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Ummadisetty O, Akhilesh, Gadepalli A, Chouhan D, Patil U, Singh SP, Singh S, Tiwari V. Dermorphin [D-Arg2, Lys4] (1-4) Amide Alleviates Frostbite-Induced Pain by Regulating TRP Channel-Mediated Microglial Activation and Neuroinflammation. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6089-6100. [PMID: 38277118 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03949-4] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Cold injury or frostbite is a common medical condition that causes serious clinical complications including sensory abnormalities and chronic pain ultimately affecting overall well-being. Opioids are the first-choice drug for the treatment of frostbite-induced chronic pain; however, their notable side effects, including sedation, motor incoordination, respiratory depression, and drug addiction, present substantial obstacle to their clinical utility. To address this challenge, we have exploited peripheral mu-opioid receptors as potential target for the treatment of frostbite-induced chronic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of dermorphin [D-Arg2, Lys4] (1-4) amide (DALDA), a peripheral mu-opioid receptor agonist, on frostbite injury and hypersensitivity induced by deep freeze magnet exposure in rats. Animals with frostbite injury displayed significant hypersensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and cold stimuli which was significant ameliorated on treatment with different doses of DALDA (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) and ibuprofen (100 mg/kg). Further, molecular biology investigations unveiled heightened oxido-nitrosative stress, coupled with a notable upregulation in the expression of TRP channels (TRPA1, TRPV1, and TRPM8), glial cell activation, and neuroinflammation (TNF-α, IL-1β) in the sciatic nerve, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), and spinal cord of frostbite-injured rats. Treatment with DALDA leads to substantial reduction in TRP channels, microglial activation, and suppression of the inflammatory cascade in the ipsilateral L4-L5 DRG and spinal cord of rats. Overall, findings from the present study suggest that activation of peripheral mu-opioid receptors mitigates chronic pain in rats by modulating the expression of TRP channels and suppressing glial cell activation and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Obulapathi Ummadisetty
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Akhilesh
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Anagha Gadepalli
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Deepak Chouhan
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Utkarsh Patil
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Surya Pratap Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Central University (BBAU), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Vinod Tiwari
- Neuroscience and Pain Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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Agarwal S, Hamidizadeh M, Bier FF. Detection of Reverse Transcriptase LAMP-Amplified Nucleic Acid from Oropharyngeal Viral Swab Samples Using Biotinylated DNA Probes through a Lateral Flow Assay. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:988. [PMID: 37998163 PMCID: PMC10669123 DOI: 10.3390/bios13110988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on three key aspects: (a) crude throat swab samples in a viral transport medium (VTM) as templates for RT-LAMP reactions; (b) a biotinylated DNA probe with enhanced specificity for LFA readouts; and (c) a digital semi-quantification of LFA readouts. Throat swab samples from SARS-CoV-2 positive and negative patients were used in their crude (no cleaning or pre-treatment) forms for the RT-LAMP reaction. The samples were heat-inactivated but not treated for any kind of nucleic acid extraction or purification. The RT-LAMP (20 min processing time) product was read out by an LFA approach using two labels: FITC and biotin. FITC was enzymatically incorporated into the RT-LAMP amplicon with the LF-LAMP primer, and biotin was introduced using biotinylated DNA probes, specifically for the amplicon region after RT-LAMP amplification. This assay setup with biotinylated DNA probe-based LFA readouts of the RT-LAMP amplicon was 98.11% sensitive and 96.15% specific. The LFA result was further analysed by a smartphone-based IVD device, wherein the T-line intensity was recorded. The LFA T-line intensity was then correlated with the qRT-PCR Ct value of the positive swab samples. A digital semi-quantification of RT-LAMP-LFA was reported with a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.702. The overall RT-LAMP-LFA assay time was recorded to be 35 min with a LoD of three RNA copies/µL (Ct-33). With these three advancements, the nucleic acid testing-point of care technique (NAT-POCT) is exemplified as a versatile biosensor platform with great potential and applicability for the detection of pathogens without the need for sample storage, transportation, or pre-processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saloni Agarwal
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Chair of Molecular Bioanalysis and Bioelectronics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24/25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; (S.A.); (M.H.)
| | - Mojdeh Hamidizadeh
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Chair of Molecular Bioanalysis and Bioelectronics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24/25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; (S.A.); (M.H.)
| | - Frank F. Bier
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, Chair of Molecular Bioanalysis and Bioelectronics, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24/25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany; (S.A.); (M.H.)
- Institute for Molecular Diagnostics and Bioanalysis-IMDB gGmbH, Am Mühlenberg 10, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
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Al-Shaibari KSA, Mousa HAL, Alqumber MAA, Alqfail KA, Mohammed A, Bzeizi K. The Diagnostic Performance of Various Clinical Specimens for the Detection of COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis of RT-PCR Studies. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3057. [PMID: 37835801 PMCID: PMC10572802 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13193057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The diagnostic performance of numerous clinical specimens to diagnose COVID-19 through RT-PCR techniques is very important, and the test result outcome is still unclear. This review aimed to analyze the diagnostic performance of clinical samples for COVID-19 detection by RT-PCR through a systematic literature review process. METHODOLOGY A compressive literature search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to November 2022. A snowball search on Google, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and MedRxiv, as well as bibliographic research, was performed to identify any other relevant articles. Observational studies that assessed the clinical usefulness of the RT-PCR technique in different human samples for the detection or screening of COVID-19 among patients or patient samples were considered for this review. The primary outcomes considered were sensitivity and specificity, while parameters such as positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and kappa coefficient were considered secondary outcomes. RESULTS A total of 85 studies out of 10,213 non-duplicate records were included for the systematic review, of which 69 articles were considered for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis indicated better pooled sensitivity with the nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) than saliva (91.06% vs. 76.70%) and was comparable with the combined NPS/oropharyngeal swab (OPS; 92%). Nevertheless, specificity was observed to be better with saliva (98.27%) than the combined NPS/OPS (98.08%) and NPS (95.57%). The other parameters were comparable among different samples. The respiratory samples and throat samples showed a promising result relative to other specimens. The sensitivity and specificity of samples such as nasopharyngeal swabs, saliva, combined nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal, respiratory, sputum, broncho aspirate, throat swab, gargle, serum, and the mixed sample were found to be 91.06%, 76.70%, 92.00%, 99.44%, 86%, 96%, 94.4%, 95.3%, 73.63%, and above 98; and 95.57%, 98.27%, 98.08%, 100%, 37%, 100%, 100%, 97.6%, and above 97, respectively. CONCLUSIONS NPS was observed to have relatively better sensitivity, but not specificity when compared with other clinical specimens. Head-to-head comparisons between the different samples and the time of sample collection are warranted to strengthen this evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Khalid Bzeizi
- Department of Liver Transplantation, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 13541, Saudi Arabia
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Kubisch U, Sandoni A, Wurm J, Schienkiewitz A, Schlaud M, Kuttig T, Finkel B, Jordan S, Loss J. SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in children attending daycare versus adults in Germany between October 2020 and June 2021. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2023; 3:124. [PMID: 37714948 PMCID: PMC10504330 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00352-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Data on seroconversion rates after SARS-CoV-2 infection in young children (<6 years) is scarce. The present study compares seroconversion rates between young children and adults and identifies associated factors. METHODS The COALA study ("Corona-outbreak-related examinations in daycare centers") investigated transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in daycare centers and associated households (10/2020-06/2021). 114 individuals tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 through PCR either prior to the study period by health authorities or in PCR testing during the study period. Two capillary blood samples were obtained within five weeks consecutively and tested for SARS-CoV-2 IgG-antibodies (second sampling depending on positive PCR). Results from 91 participants (38 young children 1-6 years, 53 adults) were included in the analyses. RESULTS Seroconversion rate in young children is significantly higher than in adults (97.4% versus 66%). High viral load and longer time interval between the probable date of infection and antibody testing are associated with seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS Our findings depict substantial development of specific antibodies in young children after SARS-CoV-2 infection. This may provide temporary protection from re-infection for young children or severe disease for this age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kubisch
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Anna Sandoni
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Wurm
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Schienkiewitz
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Schlaud
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim Kuttig
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bianca Finkel
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Jordan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julika Loss
