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Brandolini M, Grumiro L, Farabegoli P, Dirani G, Zannoli S, Zaghi I, Guerra M, Taddei F, Gatti G, Marzucco A, Montanari MS, De Pascali AM, Semprini S, Cricca M, Sambri V. Evaluation of a rapid Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) test for the laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298398. [PMID: 38512825 PMCID: PMC10956856 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have seen a considerable increase in the last years and given the health burden they may represent from both a personal and community perspective, they require surveillance and prevention programmes based on a timely and decentralized diagnosis. In this context, user-friendly rapid molecular tests may represent a good trade-off between diagnostic accuracy, accessibility and affordability. In this study we evaluated the diagnostic performance of a new real-time LAMP (Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification) method for the rapid detection and differentiation of 7 major sexually transmissible pathogens by analysing real clinical samples (genital and extra-genital matrices) from individuals with suspected STIs. The assay showed good overall diagnostic performances in terms of sensitivity, specificity and concordance with a gold-standard PCR-based molecular method. This assay, not requiring specialised laboratory technicians or expensive instrumentation, but nonetheless capable of guaranteeing accurate results, is within the reach of outpatient settings, obstetrics, and gynaecology clinic, hence ensuring on-field access to early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Farabegoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Irene Zaghi
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital, Ravenna, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Guerra
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Anna Marzucco
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simona Semprini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
| | - Monica Cricca
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Cesena, Italy
- Department Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Marzucco A, Gatti G, Montanari MS, Fantini M, Colosimo C, Tamburini MV, Arfilli V, Morotti M, Schiavone P, Congestrì F, Manera M, Denicolò A, Brandolini M, Taddei F, Grumiro L, Zannoli S, Dirani G, De Pascali AM, Sambri V, Cricca M. Evaluation of Biofilm Production and Antifungal Susceptibility to Fluconazole in Clinical Isolates of Candida spp. in Both Planktonic and Biofilm Form. Microorganisms 2024; 12:153. [PMID: 38257980 PMCID: PMC10820201 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Candida spp. are an important opportunistic pathogen that can represent a possible cause of severe infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. The clinical impact of Candida spp. depends, in part, on the ability to form biofilms, communities of nestled cells into the extracellular matrix. In this study, we compared the biofilm formation ability of 83 strains of Candida spp. isolated from blood cultures and other materials, such as respiratory samples, urine, and exudate, and their sensitivity to fluconazole (FLZ). Strains were divided into tertiles to establish cut-offs to classify isolates as low, moderate, or high biofilm producers (<0.26, 0.266-0.839, >0.839) and biofilms with low, moderate, or high metabolic activity (<0.053, 0.053-0.183, >0.183). A non-linear relationship between biofilm production and metabolic activity was found in C. glabrata and C. tropicalis. In addition, the increase in minimum biofilm eradication concentrations (MBEC50) compared to the Minor Inhibitory Concentration (PMIC) of the planktonic form in Candida spp. confirms the role of biofilm in the induction of resistance to FLZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Marzucco
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
| | - Giulia Gatti
- DIN—Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Maria Sofia Montanari
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Michela Fantini
- Health Services Research, Evaluation and Policy Unit, AUSL Romagna, 42123 Rimini, Italy;
| | - Claudia Colosimo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
| | - Maria Vittoria Tamburini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Valentina Arfilli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Manuela Morotti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Pasqualina Schiavone
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Francesco Congestrì
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Martina Manera
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Agnese Denicolò
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Martina Brandolini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
| | - Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
| | - Monica Cricca
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.S.M.); (M.V.T.); (V.A.); (M.M.); (P.S.); (F.C.); (M.M.); (A.D.); (F.T.); (L.G.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (V.S.); (M.C.)
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences—DIMEC, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy; (C.C.); (M.B.); (A.M.D.P.)
