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Barua S, Dénes A. Global dynamics of a compartmental model to assess the effect of transmission from deceased. Math Biosci 2023; 364:109059. [PMID: 37619887 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbs.2023.109059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
During several epidemics, transmission from deceased people significantly contributed to disease spread, but mathematical analysis of this transmission has not been seen in the literature numerously. Transmission of Ebola during traditional burials was the most well-known example; however, there are several other diseases, such as hepatitis, plague or Nipah virus, that can potentially be transmitted from disease victims. This is especially true in the case of serious epidemics when healthcare is overwhelmed and the operative capacity of the health sector is diminished, such as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. We present a compartmental model for the spread of a disease with an imperfect vaccine available, also considering transmission from deceased infected in general. The global dynamics of the system are completely described by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functions. To support our analytical results, we perform numerical simulations to assess the importance of transmission from the deceased, considering the data collected from three infectious diseases, Ebola virus disease, COVID-19, and Nipah fever.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumen Barua
- Bolyai Institute, University of Szeged, Aradi vértanúk tere 1., Szeged, 6720, Hungary.
| | - Attila Dénes
- National Laboratory for Health Security, Bolyai Institute, University of Szeged, Aradi vértanúk tere 1., Szeged, 6720, Hungary
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Hirata Y, Katano H, Iida S, Mine S, Nagasawa S, Makino Y, Motomura A, Ozono S, Sato Y, Sekizuka T, Kuroda M, Yamaguchi R, Inokuchi G, Torimitsu S, Akitomi S, Yajima D, Saitoh H, Suzuki T, Iwase H. Genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in forensic autopsy cases of COVID-19. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28990. [PMID: 37537838 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Numerous genomic analyses of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been conducted, highlighting its variations and lineage transitions. Despite the importance of forensic autopsy in investigating deaths due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including out-of-hospital deaths, viral genomic analysis has rarely been reported due in part to postmortem changes. In this study, various specimens were collected from 18 forensic autopsy cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed the distribution of the virus in the body, primarily in the respiratory organs. Next-generation sequencing determined the complete genome sequences in 15 of the 18 cases, although some cases showed severe postmortem changes or degradation of tissue RNA. Intrahost genomic diversity of the virus was identified in one case of death due to COVID-19. The accumulation of single-nucleotide variations in the lung of the case suggested the intrahost evolution of SARS-CoV-2. Lung of the case showed diffuse alveolar damage histologically and positivity for SARS-CoV-2 by immunohistochemical analysis and in situ hybridization, indicating virus-associated pneumonia. This study provides insights into the feasibility of genomic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 in forensic autopsy cases and the potential for uncovering important information in COVID-19 deaths, including out-of-hospital deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichiro Hirata
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Harutaka Katano
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Iida
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sohtaro Mine
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Nagasawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Seiya Ozono
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Sato
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Akitomi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Medical Association Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hisako Saitoh
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadaki Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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A simulation of undiagnosed population and excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS IN CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION 2023; 12:100262. [PMCID: PMC10290741 DOI: 10.1016/j.rico.2023.100262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Whereas the extent of outbreak of COVID-19 is usually accessed via the number of reported cases and the number of patients succumbed to the disease, the officially recorded overall excess mortality numbers during the pandemic waves, which are significant and often followed the rise and fall of the pandemic waves, put a question mark on the above methodology. Gradually it has been recognized that estimating the size of the undiagnosed population (which includes asymptomatic cases and symptomatic cases but not reported) is also crucial. Here we used the classical mathematical SEIR model having an additional compartment, that is the undiagnosed group in addition to the susceptible, exposed, diagnosed, recovered and deceased groups, to link the undiagnosed COVID-19 cases to the reported excess mortality numbers and thereby try to know the actual size of the disease outbreak. The developed model wase successfully applied to relevant COVID-19 waves in USA (initial months of 2020), South Africa (mid of 2021) and Russia (2020–21) when a large discrepancy between the reported COVID-19 mortality and the overall excess mortality had been noticed.
