Coronavirus Strain Research Articles

Therapeutic Management with Repurposing Approaches: A Mystery During COVID-19 Outbreak.

The ubiquitous pandemic that emerged due to COVID-19 affected the whole planet. People all over the globe became vulnerable to the unpredictable emergence of coronavirus. The sudden emergence of respiratory disease in coronavirus infected several patients. This affected human life drastically, from mild symptoms to severe illness, leading to mortality. COVID-19 is an exceptionally communicable disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. According to a genomic study, the viral spike RBD interactions with the host ACE2 protein from several coronavirus strains and the interaction between RBD and ACE2 highlighted the potential change in affinity from the virus causing the COVID-19 outbreak to a progenitor type of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2, which could be the principal reservoir, is phylogenetically related to the SARS-like bat virus. Other research works reported that intermediary hosts for the transmission of viruses to humans could include cats, bats, snakes, pigs, ferrets, orangutans, and monkeys. Even with the arrival of vaccines and individuals getting vaccinated and treated with FDAapproved repurposed drugs like Remdesivir, the first and foremost steps aimed towards the possible control and minimization of community transmission of the virus include social distancing, self-realization, and self-health care. In this review paper, we discussed and summarized various approaches and methodologies adopted and proposed by researchers all over the globe to help with the management of this zoonotic outbreak by following repurposed approaches.

Circulation of Non-Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) Coronaviruses in Imported Camels in Saudi Arabia.

Background Coronaviruses (CoVs) pose significant health risks to humans, with recent outbreaks like severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) underscoring their zoonotic potential. Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) have been implicated as intermediate hosts for MERS-CoV, prompting heightened surveillance efforts. This study aims to identify non-MERS-CoV CoVs in imported camels at the Jeddah seaport, Saudi Arabia, using molecular techniques. Methods Camel nasal swabs (n = 337) were collected from imported dromedary camels arriving at the Jeddah Islamic seaport from Sudan and Djibouti. Samples were tested for CoVs using real-time real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. Positive samples were confirmed by conventional RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Selected samples underwent RNA sequencing to identify viral genomes. The study underscores the importance of molecular surveillance in camels to mitigate zoonotic risks. Results Out of 337 camel samples tested, 28 (8.30%) were positive for CoVs, predominantly from camels imported from Djibouti, compared to Sudan (13.39% vs. 5.78%). Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of non-MERS CoVs, including camel alpha-coronavirus and human CoV-229E-related strains. These findings highlight potential viral diversity and transmission risks in imported camel populations. Conclusion This study identifies diverse CoVs circulating in imported dromedary camels at the Jeddah Islamic seaport, Saudi Arabia, underscoring their potential role in zoonotic transmission. Enhanced surveillance and collaborative efforts are essential to mitigate public health risks associated with novel coronavirus strains from camel populations.

COVID-19 pandemic – Cocktail of variants, a study from Northern India

ABSTRACT Context: The aim of the study was to identify and monitor the circulating strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the samples received at our center and update the existing national and international genomic surveillance data. Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 is no exception to the basic nature of the viruses ability to change and evolve. Since its first report in December 2019 from Wuhan, China, multiple variants of the virus have emerged and been reported. Five variants of concern have been recognized and reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are associated with variable degrees of transmissibility and mortality. Materials and Methods: Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs received in viral transport medium at the Viral Research Diagnostic Laboratory were processed for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for SARS-CoV-2. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for selective positive samples using Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, using MinKNOW software for data acquisition. Statistical Analysis: The clades were assigned using Nextclade v2.4.1 software. The statistical analysis was calculated using OpenEpi version 3, an open-source calculator, and two by two. Results: Variants reported over the study period included Alpha, Kappa, Delta, and Omicron. Delta dominated in the year 2021, while Omicron was the dominant variant in 2022. In both the dominant variants, asymptomatics contributed to around 30–40% of positives. Intensive care unit admissions and mortality were higher in the Delta variant, while vaccination history and travel history were higher in the patients with Omicron variant. Conclusion: The trend tracking of these variants has been important in view of public health, enabling early interventions to control the spread of the disease and foresight in preparation for the situation.

Genetic characterization of bovine coronavirus strain isolated in Inner Mongolia of China

BackgroundBovine coronavirus (BCoV) is implicated in severe diarrhea in calves and contributes to the bovine respiratory disease complex; it shares a close relationship with human coronavirus. Similar to other coronaviruses, remarkable variability was found in the genome and biology of the BCoV. In 2022, samples of feces were collected from a cattle farm. A virus was isolated from 7-day-old newborn calves. In this study, we present the genetic characteristics of a new BCoV isolate. The complete genomic, spike protein, and nucleocapsid protein gene sequences of the BCoV strain, along with those of other coronaviruses, were obtained from the GenBank database. Genetic analysis was conducted using MEGA7.0 and the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method. The reference strains’ related genes were retrieved from GenBank for comparison and analysis using DNAMAN.ResultsThe phylogenetic tree and whole genome consistency analysis showed that it belonged to the GIIb subgroup, which is epidemic in Asia and America, and was quite similar to the Chinese strains in the same cluster. Significantly, the S gene was highly consistent with QH1 (MH810151.1) isolated from yak. This suggests that the strain may have originated from interspecies transmission involving mutations of wild strains. The N gene was conserved and showed high sequence identity with the epidemic strains in China and the USA.ConclusionsGenetic characterization suggests that the isolated strain could be a new mutant from a wild-type lineage, which is in the same cluster as most Chinese epidemic strains but on a new branch.

Persistence of viral RNA in North American elk experimentally infected with an ancestral strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) have emerged as a reservoir host for SARS-CoV-2 given their susceptibility to infection and demonstrated high rates of seroprevalence and infection across the United States. As SARS-CoV-2 circulates within free-ranging white-tailed deer populations, there is the risk of transmission to other wildlife species and even back to the human population. The goal of this study was to determine the susceptibility, shedding, and immune response of North American elk (Cervus elaphus canadensis) to experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2, to determine if another wide-ranging cervid species could potentially serve as a reservoir host for the virus. Here we demonstrate that while North American elk do not develop clinical signs of disease, they do develop a neutralizing antibody response to infection, suggesting the virus is capable of replicating in this mammalian host. Additionally, we demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 RNA presence in the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes of infected elk three weeks after experimental infection. Consistent with previous observations in humans, these data may highlight a mechanism of viral persistence for SARS-CoV-2 in elk.

Impact of the Omicron Strain on Febrile Convulsions Requiring Hospitalization in Children: A Single-Center Observational Study.

The emergence of the Omicron strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) at the end of December 2021 has drastically increased the number of infected children in Japan, along with the number of children with febrile convulsions, but its clinical impact is unclear. We compared the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children hospitalized with febrile convulsions with the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with fever and respiratory symptoms without convulsions. In 2021 and 2022, 49 and 58 children required emergency hospitalization for febrile convulsions (FC group) with status epilepticus or cluster spasms, in which 24 and 38 children underwent a Filmarray® respiratory panel test (FA test), respectively, and others received a quantitative antigen test for SARS-CoV-2. In 2022, only six patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (10.3%, 6/58). As a reference group, 655 children aged <10 years who underwent the FA test for fever and respiratory symptoms during the same period were investigated, and 4 (1.8%, 4/223) and 42 (9.7%, 42/432) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Rhinovirus/enterovirus (RV/EV) was the most frequently detected virus (40.3%, 264/655), followed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (18.9%, 124/655) and parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV3) (7.8%, 51/655). There was no significant difference in the trend of detected viruses between the two groups. The frequency and severity of febrile convulsions requiring hospitalization associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection of the Omicron strain may be similar to that of other respiratory viruses in children.

