How is the SARS-cov-2 virus transmitted ?

Since December 2019, the recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has continued to spread drastically around the world. To date, no approved drug or vaccine is available to treat or prevent this new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection.Unprecedented global effort has been made by researchers to understand the various routes of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission in order to effectively preventthe contamination. In this review, we discuss the updated literature regarding the different modes of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

Cytogenetic analysis and SRY gene detection in four moroccan brothers with Disorder of sex development

The objective of this study is to determine the genetic cause of the disorder of sex development on Moroccan family. Indeed, the genomics and human genetics laboratory at the Pasteur Institute of Morocco recruited four brothers with ambiguous genitalia. Cytogenetic analysis of the first brother revealed the presence of a chimeric karyotype 46, XX/46, XY with the presence of the SRY gene. The other three brothers present a normal female karyotype 46, XX with the presence of the SRY gene

Comparison of SARS-cov-2 RdRp protein with SARS-cov RdRp protein

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared, on January 30, 2020, a public health emergency of international scope because of the emergence of a new virus called SARS-cov-2. This new virus belongs to the coronavirus family and has a protein called RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) which is responsible for the replication of viral RNA. RdRp protein is one of the most primary targets for antiviral drug discoveries. The aim of this paper was to compare the amino acid sequence of the RdRp of SARS-cov-2 with that of SARS-cov. Thus, we found that there is a 96% sequence similarity between them. Indeed, there is only a difference at the level of 32 amino acids. Interestingly, only one residue at C Motif and two residues at D Motif are different. However, all the residues of the motifs A, B, E, F and G are 100% identical with those of SARS-cov-RdRp

Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile Moroccan males: 10 years laboratory experience in AZF deletions

Genetic causes of male infertility are abnormalities in chromosome numbers and/or structures, Y-chromosome deletions and gene mutations. Genetic screening of male infertility is rarely done in our country. The purpose of the study was to investigate the frequencies and types of Y chromosome microdeletions in infertile men, based on studies done in the Human Genetics Laboratory of the Pasteur Institute in Morocco.A total of 543 infertile men were screened for Y chromosome microdeletions.The prevalence of AZF Y-chromosome microdeletions among infertile men range from 3% to 10% depending on patients selected. The most frequent microdeletions were detected in the AZFc region, followed by AZFbc, AZFb, AZFa, AZFab.These results indicate the need for Y chromosome microdeletion screening for better management of infertile patients.We hope to encourage use of genetic diagnosis and also research in this field to initiate collaboration for clinical management and appropriate genetic diagnosis and counselling for male infertility

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Computational Approach Revealed Potential Affinity of Antiasthmatics Against Receptor Binding Domain of 2019n-Cov Spike Glycoprotein

The novel COVID-19 pandemic is now a health threat, with a deep-felt impact worldwide. The new coronavirus 2019 (2019 n-Cov) binds to host human receptors through Receptor Binding Domain RBD of Spike glycoprotein (S), making it a prominent drug target. The present study aims to identify new potential hits that can inhibit the S protein using in silico approaches. Several natural and synthetics compounds (antiasthmatics, Antiviral, Antimalarial, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, cyclic peptide, and cyclic bis) were screened by molecular docking using AutoDock Vina. Additionally, we tested calcitriol and three known drugs (Azithromycin, HydroxyChloroquine, and Chloroquine ) against the spike protein to found if they have any direct interaction.Our finding consists of 4 potential synthetic compounds from PubChem database, known for their antiasthmatic effects, that show highly binding energies each (-8.6 kcal/mol, 7.7kcal/mol, -7.2 kcal/mol and -7.0 kcal/mol). Another 5 natural compounds from the South African natural sources database (SANCDB) that bind to RBD of Spike with significant energy each: (Marchantin C with -7.3 kcal/mol, Riccardin C with -7.0 kcal/mol, Digitoxigenin-glucoside with -6.9 kcal/mol, D-Friedoolean-14-en-oic acid with -6.8 kcal/mol and, Spongotine A with -6.7 kcal/mol). The FaF-Drugs server was used to evaluate the drug-like properties of the identified compounds. Additionally, Calcitriol, Azithromycin, and HydroxyChloroquine have an appreciable binding affinity to 2019-nCoV S, suggesting a possible mechanism of action. Using in silico approaches like molecular docking and pharmacokinetic properties, we showed new potential inhibitors. Our findings need further analysis, and chemical design for more effective derivatives of these compounds speculated to disrupt the viral recognition of host receptors

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Responses 5 Months Post Complete Vaccination of Moroccan Healthcare Workers

