Epidemic Virus Research Articles

Study Effect of Some Atmospheric Elements on COVID-19 Infections in Iraq

In late 2019 and in Wuhan, a new disease appears, consider as an extension of SARS-COV2 epidemic. This epidemic virus has configured a danger to global health. We studied the effect of some atmospheric elements in Iraq with a number of (COVID-19) infections. In this study daily infections in three regions of Iraq compares with (Tmax-Tmin) and (RH) observed in stations Mosul (represent north region), Baghdad and Rutba (represent middle regions), and Basra (represent south region). It's found that increasing the difference between Tmax and Tmin means more infections, except for the northern province. As for the relative humidity, it is inversely proportional to infections with the correlation coefficient R = -0.6 in Baghdad station, and in the southern province with R = -0.32, and the opposite occurs in the northern province. The results also indicate that increasing the relative humidity to more than 70% was effective in increasing the infections. Solar radiation was studied over the city of Baghdad and its effect on infections because solar radiation contains a large proportion of ultraviolet rays that killed many viruses, the study indicates an inverse relationship because most of the patients are infected in the shade and there is no clear relationship. In late 2019 and in Wuhan, a new decease appears, consider as extension of SARS-COV2 epidemic. This epidemic virus has configured a danger on the global health. We studied the effect of some atmospheric elements in Iraq with number of (COVID-19) infections. At this study daily infections in three regions of Iraq compare with (Tmax-Tmin) and (RH) observed in stations Mosul (represent north region), Baghdad and Rutba (represent middle regions) and Basra (represent south region). It's found that increasing the difference between Tmax and Tmin means more infections, except for the northern province. As for the relative humidity it is inversely proportional to infections with the correlation coefficient R = -0.6 in Baghdad station, and in the southern province with R = -0.32, and the opposite occurs in the northern province. The results also indicate that increasing the relative humidity to more than 70% was effective in increasing the infections. Solar radiation was studied over the city of Baghdad and its effect on infections because solar radiation contains a large proportion of ultraviolet rays that killed many viruses, the study indicates an inverse relationship because most of the patients are infected in the shade and there is no clear relationship.

Immunofluorescent Labeling of Plant Virus and Insect Vector Proteins in Hemipteran Guts.

Most plant viruses in nature are transmitted from one plant to another by hemipteran insects. A high population density of the vector insects that are highly efficient at virus transmission plays a key role in virus epidemics in fields. Studying virus-insect vector interactions can advance our understanding of virus transmission and epidemics with the aim of designing novel strategies to control plant viruses and their vector insects. Immunofluorescence labeling has been widely used to analyze interactions between pathogens and hosts and is used here in the white-backed planthopper (WBPH, Sogatella furcifera), which efficiently transmits the southern rice black streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV, genus Fijivirus, family Reoviridae), to locate the virions and insect proteins in the midgut epithelial cells. Using laser scanning confocal microscopy, we studied the morphological characteristics of midgut epithelial cells, cellular localization of insect proteins, and the colocalization of virions and an insect protein. This protocol can be used to study virus activities in insects, functions of insect proteins, and interactions between virus and vector insect.

100-My history of bornavirus infections hidden in vertebrate genomes

Although viruses have threatened our ancestors for millions of years, prehistoric epidemics of viruses are largely unknown. Endogenous bornavirus-like elements (EBLs) are ancient bornavirus sequences derived from the viral messenger RNAs that were reverse transcribed and inserted into animal genomes, most likely by retrotransposons. These elements can be used as molecular fossil records to trace past bornaviral infections. In this study, we systematically identified EBLs in vertebrate genomes and revealed the history of bornavirus infections over nearly 100 My. We confirmed that ancient bornaviral infections have occurred in diverse vertebrate lineages, especially in primate ancestors. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that primate ancestors were infected with various bornaviral lineages during evolution. EBLs in primate genomes formed clades according to their integration ages, suggesting that bornavirus lineages infected with primate ancestors had changed chronologically. However, some bornaviral lineages may have coexisted with primate ancestors and underwent repeated endogenizations for tens of millions of years. Moreover, a bornaviral lineage that coexisted with primate ancestors also endogenized in the genomes of some ancestral bats. The habitats of these bat ancestors have been reported to overlap with the migration route of primate ancestors. These results suggest that long-term virus-host coexistence expanded the geographic distributions of the bornaviral lineage along with primate migration and may have spread their infections to these bat ancestors. Our findings provide insight into the history of bornavirus infections over geological timescales that cannot be deduced from research using extant viruses alone, thus broadening our perspective on virus-host coevolution.