Obtaining an accurate estimate of the Covid-19 mutation rate via Coronavirus sequence analysis preeminent themes using convolutional neural networks

It is believed that Wuhan is where the SARS-CoV-2 virus first surfaced in 2019. This virus was the cause of the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), which was officially declared a worldwide pandemic. To identify and manage COVID-19 while the disease is progressing, a great deal of research has been done. It is difficult to distinguish between COVID-19 and other coronavirus strains due to their genetic similarities. That being said, it is imperative that we quickly determine whether an epidemic is caused by a newly discovered virus or a long-standing illness. This article discusses the DeepCoV deep-learning (DL) deep learning approach, which uses layered convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify viral illnesses, including SARS-CoV-2. Numerous SARS-CoV-2-related motifs may also be found by carefully examining the computational filter procedures. By spotting these important patterns, DeepCoV makes CNN transparent. The research was done using the 2019nCoVR datasets, and the findings show that DeepCoV outperformed other benchmark machine learning models in terms of accuracy. DeepCoV also achieved maximum scores of 98.58 % and 98.62 %, respectively, on the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) and precision-recall curve (AUCPR). Furthermore linked to the coronavirus genome are notable patterns, filter activities, and particular feature activation actions. When combined, these results provide important insights into how to apply deep learning (DL) algorithms in lieu of SARS-CoV-2 detection and illness patterns in the SARS-CoV-2 genes.

Sustained immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Three years of observation

The COVID-19 pandemic has ended, but SARS-CoV-2 continues to actively circulate and mutate in the human population. In this regard, it is important to understand for how long post-infectious and post-vaccination immunity may last and how effectively established immunity could act against new mutant SARS-CoV-2 strains. The aim was to study humoral and cellular immunity in a group of COVID-19 convalescent subjects within 3 years after the primary infection. The longitudinal study included 38 adults aged 23–72 years with PCR-confirmed mild or moderate COVID-19 in the second half of 2020. Within three-year follow-up after the onset, the subjects were examined every 6 months for the level of humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 antigens. The parameters of humoral immunity were assessed by enzyme immunoassay using “SARS-CoV-2-IgG quantitative-ELISA-BEST” kits (Vector-Best JSC, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation) for S-protein and “N-CoV-2-IgG PS” (Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation) specific to the N-protein. Cellular anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity was analyzed by evaluating surface CD107a expression on CD8high lymphocytes stimulated with the SARS-CoV-2 S- or N-antigens. It was shown that the dynamics of antibody levels against SARS-COV-2 antigens depends on antigen (S- or N-protein) type, antibody class (IgG or IgA) as well as individual contact history with new SARS-CoV-2 strains. The dynamics of cytotoxic CD8highCD107a+ lymphocyte percentage is moderately positively correlated with that of the corresponding anti-S or N antibody levels. At the same time, change in the levels of both humoral and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 S- or N-protein antigens are weakly negatively correlated with each other. A strong positive correlation was found between changes in the anti-S IgG antibody level and avidity. Avoiding the anti-S IgG neutralization due to frequent mutations of new SARS-CoV-2 strains leads to induced new primary immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens along with the activation of existing responses formed to previous coronavirus strains. The study of immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 antigens allows to predict the persistence of high SARS-CoV-2 anti-S antibody and T-cell response levels.

Genes involved in the limited spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the lower respiratory airways of hamsters may be associated with adaptive evolution.

