Role of molecular tools and serology tests in the diagnosis of the novel coronavirus: SARS-CoV-2

Since the emergenceof severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), it has become increasingly clear that bats are important reservoirs of coronaviruses. This investigation, with the apparition of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan (China, December 2019), has shown 96.2% sequence similarity with the bat coronavirus. Through this review, we report the characterization of a SARS-CoV-2. The virus belongs to the Betacoronavirusgenera and shares less than 80% of identity with the SARS-CoV. This similarity was helpful to develop RT-PCR and other tools involved in SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. We also report the importance of the different molecular tools and, the possible use of serology tests in the diagnosis of COVID-19. We discussed the strengths and weaknesses of each of these methods

Management of Viral Hepatitis C: Therapeutic and Economic Study in Morocco

Viral hepatitis C is not only a major public health problem by its significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, but also a medical and economical burden. Over the last 5 years, numerous research laboratories have enabled the development of several direct acting anti-HCV molecules whose effectiveness is well established. Great progress has been made in particular in the field of therapy although the cost of these treatments is today the focus of discussions, dissemination of new antiviral treatments to direct action should be a priority for public powers to heal and reduce the complications of this disease, thus the line ministry has given permission to market a generic of sofosbuvir drugs at an affordable price, acceptable and 80 times cheaper than the princeps. The first part of this paper elucidates the news of new drugs available to treat HCV, in the second part economical study aspects of the different therapeutical strategies currently available in Morocco. Thus we will study impacts of economical consequences of the therapy used against chronic hepatitis C. Keywords: Sofosbuvir; hepatitis C; direct-acting antiviral; guideline and management of viral hepatitis C; therapeutic and economic study in morocco; sustained virological respons

Mechanisms Underlying Potential Therapeutic Approaches for COVID-19

The function of intracellular trafficking in immune-complex triggered inflammation remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of Insulin-Regulated Amino Peptidase (IRAP)-positive endosomal compartments in Fc receptor (FcR)-induced inflammation. Less severe FcγR-triggered arthritis, active systemic anaphylaxis and FcεRI-triggered passive systemic anaphylaxis were observed in IRAP-deficient versus wild-type mice. In mast cells FcεRI stimulation induced rapid plasma membrane recruitment of IRAP-positive endosomes. IRAP-deficient cells exhibited reduced secretory responses, calcium signaling and activating Syk Y519/520 phosphorylation albeit receptor tyrosine phosphorylation on β and γ subunits was not different. By contrast, in the absence of IRAP, SHP1-inactivating phosphorylation on Ser 591 that controls Syk activity was decreased. Ex-vivo cell profiling after FcγR-triggered anaphylaxis confirmed decreased phosphorylation of both Syk Y519/520 and SHP-1 S591 in IRAP-deficient neutrophils and monocytes. Thus, IRAP-positive endosomal compartments, in promoting inhibition of SHP-1 during FcR signaling, control the extent of phosphorylation events at the plasma membrane and contribute to setting the intensity of immune-complex triggered inflammatory diseases

A Systematic Review of the Current Hepatitis B Viral Infection and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Situation in Mediterranean Countries

Viral hepatitis B is a global public health problem affecting nearly two billion subjects; 3.3% of whom are from the WHO (World Health Organization) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). It induces both acute and chronic hepatic disorders with subsequent liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a considerable percentage of patients based on the age of exposure. In this review, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HCC prevalence, distribution and prevalence of different genotypes, and male/female infection frequencies in relation to the vaccination status in the Mediterranean countries were reported. Study Design. This systematic review describes the prevalence of hepatitis B infection, genotype distribution of hepatitis B virus, and prevalence and incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in Mediterranean countries belonging to three different continents: Southern Europe (Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece), North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt), and the Near East region (Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Israel, and Palestine). We tried to collect new data from electronic databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and public health reports between 1980 and 2019. For each publication, we recorded reference, publication year, study characteristics (date, locations, sample size, and study population), and participant characteristics (population group, year, age, and sex). No language limitation was imposed, and articles or reports from non-peer-reviewed sources were not considered for this analysis. The main keywords were HBV prevalence, hepatitis B infection, HBV genotype, and HCC. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Healthy population-based studies included the following sample populations: (i) voluntary blood donors, (ii) pregnant women, (iii) community studies, (iv) hemodialysis patients, (v) hospitalized patients, (vi) healthcare workers, (vii) sex workers, (viii) drug abusers, and (ix) prisoners. We excluded studies from the following special groups who were assumed to be at a special high risk: patients from sexually transmitted disease clinics and thalassemia clinics and professional or paid blood donors

Performance Comparison of the artus HBV QS-RGQ and the CAP/CTM HBV v2.0 Assays regarding Hepatitis B Virus DNA Quantification

Background. Over 240 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), the leading cause of liver cancer worldwide. The quantification of the HBV DNA level is critical for monitoring the efficacy of antiviral treatment of chronic HBV patients. Methods. In our study, we compared the performance of the artus HBV QS-RGQ assay to the CAP/CTM v2.0 test, as a reference method, on 142 Moroccan patients. The analytical performance of the artus HBV QS-RGQ assay, such as the limit of detection, quantification, precision, reproducibility, and linearity, was determined using dilution series from 10 to 0.1 log10 IU/mL. Results. Detection rates and viral loads quantified by the artus HBV QS-RGQ assay were significantly lower than those from the CAP/CTM v2.0 assay (73.94% vs. 82.39%; 3.34±1.94 log10 IU/mL vs. 3.91±2.45 log10 IU/mL; p<0.01). A Bland-Altman plot found a mean difference of CAP/CTM v2.0−artus HBV QS−RGQ=0.5717 log10 IU/mL, with an average range of -1.13 to 2.31 log10 IU/mL. The two methods demonstrated a high correlation (r=0.88) for 100 positive samples, a moderate correlation for samples below 2000 IU/mL (r=0.76), and a very high correlation for the samples above 2000 IU/mL (r=0.95). Linearity of the artus QS-RGQ test ranged from 1.07 to 7.51 log10 IU/mL. Conclusion. The artus HBV QS-RGQ assay showed a strong correlation, precision, and linearity in comparison with the CAP/CTM v2.0. However, viral loads determined by the artus HBV QS-RGQ assay were lower than those determined by the CAP/CTM v2.0 assay