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Gatti G, Brandolini M, Mancini A, Taddei F, Zannoli S, Dirani G, Manera M, Arfilli V, Denicolò A, Marzucco A, Montanari MS, Zaghi I, Guerra M, Tennina R, Marino MM, Grumiro L, Cricca M, Sambri V. Genomic and Temporal Analysis of Deletions Correlated to qRT-PCR Dropout in N Gene in Alpha, Delta and Omicron Variants. Viruses 2023; 15:1630. [PMID: 37631974 PMCID: PMC10458892 DOI: 10.3390/v15081630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, mutations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletions (INDELs) have changed and characterized the viral genome sequence, structure and protein folding leading to the onset of new variants. The presence of those alterations challenges not only the clinical field but also the diagnostic demand due to failures in gene detection or incompleteness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results. In particular, the analysis of understudied genes such as N and the investigation through whole-genome next generation sequencing (WG-NGS) of regions more prone to mutate can help in the identification of new or reacquired mutations, with the aim of designing robust and long-lasting primers. In 48 samples of SARS-CoV-2 (including Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants), a lack of N gene amplification was observed in the genomes analyzed through WG-NGS. Three gene regions were detected hosting the highest number of SNPs and INDELs. In several cases, the latter can interfere deeply with both the sensitivity of diagnostic methodologies and the final protein folding. The monitoring over time of the viral evolution and the reacquisition among different variants of the same mutations or different alterations within the same genomic positions can be relevant to avoid unnecessary consumption of resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gatti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Martina Brandolini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Martina Manera
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Valentina Arfilli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Agnese Denicolò
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Anna Marzucco
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Maria Sofia Montanari
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Irene Zaghi
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Massimiliano Guerra
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Rita Tennina
- Unit of Laboratory Medicine—Local Health Authority 1 Complex Operative Unit, 67051 L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Monica Cricca
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (G.G.); (M.B.); (M.C.)
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy; (A.M.); (F.T.); (S.Z.); (G.D.); (M.M.); (V.A.); (A.D.); (A.M.); (M.S.M.); (I.Z.); (M.G.); (L.G.)
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D'Angelo D, Quarta E, Glieca S, Varacca G, Flammini L, Bertoni S, Brandolini M, Sambri V, Grumiro L, Gatti G, Dirani G, Taddei F, Bianchera A, Sonvico F, Bettini R, Buttini F. An Enhanced Dissolving Cyclosporin-A Inhalable Powder Efficiently Reduces SARS-CoV-2 Infection In Vitro. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15031023. [PMID: 36986883 PMCID: PMC10055879 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15031023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
This work illustrates the development of a dry inhalation powder of cyclosporine-A for the prevention of rejection after lung transplantation and for the treatment of COVID-19. The influence of excipients on the spray-dried powder's critical quality attributes was explored. The best-performing powder in terms of dissolution time and respirability was obtained starting from a concentration of ethanol of 45% (v/v) in the feedstock solution and 20% (w/w) of mannitol. This powder showed a faster dissolution profile (Weibull dissolution time of 59.5 min) than the poorly soluble raw material (169.0 min). The powder exhibited a fine particle fraction of 66.5% and an MMAD of 2.97 µm. The inhalable powder, when tested on A549 and THP-1, did not show cytotoxic effects up to a concentration of 10 µg/mL. Furthermore, the CsA inhalation powder showed efficiency in reducing IL-6 when tested on A549/THP-1 co-culture. A reduction in the replication of SARS-CoV-2 on Vero E6 cells was observed when the CsA powder was tested adopting the post-infection or simultaneous treatment. This formulation could represent a therapeutic strategy for the prevention of lung rejection, but is also a viable approach for the inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 replication and the COVID-19 pulmonary inflammatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide D'Angelo
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Eride Quarta
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Glieca
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giada Varacca
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Lisa Flammini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Simona Bertoni
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Martina Brandolini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione 60, Pievesestina, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Microbiology Unit, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione 60, Pievesestina, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Microbiology Unit, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione 60, Pievesestina, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Speciality Medicine, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Microbiology Unit, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione 60, Pievesestina, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Microbiology Unit, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Piazza della Liberazione 60, Pievesestina, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Annalisa Bianchera
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Fabio Sonvico
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Ruggero Bettini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Buttini
- Food and Drug Department, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 27a, 43124 Parma, Italy
