Preparing for an influenza season 2021/22 with a likely co-circulation of influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2

EditorialN

Sivi puh (Myoxus glis) kao domadar medicinski važnih mikroorganizama

The fat dormouse (Myoxus glis) was examined as a potential host of hantaviruses and rickettsiae. 98 animals were collected from three different regions in Slovenia (Godovic, Metlika, Sneznik). Serological methods were used for, the detection of specific viral and/or rickesttsial antibodies in animal sera samples. With the PCR method and restriction enzyme digestion, viral and rickettsial genomes were examined. Myoxus glis was confirmed as a host of Hantaan virus. The prevalence of hantaviral infection among the population of Myoxus glis was 13.3 %. It was established that animal age plays a role in the probability of infection with hantaviruses, but not sex. Rickettsial infection was not confirmed in Myoxus glis with any of the methods used.The fat dormouse (Myoxus glis) was examined as a potential host of hantaviruses and rickettsiae. 98 animals were collected from three different regions in Slovenia (Godovic, Metlika, Sneznik). Serological methods were used for, the detection of specific viral and/or rickesttsial antibodies in animal sera samples. With the PCR method and restriction enzyme digestion, viral and rickettsial genomes were examined. Myoxus glis was confirmed as a host of Hantaan virus. The prevalence of hantaviral infection among the population of Myoxus glis was 13.3 %. It was established that animal age plays a role in the probability of infection with hantaviruses, but not sex. Rickettsial infection was not confirmed in Myoxus glis with any of the methods used

Seasonality and Genotype Diversity of Human Rhinoviruses during an Eight-Year Period in Slovenia

Due to the high socioeconomic burden of rhinoviruses, the development of prevention and treatment strategies is of high importance. Understanding the epidemiological and clinical features of rhinoviruses is essential in order to address these issues. Our study aimed to define the seasonality and molecular epidemiology of rhinoviruses in Slovenia. Over a period of eight years, a total of 20,425 patients from sentinel primary healthcare settings and sentinel hospitals were examined for a panel of respiratory viruses in the national programme for the surveillance of influenza-like illnesses and acute respiratory infections. The patients were from all age groups and had respiratory infections of various severity. Infection with a rhinovirus was confirmed using an RT-rPCR in 1834 patients, and 1480 rhinoviruses were genotyped. The molecular analysis was linked to demographical and meteorological data. We confirmed the year-round circulation of rhinoviruses with clear seasonal cycles, resulting in two seasonal waves with peaks in spring and autumn. High levels of genotype variability and co-circulation were confirmed between and within seasons and were analysed in terms of patient age, the patient source reflecting disease severity, and meteorological factors. Our study provides missing scientific information on the genotype diversity of rhinoviruses in Slovenia. As most previous investigations focused on exclusive segments of the population, such as children or hospitalised patients, and for shorter study periods, our study, with its design, size and length, contributes complementary aspects and new evidence-based knowledge to the regional and global understanding of rhinovirus seasonality and molecular epidemiology

Sivi puh (Myoxus glis) kao domadar medicinski važnih mikroorganizama

The fat dormouse (Myoxus glis) was examined as a potential host of hantaviruses and rickettsiae. 98 animals were collected from three different regions in Slovenia (Godovic, Metlika, Sneznik). Serological methods were used for, the detection of specific viral and/or rickesttsial antibodies in animal sera samples. With the PCR method and restriction enzyme digestion, viral and rickettsial genomes were examined. Myoxus glis was confirmed as a host of Hantaan virus. The prevalence of hantaviral infection among the population of Myoxus glis was 13.3 %. It was established that animal age plays a role in the probability of infection with hantaviruses, but not sex. Rickettsial infection was not confirmed in Myoxus glis with any of the methods used.The fat dormouse (Myoxus glis) was examined as a potential host of hantaviruses and rickettsiae. 98 animals were collected from three different regions in Slovenia (Godovic, Metlika, Sneznik). Serological methods were used for, the detection of specific viral and/or rickesttsial antibodies in animal sera samples. With the PCR method and restriction enzyme digestion, viral and rickettsial genomes were examined. Myoxus glis was confirmed as a host of Hantaan virus. The prevalence of hantaviral infection among the population of Myoxus glis was 13.3 %. It was established that animal age plays a role in the probability of infection with hantaviruses, but not sex. Rickettsial infection was not confirmed in Myoxus glis with any of the methods used

Robust saliva-based RNA extraction-free one-step nucleic acid amplification test for mass SARS-CoV-2 monitoring