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Saitoh H, Sakai-Tagawa Y, Nagasawa S, Torimitsu S, Kubota K, Hirata Y, Iwatsuki-Horimoto K, Motomura A, Ishii N, Okaba K, Horioka K, Abe H, Ikemura M, Rokutan H, Hinata M, Iwasaki A, Yasunaga Y, Nakajima M, Yamaguchi R, Tsuneya S, Kira K, Kobayashi S, Inokuchi G, Chiba F, Hoshioka Y, Mori A, Yamamoto I, Nakagawa K, Katano H, Iida S, Suzuki T, Akitomi S, Hasegawa I, Ushiku T, Yajima D, Iwase H, Makino Y, Kawaoka Y. High titers of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in corpses of patients with COVID-19. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 129:103-109. [PMID: 36754229 PMCID: PMC9902281 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.01.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The prolonged presence of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in deceased patients with COVID-19 has been reported. However, infectious virus titers have not been determined. Such information is important for public health, death investigation, and handling corpses. The aim of this study was to assess the level of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity in the corpses of patients with COVID-19. METHODS We collected 11 nasopharyngeal swabs and 19 lung tissue specimens from 11 autopsy cases with COVID-19 in 2021. We then investigated the viral genomic copy number by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and infectious titers by cell culture and virus isolation. RESULTS Infectious virus was present in six of 11 (55%) cases, four of 11 (36%) nasopharyngeal swabs, and nine of 19 (47%) lung specimens. The virus titers ranged from 6.00E + 01 plaque-forming units/ml to 2.09E + 06 plaque-forming units/g. In all cases in which an infectious virus was found, the time from death to discovery was within 1 day and the longest postmortem interval was 13 days. CONCLUSION The corpses of patients with COVID-19 may have high titers of infectious virus after a long postmortem interval (up to 13 days). Therefore, appropriate infection control measures must be taken when handling corpses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisako Saitoh
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Yuko Sakai-Tagawa
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sayaka Nagasawa
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Suguru Torimitsu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazumi Kubota
- Department of Healthcare Information Management, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hirata
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoko Iwatsuki-Horimoto
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Motomura
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Namiko Ishii
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keisuke Okaba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kie Horioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Abe
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masako Ikemura
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Rokutan
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Munetoshi Hinata
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiko Iwasaki
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichi Yasunaga
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Nakajima
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Rutsuko Yamaguchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shigeki Tsuneya
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kei Kira
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Susumu Kobayashi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Go Inokuchi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiko Chiba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yumi Hoshioka
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Aika Mori
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Isao Yamamoto
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka, Japan; Public Interest Incorporated Association Nihon Kousei-Kyoukai, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Kimiko Nakagawa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka, Japan; Public Interest Incorporated Association Nihon Kousei-Kyoukai, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Harutaka Katano
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shun Iida
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadaki Suzuki
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Akitomi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Japan Medical Association Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iwao Hasegawa
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Kanagawa Dental University, Yokosuka, Japan; Public Interest Incorporated Association Nihon Kousei-Kyoukai, Yokosuka, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ushiku
- Department of Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yajima
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Legal Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaro Iwase
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohsuke Makino
- Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA
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5
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Rate of shed of SARS COV-2 viral RNA from COVID-19 cadavers. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:1486-1493. [PMID: 36410269 PMCID: PMC9633634 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At what rate does the RNA of SARS CoV-2 shed from cadavers? Although, there have been numerous studies which have demonstrated the persistence of the virus on dead bodies, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the variation of viral RNA content in cadavers. This has led to a knowledge gap regarding the safe handling/management of COVID-19 decedents, posing a barrier in forensic investigations. METHODS In this study, we report the presence of RNA of SARS CoV-2 by real time RT-PCR, in nasopharyngeal swabs collected after death from two groups of bodies - one who died due to COVID-19 and the other who died due to other diagnoses. A prospective study on 199 corpses, who had tested positive for COVID-19 ante-mortem, was conducted at a tertiary care center. RNA testing was conducted at different time intervals (T1-T5). RESULTS 112(56.3%) died primarily due to COVID-19 and 87(43.7%) died due to other diagnoses. 144(72.4%) were male and 55(27.6%) were female. A total of 115 (57.8%) tested positive for COVID-19 after death at different time points. The mean age was 50.7 ± 18.9 years and the length of hospitalization ranged from 1 to 50 days with a mean of 9.2 ± 7.6 days. Realtime RT-PCR positivity of SARS CoV-2 RNA decreases with time. CONCLUSION We observed that real time RT-PCR positivity, indicating viral RNA detection, decreases with time. Therefore, it is advisable to follow appropriate COVID-19 precautions to carry out scientific studies, medico-legal investigations and mortuary services on suspected/confirmed COVID-19 corpses.
