from kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus were expressed recombinantly in Escherichia coli, and the antiviral activity was screened via injection of purified recombinant ALFs into shrimp following white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. Results showed that the expression of Vp28 (WSSV envelope protein) decreased significantly in the MjALF-D2-injected shrimp only. Therefore, MjALF-D2 was chosen for further study. Expression pattern analysis showed that MjAlf-D2 was upregulated in shrimp challenged by WSSV. The WSSV replication was detected in RNA, genomic DNA, and protein levels using VP28 and Ie1 (immediate-early gene of WSSV) as indicators in MjALF-D2-injected shrimp following WSSV infection. Results showed that WSSV replication was significantly inhibited compared with that in the rTRX- or PBS-injected control groups. After knockdown of MjAlf-D2 in shrimp by RNA interference, the WSSV replication increased significantly in the shrimp. All these results suggested that MjALF-D2 has an antiviral function in shrimp immunity, and the recombinant ALF-D2 has a potential application for viral disease control in shrimp aquaculture.

Control of Plant Viral Diseases by CRISPR/Cas9: Resistance Mechanisms, Strategies and Challenges in Food Crops.

Protecting food crops from viral pathogens is a significant challenge for agriculture. An integral approach to genome-editing, known as CRISPR/Cas9 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and CRISPR associated protein 9), is used to produce virus-resistant cultivars. The CRISPR/Cas9 tool is an essential part of modern plant breeding due to its attractive features. Advances in plant breeding programs due to the incorporation of Cas9 have enabled the development of cultivars with heritable resistance to plant viruses. The resistance to viral DNA and RNA is generally provided using the Cas9 endonuclease and sgRNAs (single-guide RNAs) complex, targeting particular virus and host plant genomes by interrupting the viral cleavage or altering the plant host genome, thus reducing the replication ability of the virus. In this review, the CRISPR/Cas9 system and its application to staple food crops resistance against several destructive plant viruses are briefly described. We outline the key findings of recent Cas9 applications, including enhanced virus resistance, genetic mechanisms, research strategies, and challenges in economically important and globally cultivated food crop species. The research outcome of this emerging molecular technology can extend the development of agriculture and food security. We also describe the information gaps and address the unanswered concerns relating to plant viral resistance mediated by CRISPR/Cas9.

Evaluation of demand of resources for laboratory testing and prevention and control of COVID-19 in the context of global pandemic

Objective: To rapidly evaluate the level of healthcare resource demand for laboratory testing and prevention and control of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different epidemic situation, and prepare for the capacity planning, stockpile distribution, and funding raising for infectious disease epidemic response. Methods: An susceptible, exposed, infectious, removed infectious disease dynamics model with confirmed asymptomatic infection cases and symptomatic hospitalized patients was introduced to simulate different COVID-19 epidemic situation and predict the numbers of hospitalized or isolated patients, and based on the current COVID-19 prevention and control measures in China, the demands of resources for laboratory testing and prevention and control of COVID-19 were evaluated. Results: When community or local transmission or outbreaks occur and total population nucleic acid testing is implemented, the need for human resources is 3.3-89.1 times higher than the reserved, and the current resources of medical personal protective equipment and instruments can meet the need. The surge in asymptomatic infections can also increase the human resource demand for laboratory testing and pose challenge to the prevention and control of the disease. When vaccine protection coverage reach ≥50%, appropriate adjustment of the prevention and control measures can reduce the need for laboratory and human resources. Conclusions: There is a great need in our country to reserve the human resources for laboratory testing and disease prevention and control for the response of the possible epidemic of COVID-19. Challenges to human resources resulted from total population nucleic acid testing and its necessity need to be considered. Conducting non-pharmaceutical interventions and encouraging more people to be vaccinated can mitigate the shock on healthcare resource demand in COVID-19 prevention and control.

Convergence model of AI and IoT for virus disease control system.

Recently, virus diseases, such as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19, continue to emerge and pose a severe public health problem. These diseases threaten the lives of many people and cause serious social and economic losses. Recent developments in information technology (IT) and connectivity have led to the emergence of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in many industries. These industries, where IoT and AI together are making significant impacts, are the healthcare and the diagnosis department. In addition, by actively communicating with smart devices and various biometric sensors, it is expanding its application fields to telemedicine, healthcare, and disease prevention. Even though existing IoT and AI technologies can enhance disease detection, monitoring, and quarantine, their impact is very limited because they are not integrated or applied rapidly to the emergence of a sudden epidemic. Especially in the situation where infectious diseases are rapidly spreading, the conventional methods fail to prevent large-scale infections and block global spreads through prediction, resulting in great loss of lives. Therefore, in this paper, various sources of infection information with local limitations are collected through virus disease information collector, and AI analysis and severity matching are performed through AI broker. Finally, through the Integrated Disease Control Center, risk alerts are issued, proliferation block letters are sent, and post-response services are provided quickly. Suppose we further develop the proposed integrated virus disease control model. In that case, it will be possible to proactively detect and warn of risk factors in response to infectious diseases that are rapidly spreading worldwide and strengthen measures to prevent spreading of infection in no time.