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5
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Zannoli S, Brandolini M, Marino MM, Denicolò A, Mancini A, Taddei F, Arfilli V, Manera M, Gatti G, Battisti A, Grumiro L, Scalcione A, Dirani G, Sambri V. SARS-CoV-2 Co-Infection in Immunocompromised Host Leads to Generation of Recombinant Strain. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 131:65-70. [PMID: 36924839 PMCID: PMC10014127 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombination related to co-infection is a huge driving force in determining the virus genetic variability, particularly in conditions of partial immune control leading to prolonged infection. Here we characterized a distinctive mutational pattern, highly suggestive of Delta-Omicron double infection, in a lymphoma patient. The specimen was characterized through a combined approach, analyzing the results of deep sequencing in primary sample, viral culture and plaque assay. Bioinformatic analysis on the sequences deriving from the primary sample supports the hypothesis of a double viral population within the host. Plaque assay on viral culture led to the isolation of a recombinant strain deriving from Delta and Omicron lineages, named XS, which virtually replaced its parent lineages within a single viral propagation. It is impossible to establish whether the recombination event happened within the host or in vitro, however it is important to monitor co-infections, especially in the exceptional intra-host environment of immunocompromised patients, as strong driving forces of viral evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy.
| | - Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Agnese Denicolò
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Valentina Arfilli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Martina Manera
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Arianna Battisti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Agata Scalcione
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy; Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
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6
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Brandolini M, Gatti G, Grumiro L, Zannoli S, Arfilli V, Cricca M, Dirani G, Denicolò A, Marino MM, Manera M, Mancini A, Taddei F, Semprini S, Sambri V. Omicron Sub-Lineage BA.5 and Recombinant XBB Evasion from Antibody Neutralisation in BNT162b2 Vaccine Recipients. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11010191. [PMID: 36677483 PMCID: PMC9866687 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11010191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent emergence of a number of new SARS-CoV-2 variants resulting from recombination between two distinct parental lineages or sub-lineages within the same lineage has sparked the debate regarding potential enhanced viral infectivity and immune escape. Among these, XBB, recombinant of BA.2.10 and BA.2.75, has caused major concern in some countries due to its rapid increase in prevalence. In this study, we tested XBB escape capacity from mRNA-vaccine-induced (BNT162b2) neutralising antibodies compared to B.1 ancestral lineage and another co-circulating variant (B.1.1.529 BA.5) by analysing sera collected 30 days after the second dose in 92 healthcare workers. Our data highlighted an enhanced and statistically significant immune escape ability of the XBB recombinant. Although these are preliminary results, this study highlights the importance of immune escape monitoring of new and forthcoming variants and of the reformulation of existing vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Valentina Arfilli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Monica Cricca
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Agnese Denicolò
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Martina Manera
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Simona Semprini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522 Cesena, Italy
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES)—Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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7
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Puccini L, Fantini M, Biagetti C, Angelini R, Dirani G, Grumiro L, Schiavone P, Sparacino M, Semprini S, Sambri V, Cricca M. Kinetics of dried blood spot-measured anti-SARS-CoV2 Spike IgG in mRNA-vaccinated healthcare workers. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1130677. [PMID: 36937271 PMCID: PMC10014594 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1130677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction One of the major criticisms facing the research community during SARS-CoV2 pandemic was the lack of large-scale, longitudinal data on the efficacy of the SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccines. Currently, even if COVID-19 antiviral treatments have been authorized by European Medicine Agency, prevention through approved specific vaccines is the best approach available in order to contain the ongoing pandemic. Objectives Here, we studied the antibody kinetic over a one-year period from vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) vaccines and subsequent boosting with either the BioNTech or Moderna (Spikevax) vaccines in a large cohort of 8,071 healthcare workers (HCW). We also described the impact of SARS-CoV2 infection on antibody kinetic over the same period. Methods We assessed the anti SARS-CoV2 Spike IgG antibody kinetic by the high throughput dried blood spot (DBS) collection method and the GSP®/DELFIA® Anti-SARS-CoV2 IgG assay (PerkinElmer®). Results Our data support existing models showing that SARS-CoV2 vaccination elicits strong initial antibodies responses that decline with time but are transitorily increased by administering a vaccine booster. We also showed that using heterologous vaccine/booster combinations a stronger antibody response was elicited than utilizing a booster from the same vaccine manufacturer. Furthermore, by considering the impact of SARS-CoV2 infection occurrence in proximity to the scheduled booster administration, we confirmed that booster dose did not contribute significantly to elicit higher antibody responses. Conclusion DBS sampling in our large population of HCWs was fundamental to collect a large number of specimens and to clarify the effective mRNA vaccine-induced antibody kinetic and the role of both heterologous boosters and SARS-CoV2 infection in modulating antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucrezia Puccini