Emergence of a novel pegivirus species in southwest China showing a high rate of coinfection with parvovirus and circovirus in geese

Previously, we isolated a novel strain of goose pegivirus (GPgV) that infects geese and shows high levels of lymphotropism. This novel pegivirus strain is phylogenetically distinct from previously known Pegivirus species, Pegivirus A-K, and qualifies as a candidate new Pegivirus species, GPgV. GPgV is tentatively named Pegivirus M. Here, to better understand the epidemic of GPgV infection and the coinfection of this virus with other viruses in Southwest China, 25 geese in poor health from Sichuan Province and 24 geese in poor health from the municipality of Chongqing were collected. The geese were tested for 9 types of goose viruses (goose hemorrhagic polyomavirus, GPgV, astrovirus, parvovirus, circovirus, reovirus, coronavirus, paramyxovirus, and avian influenza virus) by RT-PCR or nested RT-PCR. GPgV RNA was detected in 2 out of 25 monoinfections and 8 out of 25 coinfections with other viruses on Sichuan farms and 2 out of 24 monoinfections and 10 out of 24 coinfections on Chongqing farms. Overall, 22 of the 49 (44.9%) geese were positive for GPgV, which indicated a high infection rate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of GPgV coinfection with other epidemic viruses. This study enhances our understanding of the emergence and epidemiology of Pegivirus.

Contributions of Genetic Evolution to Zika Virus Emergence.

Mosquito-borne Zika virus (ZIKV) was considered an obscure virus causing only mild or self-limited symptoms until the explosive outbreaks in French Polynesia in 2013–2014 and in the Americas in 2015–2016, resulting in more than 700,000 cases of the disease, with occasional miscarriage and severe congenital birth defects, such as intrauterine growth restriction, fetal microcephaly, and other neurodevelopmental malformations. In this review, we summarized the evolution of ZIKV from a mundane virus to an epidemic virus. ZIKV has acquired a panel of amino acid substitutions during evolution when the virus spread from Africa, Asia, Pacific, through to the Americas. Robust occurrence of mutations in the evolution of ZIKV has increased its epidemic potential. Here we discussed the contributions of these evolutionary mutations to the enhancement of viral pathogenicity and host-mosquito transmission. We further explored the potential hypotheses for the increase in ZIKV activity in recent decades. Through this review, we also explored the hypotheses for the occurrence of the recent ZIKV epidemics and highlighted the potential roles of various factors including pathogen-, host-, vector-related, and environmental factors, which may have synergistically contributed to the ZIKV epidemics.

Cold Blood

AbstractThis article historicizes viral transmissions through the global supply chain of blood plasma between the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Since the 1941 initiation of plasma donation to serve US armed forces, privately exported US blood products have contributed significantly to a globalized industry, valuing $21 billion in sales by 2017. Although maintaining a blood surplus has been crucial for treating illnesses and traumatic injuries, blood banking has been a source for massive viral transmissions, including HIV and hepatitis C. Examining the news, activism, and state responses to blood-borne outbreaks across the United States and PRC, this essay outlines a constellation of viral infections derived from plasma coerced from US prisoners and PRC rural villagers. Viruses archive the structural violences of the global pharmaceutical and blood biotechnology industries. They point to the cyclical relations between persistent class-based racial and ethnic disparities, technoscientific experimentation, and viral epidemics across polities.

Training and education of healthcare workers during viral epidemics: a systematic review

BackgroundIt is necessary to train a large number of healthcare workers (HCW) within a limited time to ensure adequate human resources during an epidemic. There remains an urgent need for...

Temporal Variations in Respiratory Syncytial Virus Epidemics, by Virus Subtype, 4 Countries.

Temporal variation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics was recently reported to be determined by the dominant RSV subtype. However, when we repeated the analysis for 4 countries in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the dominant subtype did not seem to affect temporal variation of RSV epidemics.

