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Jenkins HH, Lopez AAT, Tarantini FS, Tomlin H, Scales D, Lee IN, Wu S, Hyde R, Lis-Slimak K, Byaruhanga T, Thompson JL, Pijuan-Galito S, Doolan L, Kaneko K, Gwynne P, Reffin C, Park E, Dey J, Hill J, Arendt-Tranholm A, Stroud A, Petrie M, Denning C, Benest AV, Seedhouse C. Performance evaluation of a non-invasive one-step multiplex RT-qPCR assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 direct from saliva. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11553. [PMID: 35798820 PMCID: PMC9261881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15616-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be the gold-standard for SARS-CoV-2 detection in clinical settings. The most common approaches rely on nasopharyngeal specimens obtained from swabs, followed by RNA extraction, reverse transcription and quantitative PCR. Although swab-based PCR is sensitive, swabbing is invasive and unpleasant to administer, reducing patient compliance for regular testing and resulting in an increased risk of improper sampling. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a non-invasive one-step RT-qPCR assay performed directly on saliva specimens. The University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service protocol simplifies sample collection and bypasses the need for RNA extraction, or additives, thus helping to encourage more regular testing and reducing processing time and costs. We have evaluated the assay against the performance criteria specified by the UK regulatory bodies and attained accreditation (BS EN ISO/IEC 17,025:2017) for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service. We observed a sensitivity of 1 viral copy per microlitre of saliva, and demonstrated a concordance of > 99.4% between our results and those of other accredited testing facilities. We concluded that saliva is a stable medium that allows for a highly precise, repeatable, and robust testing method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry H Jenkins
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Ana A Tellechea Lopez
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Francesco Saverio Tarantini
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Hannah Tomlin
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Danielle Scales
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - I-Ning Lee
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Siyu Wu
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Ralph Hyde
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Katarzyna Lis-Slimak
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Timothy Byaruhanga
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jamie L Thompson
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Sara Pijuan-Galito
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Lara Doolan
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Kazuyo Kaneko
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Penny Gwynne
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Caroline Reffin
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Emily Park
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jayasree Dey
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jack Hill
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Asta Arendt-Tranholm
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Amy Stroud
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Moira Petrie
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Chris Denning
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Andrew V Benest
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
| | - Claire Seedhouse
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Asymptomatic Testing Service (UoNATS), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK.
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3
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Fendler A, de Vries EGE, GeurtsvanKessel CH, Haanen JB, Wörmann B, Turajlic S, von Lilienfeld-Toal M. COVID-19 vaccines in patients with cancer: immunogenicity, efficacy and safety. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:385-401. [PMID: 35277694 PMCID: PMC8916486 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-022-00610-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Patients with cancer have a higher risk of severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and associated mortality than the general population. Owing to this increased risk, patients with cancer have been prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination globally, for both primary and booster vaccinations. However, given that these patients were not included in the pivotal clinical trials, considerable uncertainty remains regarding vaccine efficacy, and the extent of humoral and cellular immune responses in these patients, as well as the risks of vaccine-related adverse events. In this Review, we summarize the current knowledge generated in studies conducted since COVID-19 vaccines first became available. We also highlight critical points that might affect vaccine efficacy in patients with cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Fendler
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | | | - John B Haanen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Bernhard Wörmann
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Tumour Immunology, Department of Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Samra Turajlic
- Cancer Dynamics Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- Skin and Renal Units, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
- Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, University Hospital Jena, Jena, Germany.
- Research Group Infections in Haematology/Oncology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany.
