Case report: viral shedding for 120 days in an allergic child with Covid 19

Since it was first detected in Dec 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread through the planet causing the novel coronavirus disease, Covid-19. Here, we report the case of a 9-year-old girl with persistent viral shedding based on RT-PCR detection. Her first positive (Ct=36) dated from March 4 2021, came in a preoperative physical examination (scheduled tonsillectomy), with no apparent symptoms. Her father fell ill and tested positive soon after that casual finding. Surgery was postponed. The patient came positive again on July 1 2021 (Ct=33) and on July 29 2021 (Ct=29). She had a persistent cough, which was also compatible with her allergic condition. Her surgery could not be postponed any longer and was operated on July 30 2021. Excised adenoids and tonsils were extensively rubbed with a swab to test whether the material detected resulted infectious or not, on Vero E6 cell cultures. Based on the absence of any cytopathic effect, we found it was not infective, even upon an intended amplification by a second passage. RT-PCR was negative when performed on the last supernatant. The histological pattern of her tonsillar and adenoid tissue was analyzed through H&E staining and immune cell populations were examined by FACS. Both aspects were compatible with her hyperplastic condition and also with a viral infection. We tested the anti-Spike specific response by ELISA on serum samples taken on Aug 6 2021 (IgM=1.34, cut off=0.584 and IgG=3.27, cut off=0.364). Finally, we determined the neutralizing antibodies titer on the same serum, using the wild type SARS-CoV-2 (titre=32, the mean of infected adults is 64). We concluded that, albeit the long period the genetic material of the virus was detected on her swabs, the patient does not seem to have a major immunological deficiency and could mount an appropriate immune response against the virus. Importantly, we demonstrated she was not able to transmit virus at the time of the surgery.Fil: Paletta, Ana Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Puyssegur, Juliana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Husain, Gonzalo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaFil: Gallo Vaulet, Lucía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Fermepin, Marcelo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Cabral, Cecilia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Paoli, Bibiana Patricia. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Arana, Eloisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Inmunología, Genética y Metabolismo; ArgentinaAnnual Meeting of Bioscience Societies 2021: LXVI Annual Meeting of Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica (SAIC), LXIX Annual Meeting of Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología(SAI), LIII Annual Meeting of Asociación Argentina de Farmacología Experimental (AAFE), XI Annual Meeting of Asociación Argentina de Nanomedicinas (NANOMED-Ar)ArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigación ClínicaSociedad Argentina de InmunologíaAsociación Argentina de Farmacología ExperimentalAsociación Argentina de Nanomedicin

Chlamydiaceae-Like Bacterium in Wild Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

The family Chlamydiaceae is comprised of obligate intracellular bacteria, some of which are significant pathogens of humans and domestic animals. Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are susceptible to Chlamydia psittaci outbreaks in captivity, and serological surveys detected antibodies against C. psittaci (or antigenically similar organisms) in wild populations of this species. To investigate the occurrence of Chlamydiaceae in wild Magellanic penguins, 167 cloacal swabs were collected from apparently healthy individuals at four breeding colonies along the coast of Chubut, Argentina. Real-time PCR revealed the presence of DNA from Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria in 61 cloacal swabs (36.5%). Detection did not correlate to nutritional status or to meaningful hematological abnormalities. Isolation in monkey kidney cells was unsuccessful, but DNA sequences for the 16S–23S rRNA region were obtained from one sample. Phylogenetic analysis showed a close relationship to unidentified Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria found in chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica and seagulls in France and the Bering Sea, and to Chlamydiifrater spp. isolated from flamingos in France. Further studies are necessary to clarify the taxonomy and investigate the epidemiology, pathogenicity, and zoonotic potential of this group of Chlamydiaceae-like bacteria.Fil: Gallo Vaulet, Lucía. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Vanstreels, Ralph Eric Thijl. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Gallo, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Entrocassi, Andrea Carolina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Peker, Laura Alejandra. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Blanco, Gabriela Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos; ArgentinaFil: Rago, María Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Fermepin, Marcelo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Uhart, Marcela María. University of California at Davis; Estados Unido

First report on sexually transmitted infections among trans (male to female transvestites, transsexuals, or transgender) and male sex workers in Argentina: High HIV, HPV, HBV, and syphilis prevalence

Objectives: Due to the scarce data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among male-to-female trans-sex workers (TSW) and male sex workers (MSW) in Argentina, the present study aimed to estimate the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis infections were tested among TSW. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-three TSW and 114 MSW were recruited by nongovernmental organizations. HIV incidence was estimated by STARHS (serologic testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion). HPV and C. trachomatis infections were tested in anal cells from TSW. Results: TSW showed significantly higher prevalences of HIV (34.1 vs. 11.4%), HBV (40.2 vs. 22.0%), and T. pallidum (50.4 vs. 20.4%) than MSW. TSW tested positive for HPV in 111/114 cases and for C. trachomatis in 4/80 cases. Investigation of HBV, HCV, HIV, and T. pallidum co-infections showed that 72% of TSW and 39% of MSW had at least one STI. T. pallidum was the most frequent mono-infection. The estimated HIV incidence was 10.7 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8-17.7) for TSW and 2.3 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0-6.7) for MSW. Conclusions: The high prevalence of STIs and the high incidence of HIV demonstrate the great vulnerability of these high-risk populations and indicate the urgent need for preventive strategies on intervention and facilitation of access to healthcare programs.Fil: Dos Ramos Farías, María Sol. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Maria Noe. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Reynaga, Elena. Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Marcela. Asociación de Travestis, Transexuales y Transgénero de Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Vaulet, María Lucía Gallo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Fermepín, Marcelo Rodríguez. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Toscano, Mauro Fernández. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Rey, Jorge. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Marone, Rubén. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: Squiquera, Luis. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: González, Joaquín V.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Basiletti, Jorge Alejandro. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Picconi, María Alejandra. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Pando, María de los Ángeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ávila, María Mercedes. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Comprehensive global genome dynamics of Chlamydia trachomatis show ancient diversification followed by contemporary mixing and recent lineage expansion.

