Immune characterization of a Colombian family cluster with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Biological sex and age-related differences shape the antiviral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

For the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, clinical manifestations are broad and highly heterogeneous for both sexes. We aimed to determine how biological sex and age impact immune gene expression, particularly influencing the humoral neutralizing antibody (NAb) response and the cytokine production in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) subjects. The immune gene expression, according to biological sex and age, was assessed using the genome wide expression profile of blood proteins from healthy individuals using the Genotype Tissue Expression (GTEx) database. Moreover, anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine levels were determined in blood samples from 141 COVID-19 individuals from Medellín, Colombia. Among subjects with COVID-19, males had statistically significantly higher median NAb titers and serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and CC chemokine ligand 3 than females. Overall, our findings point out a more robust innate immune response in women that could help recognize and restrain the virus faster than in men.

Burden of disease of COVID-19 in the department of Nariño, Colombia, 2020-2021

OBJECTIVES.

To estimate the burden of disease of COVID-19 in the department of Nariño, Colombia, based on the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) between March 2020 and August 2021.

MATERIALS AND METHODS.

The description and characterization of COVID-19 cases reported between March 2020 and August 2021 was made according to age groups, sex, ethnicity, municipalities of residence and subregions of Nariño by using information from the national surveillance system SIVIGILA. Crude and cumulative mortality rates for COVID-19 were estimated for the previously described variables. Years lost due to premature death (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD) were calculated. Total DALYs were estimated by adding YLL + YLD. These were calculated by sex, ethnicity, age group and subregions of Nariño. Relative risks were estimated from rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals for the study variables.

RESULTS.

The highest morbidity, mortality and DALY rates occurred between February and September 2021, in men, in those older than 70 years, in the Afro-descendant ethnic minority group and in the Central, Obando and Juanambú subregions. The burden of disease of COVID-19 in Nariño during the study period is attributed to the YLL, which explain more than 97% of it.

CONCLUSIONS.

This is one of the first studies on burden of disease at the regional level, carried out in Colombia, that employs a standardized methodology for COVID-19. This measurement would generate estimates that would allow targeting resources in an intersectoral manner, mitigating the damage to specific populations and geographic areas, especially the most vulnerable ones.

Curcumin Inhibits In Vitro SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vero E6 Cells through Multiple Antiviral Mechanisms

Due to the scarcity of therapeutic approaches for COVID-19, we investigated the antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin against SARS-CoV-2 using in vitro models. The cytotoxicity of curcumin was evaluated using MTT assay in Vero E6 cells. The antiviral activity of this compound against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated using four treatment strategies (i. pre-post infection treatment, ii. co-treatment, iii. pre-infection, and iv. post-infection). The D614G strain and Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 were used, and the viral titer was quantified by plaque assay. The anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using qPCR and ELISA. By pre-post infection treatment, Curcumin (10 µg/mL) exhibited antiviral effect of 99% and 99.8% against DG614 strain and Delta variant, respectively. Curcumin also inhibited D614G strain by pre-infection and post-infection treatment. In addition, curcumin showed a virucidal effect against D614G strain and Delta variant. Finally, the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) released by PBMCs triggered by SARS-CoV-2 were decreased after treatment with curcumin. Our results suggest that curcumin affects the SARS-CoV-2 replicative cycle and exhibits virucidal effect with a variant/strain independent antiviral effect and immune-modulatory properties. This is the first study that showed a combined (antiviral/anti-inflammatory) effect of curcumin during SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, additional studies are required to define its use as a treatment for the COVID-19.