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Salinas M, Aguirre D, Baldeón L, Pérez-Galarza J. Reply to: Letter to the editor of heliyon re: "Diagnostic evaluation of nCoV-QS, nCoV-QM-N, and nCoV-OM detection kits based on rRT-PCR for detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Ecuador". Heliyon 2023; 9:e19936. [PMID: 37727276 PMCID: PMC10505968 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Salinas
- Research Institute of Biomedicine, Central University of Ecuador, Quito 170201, Ecuador
| | - Diana Aguirre
- Research Institute of Biomedicine, Central University of Ecuador, Quito 170201, Ecuador
| | - Lucy Baldeón
- Research Institute of Biomedicine, Central University of Ecuador, Quito 170201, Ecuador
- Faculty of Medicine, Central University of Ecuador, Quito 170403, Ecuador
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Krause E, Michel J, Puyskens A, Hofmann N, Rinner T, Biere B, Dorner BG, Skiba M, Schaade L, Nitsche A. Flexible upscaling of laboratory PCR testing capacity at the Robert Koch Institute during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Virol J 2023; 20:139. [PMID: 37408040 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02088-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, laboratories worldwide have been facing an unprecedented increase in demand for PCR testing because of the high importance of diagnostics for prevention and control of virus spread. Moreover, testing demand has been varying considerably over time, depending on the epidemiological situation, rendering efficient resource allocation difficult. Here, we present a scalable workflow which we implemented in our laboratory to increase PCR testing capacity while maintaining high flexibility regarding the number of samples to be processed. METHODS We compared the performance of five automated extraction instruments, using dilutions of SARS-CoV-2 cell culture supernatant as well as clinical samples. To increase PCR throughput, we combined the two duplex PCR reactions of our previously published SARS-CoV-2 PCR assay into one quadruplex reaction and compared their limit of detection as well as their performance on the detection of low viral loads in clinical samples. Furthermore, we developed a sample pooling protocol with either two or four samples per pool, combined with a specifically adapted SARS-CoV-2 quadruplex PCR assay, and compared the diagnostic sensitivity of pooled testing and individual testing. RESULTS All tested automated extraction instruments yielded comparable results regarding the subsequent sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 detection by PCR. While the limit of detection of the quadruplex SARS-CoV-2 PCR assay (E-Gene assay: 28.7 genome equivalents (ge)/reaction, orf1ab assay: 32.0 ge/reaction) was slightly higher than that of our previously published duplex PCR assays (E-Gene assay: 9.8 ge/reaction, orf1ab assay: 6.6 ge/reaction), the rate of correctly identified positive patient samples was comparable for both assays. Sample pooling with optimized downstream quadruplex PCR showed no loss in diagnostic sensitivity compared to individual testing. CONCLUSION Specific adaptation of PCR assays can help overcome the potential loss of sensitivity due to higher levels of PCR multiplexing or sample dilution in pooled testing. Combining these adapted PCR assays with different sample processing strategies provides a simple and highly adjustable workflow for resource-efficient SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics. The presented principles can easily be adopted in a variety of laboratory settings as well as be adapted to pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2, making it feasible for any laboratory that conducts PCR diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Krause
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Janine Michel
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Puyskens
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Natalie Hofmann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Rinner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Biere
- Department for Infectious Diseases, Unit Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (FG 17), Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Skiba
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Biological Toxins (ZBS 3), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Unit Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2, Robert Koch Institute, Seestrasse 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany
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Puyskens A, Michel J, Stoliaroff-Pepin A, Bayram F, Sesver A, Wichmann O, Harder T, Schaade L, Nitsche A, Peine C. Direct comparison of clinical diagnostic sensitivity of saliva from buccal swabs versus combined oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 Omicron. J Clin Virol 2023; 165:105496. [PMID: 37269606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE While current guidelines recommend the use of respiratory tract specimens for the direct detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection, saliva has recently been suggested as preferred sample type for the sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron). By comparing saliva collected using buccal swabs and oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs from patients hospitalized due to COVID-19, we aimed at identifying potential differences in virus detection sensitivity between these sample types. METHODS We compare the clinical diagnostic sensitivity of paired buccal swabs and combined oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs from hospitalized, symptomatic COVID-19 patients collected at median six days after symptom onset by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen test. RESULTS Of the tested SARS-CoV-2 positive sample pairs, 55.8% were identified as SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 and 44.2% as Omicron BA.2. Real-time PCR from buccal swabs generated significantly higher quantification cycle (Cq) values compared to those from matched combined oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs and resulted in an increased number of false-negative PCR results. Reduced diagnostic sensitivity of buccal swabs by real-time PCR was observed already at day one after symptom onset. Similarly, antigen test detection rates were reduced in buccal swabs compared to combined oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs. CONCLUSION Our results suggest reduced clinical diagnostic sensitivity of saliva collected using buccal swabs when compared to combined oro-/nasopharyngeal swabs in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron in symptomatic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Puyskens
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Stoliaroff-Pepin
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatimanur Bayram
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Akin Sesver
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ole Wichmann
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Harder
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Peine
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
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Klussmann JP, Grosheva M, Meiser P, Lehmann C, Nagy E, Szijártó V, Nagy G, Konrat R, Flegel M, Holzer F, Groß D, Steinmetz C, Scherer B, Gruell H, Schlotz M, Klein F, de Aragão PA, Morr H, Al Saleh H, Bilstein A, Russo B, Müller-Scholtz S, Acikel C, Sahin H, Werkhäuser N, Allekotte S, Mösges R. Early intervention with azelastine nasal spray may reduce viral load in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6839. [PMID: 37100830 PMCID: PMC10132439 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32546-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
With the changing epidemiology of COVID-19 and its impact on our daily lives, there is still an unmet need of COVID-19 therapies treating early infections to prevent progression. The current study was a randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Ninety SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were randomized into 3 groups receiving placebo, 0.02% or 0.1% azelastine nasal spray for 11 days, during which viral loads were assessed by quantitative PCR. Investigators assessed patients' status throughout the trial including safety follow-ups (days 16 and 60). Symptoms were documented in patient diaries. Initial viral loads were log10 6.85 ± 1.31 (mean ± SD) copies/mL (ORF 1a/b gene). After treatment, virus load was reduced in all groups (p < 0.0001) but was greater in the 0.1% group compared to placebo (p = 0.007). In a subset of patients (initial Ct < 25) viral load was strongly reduced on day 4 in the 0.1% group compared to placebo (p = 0.005). Negative PCR results appeared earlier and more frequently in the azelastine treated groups: being 18.52% and 21.43% in the 0.1% and 0.02% groups, respectively, compared to 0% for placebo on day 8. Comparable numbers of adverse events occurred in all treatment groups with no safety concerns. The shown effects of azelastine nasal spray may thus be suggestive of azelastine's potential as an antiviral treatment.Trial registration: The study was registered in the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00024520; Date of Registration in DRKS: 12/02/2021). EudraCT number: 2020-005544-34.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Peter Klussmann
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Grosheva
- Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Meiser
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Clara Lehmann
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Department I of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Location Bonn-Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eszter Nagy
- CEBINA GmbH, Karl-Farkas-Gasse 22, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Gábor Nagy
- CEBINA GmbH, Karl-Farkas-Gasse 22, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Konrat
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, University of Vienna, Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Flegel
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Frank Holzer
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Dorothea Groß
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Charlotte Steinmetz
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Barbara Scherer
- URSAPHARM Arzneimittel GmbH, Industriestraße 35, 66129, Saarbruecken, Germany
| | - Henning Gruell
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maike Schlotz
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) Location Bonn-Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Paula Aguiar de Aragão
- Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Henning Morr
- Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Helal Al Saleh
- Medical Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Belisa Russo
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Cengizhan Acikel
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hacer Sahin
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nina Werkhäuser
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany
| | - Silke Allekotte
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralph Mösges
- ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Theodor-Heuss-Ring 14, 50668, Cologne, Germany.