Early diagnosis with rapid detection of the virus plays a key role in preventing the spread of infection and in treating patients effectively. In order to address the need for a straightforward detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and assessment of viral spread, we developed rapid, sensitive, extraction-free one-step reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. We analyzed over 700 matched pairs of saliva and nasopharyngeal swab (NSB) specimens from asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Saliva, as either an oral cavity swab or passive drool, was collected in an RNA stabilization buffer. The stabilized saliva specimens were heat-treated and directly analyzed without RNA extraction. The diagnostic sensitivity of saliva-based RT-qPCR was at least 95% in individuals with subclinical infection and outperformed RT-LAMP, which had at least 70% sensitivity when compared to NSBs analyzed with a clinical RT-qPCR test. The diagnostic sensitivity for passive drool saliva was higher than that of oral cavity swab specimens (95% and 87%, respectively). A rapid, sensitive one-step extraction-free RT-qPCR test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in passive drool saliva is operationally simple and can be easily implemented using existing testing sites, thus allowing high-throughput, rapid, and repeated testing of large populations. Furthermore, saliva testing is adequate to detect individuals in an asymptomatic screening program and can help improve voluntary screening compliance for those individuals averse to various forms of nasal collections

Comparative study between virus neutralisation testing and other serological methods detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Europe, 2021.

One consequence of the ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic was the rapid development of both in-house and commercial serological assays detecting anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, in an effort to reliably detect acute and past SARS-CoV-2 infections. It is crucial to evaluate the quality of these serological tests and consequently the sero-epidemiological studies that are performed with the respective tests. Here, we describe the set-up and results of a comparative study, in which a laboratory contracted by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control offered a centralised service to EU/EEA Member and pre-accession Member States to test representative serum specimens with known serological results, with the gold standard technique (virus neutralisation tests) to determine the presence of neutralising antibodies. Laboratories from 12 European countries shared 719 serum specimens with the contractor laboratory. We found that in-house serological tests detecting neutralising antibodies showed the highest percent agreement, both positive and negative, with the virus neutralisation test results. Despite extensive differences in virus neutralisation protocols neutralisation titres showed a strong correlation. From the commercial assays, the best positive percent agreement was found for SARS-CoV-2 IgG (sCOVG) (Siemens - Atellica IM Analyzer). Despite lower positive percent agreement of LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG kit (Diasorin Inc.), the obtained results showed relatively good correlation with neutralisation titres. The set-up of this study allowed for high comparability between laboratories and enabled laboratories that do not have the capacity or capability to perform VNTs themselves. Given the variety of in-house protocols detecting SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralising antibodies, including the virus strain, it could be of interest to select reference isolates for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic to be made available for interested EU Member States and pre-accession countries

Respiratory Syncytial Virus European Laboratory Network 2022 Survey:Need for Harmonization and Enhanced Molecular Surveillance

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing mostly cold-like symptoms, but in very young infants and elderly individuals it can lead to severe disease and even death. There are currently promising developments both in vaccine development and in therapeutics that are expected to be approved soon. To get an impression within European countries of the laboratory diagnostics and surveillance activities, in anticipation of these developments, we queried the members of the European Respiratory Syncytial Virus Laboratory Network (RSV-LabNet, under the umbrella of the PROMISE project) via an online survey. The answers from the consortium members showed scattered monitoring and the application of a broad array of techniques in the laboratories. A majority of the members expressed strong interest in harmonization and collaboration for setting up surveillance programs and the need for sharing laboratory protocols. The additional value of RSV whole-genome sequencing is broadly appreciated, but implementation requires further development and closer collaboration. The RSV-LabNet can have an important responsibility in establishing contacts and exchange of expertise and providing a platform for communication to advance diagnostics, preparedness, and surveillance.</p

Respiratory Syncytial Virus European Laboratory Network 2022 Survey:Need for Harmonization and Enhanced Molecular Surveillance

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common pathogen causing mostly cold-like symptoms, but in very young infants and elderly individuals it can lead to severe disease and even death. There are currently promising developments both in vaccine development and in therapeutics that are expected to be approved soon. To get an impression within European countries of the laboratory diagnostics and surveillance activities, in anticipation of these developments, we queried the members of the European Respiratory Syncytial Virus Laboratory Network (RSV-LabNet, under the umbrella of the PROMISE project) via an online survey. The answers from the consortium members showed scattered monitoring and the application of a broad array of techniques in the laboratories. A majority of the members expressed strong interest in harmonization and collaboration for setting up surveillance programs and the need for sharing laboratory protocols. The additional value of RSV whole-genome sequencing is broadly appreciated, but implementation requires further development and closer collaboration. The RSV-LabNet can have an important responsibility in establishing contacts and exchange of expertise and providing a platform for communication to advance diagnostics, preparedness, and surveillance.</p