Diagnosis and Molecular Characterization of Chikungunya Virus Infections

In recent years, large-scale outbreaks of chikungunya arbovirus (CHIKV), which is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito, have enabled the rapid propagation of the virus across the world. After acute infection phase with commonly fever, joint pain, headache, or rash, chronic rheumatism (arthralgia or myalgia, anorexia, and concentration disorders) up to 40% of cases is observed. The chronic form is defined by symptoms persisting for more than 3 months, and up to years, after initial diagnosis. Chronic discomfort has been linked to one of the four genotypes described. These genotypes represent different geographic lineages (classification based on partial sequence of viral E1 glycoprotein): West African, East-Central-South-African (ECSA), ECSA-diverged or Indian Ocean Lineage (IOL), and Asian. The first marker detected in CHIK infection is the viral RNA, usually by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). This marker can be identified in samples within 8 days of symptom onset. The infection can also be diagnosed with serological testing to detect CHIKV-specific immunoglobulin IgG and/or IgM. Sequencing studies can determine the infecting genotype

Transfusion-transmission of hepatitis E virus through red blood cell transfusion but not through platelet concentrates: A case report from Spain

Hepatitis; Transfusion-transmitted diseaseHepatitis; Malaltia transmesa per transfusióHepatitis; Enfermedad transmitida por transfusiónBackground Few cases of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been published in Spain. Here, we describe a well-characterized lookback investigation of a transfusion-transmitted HEV case at the Community Centre for Blood and Tissues of Asturias (Spain). Case Report A female patient with chronic myeloid leukemia underwent an allogeneic bone marrow transplant in March 2019 and showed alterations in liver function shortly afterwards. This patient received blood components from 30 different donors in the 3 months before the transplant. Frozen plasma samples from these donations were investigated for the presence of HEV-RNA. One frequent donor was identified as asymptomatic HEV RNA-positive at the time of his whole blood donation. The investigation revealed that this donor's plasma unit, originally intended for the fractionation industry, had a viral RNA concentration of 1.9 × 104 copies/mL. HEV RNA was detected initially in the index patient who received the red cell concentrate from this donor 25 days after the transfusion. HEV RNA isolated from both donor and recipient were identified as subtype 3f. The recipient of platelet concentrate (PC), treated with a riboflavin-based pathogen reduction technology (PRT) was not infected, being negative for the presence of HEV IgM, IgG, and HEV RNA before and after the transfusion. Conclusion This case study shows that HEV was transmitted through red cell transfusion to a recipient, while the patient who received riboflavin/UV light treated PC did not develop signs of infection. A causal relationship between PRT treatment of the PC and the non-transmission of HEV remains to be established

Living a Pandemic

SARS-CoV-2 first appeared in Wuhan (China) in December 2019 and from that moment it spread throughout the rest of the world causing a pandemic such as had not been seen recently. A rapid virus diagnosis and appropriate infection prevention measures have been seen to be the fundamental tools to contain the virus. This article describes how this pandemic was experienced from a laboratory of Virology.El SARS-CoV-2 apareció por primera vez en diciembre de 2019 en Wuhan (China) y desde ese momento se expandió por el resto del mundo causando una pandemia como no se había visto recientemente. El rápido diagnóstico del virus y las medidas de prevención de la infección se ha visto que son las herramientas fundamentales para contener el virus. En este artículo se relata cómo se vivió esta pandemia desde un laboratorio de virología

Seminari d'Estudis i Recerques Prehistòriques (SERP). Núcleo de cohesión en formación e investigación en Prehistoria de la Universidad de Barcelona desde 1987

El artículo es un resumen amplio de todas las actividades científicas y académicas llevadas a cabo por el SERP (Seminari d'Estudis i Recerques Prehistòriques) desde su fundación en 1987 por parte del Dr. Fullola. Abarca desde programas de excavaciones a proyectos internacionales pasando por temas de Patrimonio arqueológico o de historiografía, entre muchos otros. Además del resumen de dichas actividades, se añade también una completa lista de publicaciones, la gran mayoría en revistas de impacto nacional e internacional. Se incide especialmente en siete líneas básicas de trabajo dentro del grupo, la arqueopetrología, la arqueozoología, el arte prehistórico, la geoarqueología, la paleobotánica, la tecnología, el patrimonio y los estudios territoriales. También se repasan todos y cada uno de los yacimientos objeto de excavación por parte del SERP en estos últimos tres decenios