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
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Puyskens A, Bayram F, Sesver A, Michel J, Krause E, Bourquain D, Filomena A, Esser-Nobis K, Steffanowski C, Nübling CM, Scheiblauer H, Schaade L, Nitsche A. Performance of 20 rapid antigen detection tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants using a clinical specimen panel from January 2022, Berlin, Germany. Euro Surveill 2023; 28. [PMID: 37078884 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2023.28.16.2200615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThere are conflicting reports on the performance of rapid antigen detection tests (RDT) in the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant; however, these tests continue to be used frequently to detect potentially contagious individuals with high viral loads.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate comparative detection of the Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron variants by using a selection of 20 RDT and a limited panel of pooled combined oro- and nasopharyngeal clinical Delta and Omicron specimens.MethodsWe tested 20 CE-marked RDT for their performance to detect SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron by using a panel of pooled clinical specimens collected in January 2022 in Berlin, Germany.ResultsWe observed equivalent detection performance for Delta and Omicron for most RDT, and sensitivity was widely in line with our previous pre-Delta/Omicron evaluation. Some variation for individual RDT was observed either for Delta vs Omicron detection, or when compared with the previous evaluation, which may be explained both by different panel sizes resulting in different data robustness and potential limitation of batch-to-batch consistency. Additional experiments with three RDT using non-pooled routine clinical samples confirmed comparable performance to detect Delta vs Omicron. Overall, RDT that were previously positively evaluated retained good performance also for Delta and Omicron variants.ConclusionOur findings suggest that currently available RDT are sufficient for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Puyskens
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Fatimanur Bayram
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Akin Sesver
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Krause
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Bourquain
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angela Filomena
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Langen, Germany
| | - Katharina Esser-Nobis
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Langen, Germany
| | - Carla Steffanowski
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Langen, Germany
| | - C Micha Nübling
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Division Major Policy Issues, Coordination, Langen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Scheiblauer
- Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Langen, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Berlin, Germany
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10
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Vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 during the Omicron wave in Germany: results from the COViK study. Infection 2023:10.1007/s15010-023-02012-z. [PMID: 36913112 PMCID: PMC10009838 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-023-02012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE COViK, a prospective hospital-based multicenter case-control study in Germany, aims to assess the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against severe disease. Here, we report vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19-caused hospitalization and intensive care treatment during the Omicron wave. METHODS We analyzed data from 276 cases with COVID-19 and 494 control patients recruited in 13 hospitals from 1 December 2021 to 5 September 2022. We calculated crude and confounder-adjusted VE estimates. RESULTS 21% of cases (57/276) were not vaccinated, compared to 5% of controls (26/494; p < 0.001). Confounder-adjusted VE against COVID-19-caused hospitalization was 55.4% (95% CI: 12-78%), 81.5% (95% CI: 68-90%) and 95.6% (95%CI: 88-99%) after two, three and four vaccine doses, respectively. VE against hospitalization due to COVID-19 remained stable up to one year after three vaccine doses. CONCLUSION Three vaccine doses remained highly effective in preventing severe disease and this protection was sustained; a fourth dose further increased protection.
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11
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Nairz M, Todorovic T, Gehrer CM, Grubwieser P, Burkert F, Zimmermann M, Trattnig K, Klotz W, Theurl I, Bellmann-Weiler R, Weiss G. Single-Center Experience in Detecting Influenza Virus, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 at the Emergency Department. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020470. [PMID: 36851685 PMCID: PMC9958692 DOI: 10.3390/v15020470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on respiratory tract swabs has become the gold standard for sensitive and specific detection of influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this retrospective analysis, we report on the successive implementation and routine use of multiplex RT-PCR testing for patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Emergency Department (ED) at a tertiary care center in Western Austria, one of the hotspots in the early coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Europe. Our description focuses on the use of the Cepheid® Xpert® Xpress closed RT-PCR system in point-of-care testing (POCT). Our indications for RT-PCR testing changed during the observation period: From the cold season 2016/2017 until the cold season 2019/2020, we used RT-PCR to diagnose influenza or RSV infection in patients with fever and/or respiratory symptoms. Starting in March 2020, we used the RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 and a multiplex version for the combined detection of all these three respiratory viruses to also screen subjects who did not present with symptoms of infection but needed in-hospital medical treatment for other reasons. Expectedly, the switch to a more liberal RT-PCR test strategy resulted in a substantial increase in the number of tests. Nevertheless, we observed an immediate decline in influenza virus and RSV detections in early 2020 that coincided with public SARS-CoV-2 containment measures. In contrast, the extensive use of the combined RT-PCR test enabled us to monitor the re-emergence of influenza and RSV detections, including asymptomatic cases, at the end of 2022 when COVID-19 containment measures were no longer in place. Our analysis of PCR results for respiratory viruses from a real-life setting at an ED provides valuable information on the epidemiology of those infections over several years, their contribution to morbidity and need for hospital admission, the risk for nosocomial introduction of such infection into hospitals from asymptomatic carriers, and guidance as to how general precautions and prophylactic strategies affect the dynamics of those infections.
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12
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Laue M, Hoffmann T, Michel J, Nitsche A. Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 particles in naso/oropharyngeal swabs by thin section electron microscopy. Virol J 2023; 20:21. [PMID: 36747188 PMCID: PMC9901382 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-01981-9] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SARS-CoV-2 replicates efficiently in the upper airways of humans and produces high loads of virus RNA and, at least in the initial phase after infection, many infectious virus particles. Studying virus ultrastructure, such as particle integrity or presence of spike proteins, and effects on their host cells in patient samples is important to understand the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS Suspensions from swab samples with a high load of virus RNA (Ct < 20) were sedimented by desktop ultracentrifugation and prepared for thin section electron microscopy using a novel method which is described in detail. Embedding was performed in Epon or in LR White resin using standard or rapid protocols. Thin sections were examined using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS Virus particles could be regularly detected in the extracellular space, embedded in a background of heterogenous material (e.g. vesicles and needle-like crystals), and within ciliated cells. Morphology (i.e. shape, size, spike density) of virus particles in the swab samples was very similar to particle morphology in cell culture. However, in some of the samples the virus particles hardly revealed spikes. Infected ciliated cells occasionally showed replication organelles, such as double-membrane vesicles. The most common cells in all samples were keratinocytes from the mucosa and bacteria. CONCLUSIONS The new method allows the ultrastructural visualization and analysis of coronavirus particles and of infected host cells from easy to collect naso/oropharyngeal patient swab samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Laue
- Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 4), Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Tobias Hoffmann
- grid.13652.330000 0001 0940 3744Advanced Light and Electron Microscopy, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 4), Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- grid.13652.330000 0001 0940 3744Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- grid.13652.330000 0001 0940 3744Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute, Seestr. 10, 13353 Berlin, Germany
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13
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Stoliaroff-Pepin A, Peine C, Herath T, Lachmann J, Perriat D, Dörre A, Nitsche A, Michel J, Grossegesse M, Hofmann N, Rinner T, Kohl C, Brinkmann A, Meyer T, Dorner BG, Stern D, Treindl F, Hein S, Werel L, Hildt E, Gläser S, Schühlen H, Isner C, Peric A, Ghouzi A, Reichardt A, Janneck M, Lock G, Schaade L, Wichmann O, Harder T. Effectiveness of vaccines in preventing hospitalization due to COVID-19: A multicenter hospital-based case-control study, Germany, June 2021 to January 2022. Vaccine 2023; 41:290-293. [PMID: 36509640 PMCID: PMC9715487 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.11.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
We included 852 patients in a prospectively recruiting multicenter matched case-control study in Germany to assess vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing COVID-19-associated hospitalization during the Delta-variant dominance. The two-dose VE was 89 % (95 % CI 84-93 %) overall, 79 % in patients with more than two comorbidities and 77 % in adults aged 60-75 years. A third dose increased the VE to more than 93 % in all patient-subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Stoliaroff-Pepin
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany.
| | - Caroline Peine
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany.