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Michela Fantini
- 2Health Services Research, Evaluation and Policy Unit, AUSL Romagna, Rimini, Italy
| | - Carlo Biagetti
- 3Operative Unit of Infectious Disease, Ospedale Infermi, Rimini, Italy
| | | | - Giorgio Dirani
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Pasqua Schiavone
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Monica Sparacino
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Simona Semprini
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
- 5Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Monica Cricca
- 1Operative Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina, Italy
- 5Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine-DIMES, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Monica Cricca,
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8
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Donoso Mantke O, Corman VM, Taddei F, McCulloch E, Niemeyer D, Grumiro L, Dirani G, Wallace PS, Drosten C, Sambri V, Niesters HGM. Importance of external quality assessment for SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Clin Virol 2022; 154:105222. [PMID: 35797940 PMCID: PMC9235289 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background: Antigen testing has become an essential part of fighting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With the continual increase in available tests, independent and extensive comparative evaluations using data from external quality assessment (EQA) studies to evaluate test performance between different users are required. Objectives: An EQA scheme was established to assess the sensitivity of antigen tests and the potential impact of circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains on their performance. Study design: Panels were prepared for three challenges in 2021 containing inactivated SARS-CoV-2-positive samples of various genetic strains (including variants of concern, VOCs) at different concentrations, and negative samples. Data was analysed based on qualitative testing results in relation to the antigen test used. Results: Participants registered for each individual challenge in any combination. In total, 258 respondents from 27 countries worldwide were counted submitting 472 datasets. All core samples were correctly reported by 76.7 to 83.1% at participant level and by 73.5 to 83.8% at dataset level. Sensitivity differences could be shown in viral loads and SARS-CoV-2 strains/variants including the impact on performance by a B.1.1.7-like mutant strain with a deletion in the nucleoprotein gene. Lateral flow rapid antigen tests showed a higher rate of false negatives in general compared with automated point-of-care tests and laboratory ELISA/immunoassays. Conclusions: EQA schemes can provide valuable data to inform participants about weaknesses in their testing process or methods and support ongoing assay evaluations for regulatory approval or post-market surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor M Corman
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany; Labor Berlin-Charité Vivantes GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Elaine McCulloch
- Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD), Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - Daniela Niemeyer
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Paul S Wallace
- Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD), Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany, and German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Berlin, Germany
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, Pievesestina di Cesena (FC), Italy
| | - Hubert G M Niesters
- The University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Division of Clinical Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Groningen, the Netherlands
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9
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Brandolini M, Dirani G, Taddei F, Zannoli S, Denicolò A, Arfilli V, Battisti A, Manera M, Mancini A, Grumiro L, Marino MM, Gatti G, Fantini M, Semprini S, Sambri V. Mutational induction in SARS-CoV-2 major lineages by experimental exposure to neutralising sera. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12479. [PMID: 35864211 PMCID: PMC9302871 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16533-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the emergence of new viral variants bearing specific escape mutations responsible for immune evasion from antibody neutralisation has required a more accurate characterisation of the immune response as one of the evolutive forces behind viral adaptation to a largely immunised human population. In this work, culturing in the presence of neutralising sera vigorously promoted mutagenesis leading to the acquisition of known escape mutations on the spike as well as new presumptive escape mutations on structural proteins whose role as target of the neutralizing antibody response might have been thus far widely neglected. From this perspective, this study, in addition to tracing the past evolution of the species back to interactions with neutralising antibody immune response, also offers a glimpse into future evolutive scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Agnese Denicolò
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Valentina Arfilli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Arianna Battisti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Martina Manera
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Mancini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Giulia Gatti
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Michela Fantini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Simona Semprini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Greater Romagna Area Hub Laboratory, 47522, Cesena, Italy.
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES)-Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138, Bologna, Italy.
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10
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Decataldo F, Giovannini C, Grumiro L, Marino MM, Faccin F, Brandolini M, Dirani G, Taddei F, Lelli D, Tessarolo M, Calienni M, Cacciotto C, De Pascali AM, Lavazza A, Fraboni B, Sambri V, Scagliarini A. Organic Electrochemical Transistors as Versatile Tool for Real-Time and Automatized Viral Cytopathic Effect Evaluation. Viruses 2022; 14:1155. [PMID: 35746627 PMCID: PMC9227436 DOI: 10.3390/v14061155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In-vitro viral studies are still fundamental for biomedical research since studying the virus kinetics on cells is crucial for the determination of the biological properties of viruses and for screening the inhibitors of infections. Moreover, testing potential viral contaminants is often mandatory for safety evaluation. Nowadays, viral cytopathic effects are mainly evaluated through end-point assays requiring dye-staining combined with optical evaluation. Recently, optical-based automatized equipment has been marketed, aimed at the real-time screening of cell-layer status and obtaining further insights, which are unavailable with end-point assays. However, these technologies present two huge limitations, namely, high costs and the possibility to study only cytopathic viruses, whose effects lead to plaque formation and layer disruption. Here, we employed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (Pedot:Pss) organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for the real-time, electrical monitoring of the infection of cytolytic viruses, i.e., encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), and non-cytolytic viruses, i.e., bovine coronavirus (B-CoV), on cells. OECT data on EMCV were validated using a commercially-available optical-based technology, which, however, failed in the B-CoV titration analysis, as expected. The OECTs proved to be reliable, fast, and versatile devices for viral infection monitoring, which could be scaled up at low cost, reducing the operator workload and speeding up in-vitro assays in the biomedical research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Decataldo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Catia Giovannini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Universtity of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.G.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.P.); (A.S.)
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesca Faccin
- Experimental Zooprofilactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna“Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.F.); (D.L.); (A.L.)
| | - Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Davide Lelli
- Experimental Zooprofilactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna“Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.F.); (D.L.); (A.L.)
| | - Marta Tessarolo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Maria Calienni
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Carla Cacciotto
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Universtity of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.G.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Alessandra Mistral De Pascali
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Universtity of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.G.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonio Lavazza
- Experimental Zooprofilactic Institute of Lombardy and Emilia Romagna“Bruno Ubertini” (IZSLER), 25124 Brescia, Italy; (F.F.); (D.L.); (A.L.)
| | - Beatrice Fraboni
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (F.D.); (M.T.); (M.C.)
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Universtity of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.G.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.P.); (A.S.)
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (L.G.); (M.M.M.); (M.B.); (G.D.); (F.T.)
| | - Alessandra Scagliarini
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Universtity of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (C.G.); (C.C.); (A.M.D.P.); (A.S.)
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11
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Brandolini M, Taddei F, Marino MM, Grumiro L, Scalcione A, Turba ME, Gentilini F, Fantini M, Zannoli S, Dirani G, Sambri V. Correlating qRT-PCR, dPCR and Viral Titration for the Identification and Quantification of SARS-CoV-2: A New Approach for Infection Management. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061022. [PMID: 34071726 PMCID: PMC8229388 DOI: 10.3390/v13061022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and is the causative agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) represents the gold standard for diagnostic assays even if it cannot precisely quantify viral RNA copies. Thus, we decided to compare qRT-PCR with digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR), which is able to give an accurate number of RNA copies that can be found in a specimen. However, the aforementioned methods are not capable to discriminate if the detected RNA is infectious or not. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform an endpoint titration on cell cultures, which is largely used in the research field and provides a tissue culture infecting dose per mL (TCID50/mL) value. Both research and diagnostics call for a model that allows the comparison between the results obtained employing different analytical methods. The aim of this study is to define a comparison among two qRT-PCR protocols (one with preliminary RNA extraction and purification and an extraction-free qRT-PCR), a dPCR and a titration on cell cultures. The resulting correlations yield a faithful estimation of the total number of RNA copies and of the infectious viral burden from a Ct value obtained with diagnostic routine tests. All these estimations take into consideration methodological errors linked to the qRT-PCR, dPCR and titration assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Brandolini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Francesca Taddei
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Maria Michela Marino
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Laura Grumiro
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Agata Scalcione
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | | | - Fabio Gentilini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, 40064 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Michela Fantini
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Silvia Zannoli
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Giorgio Dirani
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy; (M.B.); (F.T.); (M.M.M.); (L.G.); (A.S.); (M.F.); (S.Z.); (G.D.)
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine—DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
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12
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Mita L, Grumiro L, Rossi S, Bianco C, Defez R, Gallo P, Mita DG, Diano N. Bisphenol A removal by a Pseudomonas aeruginosa immobilized on granular activated carbon and operating in a fluidized bed reactor. J Hazard Mater 2015; 291:129-135. [PMID: 25781217 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2015.02.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Serratia rubidiae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli K12 have been studied for their ability of Bisphenol A removal from aqueous systems and biofilm formation on activated granule carbon. Mathematical equations for biodegradation process have been elaborated and discussed. P. aeruginosa was found the best strain to be employed in the process of Bisphenol A removal. The yield in BPA removal of a P. aeruginosa biofilm grown on GAC and operating in a fluidized bed reactor has been evaluated. The results confirm the usefulness in using biological activated carbon (BAC process) to remove phenol compounds from aqueous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Mita
- National Laboratory on Endocrine Disruptors, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Genetic and Biophysics "ABT", Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Laura Grumiro
- National Laboratory on Endocrine Disruptors, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Rossi
- Institute of Genetic and Biophysics "ABT", Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Carmen Bianco
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Defez
- Institute of Biosciences and BioResources, Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallo
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via della Salute 2, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Damiano Gustavo Mita
- National Laboratory on Endocrine Disruptors, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; Institute of Genetic and Biophysics "ABT", Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples Italy.
| | - Nadia Diano
- National Laboratory on Endocrine Disruptors, National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Via P. Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Via S.M. di Costantinopoli, 16, 80138 Naples Italy
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Mita L, Baldi A, Diano N, Viggiano E, Portaccio M, Nicolucci C, Grumiro L, Menale C, Mita DG, Spugnini EP, Viceconte R, Citro G, Pierantoni R, Sica V, Marino M, Signorile PG, Bianco M. Differential accumulation of BPA in some tissues of offspring of Balb-C mice exposed to different BPA doses. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol 2012; 33:9-15. [PMID: 22047638 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Revised: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant adult Balb-C mice were exposed daily to two different doses of Bisphenol A (BPA) by subcutaneous injection beginning on gestational day 1 through the seventh day after delivery. The mothers were sacrificed on postpartum day 21, and the offspring were sacrificed at 3 months of age. Control mice were subjected to the same experimental protocol but received saline injections. The liver, muscles, hindbrain and forebrain of the offspring were dissected and processed using HPLC to assess the level of BPA in the tissues and to determine its dependence on the exposure dose and gender. For comparison, the same tissues were dissected from the mothers and analysed. We report the following results: (1) the level of BPA that accumulated in a given tissue was dependent on the exposure dose; (2) the rank order of BPA accumulation in the various tissues was dependent on the gender of the offspring; (3) the average BPA concentrations in the liver and muscle of the female offspring were higher than in the males; and (4) the average BPA concentration in the central nervous system (i.e., the hindbrain and forebrain) of the male offspring was higher than in the females.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mita
- National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Viale Medaglie d'Oro 305, 00136 Rome, Italy
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