Novel respiratory viruses can cause a pandemic and then evolve to coexist with humans. The Omicron strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2021, and its sub-lineages are now established in human society. Compared to previous strains, Omicron is markedly less invasive in the lungs and causes less severe disease. One reason for this is that humans are acquiring immunity through previous infection and vaccination, but the nature of the virus itself is also changing. Using our newly established low-volume inoculation system, which reflects natural human infection, we show that the Omicron strain spreads less efficiently into the lungs of hamsters compared with an earlier Wuhan strain. Furthermore, by characterizing chimeric viruses with the Omicron gene in the Wuhan strain genetic background and vice versa, we found that viral genes downstream of ORF3a, but not the S gene, were responsible for the limited spread of the Omicron strain in the lower airways of the virus-infected hamsters. Moreover, molecular evolutionary analysis of SARS-CoV-2 revealed a positive selection of genes downstream of ORF3a (M and E genes). Our findings provide insight into the adaptive evolution of the virus in humans during the pandemic convergence phase.IMPORTANCEThe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant has spread worldwide since its emergence in late 2021, and its sub-lineages are established in human society. Compared to previous strains, the Omicron strain is less invasive in the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs, and causes less severe disease; however, the mechanistic basis for its restricted replication in the lower airways is poorly understood. In this study, using a newly established low-volume inoculation system that reflects natural human infection, we demonstrated that the Omicron strain spreads less efficiently into the lungs of hamsters compared with an earlier Wuhan strain and found that viral genes downstream of ORF3a are responsible for replication restriction in the lower respiratory tract of Omicron-infected hamsters. Furthermore, we detected a positive selection of genes downstream of ORF3a (especially the M and E genes) in SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that these genes may undergo adaptive changes in humans.

Analyzing the Relationship Between COVID-19 Susceptibility and Blood Group Variations: A Comprehensive Investigation into the Impact of ABO Blood Types on the Incidence, Severity, and Clinical Outcomes of the Disease

Background: The covid-19 pandemic, originating from a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is of concern to the global health arena as no crisis comparable to this has happened in the past. The investigation of not only the genetic components which may predispose for such a disease but also determine the severity of the illness has turned into a pressing research issue in modern days. Although it is desirable for the formulation of effective community health policy which provide tailor-made solutions concerning treatments, it is important that people have a clear understanding of the role played by blood type differences in this regard.&#x0D; Methodology: The research was done at Baghdad Medical City Hospital during the period of June and August of 2021 using the patients with verified COVID-19 cases as their base. The data contained not only demographic information but also a blood type, disorder severity level, as well as the details were about the procedure. Various statistics organizations, include but not limited to the Pearson correlation, Chi-square and data visualization were applied using SPSS to establish the association between different blood types and the aftermath of COVID-19 infections. Results: The study demonstrated that among the many characteristics of COVID-19, blood types tested out to be assciating with a statistically significant number of them. Noteworthy is the significant negative association that connects blood types with the severity of the disease, and this factor also determines the period for recovery. It became clear that the recovery duration and the treatment response didn’t depend on age when the results were adjusted for any statistically insignificant variations that could be attributed to age. This evidences us that it is likely that the age factor is not considered as a premier factor in the progress of the COVID-19 in the analyzed patients. when goes to a green process, the human error disappears.&#x0D; Conclusion: Obtained results of patients with diversified ABO blood types allowed us the data that confirmed disease incidence and severity can be modified during COVID-19. Given this fact, the doctors in the health care institutions and in the government agencies responsible for public health should gain this information. Also, the organizations need this information to develop a disease prevention and control policy. In a wider plan of the research and response strategy to the pandemic, COVID-19, the results reveal that on the genetic side the blood type must be borne in mind, amongst other hereditary features.

Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir): An Innovative Method Method for Treating Covid-19?

Nirmatrelvir Ritonavir 3-c like protease COVID-19 SARS-COV-2Despite the need for innovative, efficient treatment for the Covid Pandemic, there is currently no curative regimen available, leaving patients to rely on supportive and general treatments. The 3C like-protease (3CLpro) and the main protease (Mpro), two SARS-COV-2 proteins, have been identified as potential targets for antiviral medications. The Mpro might be viable therapeutic target since it plays a significant role in both the pathogenesis of the virus and processing. Nirmatrelvir, an antiviral medication, prevents SARS-CoV-2 from reproducing by blocking Mpro. Another HIV protease inhibitor, ritonavir, was coupled with nirmatrelvir to develop. Ritonavir inhibits the cytochrome P450 3A metabolizing enzyme, extending the half-life of nirmatrelvir and serving as pharmacological enhancer. Despite major modification of the SARS-COV-2 viral genome, nirmatrelvir still has strong antiviral effectiveness against contemporary coronavirus strains. However, there are still a number of open issues. The effectiveness of nirmatrelvir and ritonavir in treating SARS-COV-2 infection, as well as their safety and potential adverse effects are discussed in this review of literature.