| | - Tim Herath
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Johannes Lachmann
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Delphine Perriat
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Achim Dörre
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Marica Grossegesse
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Natalie Hofmann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Thomas Rinner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Claudia Kohl
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Annika Brinkmann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS1 Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Tanja Meyer
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS3 Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Brigitte G Dorner
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS3 Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Daniel Stern
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS3 Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Fridolin Treindl
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, ZBS3 Biological Toxins, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Sascha Hein
- Division Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Germany
| | - Laura Werel
- Division Virology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Germany
| | | | - Sven Gläser
- Klinik für Innere Medizin - Pneumologie und Infektiologie, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln und Spandau, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Schühlen
- Vivantes Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH, Direktorat Klinische Forschung & Akademische Lehre, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Isner
- Klinik für Innere Medizin - Infektiologie, Vivantes Auguste-Viktoria-Klinikum, Rubensstr. 125, 12157 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Peric
- Klinik für Pneumologie und Infektiologie, Vivantes Klinikum im Friedrichshain, Landsberger Allee 49, 10249 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ammar Ghouzi
- Schön Klinik Düsseldorf, Interdisziplinäre Notaufnahme, Am Heerdter Krankenhaus 2, 40549 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annette Reichardt
- Helios Klinikum Berlin-Buch, Schwanebecker Chaussee 50, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Matthias Janneck
- Klinik für Kardiologie, Sektion Nephrologie, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Süntelstraße 11a, 22457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Guntram Lock
- Klinik für Innere Medizin, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Süntelstraße 11a, 22457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Ole Wichmann
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Thomas Harder
- Department for Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Immunization Unit, Robert Koch Institute, Germany
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14
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Henze L, Braun J, Meyer-Arndt L, Jürchott K, Schlotz M, Michel J, Grossegesse M, Mangold M, Dingeldey M, Kruse B, Holenya P, Mages N, Reimer U, Eckey M, Schnatbaum K, Wenschuh H, Timmermann B, Klein F, Nitsche A, Giesecke-Thiel C, Loyal L, Thiel A. Primary ChAdOx1 vaccination does not reactivate pre-existing, cross-reactive immunity. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1056525. [PMID: 36798117 PMCID: PMC9927399 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1056525] [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: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently available COVID-19 vaccines include inactivated virus, live attenuated virus, mRNA-based, viral vectored and adjuvanted protein-subunit-based vaccines. All of them contain the spike glycoprotein as the main immunogen and result in reduced disease severity upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. While we and others have shown that mRNA-based vaccination reactivates pre-existing, cross-reactive immunity, the effect of vector vaccines in this regard is unknown. Here, we studied cellular and humoral responses in heterologous adenovirus-vector-based ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 (AZ; Vaxzeria, AstraZeneca) and mRNA-based BNT162b2 (BNT; Comirnaty, BioNTech/Pfizer) vaccination and compared it to a homologous BNT vaccination regimen. AZ primary vaccination did not lead to measurable reactivation of cross-reactive cellular and humoral immunity compared to BNT primary vaccination. Moreover, humoral immunity induced by primary vaccination with AZ displayed differences in linear spike peptide epitope coverage and a lack of anti-S2 IgG antibodies. Contrary to primary AZ vaccination, secondary vaccination with BNT reactivated pre-existing, cross-reactive immunity, comparable to homologous primary and secondary mRNA vaccination. While induced anti-S1 IgG antibody titers were higher after heterologous vaccination, induced CD4+ T cell responses were highest in homologous vaccinated. However, the overall TCR repertoire breadth was comparable between heterologous AZ-BNT-vaccinated and homologous BNT-BNT-vaccinated individuals, matching TCR repertoire breadths after SARS-CoV-2 infection, too. The reasons why AZ and BNT primary vaccination elicits different immune response patterns to essentially the same antigen, and the associated benefits and risks, need further investigation to inform vaccine and vaccination schedule development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Henze
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Braun
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lil Meyer-Arndt
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Jürchott
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maike Schlotz
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marica Grossegesse
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maike Mangold
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Manuela Dingeldey
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beate Kruse
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Norbert Mages
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Reimer
- JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maren Eckey
- JPT Peptide Technologies GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Florian Klein
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner site Bonn-Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Lucie Loyal
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Thiel
- Si-M/"Der Simulierte Mensch" a science framework of Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Regenerative Immunology and Aging, BIH Immunomics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
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15
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Comparative Analysis of In-House RT-qPCR Detection of SARS-CoV-2 for Resource-Constrained Settings. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12112883. [PMID: 36428942 PMCID: PMC9689939 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112883] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed and standardized an efficient and cost-effective in-house RT-PCR method to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We evaluated sensitivity, specificity, and other statistical parameters by different RT-qPCR methods including triplex, duplex, and simplex assays adapted from the initial World Health Organization- (WHO) recommended protocol. This protocol included the identification of the E envelope gene (E gene; specific to the Sarvecovirus genus), RdRp gene of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (specific for SARS-CoV-2), and RNase P gene as endogenous control. The detection limit of the E and the RdRp genes were 3.8 copies and 33.8 copies per 1 µL of RNA, respectively, in both triplex and duplex reactions. The sensitivity for the RdRp gene in the triplex and duplex RT-qPCR tests were 98.3% and 83.1%, respectively. We showed a decrease in sensitivity for the RdRp gene by 60% when the E gene acquired Ct values > 31 in the diagnostic tests. This is associated with the specific detection limit of each gene and possible interferences in the protocol. Hence, developing efficient and cost-effective methodologies that can be adapted to various health emergency scenarios is important, especially in developing countries or settings where resources are limited.
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16
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Neuhauser H, Rosario AS, Butschalowsky H, Haller S, Hoebel J, Michel J, Nitsche A, Poethko-Müller C, Prütz F, Schlaud M, Steinhauer HW, Wilking H, Wieler LH, Schaade L, Liebig S, Gößwald A, Grabka MM, Zinn S, Ziese T. Nationally representative results on SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and testing in Germany at the end of 2020. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19492. [PMID: 36376417 PMCID: PMC9662125 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23821-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-vaccine SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence data from Germany are scarce outside hotspots, and socioeconomic disparities remained largely unexplored. The nationwide representative RKI-SOEP study (15,122 participants, 18-99 years, 54% women) investigated seroprevalence and testing in a supplementary wave of the Socio-Economic-Panel conducted predominantly in October-November 2020. Self-collected oral-nasal swabs were PCR-positive in 0.4% and Euroimmun anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1-IgG ELISA from dry-capillary-blood antibody-positive in 1.3% (95% CI 0.9-1.7%, population-weighted, corrected for sensitivity = 0.811, specificity = 0.997). Seroprevalence was 1.7% (95% CI 1.2-2.3%) when additionally correcting for antibody decay. Overall infection prevalence including self-reports was 2.1%. We estimate 45% (95% CI 21-60%) undetected cases and lower detection in socioeconomically deprived districts. Prior SARS-CoV-2 testing was reported by 18% from the lower educational group vs. 25% and 26% from the medium and high educational group (p < 0.001, global test over three categories). Symptom-triggered test frequency was similar across educational groups. Routine testing was more common in low-educated adults, whereas travel-related testing and testing after contact with infected persons was more common in highly educated groups. This countrywide very low pre-vaccine seroprevalence in Germany at the end of 2020 can serve to evaluate the containment strategy. Our findings on social disparities indicate improvement potential in pandemic planning for people in socially disadvantaged circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannelore Neuhauser
- Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, General-Pape-Str. 62-66, 12101, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hans W Steinhauer
- Socio-Economic Panel, German Institute for Economic Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Stefan Liebig
- Socio-Economic Panel, German Institute for Economic Research, Berlin, Germany
- SOEP & Department of Political and Social Sciences, Free University, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Markus M Grabka
- Socio-Economic Panel, German Institute for Economic Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Zinn
- Socio-Economic Panel, German Institute for Economic Research, Berlin, Germany
- SOEP & Department of Social Sciences, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany
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17
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Michel J, Targosz A, Rinner T, Bourquain D, Brinkmann A, Sacks JA, Schaade L, Nitsche A. Evaluation of 11 commercially available PCR kits for the detection of monkeypox virus DNA, Berlin, July to September 2022. Euro Surveill 2022; 27:2200816. [PMID: 36367010 PMCID: PMC9650706 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2022.27.45.2200816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Before the international spread of monkeypox in May 2022, PCR kits for the detection of orthopoxviruses, and specifically monkeypox virus, were rarely available. Here we describe the evaluation of 11 recently developed commercially available PCR kits for the detection of monkeypox virus DNA. All tested kits are currently intended for research use only and clinical performance still needs to be assessed in more detail, but all were suitable for diagnostics of monkeypox virus, with variations in specificity rather than sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Michel
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Angelina Targosz
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Rinner
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Bourquain
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annika Brinkmann
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jilian Amber Sacks
- World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lars Schaade
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, German Reference Laboratory for Poxviruses, Berlin, Germany
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18
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ten Hagen NA, Twele F, Meller S, Wijnen L, Schulz C, Schoneberg C, Kreienbrock L, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Osterhaus A, Boeck AL, Boeck K, Bonda V, Pilchová V, Kaiser FK, Gonzalez Hernandez M, Ebbers H, Hinsenkamp J, Pink I, Drick N, Welte T, Manns MP, Illig T, Puyskens A, Nitsche A, Ernst C, Engels M, Schalke E, Volk HA. Canine real-time detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the context of a mass screening event. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-010276. [DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-010276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionPrevious research demonstrated that medical scent detection dogs have the ability to distinguish SARS-CoV-2 positive from negative samples with high diagnostic accuracy. To deploy these dogs as a reliable screening method, it is mandatory to examine if canines maintain their high diagnostic accuracy in real-life screening settings. We conducted a study to evaluate the performance of medical scent detection dogs under real-life circumstances.MethodsEight dogs were trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR-positive samples. Four concerts with a total of 2802 participants were held to evaluate canines’ performance in screening individuals for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sweat samples were taken from all participants and presented in a line-up setting. In addition, every participant had been tested with a SARS-CoV-2 specific rapid antigen test and a RT-qPCR and they provided information regarding age, sex, vaccination status and medical disease history. The participants’ infection status was unknown at the time of canine testing. Safety measures such as mask wearing and distance keeping were ensured.ResultsThe SARS-CoV-2 detection dogs achieved a diagnostic specificity of 99.93% (95% CI 99.74% to 99.99%) and a sensitivity of 81.58% (95% CI 66.58% to 90.78%), respectively. The overall rate of concordant results was 99.68%. The majority of the study population was vaccinated with varying vaccines and vaccination schemes, while several participants had chronic diseases and were under chronic medication. This did not influence dogs’ decisions.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 scent detection dogs achieved high diagnostic accuracy in a real-life scenario. The vaccination status, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, chronic disease and medication of the participants did not influence the performance of the dogs in detecting the acute infection. This indicates that dogs provide a fast and reliable screening option for public events in which high-throughput screening is required.