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Akinwande N, Ashezua T, Gweryina R, Somma S, Oguntolu F, Usman A, Abdurrahman O, Kaduna F, Adajime T, Kuta F, Abdulrahman S, Olayiwola R, Enagi A, Bolarin G, Shehu M. Mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission dynamics incorporating booster vaccine program and environmental contamination. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11513. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Tan LJ, Koh CP, Lai SK, Poh WC, Othman MS, Hussin H. A systemic review and recommendation for an autopsy approach to death followed the COVID 19 vaccination. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 340:111469. [PMID: 36162300 PMCID: PMC9487151 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) started in December 2019. An immediate prevention approach for the outbreak is the development of a vaccination program. Despite a growing number of publications showing the effectiveness of vaccination in preventing SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and reducing the mortality rate, substantial fatal adverse effects were reported after vaccination. Confirmation of the causal relationship of death is required to reimburse under the national vaccination program and could provide a reference for the selection of vaccination. However, a lack of guidelines in the laboratory study and autopsy approach hampered the investigation of post-vaccination death. In this paper, we performed a systematic electronic search on scientific articles related to severe Covid-19 vaccination adverse effects and approaches in identifying the severe side effects using PubMed and Cochrane libraries. A summary on the onset, biochemistry changes and histopathological analyzes of major lethally side effects post-vaccination were discussed. Ultimately, a checklist is suggested to improve the quality of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lii Jye Tan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.
| | - Cai Ping Koh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, Malaysia
| | - Shau Kong Lai
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Woon Cheng Poh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Quest International University, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Shafie Othman
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
| | - Huzlinda Hussin
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
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Pardo-Seco J, Bello X, Gómez-Carballa A, Martinón-Torres F, Muñoz-Barús JI, Salas A. A Timeframe for SARS-CoV-2 Genomes: A Proof of Concept for Postmortem Interval Estimations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12899. [PMID: 36361690 PMCID: PMC9656715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Establishing the timeframe when a particular virus was circulating in a population could be useful in several areas of biomedical research, including microbiology and legal medicine. Using simulations, we demonstrate that the circulation timeframe of an unknown SARS-CoV-2 genome in a population (hereafter, estimated time of a queried genome [QG]; tE-QG) can be easily predicted using a phylogenetic model based on a robust reference genome database of the virus, and information on their sampling dates. We evaluate several phylogeny-based approaches, including modeling evolutionary (substitution) rates of the SARS-CoV-2 genome (~10-3 substitutions/nucleotide/year) and the mutational (substitutions) differences separating the QGs from the reference genomes (RGs) in the database. Owing to the mutational characteristics of the virus, the present Viral Molecular Clock Dating (VMCD) method covers timeframes going backwards from about a month in the past. The method has very low errors associated to the tE-QG estimates and narrow intervals of tE-QG, both ranging from a few days to a few weeks regardless of the mathematical model used. The SARS-CoV-2 model represents a proof of concept that can be extrapolated to any other microorganism, provided that a robust genome sequence database is available. Besides obvious applications in epidemiology and microbiology investigations, there are several contexts in forensic casework where estimating tE-QG could be useful, including estimation of the postmortem intervals (PMI) and the dating of samples stored in hospital settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobo Pardo-Seco
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Xabier Bello
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Gómez-Carballa
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - José Ignacio Muñoz-Barús
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Pathology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics and Paediatrics, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Institute of Forensic Sciences (INCIFOR), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Antonio Salas