Prevention and treatment strategies for kidney transplant recipients in the context of long-term existence of COVID-19.

The sudden outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in early 2020 posed a massive threat to human life and caused an economic upheaval worldwide. Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) became susceptible to infection during the COVID-19 pandemic owing to their use of immunosuppressants, resulting in increased hospitalization and mortality rates. Although the current epidemic situation is alleviated, the long-term existence of COVID-19 still seriously threatens the life and health of KTRs with low immunity. The Omicron variant, a highly infectious but less-pathogenic strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has raised concerns among transplant physicians regarding managing KTRs diagnosed with this variant. However, currently, there are no clear and unified guidelines for caring for KTRs infected with this variant. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the ongoing research on drugs that can treat Omicron variant infections in KTRs and explore the potential of adjusting immunotherapy strategies to enhance their responsiveness to vaccines. Herein, we discuss the situation of KTRs since the emergence of COVID-19 and focus on various prevention and treatment strategies for KTRs since the Omicron variant outbreak. We hope to assist physicians in managing KTRs in the presence of long-term COVID-19 variants.

Meteorological Conditions and PM2.5 Impact on COVID-19 Case Fatality Ratios (CFR) in Bangkok Metropolitan Region

The emergence of a novel coronavirus strain triggered a global health crisis, impacting both health and economies worldwide, including Thailand since 2019. While prior research hinted at connections between environmental factors and rising COVID-19 cases, these links remained inconclusive. This study investigated indoor and outdoor (I/O) ratios and explored potential correlations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), meteorological conditions, and the case fatality rate (CFR%) of COVID-19 in Bangkok and its metropolitan area from January to December 2021. In Spearman’s Rank correlation analysis, the results found that CFR% exhibited a positive correlation with relative humidity (RH) (r=0.187) and a negative correlation with PM2.5 (r=-0.190) and wind speed (WS) (r=-0.039). The generalized additive model (GAM) indicated that RH, PM2.5, temperature, and WS adversely affect the CFR% of COVID-19. Consistent relationships between PM2.5, RH, and WS were observed in both Spearman’s Rank correlation and the GAM model. This study underscored the complexity of understanding pandemic dynamics across seasons, I/O ratios, and the influence of lag days. By presenting the results, they may serve as a valuable reference for planning interventions during future pandemics.

Effects of the induction of humoral and cellular immunity by third vaccination for SARS-CoV-2

IntroductionTo control the spread of severe disease caused by mutant strains of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), it is necessary to determine whether continued vaccination enhances humoral and cellular immunity. AimIn this study, we examined the changes in humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 after administration of the third vaccination in Japanese adults who had received the second dose of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-1273 vaccine and the third vaccination (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). MethodsWe measured anti-spike antibodies in immunoglobulin G (IgG) and anti-nucleocapsid IgG titers in the serum of the vaccinated subjects. To evaluate cellular immunity, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of inoculated individuals were cultured with spiked proteins, including those of the SARS-CoV-2 conventional strain and Omicron strain, and then subjected to enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT). ResultsThe results revealed that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibody titer increased after the third vaccination and was maintained; however, a decrease was observed at 6 months after vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 antigen-specific T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cell responses were also induced after the third vaccination and were maintained for 6 months after vaccination. Furthermore, induction of cellular immunity against Omicron strains by the omicron non-compliant vaccines, BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273, was observed. ConclusionThese findings demonstrate the effectiveness of vaccination against unknown mutant strains that may occur in the future and provide important insights into vaccination strategies.