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19
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Gui Z, Cai H, Wu L, Miao Q, Yu JF, Cai T, Mao R. Visual closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (CDA) for on-site detection of Rickettsia raoultii. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010747. [PMID: 36084136 PMCID: PMC9491570 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are important zoonoses, threatening human health seriously and gradually attracting more attention in the world. SFG rickettsiae are classified as neglected pathogens. If these pathogens are detected at all, they are usually recognized very late in the infection through indirect detection of specific antibodies. Previous studies have shown that Rickettsia raoultii (R. raoultii), a member of the SFG rickettsiae, occurs with increasing incidence in remote countries. Therefore, a rapid detection method for R. raoultii is in urgently need. In this study, a R. raoultii diagnosis method by closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (R-CDA) assay targeting a conserved sequence of the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) gene with high sensitivity and specificity was developed. This assay offered a rapid and simple method for on-site detection of R. raoultii. Firstly, four pairs of R-CDA primers were designed and the optimum primer set was selected to amplify target gene specifically and effectively. Then, a pair of outer primer was designed to accelerate the reaction based on the inner primers to establish the RO-CDA reaction. In addition, the results of real-time amplification curves, melting curves and end-point colorimetric judgements showed that the established visual RO-CDA reaction could accurately detect R. raoultii without cross-reaction with other closely related pathogens. Furthermore, the detection limit of visual RO-CDA assay was 10 copies/μL, which was feasible for on-site detection with merits of easy-operation, rapidity, high sensitivity, and specificity. In conclusion, the developed RO-CDA detection method could be helpful for pathogen screening and epidemic prevention at the point of care. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are important neglected zoonoses throughout the world, with expanding known distribution, among which R. raoultii is an emerging member. As the clinical symptoms of R. raoultii is similar to other diseases, the accurate diagnosis of the pathogen based on the detection of genome plays a vital role in effective treatment and control at low infection levels. Due to the lack of on-site detection technology of Rickettsia raoultii in remote areas, the pathogen can only be treated in the late infection stage with specific clinical symptoms. Closed dumbbell-mediated isothermal amplification (CDA) is a method that rapidly amplifies nucleic acids under isothermal condition, which can help to resolve the problem of point of care detection for R. raoultii. The established R. raoultii detection approach based on CDA was feasible for on-site detection with merits of easy-operation, rapidity, high sensitivity, and specificity. At last, compared with PCR and LAMP, CDA method is simpler and more efficient to detect R. raoultii, which helps to improve the efficiency of detection and strengthen the prevention and control of this neglected but widely distributed disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Gui
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Cai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Lin Wu
- Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
| | - Qing Miao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
| | - Jing feng Yu
- Department of Parasitology, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
| | - Ting Cai
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
| | - Rui Mao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Digestive System Tumors of Zhejiang Province, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- Ningbo Institute of Life and Health Industry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, China
- * E-mail: (JY); (TC); (RM)
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20
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Valadan R, Golchin S, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Haghshenas M, Zargari M, Mousavi T, Ghamati M. Differential gene expression analysis of common target genes for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 using real time-PCR. AMB Express 2022; 12:112. [PMID: 36053466 PMCID: PMC9438354 DOI: 10.1186/s13568-022-01454-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 currently is the main cause of the severe acute respiratory disease and fatal outcomes in human beings worldwide. Several genes are used as targets for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, including the RDRP, N, and E genes. The present study aimed to determine the RDRP, N, and E genes expressions of SARS-CoV- 2 in clinical samples. For this purpose, 100 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples were collected from diagnostic laboratories of Mazandaran province, Iran. After RNA extraction, the real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) assay was performed for differential gene expressions' analysis of N, E, and RDRP. The threshold cycle (Ct) values for N, RDRP, and E targets of 100 clinical samples for identifying SARS-CoV-2 were then evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). This result suggests N gene as a potential target for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2, since it was observed to be highly expressed in the nasopharyngeal or oropharynges of COVID-19 patients (P < 0.0001). Herein, we showed that SARS-CoV- 2 genes were differentially expressed in the host cells. Therefore, to reduce obtaining false negative results and to increase the sensitivity of the available diagnostic tests, the target genes should be carefully selected based on the most expressed genes in the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Valadan
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Soheila Golchin
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Reza Alizadeh-Navaei
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Non-communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammadreza Haghshenas
- Department of Microbiology, Molecular and Cell-Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mehryar Zargari
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics, Molecular and cell biology research center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of medical sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahoora Mousavi
- Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. .,Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Hemoglobinopathy Research Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ghamati
- Medical student, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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21
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Vindeirinho JM, Pinho E, Azevedo NF, Almeida C. SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostics Based on Nucleic Acids Amplification: From Fundamental Concepts to Applications and Beyond. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:799678. [PMID: 35402302 PMCID: PMC8984495 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.799678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic ignited the development of countless molecular methods for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 based either on nucleic acid, or protein analysis, with the first establishing as the most used for routine diagnosis. The methods trusted for day to day analysis of nucleic acids rely on amplification, in order to enable specific SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. This review aims to compile the state-of-the-art in the field of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) used for SARS-CoV-2 detection, either at the clinic level, or at the Point-Of-Care (POC), thus focusing on isothermal and non-isothermal amplification-based diagnostics, while looking carefully at the concerning virology aspects, steps and instruments a test can involve. Following a theme contextualization in introduction, topics about fundamental knowledge on underlying virology aspects, collection and processing of clinical samples pave the way for a detailed assessment of the amplification and detection technologies. In order to address such themes, nucleic acid amplification methods, the different types of molecular reactions used for DNA detection, as well as the instruments requested for executing such routes of analysis are discussed in the subsequent sections. The benchmark of paradigmatic commercial tests further contributes toward discussion, building on technical aspects addressed in the previous sections and other additional information supplied in that part. The last lines are reserved for looking ahead to the future of NAATs and its importance in tackling this pandemic and other identical upcoming challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- João M. Vindeirinho
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research (INIAV, I.P), Vairão, Portugal
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eva Pinho
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research (INIAV, I.P), Vairão, Portugal
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno F. Azevedo
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carina Almeida
- National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinarian Research (INIAV, I.P), Vairão, Portugal
- Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering (ALiCE), Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Centre of Biological Engineering (CEB), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Carina Almeida,
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22
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Brinkmann A, Uddin S, Ulm SL, Pape K, Förster S, Enan K, Nourlil J, Krause E, Schaade L, Michel J, Nitsche A. RespiCoV: Simultaneous identification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and 46 respiratory tract viruses and bacteria by amplicon-based Oxford-Nanopore MinION sequencing. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264855. [PMID: 35263362 PMCID: PMC8906600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since December 2019 the world has been facing the outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Identification of infected patients and discrimination from other respiratory infections have so far been accomplished by using highly specific real-time PCRs. Here we present a rapid multiplex approach (RespiCoV), combining highly multiplexed PCRs and MinION sequencing suitable for the simultaneous screening for 41 viral and five bacterial agents related to respiratory tract infections, including the human coronaviruses NL63, HKU1, OC43, 229E, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, SARS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. RespiCoV was applied to 150 patient samples with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection and compared with specific real-time PCR. Additionally, several respiratory tract pathogens were identified in samples tested positive or negative for SARS-CoV-2. Finally, RespiCoV was experimentally compared to the commercial RespiFinder 2SMART multiplex screening assay (PathoFinder, The Netherlands).