- Grupo de Investigacion en Genética, Vacunas, Infecciones y Pediatría (GENVIP), Hospital Clínico Universitario, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IDIS), Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago (SERGAS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (INCIFOR), Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
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Asibong U, Bisong E, Okpa H, Legogie A, Asibong I, Alabi A, Okokon IB, Gyuse A, Udonwa N. Assessment of Awareness, Knowledge and Willingness to Care for COVID-19 Patients by Primary Care Providers in a Southern Nigerian City: A Cross-sectional Study. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2022.9753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Owing to the novel nature of COVID-19, management strategies are poorly understood by most Primary Care Providers (PCPs) especially in the Low and middle-income Countries (LMIC) of the world. If the knowledge of PCPs concerning COVID-19 is enhanced, awareness, perception and attitude towards patient care will improve. Consequently, maximum prevention and control will be achieved. This study aims at assessing the awareness, knowledge and willingness of the PCPs to care for COVID-19 patients in Calabar, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to evaluate one thousand one hundred and twenty-six (1126) PCPs actively working in government primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities in Calabar, Nigeria. A total population sampling method was employed and a validated, semi-structured, 33-item questionnaire was used to explore the objectives of the study.
Results: Majority (99.4%) of the study participants were aware of COVID-19. Most (68.4%) information regarding COVID-19 came from the social media. Bonferroni Post Hoc test of multiple comparisons revealed that the knowledge score for PCPs in tertiary was significantly higher compared to those in secondary and primary levels of care. Approximately fifty-five percent (55.3%) of the participants did not want to be involved in the management of COVID -19 patients.
Conclusion: There is the need to focus and intensify training of the PCPs working at the primary and secondary levels of care in order to increase their awareness, knowledge base, willingness to care for patients and eventually reduce morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 in the study setting.
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Deroubaix A, Kramvis A. Imaging Techniques: Essential Tools for the Study of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:794264. [PMID: 35937687 PMCID: PMC9355083 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.794264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The world has seen the emergence of a new virus in 2019, SARS-CoV-2, causing the COVID-19 pandemic and millions of deaths worldwide. Microscopy can be much more informative than conventional detection methods such as RT-PCR. This review aims to present the up-to-date microscopy observations in patients, the in vitro studies of the virus and viral proteins and their interaction with their host, discuss the microscopy techniques for detection and study of SARS-CoV-2, and summarize the reagents used for SARS-CoV-2 detection. From basic fluorescence microscopy to high resolution techniques and combined technologies, this article shows the power and the potential of microscopy techniques, especially in the field of virology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Deroubaix
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Life Sciences Imaging Facility, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anna Kramvis
- Hepatitis Virus Diversity Research Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Prabhakar M, Murali P, Sivapathasundharam B. Covid 19 – A Forensic Odontologist Perspective. J Forensic Dent Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.18311/jfds/12/2/2020.614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigations related to forensic odontology involves handling of antemortem as well as postmortem dental records. In case of any identification process, forensic odontologists may end up in exposing these dental related records. Exposure to any biological remains, and its related surfaces or objects at the scene, during this pandemic situation, puts any forensic professional at risk towards COVID-19. A detailed description on the risk involved during dental identification and autopsy procedures, and the knowledge about the precautionary measures which have to be exercised, makes the forensic team to carry forth the work cautiously without any perplexity or doubt.