Antiviral Effect of Antimicrobial Peptoid TM9 and Murine Model of Respiratory Coronavirus Infection.

New antiviral agents are essential to improving treatment and control of SARS-CoV-2 infections that can lead to the disease COVID-19. Antimicrobial peptoids are sequence-specific oligo-N-substituted glycine peptidomimetics that emulate the structure and function of natural antimicrobial peptides but are resistant to proteases. We demonstrate antiviral activity of a new peptoid (TM9) against the coronavirus, murine hepatitis virus (MHV), as a closely related model for the structure and antiviral susceptibility profile of SARS-CoV-2. This peptoid mimics the human cathelicidin LL-37, which has also been shown to have antimicrobial and antiviral activity. In this study, TM9 was effective against three murine coronavirus strains, demonstrating that the therapeutic window is large enough to allow the use of TM9 for treatment. All three isolates of MHV generated infection in mice after 15 min of exposure by aerosol using the Madison aerosol chamber, and all three viral strains could be isolated from the lungs throughout the 5-day observation period post-infection, with the peak titers on day 2. MHV-A59 and MHV-A59-GFP were also isolated from the liver, heart, spleen, olfactory bulbs, and brain. These data demonstrate that MHV serves as a valuable natural murine model of coronavirus pathogenesis in multiple organs, including the brain.

Variant focal segmental collapsing glomerulosclerosis associated with COVID-19 vaccine and highrisk APOL1 genotype clinical case report and bibliographic review

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, produced by a mutant strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which caused worldwide chaos never seen before, started in China in December 2019. In Brazil the first case was confirmed on February 26, 2020 with a 61-year -old patient and the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020; the aggressiveness of the disease led to an accelerated search for treatments and vaccines, just in July 2021, there were 184 vaccine candidates against COVID-19; Along with immunization, several adverse effects generated by the various vaccines have been reported, ranging from mild to severe, from minor pain at the puncture site to headache, fever, arthralgias, etc. Severe cases have also been reported, such as anaphylaxis, heart disease, renal alterations, etc. which to date are not fully determined. Clinical case: It is related to a clinical case report in Brazil of a 16-year-old female patient, with no significant personal history, who received the first dose of the vaccine for COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNtech) and 3 days later presented with headache, abdominal pain and arterial hypertension; when assessed and with complementary examinations was determined a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, she received treatment with corticosteroids for 3 days; with the biopsy resulted in focal and segmental collapsing glomerulosclerosis with moderate tubulointerstitial repercussion (30-40%). Evolution: The patient developed renal failure and nephritic/nephrotic syndrome. Conclusion: It is not determined with certainty, but there is the possibility of association of glomerular disease with vaccination for COVID-19, it is necessary to continue with the vaccination campaigns and to reduce the aggressiveness of this disease.

Complications Following COVID-19 Infection or Vaccination in Libyan International Medical University Students and Their Families

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a novel strain of coronavirus belonging to the genus Beta coronavirus named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged as a major pandemic worldwide. This contagious virus had spread in many different forms, and patients have demonstrated a wide range of symptoms, ranging from moderate to severe illness. This study aims to highlight the important associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and possible complications at the Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi. This cross-sectional survey was conducted among students and their families at Libyan International Medical University in Benghazi, Libya. Among the 100 participants, 72% were between the ages of 18 and 39. Up to (59%) of participants were men. As for the infection with COVID-19, 77% of participants were infected. Most of the participants had no chronic diseases (69%); however, the most common chronic disease was diabetes mellitus (13%). 82% of participants were vaccinated; the most common types of vaccines administered were Sinopharm and Sputnik V (24%). Following vaccination, 71% of participants had no COVID-19 infection, while 29% did get the infection. Regarding this study, after COVID-19 infection, 66% of participants had no complications; however, 17% had pulmonary complications, which was the most common complication among the participants. As for the complications following the vaccination, 81% of participants had none, while there were pulmonary and neurological complications in 7–6%. The results of the study showed that the most frequent complications noticed among the participants following the COVID-19 infection and vaccination were pulmonary and neurological complications.