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Brinkmann
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Steven Uddin
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie-Luisa Ulm
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Pape
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Förster
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Khalid Enan
- Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Eva Krause
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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23
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Grossegesse M, Bourquain D, Neumann M, Schaade L, Schulze J, Mache C, Wolff T, Nitsche A, Doellinger J. Deep Time Course Proteomics of SARS-CoV- and SARS-CoV-2-Infected Human Lung Epithelial Cells (Calu-3) Reveals Strong Induction of Interferon-Stimulated Gene Expression by SARS-CoV-2 in Contrast to SARS-CoV. J Proteome Res 2022; 21:459-469. [PMID: 34982558 PMCID: PMC8751642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infections are characterized by remarkable differences, including infectivity and case fatality rate. The underlying mechanisms are not well understood, illustrating major knowledge gaps of coronavirus biology. In this study, protein expression of the SARS-CoV- and SARS-CoV-2-infected human lung epithelial cell line Calu-3 was analyzed using data-independent acquisition-mass spectrometry. This resulted in a comprehensive map of infection-related proteome-wide expression changes in human cells covering the quantification of 7478 proteins across four time points. Most notably, the activation of interferon type-I response was observed, which is surprisingly absent in several proteome studies. The data reveal that SARS-CoV-2 triggers interferon-stimulated gene expression much stronger than SARS-CoV, which reflects the already described differences in interferon sensitivity. Potentially, this may be caused by the enhanced abundance of the viral M protein of SARS-CoV in comparison to SARS-CoV-2, which is a known inhibitor of type I interferon expression. This study expands the knowledge on the host response to SARS-CoV-2 infections on a global scale using an infection model, which seems to be well suited to analyze the innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Grossegesse
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens:
Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute,
13353Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Bourquain
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens,
Robert Koch Institute, 13353Berlin,
Germany
| | - Markus Neumann
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens:
Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute,
13353Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens,
Robert Koch Institute, 13353Berlin,
Germany
| | - Jessica Schulze
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses,
Robert Koch Institute, Unit 17, 13353Berlin,
Germany
| | - Christin Mache
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses,
Robert Koch Institute, Unit 17, 13353Berlin,
Germany
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses,
Robert Koch Institute, Unit 17, 13353Berlin,
Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens:
Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute,
13353Berlin, Germany
| | - Joerg Doellinger
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens:
Highly Pathogenic Viruses (ZBS 1), Robert Koch Institute,
13353Berlin, Germany
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens:
Proteomics and Spectroscopy (ZBS 6), Robert Koch Institute,
13353Berlin, Germany
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24
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Tomczyk S, Hönning A, Hermes J, Grossegesse M, Hofmann N, Michel J, Neumann M, Nitsche A, Hoppe B, Eckmanns T, Schmidt-Traub H, Zappel K. Longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiological investigation among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in Germany. BMC Infect Dis 2022; 22:80. [PMID: 35073863 PMCID: PMC8784861 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07057-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 cases in Germany increased in early March 2020. By April 2020, cases among health care workers (HCW) were detected across departments at a tertiary care hospital in Berlin, prompting a longitudinal investigation to assess HCW SARS-CoV-2 serostatus with an improved testing strategy and associated risk factors. Methods In May/June and December 2020, HCWs voluntarily provided blood for serology and nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal (NP/OP) samples for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and completed a questionnaire. A four-tiered SARS-CoV-2 serological testing strategy including two different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and biological neutralization test (NT) was used. ELISA-NT correlation was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Sociodemographic and occupational factors associated with seropositivity were assessed with multivariate logistic regression. Results In May/June, 18/1477 (1.2%) HCWs were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive, followed by 56/1223 (4.6%) in December. Among those tested in both, all seropositive in May/June remained seropositive by ELISA and positive by NT after 6 months. ELISA ratios correlated well with NT titres in May/June (R = 0.79) but less so in December (R = 0.41). Those seropositive reporting a past SARS-CoV-2 positive PCR result increased from 44.4% in May/June to 85.7% in December. HCWs with higher occupational risk (based on profession and working site), nurses, males, and those self-reporting COVID-19-like symptoms had significantly higher odds of seropositivity. Conclusions This investigation provides insight into the burden of HCW infection in this local outbreak context and the antibody dynamics over time with an improved robust testing strategy. It also highlights the continued need for effective infection control measures particularly among HCWs with higher occupational risk. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12879-022-07057-3.
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25
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Vierbaum L, Wojtalewicz N, Grunert HP, Lindig V, Duehring U, Drosten C, Corman V, Niemeyer D, Ciesek S, Rabenau HF, Berger A, Obermeier M, Nitsche A, Michel J, Mielke M, Huggett J, O’Sullivan D, Busby E, Cowen S, Vallone PM, Cleveland MH, Falak S, Kummrow A, Keller T, Schellenberg I, Zeichhardt H, Kammel M. RNA reference materials with defined viral RNA loads of SARS-CoV-2-A useful tool towards a better PCR assay harmonization. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262656. [PMID: 35051208 PMCID: PMC8775330 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, requires reliable diagnostic methods to track the circulation of this virus. Following the development of RT-qPCR methods to meet this diagnostic need in January 2020, it became clear from interlaboratory studies that the reported Ct values obtained for the different laboratories showed high variability. Despite this the Ct values were explored as a quantitative cut off to aid clinical decisions based on viral load. Consequently, there was a need to introduce standards to support estimation of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in diagnostic specimens. In a collaborative study, INSTAND established two reference materials (RMs) containing heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 with SARS-CoV-2 RNA loads of ~107 copies/mL (RM 1) and ~106 copies/mL (RM 2), respectively. Quantification was performed by RT-qPCR using synthetic SARS-CoV-2 RNA standards and digital PCR. Between November 2020 and February 2021, German laboratories were invited to use the two RMs to anchor their Ct values measured in routine diagnostic specimens, with the Ct values of the two RMs. A total of 305 laboratories in Germany were supplied with RM 1 and RM 2. The laboratories were requested to report their measured Ct values together with details on the PCR method they used to INSTAND. This resultant 1,109 data sets were differentiated by test system and targeted gene region. Our findings demonstrate that an indispensable prerequisite for linking Ct values to SARS-CoV-2 viral loads is that they are treated as being unique to an individual laboratory. For this reason, clinical guidance based on viral loads should not cite Ct values. The RMs described were a suitable tool to determine the specific laboratory Ct for a given viral load. Furthermore, as Ct values can also vary between runs when using the same instrument, such RMs could be used as run controls to ensure reproducibility of the quantitative measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vierbaum
- INSTAND e.V., Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Nathalie Wojtalewicz
- INSTAND e.V., Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | | | - Vanessa Lindig
- IQVD GmbH, Institut fuer Qualitaetssicherung in der Virusdiagnostik, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulf Duehring
- GBD Gesellschaft fuer Biotechnologische Diagnostik mbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin; National Consultant Laboratory for Coronaviruses; German Centre for Infection Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin; National Consultant Laboratory for Coronaviruses; German Centre for Infection Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- Institute of Virology, Charité - University Medicine Berlin; National Consultant Laboratory for Coronaviruses; German Centre for Infection Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sandra Ciesek
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, External partner site Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Branch Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Holger F. Rabenau
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
| | - Annemarie Berger
- Institute for Medical Virology, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Robert Koch-Institute, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Mielke
- Robert Koch-Institute, Department for Infectious Diseases, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jim Huggett
- National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Health & Medical Science, School of Biosciences & Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Denise O’Sullivan
- National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom
| | - Eloise Busby
- National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Cowen
- National Measurement Laboratory, LGC, Teddington, Middlesex, United Kingdom
| | - Peter M. Vallone
- Materials Measurement Laboratory, Biomolecular Measurement Division, NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Genetics Group, Gaithersburg, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Megan H. Cleveland
- Materials Measurement Laboratory, Biomolecular Measurement Division, NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Applied Genetics Group, Gaithersburg, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Samreen Falak
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Ingo Schellenberg
- INSTAND e.V., Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Institute of Bioanalytical Sciences, Center of Life Sciences, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
| | - Heinz Zeichhardt
- INSTAND e.V., Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- GBD Gesellschaft fuer Biotechnologische Diagnostik mbH, Berlin, Germany
- IQVD GmbH, Institut fuer Qualitaetssicherung in der Virusdiagnostik, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Kammel
- INSTAND e.V., Society for Promoting Quality Assurance in Medical Laboratories, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- IQVD GmbH, Institut fuer Qualitaetssicherung in der Virusdiagnostik, Berlin, Germany
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Lateral flow-based nucleic acid detection of SARS-CoV-2 using enzymatic incorporation of biotin-labeled dUTP for POCT use. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:3177-3186. [PMID: 35044487 PMCID: PMC8766626 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-03880-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The degree of detrimental effects inflicted on mankind by the COVID-19 pandemic increased the need to develop ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and Robust, Equipment-free, and Deliverable) POCT (point of care testing) to overcome the current and any future pandemics. Much effort in research and development is currently advancing the progress to overcome the diagnostic pressure built up by emerging new pathogens. LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) is a well-researched isothermal technique for specific nucleic acid amplification which can be combined with a highly sensitive immunochromatographic readout via lateral flow assays (LFA). Here we discuss LAMP-LFA robustness, sensitivity, and specificity for SARS-CoV-2 N-gene detection in cDNA and clinical swab-extracted RNA samples. The LFA readout is designed to produce highly specific results by incorporation of biotin and FITC labels to 11-dUTP and LF (loop forming forward) primer, respectively. The LAMP-LFA assay was established using cDNA for N-gene with an accuracy of 95.65%. To validate the study, 82 SARS-CoV-2-positive RNA samples were tested. Reverse transcriptase (RT)-LAMP-LFA was positive for the RNA samples with an accuracy of 81.66%; SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected by RT-LAMP-LFA for as low as CT-33. Our method reduced the detection time to 15 min and indicates therefore that RT-LAMP in combination with LFA represents a promising nucleic acid biosensing POCT platform that combines with smartphone based semi-quantitative data analysis.