An Updated Overview of Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection: Insights from Origin to Mitigation Measures

Purpose: High prevalence of recurrent HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus 1) and its facile mode of transmission requires an elaborated understanding of the virus for mollification. To mitigate its pervasive nature that greatly affects both men and women, a thorough understanding of the viral genome and epidemiology are prerequisites. The review focuses on the existing facts of HSV-1 and acknowledges the prospect of ongoing epidemiological studies. Findings: Recent data indicates a surge of HSV-1 infection in the age ranged 30-50 years along with the emergence of neonatal cases. The newfound receptors indicate the effect and degree of susceptibility of the host and support the statistical data of HSV-1 seropositivity. Recent studies also show that the evolving virus has gained resistance against widely used antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir (ACV). Therefore, trials of several vaccines (eg. GEN-003and HerpV) are garnering attention as a possible prevention method. Summary: As most natural viruses are radically evolving, ensuing rather fatal consequences than previous wild types, every virus requires to be tackled with equal importance. Developing vaccines and potent drugs to eradicate viruses from infected subjects’ systems can be the only way to prevent future viral epidemics or pandemics. Therefore, early detection of the virus with accurate assay following immediate treatment can only prevent the cases from future catastrophe.

Quality by design modelling to support rapid RNA vaccine production against emerging infectious diseases

Rapid-response vaccine production platform technologies, including RNA vaccines, are being developed to combat viral epidemics and pandemics. A key enabler of rapid response is having quality-oriented disease-agnostic manufacturing protocols ready ahead of outbreaks. We are the first to apply the Quality by Design (QbD) framework to enhance rapid-response RNA vaccine manufacturing against known and future viral pathogens. This QbD framework aims to support the development and consistent production of safe and efficacious RNA vaccines, integrating a novel qualitative methodology and a quantitative bioprocess model. The qualitative methodology identifies and assesses the direction, magnitude and shape of the impact of critical process parameters (CPPs) on critical quality attributes (CQAs). The mechanistic bioprocess model quantifies and maps the effect of four CPPs on the CQA of effective yield of RNA drug substance. Consequently, the first design space of an RNA vaccine synthesis bioreactor is obtained. The cost-yield optimization together with the probabilistic design space contribute towards automation of rapid-response, high-quality RNA vaccine production.

RACK1 degrades MAVS to promote bovine ephemeral fever virus replication via upregulating E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1

Receptors for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) could competitively combine with mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) to inhibit the type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway during viral infection in vitro. However, whether RACK1 can degrade MAVS to enhance viral replication is still unknown. In this study, we found that bovine epidemic fever virus (BEFV) infection triggered the expression of RACK1. Overexpression of RACK1 promoted BEFV replication, while knockdown of RACK1 inhibited the replication of BEFV. Further research showed that RACK1 inhibited the type I IFN signaling pathway during BEFV infection by degrading MAVS, and RACK1 degraded MAVS via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Mechanistically, RACK1 up-regulated the expression of E3 ubiquitin ligase STIP1 homology and U-box containing protein 1 (STUB1), thereby promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of MAVS. In addition, RACK1 degraded MAVS by enhancing the interaction between STUB1 and MAVS but not via its interaction with STUB1. Overall, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which RACK1 inhibits the type I IFN signaling pathway to BEFV infection through degradation of MAVS, thereby promoting viral infection. These findings provide a new perspective for the MAVS degradation regulated by RACK1.

Nanostrategies to Develop Current Antiviral Vaccines.

Infectious diseases are a worldwide concern. They are responsible for increasing the mortality rate and causing economic and social problems. Viral epidemics and pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, force the scientific community to consider molecules with antiviral activity. A number of viral infections still do not have a vaccine or efficient treatment and it is imperative to search for vaccines to control these infections. In this context, nanotechnology in association with the design of vaccines has presented an option for virus control. Nanovaccines have displayed an impressive immune response using a low dosage. This review aims to describe the advances and update the data in studies using nanovaccines and their immunomodulatory effect against human viruses.

Resilience and Work-Related Stress May Affect Depressive Symptoms in Nursing Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic Era.