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Plenzig S, Holz F, Bojkova D, Kettner M, Cinatl J, Verhoff MA, Birngruber CG, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF. Detection and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in exhumated corpses. Int J Legal Med 2021; 135:2531-2536. [PMID: 34302215 PMCID: PMC8302458 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-021-02670-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Postmortem detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after the exhumation of a corpse can become important, e.g. in the case of subsequent medical malpractice allegations. To date, data on possible detection periods [e.g. by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)] or on the potential infectivity of the virus after an exhumation are rare. In the present study, these parameters were examined in two cases with a time span of approximately 4 months between day of death and exhumation. Using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR on swabs of both lungs and the oropharynx detection was possible with cycle threshold (Ct) values of about 30 despite signs of beginning decay. RT-PCR testing of perioral and perinasal swabs and swabs collected from the inside of the body bag, taken to estimate the risk of infection of those involved in the exhumation, was negative. Cell culture-based infectivity testing was negative for both, lung and oropharyngeal swabs. In one case, RT-PCR testing at the day of death of an oropharyngeal swab showed almost identical Ct values as postmortem testing of an oropharyngeal swab, impressively demonstrating the stability of viral RNA in the intact corpse. However, favorable climatic conditions in the grave have to be taken into account, as it was wintertime with constant low temperatures. Nevertheless, it was possible to demonstrate successful postmortem detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection following exhumation even after months in an earth grave.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Plenzig
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - F Holz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - D Bojkova
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M Kettner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - J Cinatl
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - M A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - C G Birngruber
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Kennedyallee 104, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - S Ciesek
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research, External Partner Site, 60323, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - H F Rabenau
- Institute of Medical Virology, Goethe University, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 40, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Musso N, Falzone L, Stracquadanio S, Bongiorno D, Salerno M, Esposito M, Sessa F, Libra M, Stefani S, Pomara C. Post-Mortem Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Long-Buried Lung Samples. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11071158. [PMID: 34202678 PMCID: PMC8304625 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11071158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unexpected death toll worldwide. Even though several guidelines for the management of infectious corpses have been proposed, the limited number of post-mortem analyses during the pandemic has led to inaccuracies in the counting of COVID-19 deaths and contributed to a lack of important information about the pathophysiology of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to the impossibility of carrying out autopsies on all corpses, the scientific community has raised the question of whether confirmatory analyses could be performed on exhumed bodies after a long period of burial to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Post-mortem lung samples were collected from 16 patients who died from COVID-19 infection and were buried for a long period of time. A custom RNA extraction protocol was developed to enhance extraction of viral RNA from degraded samples and highly sensitive molecular methods, including RT-qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), were used to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The custom extraction protocol developed allowed us to extract total RNA effectively from all lung samples collected. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was effectively detected in all samples by both RT-qPCR and ddPCR, regardless of the length of burial. ddPCR results confirmed the persistence of the virus in this anatomical niche and revealed high viral loads in some lung samples, suggesting active infection at the time of death. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in the lung even after a long post-mortem interval (up to 78 days). The extraction protocol herein described, and the highly sensitive molecular analyses performed, could represent the standard procedures for SARS-CoV-2 detection in degraded lung specimens. Finally, the innovative results obtained encourage post-mortem confirmatory analyses even after a long post-mortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Musso
- Laboratory of Molecular and Resistant Antibiotic Medical Microbiology (MMAR), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (S.S.); (D.B.)
| | - Luca Falzone
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.F.); (M.L.)
| | - Stefano Stracquadanio
- Laboratory of Molecular and Resistant Antibiotic Medical Microbiology (MMAR), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (S.S.); (D.B.)
| | - Dafne Bongiorno
- Laboratory of Molecular and Resistant Antibiotic Medical Microbiology (MMAR), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (S.S.); (D.B.)
| | - Monica Salerno
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.); (M.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Massimiliano Esposito
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.); (M.E.); (C.P.)
| | - Francesco Sessa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Massimo Libra
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (L.F.); (M.L.)
| | - Stefania Stefani
- Laboratory of Molecular and Resistant Antibiotic Medical Microbiology (MMAR), Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences (BIOMETEC), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (N.M.); (S.S.); (D.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Cristoforo Pomara
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.S.); (M.E.); (C.P.)
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