Chlamydia trachomatis is the world's most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection and leading infectious cause of blindness, yet it is one of the least understood human pathogens, in part due to the difficulties of in vitro culturing and the lack of available tools for genetic manipulation. Genome sequencing has reinvigorated this field, shedding light on the contemporary history of this pathogen. Here, we analyze 563 full genomes, 455 of which are novel, to show that the history of the species comprises two phases, and conclude that the currently circulating lineages are the result of evolution in different genomic ecotypes. Temporal analysis indicates these lineages have recently expanded in the space of thousands of years, rather than the millions of years as previously thought, a finding that dramatically changes our understanding of this pathogen's history. Finally, at a time when almost every pathogen is becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobials, we show that there is no evidence of circulating genomic resistance in C. trachomatis

Molecular typing of Treponema pallidum isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina: Frequent Nichols-like isolates and low levels of macrolide resistance.

A total of 54 clinical samples, including genital lesion swabs, whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid from patients diagnosed with syphilis were collected in 2006 and in 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Treponemal DNA was detected in 43 of the analyzed samples (79.6%) and further analyzed using Sequencing-based molecular typing (SBMT) and Enhanced CDC-typing (ECDCT). By SBMT, 10 different Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) genotypes were found, of which six were related to the TPA SS14 strain, and four to the TPA Nichols strain. The 23S rRNA gene was amplified in samples isolated from 42 patients, and in six of them (14.3%), either the A2058G (four patients, 9.5%) or the A2059G (two patients, 4.8%) mutations were found. In addition to Taiwan, Madagascar and Peru, Argentina is another country where the prevalence of Nichols-like isolates (26.8%) is greater than 10%

Alignment of all TP0548 unique sequences identified to date [this study, 14, 15, 19].

<p>Only positions containing nucleotide variants are shown. <b>A.</b> Nucleotide differences between reference strain TPA SS14 and TPA Nichols in the region characterized using SBMT (at coordinates 16–1080 of TPANIC_0548; CP004010.2). Coordinates shown above correspond to TPASS_0548 (TPA SS14; CP004011.1) and coordinates shown below correspond to TPANIC_0548 (TPA Nichols; CP004010.2). <b>B.</b> Nucleotide differences in SS14-like unique sequences. Coordinates correspond to TPASS_0548 (TPA SS14; CP004011.1). New unique sequences identified in this study are shown in bold. The white lines between coordinates indicate the non-continuous nucleotide positions. Highlighted coordinates shown in white (154, 155, 158) correspond to regions determined by ECDCT. <b>C.</b> Nucleotide differences in Nichols-like unique sequences. Coordinates correspond to TPANIC_0548 (TPA Nichols; CP004010.2). New unique sequence identified in this study is shown in bold. The white lines between coordinates indicate the non-continuous nucleotide positions. Highlighted coordinates shown in white (170, 208) correspond to regions determined by ECDCT.</p

Characteristics of detected genotypes using SBMT on 41 samples from syphilis PCR-positive patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

<p>Characteristics of detected genotypes using SBMT on 41 samples from syphilis PCR-positive patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina.</p

Genotypes identified using SBMT to date in the Czech Republic and in Argentina [this study, 14, 15] and their phylogenetic and network analyses.

<p><b>A.</b> Genotypes identified exclusively in the Czech Republic (dark grey background), in Argentina (light grey background) and in both locations. Both fully and partially typed genotypes are shown. <b>B.</b> The phylogenetic tree of concatenated sequences of TP0136, TP0548, and 23S rRNA. Partially typed genotypes (XU8R9, XU3R8, XU4R9, and U5XS) were excluded. The U2SS genotype is also not shown due to the short sequence obtained from the TP0136 gene. Genotypes identified in this study are shown in bold. The bar scale represents 0.005 substitutions per target site. The numbers at each node correspond to bootstrap values. <b>C.</b> The network tree of concatenated sequences of TP0136, TP0548, and 23S rRNA genes. Partially typed genotypes (XU8R9, XU3R8, XU4R9 and U5XS) were excluded. The U2SS genotype is also not shown due to the short sequence obtained from the TP0136 gene. Every circle represents a different genotype. The small numbers represent the phylogenetic distances between genotypes. The black circle represents an unknown ancestor. Genotypes identified in the Czech Republic and in Argentina are shown in dark and light grey, respectively.</p