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Sandoni A, Schaffrath Rosario A, Michel J, Kuttig T, Wurm J, Damerow S, Iwanowski H, Finkel B, Schrick L, Buchholz U, Haas W, Varnaccia G, Kubisch U, Jordan S, Schienkiewitz A, Nitsche A, Loss J. SARS-CoV-2 viral clearance and viral load kinetics in young children (1-6 years) compared to adults: Results of a longitudinal study in Germany. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:989456. [PMID: 36452353 PMCID: PMC9702089 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.989456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate SARS-COV-2 viral clearance and viral load kinetics in the course of infection in children aged 1-6 years in comparison with adults. METHODS Prospective cohort study of infected daycare children and staff and their close contacts in households from 11/2020 to 06/2021. Adult participants took upper respiratory tract specimen from themselves and/or their children, for PCR tests on SARS-CoV-2. Data on symptoms and exposure were used to determine the date of probable infection for each participant. We determined (a) viral clearance, and (b) viral load dynamics over time. Samples were taken from day 4-6 to day 16-18 after diagnosis of the index case in the respective daycare group (5 samples per participant). RESULTS We included 40 children (1-6 years) and 67 adults (18-77 years) with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples were available at a mean of 4.3 points of time per participant. Among the participants, the 12-day study period fell in different periods within the individual course of infection, ranging from day 5-17 to day 15-26 after assumed infection.Children reached viral clearance at a median of 20 days after assumed infection (95% CI 17-21 days, Kaplan-Meier Analysis), adults at 23 days (95% CI 20-25 days, difference not significant). In both children and adults, viral load decreased over time with trajectories of the mean viral load not being statistically different between groups. Kaplan-Meier calculations show that from day 15 (95% CI 13-15), 50% of all participants had a viral load <1 million copies/ml, i.e. were no longer infectious or negative. CONCLUSION Children aged 1-6 and adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 (wild type and Alpha variant) did not differ significantly in terms of viral load kinetics and time needed to clear the virus. Therefore, containment measures are important also in the daycare settings as long as the pandemic continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Sandoni
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Janine Michel
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tim Kuttig
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Wurm
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Damerow
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helena Iwanowski
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bianca Finkel
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Livia Schrick
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Udo Buchholz
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Walter Haas
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gianni Varnaccia
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kubisch
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Jordan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anja Schienkiewitz
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julika Loss
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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ten Hagen NA, Twele F, Meller S, Jendrny P, Schulz C, von Köckritz-Blickwede M, Osterhaus A, Ebbers H, Pink I, Welte T, Manns MP, Illig T, Fathi A, Addo MM, Nitsche A, Puyskens A, Michel J, Krause E, Ehmann R, von Brunn A, Ernst C, Zwirglmaier K, Wölfel R, Nau A, Philipp E, Engels M, Schalke E, Volk HA. Discrimination of SARS-CoV-2 Infections From Other Viral Respiratory Infections by Scent Detection Dogs. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:749588. [PMID: 34869443 PMCID: PMC8636992 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.749588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Testing of possibly infected individuals remains cornerstone of containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Detection dogs could contribute to mass screening. Previous research demonstrated canines' ability to detect SARS-CoV-2-infections but has not investigated if dogs can differentiate between COVID-19 and other virus infections. Methods: Twelve dogs were trained to detect SARS-CoV-2 positive samples. Three test scenarios were performed to evaluate their ability to discriminate SARS-CoV-2-infections from viral infections of a different aetiology. Naso- and oropharyngeal swab samples from individuals and samples from cell culture both infected with one of 15 viruses that may cause COVID-19-like symptoms were presented as distractors in a randomised, double-blind study. Dogs were either trained with SARS-CoV-2 positive saliva samples (test scenario I and II) or with supernatant from cell cultures (test scenario III). Results: When using swab samples from individuals infected with viruses other than SARS-CoV-2 as distractors (test scenario I), dogs detected swab samples from SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals with a mean diagnostic sensitivity of 73.8% (95% CI: 66.0-81.7%) and a specificity of 95.1% (95% CI: 92.6-97.7%). In test scenario II and III cell culture supernatant from cells infected with SARS-CoV-2, cells infected with other coronaviruses and non-infected cells were presented. Dogs achieved mean diagnostic sensitivities of 61.2% (95% CI: 50.7-71.6%, test scenario II) and 75.8% (95% CI: 53.0-98.5%, test scenario III), respectively. The diagnostic specificities were 90.9% (95% CI: 87.3-94.6%, test scenario II) and 90.2% (95% CI: 81.1-99.4%, test scenario III), respectively. Conclusion: In all three test scenarios the mean specificities were above 90% which indicates that dogs can distinguish SARS-CoV-2-infections from other viral infections. However, compared to earlier studies our scent dogs achieved lower diagnostic sensitivities. To deploy COVID-19 detection dogs as a reliable screening method it is therefore mandatory to include a variety of samples from different viral respiratory tract infections in dog training to ensure a successful discrimination process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Alexandra ten Hagen
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Friederike Twele
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sebastian Meller
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Paula Jendrny
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Claudia Schulz
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maren von Köckritz-Blickwede
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ab Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans Ebbers
- KynoScience Unternehmergesellschaft, Hörstel, Germany
| | - Isabell Pink
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tobias Welte
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Illig
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anahita Fathi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck- Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marylyn Martina Addo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department for Clinical Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Hamburg-Lübeck- Borstel-Riems, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS) 1, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, World Health Organisation Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Puyskens
- Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS) 1, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, World Health Organisation Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS) 1, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, World Health Organisation Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Krause
- Center for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens (ZBS) 1, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, World Health Organisation Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosina Ehmann
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Albrecht von Brunn
- Max von Pettenkofer-Institute, Virology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | - Roman Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Nau
- Bundeswehr Medical Service Headquarters, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Eva Philipp
- Military Medical Center, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Michael Engels
- Bundeswehr School of Dog Handling, Gräfin-Maltzan-Kaserne, Ulmen, Germany
| | - Esther Schalke
- Bundeswehr School of Dog Handling, Gräfin-Maltzan-Kaserne, Ulmen, Germany
| | - Holger Andreas Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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Scheiblauer H, Filomena A, Nitsche A, Puyskens A, Corman VM, Drosten C, Zwirglmaier K, Lange C, Emmerich P, Müller M, Knauer O, Nübling CM. Comparative sensitivity evaluation for 122 CE-marked rapid diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 antigen, Germany, September 2020 to April 2021. Euro Surveill 2021; 26:2100441. [PMID: 34738515 PMCID: PMC8569926 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.44.2100441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionNumerous CE-marked SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDT) are offered in Europe, several of them with unconfirmed quality claims.AimWe performed an independent head-to-head evaluation of the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT offered in Germany.MethodsWe addressed the sensitivity of 122 Ag RDT in direct comparison using a common evaluation panel comprised of 50 specimens. Minimum sensitivity of 75% for panel specimens with a PCR quantification cycle (Cq) ≤ 25 was used to identify Ag RDT eligible for reimbursement in the German healthcare system.ResultsThe sensitivity of different SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT varied over a wide range. The sensitivity limit of 75% for panel members with Cq ≤ 25 was met by 96 of the 122 tests evaluated; 26 tests exhibited lower sensitivity, few of which failed completely. Some RDT exhibited high sensitivity, e.g. 97.5 % for Cq < 30.ConclusionsThis comparative evaluation succeeded in distinguishing less sensitive from better performing Ag RDT. Most of the evaluated Ag RDT appeared to be suitable for fast identification of acute infections associated with high viral loads. Market access of SARS-CoV-2 Ag RDT should be based on minimal requirements for sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heinrich Scheiblauer
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Angela Filomena