Tapered chiral nanoparticles as broad-spectrum thermally stable antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 variants

The incessant mutations of viruses, variable immune responses, and likely emergence of new viral threats necessitate multiple approaches to novel antiviral therapeutics. Furthermore, the new antiviral agents should have broad-spectrum activity and be environmentally stable. Here, we show that biocompatible tapered CuS nanoparticles (NPs) efficiently agglutinate coronaviruses with binding affinity dependent on the chirality of surface ligands and particle shape. L-penicillamine-stabilized NPs with left-handed curved apexes display half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) as low as 0.66 pM (1.4 ng/mL) and 0.57 pM (1.2 ng/mL) for pseudo-type SARS-CoV-2 viruses and wild-type Wuhan-1 SARS-CoV-2 viruses, respectively, which are about 1,100 times lower than those for antibodies (0.73 nM). Benefiting from strong NPs-protein interactions, the same particles are also effective against other strains of coronaviruses, such as HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, and SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants with IC50 values below 10 pM (21.8 ng/mL). Considering rapid response to outbreaks, exposure to elevated temperatures causes no change in the antiviral activity of NPs while antibodies are completely deactivated. Testing in mice indicates that the chirality-optimized NPs can serve as thermally stable analogs of antiviral biologics complementing the current spectrum of treatments.

Rise in broadly cross-reactive adaptive immunity against human β-coronaviruses in MERS-recovered patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To develop a universal coronavirus (CoV) vaccine, long-term immunity against multiple CoVs, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, and future CoV strains, is crucial. Following the 2015 Korean MERS outbreak, we conducted a long-term follow-up study and found that although neutralizing antibodies and memory T cells against MERS-CoV declined over 5 years, some recovered patients exhibited increased antibody levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. This likely resulted from cross-reactive immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or infections. A significant correlation in antibody responses across various CoVs indicates shared immunogenic epitopes. Two epitopes-the spike protein's stem helix and intracellular domain-were highly immunogenic after MERS-CoV infection and after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection. In addition, memory T cell responses, especially polyfunctional CD4+ T cells, were enhanced during the pandemic, correlating significantly with MERS-CoV spike-specific antibodies and neutralizing activity. Therefore, incorporating these cross-reactive and immunogenic epitopes into pan-CoV vaccine formulations may facilitate effective vaccine development.

COVID-19 and the brain: understanding the pathogenesis and consequences of neurological damage.

SARS-CoV-2 has been known remarkably since December 2019 as a strain of pathogenic coronavirus. Starting from the earlier stages of the COVID-19 pandemic until now, we have witnessed many cases of neurological damage caused by SARS-CoV-2. There are many studies and research conducted on COVID-19-positive-patients that have found brain-related abnormalities with clear neurological symptoms, ranging from simple headaches to life-threatening strokes. For treating neurological damage, knowing the actual pathway or mechanism of causing brain damage via SARS-CoV-2 is very important. For this reason, we have tried to explain the possible pathways of brain damage due to SARS-CoV-2 with mechanisms and illustrations. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the human body by binding to specific ACE2 receptors in the targeted cells, which are present in the glial cells and CNS neurons of the human brain. It is found that direct and indirect infections with SARS-CoV-2 in the brain result in endothelial cell death, which alters the BBB tight junctions. These probable alterations can be the reason for the excessive transmission and pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 in the human brain. In this precise review, we have tried to demonstrate the neurological symptoms in the case of COVID-19-positive-patients and the possible mechanisms of neurological damage, along with the treatment options for brain-related abnormalities. Knowing the transmission mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 in the human brain can assist us in generating novel treatments associated with neuroinflammation in other brain diseases.