Crude peptides extracted from dry mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum serve as a micro-associated molecular pattern to induce systemic resistance against tobacco mosaic virus in tobacco

Control of viral diseases using systemic resistance-inducing microbes and microbial metabolites/molecules is an established alternative strategy for inhibiting plant viruses. However, the mechanisms whereby virus infection is inhibited and restricted in plants expressing systemic resistance remains poorly understood. We have previously reported that an aqueous extract of the dry mycelium of Penicillium chrysogenum (DMP) can be used to protect tobacco plants against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). In this study, we investigated the effect of crude peptides derived from DMP (PDMP) in protecting Nicotiana glutinosa against TMV. The number and diameter of TMV lesions in plants pre-treated with PDMP were fewer and smaller, respectively, than those in control plants. The elevated expressions of PAL, PTI5, PR-1a, NPR1, PR-1b, and PDF1.2 detected in the induced and systemic leaves following PDMP treatment indicated that the PDMP induced basal and systemic resistance in N. glutinosa. Callose deposition and TMV-N gene-triggered hypersensitive response (HR) at the site of the TMV infection were identified as key factors restricting the movement of viruses. The levels of N gene transcripts, as well as those of the TMV-N gene-triggered HR-related genes HSR203J, AOXa, SIPK, and ZFT1 increased more rapidly after being challenged with TMV in N. glutinosa plants pre-treated with PDMP compared with the control plants. However, we detected no significant difference between PDMP-treated and control plants with respect to TMV-induced callose deposition, indicating that PDMP enhances the resistance of N. glutinosa against TMV by accelerating TMV-N gene-triggered-HR rather than by priming callose deposition.

Challenges and Solutions to Viral Diseases of Finfish in Marine Aquaculture

Aquaculture is the fastest food-producing sector in the world, accounting for one-third of global food production. As is the case with all intensive farming systems, increase in infectious diseases has adversely impacted the growth of marine fish farming worldwide. Viral diseases cause high economic losses in marine aquaculture. We provide an overview of the major challenges limiting the control and prevention of viral diseases in marine fish farming, as well as highlight potential solutions. The major challenges include increase in the number of emerging viral diseases, wild reservoirs, migratory species, anthropogenic activities, limitations in diagnostic tools and expertise, transportation of virus contaminated ballast water, and international trade. The proposed solutions to these problems include developing biosecurity policies at global and national levels, implementation of biosecurity measures, vaccine development, use of antiviral drugs and probiotics to combat viral infections, selective breeding of disease-resistant fish, use of improved diagnostic tools, disease surveillance, as well as promoting the use of good husbandry and management practices. A multifaceted approach combining several control strategies would provide more effective long-lasting solutions to reduction in viral infections in marine aquaculture than using a single disease control approach like vaccination alone.

Review of diagnostic procedures and control of some viral diseases causing abortion and infertility in small ruminants in Egypt

Sheep and goats represent an essential source of meat, milk and wool production. Infectious viral diseases of small ruminants hinder the expected benefits from these animals. The aim of the present review was to shed light on diagnostic procedures and monitoring of some important infectious viral diseases that affect small ruminants. Border disease (BDV) is caused by Pestiviruses. The affected herds are usually expressed high rates of infertility and production of underweighted-lambs. Affected lambs usually die within days after lambing. A commercial killed whole virus vaccine was produced for BDV. Louping ill (LI) is caused by the Louping ill virus, which is transmitted by Ixods ricinus ticks. The LI virus typically causes fever, anorexia and encephalomyelitis. Death could occur 1-3 days after the beginning of signs. The available Louping ill vaccine is composed of inactivated killed virus. Nairobi sheep disease (NSD) is a tick-born infectious disease caused by Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks, characterized clinically by fever, abortion hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and high mortality. Inactivated killed oil adjuvant virus vaccines are available for the control of Nairobi sheep disease. Akabane disease (AKAV) is a Culicoides borne viral disease belongs to orthobunyavirus that has a teratogenic effect on the fetus of cattle and small ruminants. A live attenuated virus vaccine and inactivated virus are commonly used. This review concluded that the modern diagnostic tools are urgently needed not only for diagnosis but also for monitoring viral disease control and control programs.