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the effect of nursing professionals’ resilience on their mental health, work-related stress, and anxiety in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWe conducted an online survey in the Asan Medical Center and Ulsan University Hospital, South Korea. We extracted data of 824 nursing professionals who consented to participate, including demographic variables and the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-9 (SAVE-9), PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Brief Resilience Scale scores. ResultsResilience was negatively correlated with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (rho=-0.23), Generalized Anxiety Scale-7 items (GAD-7) (rho=-0.25), Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidem-ics-6 items (SAVE-6) (rho=-0.15), and Stress And anxiety to Viral Epidemics-3 items (SAVE-3) (rho=-0.13, all, p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis adjusting age, marital status, and years of employment revealed that high level of general anxiety [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31–1.50], work-related stress during viral epidemics (aOR=1.16, 95% CI=1.03–1.29), and a low level of resilience (aOR=0.91, 95% CI=0.85–0.97) were expecting variables for the depression of healthcare workers. ConclusionNursing professionals’ level of resilience may be associated with low level of work-related stress and anxiety induced by a viral epidemic. We need to explore further the possibility of resilience as coping strategy of healthcare workers in this pandemic era.

Substantial impact of post-vaccination contacts on cumulative infections during viral epidemics

Background: The start of 2021 was marked by the initiation of a global vaccination campaign against the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Formulating an optimal distribution strategy under social and economic constraints is challenging. Optimal distribution is additionally constrained by the potential emergence of vaccine resistance. Analogous to chronic low-dose antibiotic exposure, recently inoculated individuals who are not yet immune play an outsized role in the emergence of resistance. Classical epidemiological modelling is well suited to explore how the behavior of the inoculated population impacts the total number of infections over the entirety of an epidemic. Methods: A deterministic model of epidemic evolution is analyzed, with seven compartments defined by their relationship to the emergence of vaccine-resistant mutants and representing three susceptible populations, three infected populations, and one recovered population. This minimally computationally intensive design enables simulation of epidemics across a broad parameter space. The results are used to identify conditions minimizing the cumulative number of infections. Results: When an escape variant is only modestly less infectious than the originating strain within a naïve population, there exists an optimal rate of vaccine distribution. Exceeding this rate increases the cumulative number of infections due to vaccine escape. Analysis of the model also demonstrates that inoculated individuals play a major role in the mitigation or exacerbation of vaccine-resistant outbreaks. Modulating the rate of host–host contact for the inoculated population by less than an order of magnitude can alter the cumulative number of infections by more than 20%. Conclusions: Mathematical modeling shows that optimization of the vaccination rate and limiting post-vaccination contacts can perceptibly affect the course of an epidemic. The consideration of limitations on post-vaccination contacts remains relevant for the entire duration of any vaccination campaign including the current status of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Characteristics and forecasting of respiratory viral epidemics among children in west China.

We aimed to assess the respiratory virus characteristics and forecasts among young children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) in west China.This retrospective study investigated the epidemic characteristics of respiratory viruses among 11,813 paediatric ARTI patient samples (mean age, 2.25 years) between March 2018 and March 2020.The ratio of boys to girls was 1.36. The 2 predominant viruses were influenza (Flu) A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in both years, with Flu A accounting for 47.3% and 47.5% in the first and second years and RSV accounting for 32.7% and 24.7% of the positive samples in the first and second years, respectively. The Flu B positive rates were 10.9% and 13.1%, and those of the other 4 viruses were <7%. The most common virus was RSV in children below 5 years and Flu A in those between 5 and 10 years. Flu A and RSV demonstrated pronounced seasonality, and their infection rates increased from October. During the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, isolation measures led to a decline in the number of ARTI cases.This study provides surveillance data of the respiratory viruses in west China. It could guide medical staff in implementing necessary prevention and management strategies before future viral outbreaks.

Cardiovascular Complications in Major 21st Century Viral Epidemics and Pandemics: an Insight into COVID-19.

There have many major history-defining epidemics and pandemics in the 21st century. It is well known that acute infections can cause cardiovascular (CV) complications, especially in those with underlying cardiac disease. The variation in rates and types of CVD complications in major 21st century epidemics and pandemics varies greatly. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the turmoil of the century and has COVID-19 has resulted in substantial human and economic loss. The novelty of COVID-19 and emerging CV effects is a new entity. In this review, we discuss the major epidemics and pandemics of the 21st century and associated CVD complications.

The Three Pillars of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy.

The new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has spread rapidly around the world in the last year causing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which still is a severe threat for public health. The therapeutic management of COVID-19 is challenging as, up until now, no specific and efficient pharmacological therapy has been validated. Translating the experience from previous viral epidemics, passive immunotherapy by means of plasma from individuals recovered from COVID-19 has been intensively investigated since the beginning of the pandemic. In this narrative review, we critically analyze the three factors, named “pillars”, that play a key role in determining the clinical effectiveness of this biologic therapy: the convalescent plasma, the disease (COVID-19), and the patients.

Pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae MET-GRA4 isolate on dengue vectors, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Considering the rapid transmission of the dengue virus, substantial efforts need to be conducted to ward-off the epidemics of dengue viruses. The control effort is depending on chemical insecticides and had aroused undesirable conflicts of insecticide resistance. Here, we study the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae as a promising new biological control agent for vector control. The pathogenicity effects of Metarhizium anisopliae against field and laboratory strains of Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti larvae were tested using the larvicidal bioassay technique. The results demonstrate that the treatments using M. anisopliae isolate MET-GRA4 were highly effective and able to kill 100% of both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae at a conidia concentration of 1 × 10⁶/ml within 7 days of the treatment period. The fungus displayed high larvicidal activity against laboratory and field strain of Ae. aegypti larvae with LC50 values (9.6 x 103/ml, 1.3 x 103/ml) and LC95 values (1.2 x 10⁶/ml, 5.5 x 105/ml) respectively. For Ae. albopictus, LC50 values for laboratory and field strains were (1.7 x 104/ml, 2.7 x 104/ml) and the LC95 values were (2.1 x 10⁶/ml, 7.0 x 105/ml) respectively. Interestingly, the susceptibility of field strain towards M. anisopliae was higher as compared to the laboratory strain Aedes larvae. In which, the causative agents of all the dead larvae were verified by the virulence of M. anisopliae and caused morphological deformities on larval body. The findings from this study identify this isolate could be an effective potential biocontrol agent for vector mosquitoes in Malaysia.

Transmission of SARS-Cov-2 and other enveloped viruses to the environment through protective gear: a brief review

Over the past two decades, several deadly viral epidemics have emerged, which have placed humanity in danger. Previous investigations have suggested that viral diseases can spread through contaminants or contaminated surfaces. The transmission of viruses via polluted surfaces relies upon their capacity to maintain their infectivity while they are in the environment. Here, a range of materials that are widely used to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) are summarized, as these offer effective disinfection solutions and are the environmental variables that influence virus survival. Infection modes and prevention as well as disinfection and PPE disposal strategies are discussed. A coronavirus-like enveloped virus can live in the environment after being discharged from a host organism until it infects another healthy individual. Transmission of enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can occur even without direct contact, although detailed knowledge of airborne routes and other indirect transmission paths is still lacking. Ground transmission of viruses is also possible via wastewater discharges. While enveloped viruses can contaminate potable water and wastewater through human excretions such as feces and droplets, careless PPE disposal can also lead to their transmission into our environment. This paper also highlights the possibility that viruses can be transmitted into the environment from PPE kits used by healthcare and emergency service personnel. A simulation-based approach was developed to understand the transport mechanism for coronavirus and similar enveloped viruses in the environment through porous media, and preliminary results from this model are presented here. Those results indicate that viruses can move through porous soil and eventually contaminate groundwater. This paper therefore underlines the importance of proper PPE disposal by healthcare workers in the Mediterranean region and around the world.

Noninvasive and minimally invasive techniques for the diagnosis and management of allergic diseases.

Allergic diseases of the (upper and lower) airways, the skin and the gastrointestinal tract, are on the rise, resulting in impaired quality of life, decreased productivity, and increased healthcare costs. As allergic diseases are mostly tissue-specific, local sampling methods for respective biomarkers offer the potential for increased sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, local sampling using noninvasive or minimally invasive methods can be cost-effective and well tolerated, which may even be suitable for primary or home care sampling. Non- or minimally invasive local sampling and diagnostics may enable a more thorough endotyping, may help to avoid under- or overdiagnosis, and may provide the possibility to approach precision prevention, due to early diagnosis of these local diseases even before they get systemically manifested and detectable. At the same time, dried blood samples may help to facilitate minimal-invasive primary or home care sampling for classical systemic diagnostic approaches. This EAACI position paper contains a thorough review of the various technologies in allergy diagnosis available on the market, which analytes or biomarkers are employed, and which samples or matrices can be used. Based on this assessment, EAACI position is to drive these developments to efficiently identify allergy and possibly later also viral epidemics and take advantage of comprehensive knowledge to initiate preventions and treatments.