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4
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Różański M, Walczak-Drzewiecka A, Witaszewska J, Wójcik E, Guziński A, Zimoń B, Matusiak R, Kazimierczak J, Borowiec M, Kania K, Paradowska E, Pawełczyk J, Dziadek J, Dastych J. RT-qPCR-based tests for SARS-CoV-2 detection in pooled saliva samples for massive population screening to monitor epidemics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8082. [PMID: 35577836 PMCID: PMC9109753 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Swab, RT-qPCR tests remain the gold standard of diagnostics of SARS-CoV-2 infections. These tests are costly and have limited throughput. We developed a 3-gene, seminested RT-qPCR test with SYBR green-based detection designed to be oversensitive rather than overspecific for high-throughput diagnostics of populations. This two-tier approach depends on decentralized self-collection of saliva samples, pooling, 1st-tier testing with highly sensitive screening test and subsequent 2nd-tier testing of individual samples from positive pools with the IVD test. The screening test was able to detect five copies of the viral genome in 10 µl of isolated RNA with 50% probability and 18.8 copies with 95% probability and reached Ct values that were highly linearly RNA concentration-dependent. In the side-by-side comparison, the screening test attained slightly better results than the commercially available IVD-certified RT-qPCR diagnostic test DiaPlexQ (100% specificity and 89.8% sensitivity vs. 100% and 73.5%, respectively). Testing of 1475 individual clinical samples pooled in 374 pools of four revealed 0.8% false positive pools and no false negative pools. In weekly prophylactic testing of 113 people within 6 months, a two-tier testing approach enabled the detection of 18 infected individuals, including several asymptomatic individuals, with substantially lower cost than individual RT-PCR testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Różański
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland
| | | | | | - Ewelina Wójcik
- Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A., Tylna 3A, 90-364, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Bogumił Zimoń
- Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A., Tylna 3A, 90-364, Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafał Matusiak
- Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A., Tylna 3A, 90-364, Lodz, Poland
| | | | - Maciej Borowiec
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Kania
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland
| | - Edyta Paradowska
- Laboratory of Virology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jakub Pawełczyk
- Laboratory of Mycobacterium Genetics and Physiology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jarosław Dziadek
- Laboratory of Mycobacterium Genetics and Physiology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland
| | - Jarosław Dastych
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Institute of Medical Biology of PAS, Lodz, Poland.
- Proteon Pharmaceuticals S.A., Tylna 3A, 90-364, Lodz, Poland.
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5
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Fiori M, Bello G, Wschebor N, Lecumberry F, Ferragut A, Mordecki E. Decoupling between SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and population mobility associated with increasing immunity from vaccination and infection in South America. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6874. [PMID: 35478213 PMCID: PMC9044384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-10896-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
All South American countries from the Southern cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay) experienced severe COVID-19 epidemic waves during early 2021 driven by the expansion of variants Gamma and Lambda, however, there was an improvement in different epidemic indicators since June 2021. To investigate the impact of national vaccination programs and natural infection on viral transmission in those South American countries, we analyzed the coupling between population mobility and the viral effective reproduction number [Formula: see text]. Our analyses reveal that population mobility was highly correlated with viral [Formula: see text] from January to May 2021 in all countries analyzed; but a clear decoupling occurred since May-June 2021, when the rate of viral spread started to be lower than expected from the levels of social interactions. These findings support that populations from the South American Southern cone probably achieved the conditional herd immunity threshold to contain the spread of regional SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating at that time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Fiori
- Instituto de Matemática y Estadística "Rafael Laguardia", Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Gonzalo Bello
- Laboratorio de AIDS e Imunologia Molecular. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nicolás Wschebor
- Instituto de Física, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Lecumberry
- Instituto de Ingeniería Eléctrica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andrés Ferragut
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad ORT, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ernesto Mordecki
- Centro de Matemática, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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6
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Riccio A, Santopolo S, Rossi A, Piacentini S, Rossignol JF, Santoro MG. Impairment of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein maturation and fusion activity by nitazoxanide: an effect independent of spike variants emergence. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:227. [PMID: 35391601 PMCID: PMC8989121 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04246-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has caused an unprecedented global health crisis. The SARS-CoV-2 spike, a surface-anchored trimeric class-I fusion glycoprotein essential for viral entry, represents a key target for developing vaccines and therapeutics capable of blocking virus invasion. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike variants that facilitate virus spread and may affect vaccine efficacy highlights the need to identify novel antiviral strategies for COVID-19 therapy. Here, we demonstrate that nitazoxanide, an antiprotozoal agent with recognized broad-spectrum antiviral activity, interferes with SARS-CoV-2 spike maturation, hampering its terminal glycosylation at an endoglycosidase H-sensitive stage. Engineering multiple SARS-CoV-2 variant-pseudoviruses and utilizing quantitative cell–cell fusion assays, we show that nitazoxanide-induced spike modifications hinder progeny virion infectivity as well as spike-driven pulmonary cell–cell fusion, a critical feature of COVID-19 pathology. Nitazoxanide, being equally effective against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan-spike and different emerging variants, including the Delta variant of concern, may represent a useful tool in the fight against COVID-19 infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Riccio
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Santopolo
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Rossi
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Piacentini
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - M Gabriella Santoro
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. .,Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Rome, Italy.
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7
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Stellini R, Gianello R, Gomarasca W. Durability of anti-spike antibodies after vaccination with mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is longer in subjects with previous infection: could the booster dose be delayed? Infection 2022; 50:1573-1577. [PMID: 35391649 PMCID: PMC8989116 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-022-01816-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The long-term effectiveness of BNT162b2/Pfizer vaccine remains undetermined. This observational prospective study was designed to verify durability of antibodies against the viral receptor-binding domain (RBD) spike (S)-protein (RBD S-Protein IgG) after the second-dose administration of the vaccine among Health Care Workers (HCWs). Methods In all HCWs at the Poliambulanza Foundation Hospital Brescia (Italy) were quantified the levels of RBD S-Protein IgG (Abbott Diagnostics) at 45 and 240 days after the second-dose vaccine. Previous infection was defined as antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid positivity (Abbott Diagnostics) before vaccination. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare mean levels of RBD S-Protein IgG among previously infected and uninfected HCWs. Results The mean level of the RBD S-protein IgG detected 45 days after the second dose of the vaccine was 30,041 AU/mL (95% CI 145–80,000) for the 250 previously infected HCWs and it was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that observed in the 1121 previously uninfected subject with the mean level of 10,604 AU/mL (95% CI 165–62,241). Similarly, at 240 days in previously infected subjects the antibody titer was of 8145 AU/mL (95% CI 347–80,000) and significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that observed in the 1121 previously uninfected HCWs with a mean antibody level of 1271 AU/mL (95% CI 50–80,000). When comparing the change in mean antibody levels overtime, the previously infected HCWs presented a 72.9% reduction in RBD S-protein IgG while in the previously uninfected HCWs the reduction was 88.0%. In addition, in the HCWs group without previous infection we reported 53 new SARS-CoV-2 infections and they had a mean level of RBD S-protein IgG antibodies of 1039 AU/mL (95% CI 157–4237) at 240 days. No new infections were found in previously SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects.
Conclusions We report that the mean level of post vaccinal RBD S-protein IgG was significantly higher in the previously infected HCWs than in previously uninfected subjects at 45 and 240 days after the second-dose vaccine. Moreover, our data suggest that the risk of a new SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher in the previously uninfected HCWs than in those who had already contracted natural viral infection. The limitations of this study prevent us to draw definitive conclusions on the antibody titers and on the role of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection in influencing the levels of post-vaccine RBD S-protein IgG. The booster dose of the vaccine could be delayed after the second dose in previously naturally infected subject and it could have an important strategic impact on the organization of the future COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Stellini
- Infectious Diseases Service, Health Care Department, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospital, Via Bissolati, 57-25124, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Renzo Gianello
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospital, Brescia, Italy
| | - Walter Gomarasca
- Health Care Department, Poliambulanza Foundation Hospital, Brescia, Italy
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