Enhanced detection of viral RNA species using fokI-assisted digestion of DNA duplexes and DNA/RNA hybrids

The accurate detection of nucleic acids from certain biological pathogens is critical for the diagnosis of human diseases. However, amplified detection of RNA molecules from a complex sample by direct detection of RNA/DNA hybrids remains a challenge. Here, we show that type IIS endonuclease FokI is able to digest DNA duplexes and DNA/RNA hybrids when assisted by a dumbbell-like fluorescent sensing oligonucleotide. As proof of concept, we designed a battery of sensing oligonucleotides against specific regions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and interrogated the role of FokI relaxation as a potential nicking enzyme for fluorescence signal amplification. FokI-assisted digestion of SARS-CoV-2 probes increases the detection signal of ssDNA and RNA molecules and decreases the limit of detection more than 3.5-fold as compared to conventional molecular beacon approaches. This cleavage reaction is highly specific to its target molecules, and no detection of other highly related B-coronaviruses was observed in the presence of complex RNA mixtures. In addition, the FokI-assisted reaction has a high multiplexing potential, as the combined detection of different viral RNAs, including different SARS-CoV-2 variants, was achieved in the presence of multiple combinations of fluorophores and sensing oligonucleotides. When combined with isothermal rolling circle amplification technologies, FokI-assisted digestion reduced the detection time of SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19-positive human samples with adequate sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction approaches, highlighting the potential of FokI-assisted signal amplification as a valuable sensing mechanism for the detection of human pathogens.Funding was provided by the ISCIII (COV00624 to J.R.T. andM.F.F., PI18/01527 and PI21/01067 to M.F.F.), CSIC (202020E092 to M.F.F), the European Commission NextGenerationEU, through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (GL2021-03-39 and GL2021-03-040), the PCTI from the Asturias Government, co-funded by 2018−2022/FEDER (IDI/2018/146 to M.F.F.), the AECC (PROYE18061FERN to M.F.F), ISPA-Janssen (048-Intramural Nov-Tevar to J.R.T.) and the IUOPA. J.R.T is supported by a JdC fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (IJC2018-36825-I). R.F.P. and P.S.O. are supported by the Severo Ochoa program (BP17-114 and BP17-165). A.P. is supported by the PFIS program (ISCIII, FI19/ 00085). J.J.A.L. is supported by the AECC fellowship. C.M. and V.L. are supported by IUOPA, and R.G.U. is supported by CIBERER.Peer reviewe

Utilization of Microwaves: A Novel Approach to SARS-CoV-2 Genome Extraction

In this study, an innovative approach to the heat extraction method has been tested: the use of microwaves, which can dramatically decrease the time that is needed to do the genome extraction. The method can obtain the virus with enough quality to assure the identification by RT-qPCR and minimize procedures and contaminations

Human papillomavirus infection in a male population attending a sexually transmitted infection service.

OBJECTIVE: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men may produce cancer and other major disorders. Men play an important role in the transmission of the virus and act as a reservoir. The aim of this study was to determine the HPV-genotypes and their prevalence in a group of men attending a Sexually Transmitted Infection service. PATIENTS AND SAMPLES: Between July 2002 and June 2011, 1392 balanopreputial, 435 urethral, 123 anal, and 67 condyloma lesions from 1551 men with a mean age of 35.8±11.3 years old (range: 17-87) were collected for HPV-DNA testing. METHODS: A fragment of the L1-gene and a fragment of the E6/E7-genes were amplified by PCR. Positive samples were typed by hybridization. RESULTS: The HPV genome was detected in 36.9% (486/1318) balanopreputial and in 24.9% (101/405) urethral (p35. HPV was found in 59.4% (104) of 165 men with lesions (macroscopic or positive peniscopy), and in 22.8% (61/267) without clinical alterations. HPV was also detected in 71.4% (40/56) men with condylomata and in 58.7% (64/109) of men with positive peniscopy. CONCLUSIONS: HPV prevalence in men was high and decreased with age. HPV was found more frequently in balanopreputial than in urethral swabs. There was a low rate of co-infections. Low-risk HPV vaccine genotypes were the most recurrent especially in younger. Although HPV has been associated with clinical alterations, it was also found in men without any clinical presentation. Inclusion of men in the national HPV vaccination program may reduce their burden of HPV-related disease and reduce transmission of the virus to non-vaccinated women