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Puyskens
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor M Corman
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin, Charité - Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karin Zwirglmaier
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology, and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Constanze Lange
- LADR Central Laboratory Dr. Kramer & Colleagues, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Petra Emmerich
- Bernhard-Nocht Institute, Department of Virology, Hamburg, and Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Olivia Knauer
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - C Micha Nübling
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
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30
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Puyskens A, Krause E, Michel J, Nübling CM, Scheiblauer H, Bourquain D, Grossegesse M, Valusenko R, Corman VM, Drosten C, Zwirglmaier K, Wölfel R, Lange C, Kramer J, Friesen J, Ignatius R, Müller M, Schmidt-Chanasit J, Emmerich P, Schaade L, Nitsche A. Establishment of a specimen panel for the decentralised technical evaluation of the sensitivity of 31 rapid diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 antigen, Germany, September 2020 to April 2021. Euro Surveill 2021; 26:2100442. [PMID: 34738516 PMCID: PMC8569922 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.44.2100442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe detection of SARS-CoV-2 with rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) has become an important tool to identify infected people and break infection chains. These RDT are usually based on antigen detection in a lateral flow approach.AimWe aimed to establish a comprehensive specimen panel for the decentralised technical evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid diagnostic tests.MethodsWhile for PCR diagnostics the validation of a PCR assay is well established, there is no common validation strategy for antigen tests, including RDT. In this proof-of-principle study we present the establishment of a panel of 50 pooled clinical specimens that cover a SARS-CoV-2 concentration range from 1.1 × 109 to 420 genome copies per mL of specimen. The panel was used to evaluate 31 RDT in up to six laboratories.ResultsOur results show that there is considerable variation in the detection limits and the clinical sensitivity of different RDT. We show that the best RDT can be applied to reliably identify infectious individuals who present with SARS-CoV-2 loads down to 106 genome copies per mL of specimen. For the identification of infected individuals with SARS-CoV-2 loads corresponding to less than 106 genome copies per mL, only three RDT showed a clinical sensitivity of more than 60%.ConclusionsSensitive RDT can be applied to identify infectious individuals with high viral loads but not to identify all infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Puyskens
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eva Krause
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Micha Nübling
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Heinrich Scheiblauer
- Testing Laboratory for In-vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, Langen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bourquain
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Marica Grossegesse
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roman Valusenko
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Victor M Corman
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
- Labor Berlin, Charité - Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Drosten
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Virology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Zwirglmaier
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Roman Wölfel
- Bundeswehr Institute of Microbiology and German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Constanze Lange
- LADR Central Laboratory Dr. Kramer & Colleagues, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Jan Kramer
- LADR Central Laboratory Dr. Kramer & Colleagues, Geesthacht, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Arbovirology Department, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Emmerich
- Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Arbovirology Department, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Center of Internal Medicine II, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Robert Koch Institute, Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Brinkmann A, Ulm SL, Uddin S, Förster S, Seifert D, Oehme R, Corty M, Schaade L, Michel J, Nitsche A. AmpliCoV: Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing Using Multiplex PCR Amplification and Real-Time Oxford Nanopore MinION Sequencing Enables Rapid Variant Identification of SARS-CoV-2. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:651151. [PMID: 34276587 PMCID: PMC8281033 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.651151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019, the scientific community has been sharing data on epidemiology, diagnostic methods, and whole-genomic sequences almost in real time. The latter have already facilitated phylogenetic analyses, transmission chain tracking, protein modeling, the identification of possible therapeutic targets, timely risk assessment, and identification of novel variants. We have established and evaluated an amplification-based approach for whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2. It can be used on the miniature-sized and field-deployable sequencing device Oxford Nanopore MinION, with sequencing library preparation time of 10 min. We show that the generation of 50,000 total reads per sample is sufficient for a near complete coverage (>90%) of the SARS-CoV-2 genome directly from patient samples even if virus concentration is low (Ct 35, corresponding to approximately 5 genome copies per reaction). For patient samples with high viral load (Ct 18–24), generation of 50,000 reads in 1–2 h was shown to be sufficient for a genome coverage of >90%. Comparison to Illumina data reveals an accuracy that suffices to identify virus mutants. AmpliCoV can be applied whenever sequence information on SARS-CoV-2 is required rapidly, for instance for the identification of circulating virus mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Brinkmann
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie-Luisa Ulm
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Steven Uddin
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sophie Förster
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominique Seifert
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rainer Oehme
- Landesgesundheitsamt Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Merle Corty
- LADR Laboratory Group Dr. Kramer & Colleagues, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Lars Schaade
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Michel
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Nitsche
- Highly Pathogenic Viruses, Centre for Biological Threats and Special Pathogens, WHO Reference Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and WHO Collaborating Centre for Emerging Infections and Biological Threats, Robert Koch Institute, Berlin, Germany
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Oh DY, Buda S, Biere B, Reiche J, Schlosser F, Duwe S, Wedde M, von Kleist M, Mielke M, Wolff T, Dürrwald R. Trends in respiratory virus circulation following COVID-19-targeted nonpharmaceutical interventions in Germany, January - September 2020: Analysis of national surveillance data. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. EUROPE 2021; 6:100112. [PMID: 34124707 PMCID: PMC8183189 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the initial COVID-19 response, Germany's Federal Government implemented several nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) that were instrumental in suppressing early exponential spread of SARS-CoV-2. NPI effect on the transmission of other respiratory viruses has not been examined at the national level thus far. METHODS Upper respiratory tract specimens from 3580 patients with acute respiratory infection (ARI), collected within the nationwide German ARI Sentinel, underwent RT-PCR diagnostics for multiple respiratory viruses. The observation period (weeks 1-38 of 2020) included the time before, during and after a far-reaching contact ban. Detection rates for different viruses were compared to 2017-2019 sentinel data (15350 samples; week 1-38, 11823 samples). FINDINGS The March 2020 contact ban, which was followed by a mask mandate, was associated with an unprecedented and sustained decline of multiple respiratory viruses. Among these, rhinovirus was the single agent that resurged to levels equalling those of previous years. Rhinovirus rebound was first observed in children, after schools and daycares had reopened. By contrast, other nonenveloped viruses (i.e. gastroenteritis viruses reported at the national level) suppressed after the shutdown did not rebound. INTERPRETATION Contact restrictions with a subsequent mask mandate in spring may substantially reduce respiratory virus circulation. This reduction appears sustained for most viruses, indicating that the activity of influenza and other respiratory viruses during the subsequent winter season might be low,whereas rhinovirus resurgence, potentially driven by transmission in educational institutions in a setting of waning population immunity, might signal predominance of rhinovirus-related ARIs. FUNDING Robert Koch-Institute and German Ministry of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djin-Ye Oh
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silke Buda
- Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Robert-Koch Institute, Germany
| | - Barbara Biere
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Janine Reiche
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Schlosser
- Computational Epidemiology (P4), Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, D-10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Duwe
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marianne Wedde
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Max von Kleist
- Systems Medicine of Infectious Disease (P5), Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
| | - Martin Mielke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, Germany
| | - Thorsten Wolff
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Ralf Dürrwald
- Unit 17: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses | German National Influenza Center, Department of Infectious Diseases, Robert Koch-Institute, D-13353 Berlin, Germany
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