Data about the duration of antibodies after vaccination show that the protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decline over time. This study aims to determine anti-SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG levels in healthcare workers five months after the second vaccination dose. We collected samples from 82 participants who were fully vaccinated with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or BBIBP-CorV. We assessed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using a Euroimmun ELISA and an Abbott Architect ™ SARS-CoV-2 IgG test. Of the 82 participants, 65.85% were seropositive for IgG using ELISA, and 86.59% were positive for IgG according to the Abbott Architect ™ test. Individuals vaccinated with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine had a median anti-S1 antibody level of 1.810 AU/mL [interquartile range (IQR), 1.080–3.7340] and 171.7 AU/mL [79.9–684.6] according to the Euroimmun ELISA and Abbott Architect test, respectively. These tests indicated that people vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV had a median anti-S1 antibody level of 1.840 AU/mL [0.810–2.960] and 126.7 AU/mL [54.9–474.3], respectively. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the positivity rates of the vaccinated individuals, either for gender or for age. In addition, we found no significant difference between the two vaccines. Our study provides information on the longevity of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in people at least five months after vaccination

Genetic investigation of XPA gene: high frequency of the c.682C>T mutation in Moroccan XP patients with moderate clinical profile

Abstract Objective Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease, associated with an inherited defect in one of eight different genes (XPA to XPG and XPV). In addition to the early onset of the skin manifestations, the XP group A is marked by the presence of a mild to severe neural disorders which appear tardily and worsens with age. In this study, 9 patients with moderate clinical profile belonging to 6 XP families were recruited to determine the XPA mutational spectrum in Morocco, using the direct sequencing of the whole coding region of the XPA gene. Results The genetic investigation of the XPA gene showed that 7 from 9 patients were homozygous for the c.682C>T, p.Arg228X mutation, while all their investigated family members were heterozygous. The frequency of this mutation was estimated to be 83.33% (5/6 families) .The molecular analysis of the 5 other exons of the XPA gene, showed that the 2 negative siblings carried no mutation in the XPA gene. This finding suggests that c.682C>T (p.Arg228X) mutation is relatively associated with moderate phenotype in XP group A Moroccan families; this result will also contribute to improve the molecular diagnosis of XP disease in Moroccan patients

Association of c.56C > G (rs3135506) Apolipoprotein A5 Gene Polymorphism with Coronary Artery Disease in Moroccan Subjects: A Case-Control Study and an Updated Meta-Analysis

Purpose. Coronary artery diseases (CAD) are clinical cardiovascular events associated with dyslipidemia in common. The interaction between environmental and genetic factors can be responsible for CAD. The present paper aimed to examine the association between c.56C > G (rs3135506) APOA5 gene polymorphism and CAD in Moroccan individuals and to perform an association update meta-analysis. Materials and Methods. The c.56C > G variant was genotyped in 122 patients with CAD and 134 unrelated controls. Genetic association analysis and comparison of biochemical parameters were performed using R statistical language. In addition, a comprehensive meta-analysis including eleven published studies in addition to our case-control study results was conducted using Review Manager 5.3. Publication bias was examined by Egger’s test and funnel plot. Results. The case-control study data showed that the c.56C > G polymorphism was associated with CAD susceptibility under codominant (P-value = 0.001), recessive (P-value  G gene polymorphism and increased risk of CAD under recessive (OR = 3.39[1.77–6.50], P value  G polymorphism and CAD in the Moroccan population. In addition, meta-analysis data supported the implication of this polymorphism in CAD susceptibility

Homozygous mutation in the ADH6 gene, involved in alcohol metabolism, associated with a multisystem disorder, analogous to the fetal alcohol syndrome

Introduction: In humans, there is considerable individual variability in ethanol metabolism, and these differences have been partially attributed to genetic variability at the ADH locus at 4q22-23, where seven genes are found. They encode ADH enzymes with different kinetic and structural properties that represent the first step in a series of reactions involved in the metabolism and elimination of alcohol from the body. The objective of the study was to identify the potential genetic cause in a patient with congenital metabolic encephalopathy of unknown etiology, and having similarities to fetal alcohol syndrome. Case: We described a patient of Moroccan origin who suffered from a multisystem disorder compatible with congenital metabolic encephalopathy. The main clinical characteristics observed in the patient were psychomotor retardation, facial dysmorphism, microcephaly, and hematologic and endocrine abnormalities. Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous missense mutation c.133G > A (p.Gly45Arg) in ADH6, a gene implicated in alcohol metabolism and previously not associated with human disease. The variant segregates well with the disease in the family, affects a highly conserved amino acid and was predicted to be damaging. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the Gly45Arg substitution may affect the structure and function of the ADH6 protein. No other potential causal gene under an autosomal recessive inheritance model was found. Discussion: The patient presented with a congenital metabolic encephalopathy, and having similarities to fetal alcohol syndrome due to prenatal alcohol exposure. The only potential causing variant was identified in the ADH6, belonging to the Class V ADH which is a predominantly fetal alcohol dehydrogenase. In addition, he presented vacuolated lymphocytes, anemia and abnormalities of endocrine function, all have been reported to be related to an abnormal alcohol metabolism. Conclusion: We identified a novel variant in ADH6, involved in the metabolism of alcohol, in a patient with a hereditary alcohol metabolism encephalopathy syndrome