Evaluation of IgG antibodies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and associated risk factors for severe respiratory tract infections in pre- school children in North-central, Nigeria

Background: Childhood mortality and morbidity due to RSV is increasing. Our current study was aimed at determining the sero-prevalence rate of RSV IgG antibodies and investigates certain known risk factors for RSV  disease severity in infants and pre-school children presenting with various forms of respiratory tract infections in Ilorin, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: About 280, children and 30, aged matched controls were enrolled into the study at the specialist hospital Ilorin. Blood testing for anti RSV IgG was done using a commercial ELISA kit by IVD Research Inc® Carlsbad. California U.S.A. Information regarding Nutritional status, socio-economic status and other demographic variables were collected.Results: A prevalence rate of 85.7% was recorded among tested children and 23.3%, in controls, across age groups and gender. A statistically significant difference in age groups were recorded among patients with  LRTI, (p <0.05), age <1 41%, age 1 <5, 27.6%. This was also the case forchildren with SRTI (Pneumonia and Bronchiolitis), with age < 1yr, 9%, and 1 <5yr, 19.8%. Analysed risk factors for disease severity showed thatnutritional status of children were statistically significant for disease severity, p-value, 0.039 (Chi square test).Conclusions: We report a high level of exposure to RSV in infancy and early childhood among children from a representative population in a major central Nigerian City, further studies into neutralising antibody levels and subtype distribution of RSV are advocated.Key Words: RSV, Respiratory tract infection, Seroprevalence, Ilorin

Informationsmodell zur Entwicklung umweltgerechter Produkte

Umweltprobleme sind heute ein ernstes und viel diskutiertes Thema. Die globale Erwärmung sowie der Verbrauch von nicht nachwachsenden Rohstoffen sind nur zwei Beispiele für die Problematik. Die Ursachen sind vielfältig, größtenteils aber in unserem Lebensstil zu suchen, der den kontinuierlichen Gebrauch von Produkten aller Art beinhaltet. Diese Produkte erzeugen durch Prozesse, die in ihrem gesamten Lebensweg stattfinden, Emissionen. Diese führen zur Beeinträchtigung unserer Umwelt. Für die Minimalisierung dieser Emissionen durch Optimierung der ökologischen Eigenschaften während der Produktentwicklung werden im Sonderforschungsbereich 392 "Entwicklung umweltgerechter Produkte" Methoden und Instrumente entwickelt. Dabei wird eine ganzheitliche Betrachtung angestrebt, die alle Phasen des Produktlebens (Rohstoffabbau, Herstellung, Nutzung, Recycling/Entsorgung) sowie die Schnittstellen zu anderen Produkteigenschaften, wie z.B. die wirtschaftlichen Aspekte, berücksichtigt.Der SFB392 besteht aus 19 wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeitern von neun Fachgebieten. Er ist in zwei Forschungsbereichen aufgeteilt. Die erste Gruppe wird als Expertenbereich bezeichnet. Sie untersucht die physikalischen Wirkungen eines Produktes auf die Umwelt in einer ganzheitlichen Betrachtung. Das hier gewonnene Expertenwissen wird in Form eines objektorientierten Informationsmodells abgelegt. Hiermit können Sachkennzahlen als Grundlage für eine ökologische Beurteilung von Produkten ermittelt werden. Die zweite Gruppe wird als Methodenbereich bezeichnet. Sie entwickelt die Methoden und Werkzeuge, die es einerseits dem Expertenbereich erlaubt, Wissen zu modellieren, und andererseits dem Produktentwickler erlaubt, dieses Wissen zu benutzen. Basis ist eine Produktentwicklungsumgebung (PEU), die auf dem Informationsmodell des SFB392 aufbaut. Die PEU hat eine Schnittstelle zu CAD Systemen, um die Produktdaten generieren zu können. Weiterhin bietet sie die Möglichkeit, den Lebensweg eines Produktes zu modellieren. Hierzu wurde ein Lebenslaufmodellierer entwickelt. Schließlich können Produkte mit Hilfe eines Beurteilungssystems ökologisch beurteilt werde

Evolution and genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa using whole genome sequences

Background The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was introduced into Africa on 14th February 2020 and has rapidly spread across the continent causing a severe public health crisis and mortality. We investigated the genetic diversity and evolution of this virus during the early outbreak months, between 14th February to 24th April 2020, using whole genome sequences. Methods We performed recombination analysis against closely related CoV strains, Bayesian time scaled phylogeny, and investigation of spike protein amino acid mutations. Results Recombination signals were observed between the Afr-SARS-CoV-2 sequences and reference sequences within the RdRPs and S genes. The evolutionary rate of the Afr-SARS-CoV-2 was 4.133 × 10−4 Highest Posterior Density (HPD 4.132 × 10−4 to 4.134 × 10−4) substitutions/site/year. The time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) of the African strains was December 7th 2019, (95% HPD November 12th 2019-December 29th 2019). The Afr-SARCoV-2 sequences diversified into two lineages A and B, with B being more diverse with multiple sub-lineages confirmed by both maximum clade credibility (MCC) tree and PANGOLIN software. There was a high prevalence of the D614G spike protein amino acid mutation 59/69 (82.61%) among the African strains. Conclusion This study has revealed a rapidly diversifying viral population with the G614G spike protein variant dominatinge advocate for up scaling NGS sequencing platforms across Africa to enhance surveillance and aid control effort of SARS-CoV-2 in Africa

Influenza and other respiratory viruses: standardizing disease severity in surveillance and clinical trials

<p><b>Introduction</b>: Influenza-Like Illness is a leading cause of hospitalization in children. Disease burden due to influenza and other respiratory viral infections is reported on a population level, but clinical scores measuring individual changes in disease severity are urgently needed.</p> <p><b>Areas covered</b>: We present a composite clinical score allowing individual patient data analyses of disease severity based on systematic literature review and WHO-criteria for uncomplicated and complicated disease. The 22-item ViVI Disease Severity Score showed a normal distribution in a pediatric cohort of 6073 children aged 0–18 years (mean age 3.13; S.D. 3.89; range: 0 to 18.79).</p> <p><b>Expert commentary</b>: The ViVI Score was correlated with risk of antibiotic use as well as need for hospitalization and intensive care. The ViVI Score was used to track children with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human metapneumovirus, human rhinovirus, and adenovirus infections and is fully compliant with regulatory data standards. The ViVI Disease Severity Score mobile application allows physicians to measure disease severity at the point-of care thereby taking clinical trials to the next level.</p