Prevalence of a Single-Nucleotide Variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Korea and Its Impact on the Diagnostic Sensitivity of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 Assay

The sensitivity of molecular diagnostics could be affected by nucleotide variants in pathogen genes, and the sites affected by such variants should be monitored. We report a single-nucleotide variant (SNV) in the nucleocapsid (N) gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), i.e., G29179T, which impairs the diagnostic sensitivity of the Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA). We observed significant differences between the threshold cycle (Ct) values for envelope (E) and N genes and confirmed the SNV as the cause of the differences using Sanger sequencing. This SNV, G29179T, is the most prevalent in Korea and is associated with the B.1.497 virus lineage, which is dominant in Korea. Clinical laboratories should be aware of the various SNVs in the SARS-CoV-2 genome and consider their potential effects on the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019.ope

COVID-19 in Colombia : the first 90 days

La epidemia de covid-19 se inició en Colombia el 6 de marzo 2020, cuatro meses después de los primeros casos en China, y cuando ya la enfermedad empezaba a ocasionar serios estragos en Europa. En este artículo se describen y se presentan los registros gráficos de algunas características epidemiológicas de la epidemia en nuestro medio, analizando su tasa de crecimiento, su compromiso por grupos etarios, y su letalidad. Finalmente, se describen los riesgos y la incertidumbre de las proyecciones futuras.Covid-19 epidemic began in Colombia on March 6, 2020, four months after the first cases in China, and when the disease was already starting to have serious consequences in Europe. This article presents graphic records and describes epidemiological characteristics of the epidemic in our country, analyzing its growth rate, its behavior in different age groups, and its fatality rate. Finally, the risks and the uncertainties of future projections are described.https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0960-9480https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EYfIMmYAAAAJ&hl=eshttp://scienti.colciencias.gov.co:8081/cvlac/visualizador/generarCurriculoCv.do?cod_rh=0001363986Revista Nacional - Indexad

Emerg Infect Dis

Emerging Infectious Diseases is providing access to these abstracts on behalf of the ICEID 2022 program committee (http://www.iceid.org), which performed peer review. ICEID is organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Task Force for Global Health, Inc.Emerging Infectious Diseases has not edited or proofread these materials and is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions. All information is subject to change. Comments and corrections should be brought to the attention of the authors.Suggested citation: Authors. Title [abstract]. International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases 2022 poster and oral presentation abstracts. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Sep [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/EID/pdfs/ICEID2022.pdf2022PMC94238981187

Emerg Infect Dis

PMC4550154611

Bioactive compounds, and bio-activities common to three natural products expected to boost the treatment of the comorbidities of COVID-19: A review

COVID-19, with many variants of its causative virus, has been and is still causing ravages and claiming many lives all over the globe. Currently, there are no therapeutic agents against the disease except for a few already existing ones that are used to manage the symptoms and comorbidities associated with the disease. Even some currently developed vaccines cannot efficiently handle various variants of the causative agent for COVID-19. This review is aimed at utilizing the possible synergy that might exist in the combination therapy of Nigella sativa, Curcuma longa, and honey for better management of COVID-19 and the associated comorbidities. The literature search was performed by inputting some relevant keywords into important search engines and websites such as Google, Google Advanced Search, PubMed, and so on. In vitro studies on some bioactive compounds isolated from N. sativa and C. longa have demonstrated activity against SARS-CoV-2. The three natural products, N. sativa, C. longa, and honey have exhibited wonderful activities against some of the health conditions associated with COVID-19; such include; antiviral, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilatory, antihistamine, antitussive, antimicrobial and other activities. Some of the major active compounds responsible for the bioactivities of these products and their mechanisms of action have been highlighted. The products individually have exhibited strong biological activities against conditions associated with COVID-19 and so are expected to exert a synergistic effect when combined in the treatment of the disease even with many variants of the causative organism

Leveraging and adapting global health systems and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic

Overview -- Surveillance, Information, and Laboratory Systems -- Workforce, Institutional, and Public Health Capacity Development -- Clinical and Health Services Delivery and Impact -- Commentaries -- About the Cover.Overview: Partnerships, Collaborations, and Investments Integral to CDC\u2019s International Response to COVID-19 / R. P. Walensky -- Global Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic / C. H. Cassell et al. -- Surveillance, Information, and Laboratory Systems: Lessons Learned from CDC\u2019s Global COVID-19 Early Warning and Response Surveillance System / P. M. Ricks et al. -- Enhancing Respiratory Disease Surveillance to Detect COVID-19 in Shelters for Displaced Persons, Thailand\u2013Myanmar Border, 2020\u20132021 / B. Knust et al. -- Leveraging International Influenza Surveillance Systems and Programs during the COVID-19 Pandemic / P. Marcenac et al. -- Incorporating COVID-19 into Acute Febrile Illness Surveillance Systems, Belize, Kenya, Ethiopia, Peru, and Liberia, 2020\u20132021 / D. C. Shih et al. -- Extending and Strengthening Routine DHIS2 Surveillance Systems for COVID-19 Responses in Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, and Uganda / C. Kinkade et al. -- Leveraging PEPFAR-Supported Health Information Systems for COVID-19 Pandemic Response / M. Mirza et al. -- Contribution of PEPFAR-Supported HIV and TB Molecular Diagnostic Networks to COVID-19 Testing Preparedness in 16 Countries / E. Rottinghaus Romano et al. -- A Nationally Representative Survey of COVID-19 in Pakistan, 2021\u20132022 / S. Aheron et al. -- SARS-CoV-2 Prevalence in Malawi Based on Data from Survey of Communities and Health Workers in 5 High-Burden Districts, October 2020 / J. Theu et al. -- Determining Gaps in Publicly Shared SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Data by Analysis of Global Submissions / E. C. Ohlsen et al. -- Comparison of COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in 10 Countries in Southern Africa, 2020\u20132021 / J. Smith-Sreen et al. -- Using Population Mobility Patterns to Adapt COVID-19 Response Strategies in 3 East Africa Countries / R. D. Merrill et al. -- Community-Based Surveillance and Geographic Information System\u2012Linked Contact Tracing in COVID-19 Case Identification, Ghana, March\u2012June 2020 / E. Kenu et al. -- The Future of Infodemic Surveillance as Public Health Surveillance / H. Chiou et al. -- Workforce, Institutional, and Public Health Capacity Development: Continuing Contributions of Field Epidemiology Training Programs to Global COVID-19 Response / E. Bell et al. -- India Field Epidemiology Training Program Response to COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020\u20132021 / S. Singh et al. -- COVID-19 Response Roles among CDC International Public Health Emergency Management Fellowship Graduates / S. Krishnan et al. -- Exploratory Literature Review of the Role of National Public Health Institutes in COVID-19 Response / A. Zuber et al. -- Adapting Longstanding Public Health Collaborations between Government of Kenya and CDC Kenya in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020\u20132021 / A. Herman-Roloff et al. -- Effect of Nigeria Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Pandemic, Nigeria / O. Bolu et al. -- Use of Epidemiology Surge Support to Enhance Robustness and Expand Capacity of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Response, South Africa / R. Taback-Esra et al. -- Building on Capacity Established through US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Global Health Programs to Respond to COVID-19, Cameroon / E. Dokubo et al. -- Use of Project ECHO in Response to COVID-19 in Countries Supported by US President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief / J. Wright et al. -- Faith Community Engagement to Mitigate COVID-19 Transmission Associated with Mass Gathering, Uman, Ukraine, September 2021 / L. Erickson-Mamane et al. -- Clinical and Health Services Delivery and Impact: Effects of COVID-19 on Vaccine-Preventable Disease Surveillance Systems in the World Health Organization African Region, 2020 / J. Bigouette et al. -- CDC\u2019s COVID-19 International Vaccine Implementation and Evaluation Program and Lessons from Earlier Vaccine Introductions / H. M. Soeters et al. -- Effects of Decreased Immunization Coverage for Hepatitis B Virus Caused by COVID-19 in World Health Organization Western Pacific and African Regions, 2020 / H. J. Kabore et al. -- Past as Prologue\u2014Use of Rubella Vaccination Program Lessons to Inform COVID-19 Vaccination / M. G. Dixon et al. -- Leveraging Lessons Learned from Yellow Fever and Polio Immunization Campaigns during COVID-19 Pandemic, Ghana, 2021 / K. Amponsa-Achiano et al. -- Effectiveness of Whole-Virus COVID-19 Vaccine among Healthcare Personnel, Lima, Peru / C. S. Arriola et al. -- Leveraging HIV Program and Civil Society to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake, Zambia / P. Bobo et al. -- Adopting World Health Organization Multimodal Infection Prevention and Control Strategies to Respond to COVID-19, Kenya / D. Kimani et al. -- Infection Prevention and Control Initiatives to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Transmission of SARS-CoV-2, East Africa / D. J. Gomes et al. -- Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Services for HIV Prevention, Sub-Saharan Africa, 2020 / M. E. Peck et al. -- Sexual Violence Trends before and after Rollout of COVID-19 Mitigation Measures, Kenya / W. Ochieng et al. -- Clinical and Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Agricultural Workers, Guatemala / D. Olson et al. -- Outcomes after Acute Malnutrition Program Adaptations to COVID-19, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Somalia / T. Shragai et al. -- Commentaries: Lessons from Nigeria\u2019s Adaptation of Global Health Initiatives during the COVID-19 Pandemic / C. Ihekweazu -- About the Cover: A United Response to COVID-19\u2014an Artist\u2019s Perspective / B. Breedlove et al

Micro/nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices for biomedical applications

Micro/Nanofluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices have been increasingly used in biomedical research [1]. Because of their adaptability, feasibility, and cost-efficiency, these devices can revolutionize the future of preclinical technologies. Furthermore, they allow insights into the performance and toxic effects of responsive drug delivery nanocarriers to be obtained, which consequently allow the shortcomings of two/three-dimensional static cultures and animal testing to be overcome and help to reduce drug development costs and time [2–4]. With the constant advancements in biomedical technology, the development of enhanced microfluidic devices has accelerated, and numerous models have been reported. Given the multidisciplinary of this Special Issue (SI), papers on different subjects were published making a total of 14 contributions, 10 original research papers, and 4 review papers. The review paper of Ko et al. [1] provides a comprehensive overview of the significant advancements in engineered organ-on-a-chip research in a general way while in the review presented by Kanabekova and colleagues [2], a thorough analysis of microphysiological platforms used for modeling liver diseases can be found. To get a summary of the numerical models of microfluidic organ-on-a-chip devices developed in recent years, the review presented by Carvalho et al. [5] can be read. On the other hand, Maia et al. [6] report a systematic review of the diagnosis methods developed for COVID-19, providing an overview of the advancements made since the start of the pandemic. In the following, a brief summary of the research papers published in this SI will be presented, with organs-on-a-chip, microfluidic devices for detection, and device optimization having been identified as the main topics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio