A retrospective observational study: Is absolute lymphocyte count a prognostic marker in COVID-19?

Aim: Our study aimed to find a correlation between low absolute lymphocyte count and COVID-19-related mortality.Methods: This study followed a retrospective observational cohort design to analyze the data of patients who presented with symptoms and signs of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), at the Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital in East Sussex, United Kingdom, between February 10, 2020 and May 1, 2020, retrospectively. Survival and mortality for the first 30 days and comorbidities were analyzed for all patients who were tested for COVID-19 irrespective of swab results and had blood lymphocyte levels taken at the time of their visit to the ED and their data were analyzed for statistical significance.Results: A total of 1226 patients had SARS-CoV-2 RNA identification swabs taken between February 10, 2020 and May 1, 2020. A cohort of 742 patients of these patients tested for COVID-19 also had blood lymphocyte levels measured.Overall, the lymphocyte count did not differ significantly between patients suspected to have COVID-19 infection with either positive or negative COVID-19 swab results.The lymphocyte count, however, was significantly lower in those who died from COVID-19 (p \u3c 0.001) but when comorbidities were analyzed, we found an association between an increased number of comorbidities and a significantly decreased lymphocyte count.Conclusion: Once adjusted for comorbidities, the lymphocyte count had no association with COVID-19 infection and mortality

The Expanding Menagerie of Prunus-Infecting Luteoviruses

Members of the genus Luteovirus are responsible for economically destructive plant diseases worldwide. Over the past few years, three luteoviruses infecting Prunus trees have been characterized. However, the biological properties, prevalence, and genetic diversity of those viruses have not yet been studied. High-throughput sequencing of samples of various wild, cultivated, and ornamental Prunus species enabled the identification of four novel species in the genus Luteovirus for which we obtained complete or nearly complete genomes. Additionally, we identified another new putative species recovered from Sequence Read Archive data. Furthermore, we conducted a survey on peach-infecting luteoviruses in eight European countries. Analyses of 350 leaf samples collected from germplasm, production orchards, and private gardens showed that peach-associated luteovirus (PaLV), nectarine stem pitting-associated virus (NSPaV), and a novel luteovirus, peach-associated luteovirus 2 (PaLV2), are present in all countries; the most prevalent virus was NSPaV, followed by PaLV. The genetic diversity of these viruses was also analyzed. Moreover, the biological indexing on GF305 peach indicator plants demonstrated that PaLV and PaLV2, like NSPaV, are transmitted by graft at relatively low rates. No clear viral symptoms have been observed in either graft-inoculated GF305 indicators or different peach tree varieties observed in an orchard. The data generated during this study provide a broader overview of the genetic diversity, geographical distribution, and prevalence of peach-infecting luteoviruses and suggest that these viruses are likely asymptomatic in peach under most circumstances.This study was funded by the European Union through the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network (H2020 MSCA-60 ITN) project “INEXTVIR” (grant agreement number 813542). The ChLVA research part was financed by the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (RVO60077344). The plant indexing biological tests conducted by CTIFL were funded by INTERFEL (fresh fruit and vegetable interprofessional association). D. Safarova and M. Navratil received support from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, National Agency for Agricultural Research (project QK1920124). M. Glasa and D. Mihálik received support from the Slovak Research & Development Agency (project APVV-18-0005)Peer reviewe

Samci parthenogeneze in vitro u vybranych dvoudomych rostlin.

Available from STL Prague, CZ / NTK - National Technical LibrarySIGLECZCzech Republi

Complete genome sequence of a novel bromovirus infecting elderberry (<em>Sambucus nigra L.</em>) in the Czech Republic.

The genus Bromovirus currently contains six species whose members have relatively narrow host ranges. In the present work, a new bromovirus infecting elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) is reported. dsRNA was purified and sequenced by next-generation sequencing, and with minimal additional completion by Sanger sequencing, the full tripartite genome was obtained. RNA1 is 3241 nt long and contains ORF1 (1a protein), RNA2 is 2810 nt long and contains ORF2 (2a protein), and RNA3 is 2244 nt long and contains ORF3a (movement protein) and ORF3b (coat protein, CP), separated by an intercistronic poly(A) stretch. Proteins 1a and 2a showed highest sequence identity (69.9% and 69.4%) to the corresponding proteins of melandrium yellow fleck virus. The coat protein showed highest sequence identity (67.9%) to that of brome mosaic virus. The genome shows a typical bromovirus organisation comprising of all the conserved protein domains within the genus. Phylogenetic analysis supports the assignment of this virus as a new member of the genus Bromovirus, for which the name "sambucus virus S" (SVS) is proposed

Molecular characterization of a novel Aureusvirus infecting elderberry (<em>Sambucus nigra</em> L.).

A novel virus infecting elderberry was identified by high-throughput Illumina sequencing of double strand RNAs isolated form elderberry leaves. The complete genome sequence obtained (4512 nucleotides in length) shows an organization typical for aureusviruses, with five open reading frames (ORFs) and the typical ORF1-RT expression by the readthrough of an amber stop codon. The analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and coat protein (CP) sequences showed the highest identity (respectively 75.7% and 55%) with the corresponding amino acid sequences of Pothos latent virus. These two values, below the species demarcation criteria for the genus, indicate that the detected virus is a new member of genus Aureusvirus, family Tombusviridae, with the proposed name Elderberry aureusvirus 1 (ElAV1). A survey confirmed the wide distribution of ElAV1 in elderberry in the Czech Republic. Phylogenetic analyses of RdRp and CP sequences showed distinct microevolution of geographically separated isolates, with a tendency for isolates coming from close localities or from the same region to cluster together but heterogeneity of viral populations down to a local scale was also observed. The symptomatology of the new virus is not fully clear, but many infected trees were either asymptomatic or showed mild chlorotic mosaics. More severe symptoms, potentially impacting yields of flowers or berries, were observed in plants with mixed infections of ElAV1 and other elderberry viruses. Further efforts are now needed to determine ElAV1 prevalence outside the Czech Republic and to unravel its epidemiology

<em>Cherry virus A</em> infecting cherries and plums in the Czech Republic – Short communication

The presence of Cherry virus A (CVA) in the germplasm collections of sweet cherries and plums was studied. CVA was detected using the specific RT-PCR assay in six of eight sweet cherry and one of four plum cultivars. Specifity of amplicons and distant position of cherry and non-cherry isolates was verified by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results indicate that the cherry landraces and cultivars could be infected by CVA more than it has been assumed

Role of PPARγ in COX-2 Activation in Mycobacterial Pulmonary Inflammation

The presence of Cherry virus A (CVA) in the germplasm collections of sweet cherries and plums was studied. CVA was detected using the specific RT-PCR assay in six of eight sweet cherry and one of four plum cultivars. Specifity of amplicons and distant position of cherry and non-cherry isolates was verified by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results indicate that the cherry landraces and cultivars could be infected by CVA more than it has been assumed

Analysis of eIF4E gene sconfering resistance to Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) and other potyviruses in pea

International audiencePea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) belongs among the most frequent viral pathogens causing severe losses in field pea and other legumes. These losses might be prevented by growth of resistant varieties. Resistance to the common P1 strain of PSbMV isconferred by a single recessive gene (eIF4E), localized on LG VI (sbm-1 locus), while to lentil L1 strainis localized on LGII atsbm-2locus. Gene-specific single nucleotide polymorphism and co-dominant amplicon length polymorphism markers were developed. From the comparison of genotype verses phenotype for selection of resistance/susceptibility in F2 plants, there was a 26% discrepancy between the PCR and ELISA-based assays with potentially susceptible heterozygote plants missed. We used qRT-PCR to analyze expression of both resistant and sensitive eIF4E alleles in heterozygotes, sensitive and resistant homozygotes after PSbMV infection, together with evaluation of viral concentration. The novel eIF4E alleles were detected in wider pea germplasm and TILLING mutants and these were virologically tested. We have analyzed eIF4E allelic variation in over 2000 accesions within geographical context. Furthemore, analysis of second sbm-2 locus with eIF4E iso and eIF4G genes as candidate targets, will be presented. It can be expected that information gain in this study might be extended to other legume species, particularly to economically important species of tribus Fabeae or even to subfamily Papilionoideae such as chickpea, lentil, faba bean or soybean where Potyviruses cause problems. Acknowledgements: The work was supported by NAZV QI91A229 project

Hyalesthes obsoletus, a vector of stolbur phytoplasma: current situation in South Moravia, Czech Republic

Abstract A survey for the presence of Hyalestes obsoletus Signoret in 2010 confirmed a dramatic increase in number of captured individuals at observed localities in agriculturally important areas in southern Moravia, Czech Republic. Population density from the end of June to the middle of July, varies with locality. A preferred host plant Urtica dioica L. was present. Average percentage of stolbur phytoplasma positive H. obsoletus specimens varied from 31 to 59%