COVID-19: ETIOLOGY, CLINICAL PICTURE, TREATMENT [COVID-19: ЭТИОЛОГИЯ, КЛИНИКА, ЛЕЧЕНИЕ]

Whereas the XX century marked the history of acute respiratory disease investigation as a period for generating in-depth system of combating influenza viruses (Articulavirales: Orthomyxoviridae, Alpha-/Betainfluenzavirus) (based on environmental and virological monitoring of influenza A virus in its natural reservoir — aquatic and semi-aquatic birds — to supervising epidemic influenza), a similar system is necessary to build up in the XXI century with regard to especially dangerous betacoronaviruses (Nidovirales: Coronaviridae, Betacoronavirus): Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (SARS-CoV) (subgenus Sarbecovirus), Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (Sarbecovirus), Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (Merbecovirus). This became particularly evident after pandemic potential has been revealed in 2020 by the SARS-CoV-2. This review provides an insight into the historic timeline of discovering this virus, its current taxonomy, ecology, virion morphology, life cycle, molecular biology, pathogenesis and clinical picture of the etiologically related COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) as well as data available in the scientific literature on the anti-SARS-CoV-2-effectiveness of passive immunotherapy and most debated drugs used to treat COVID-19: Chloroquine, Hydroxychloroquine, Nitazoxanide, Ivermectin, Lopinavir and Ritonavir, Camostat mesilate, Remdesivir, Ribavirin, Tocilizumab, Anakinra, corticosteroids, and type I interferons. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection implicates decreased efficacy of artificial respiration, which, in this case might be replaced by more efficient extracorporeal membrane blood oxygenation supplemented with nitrogen oxide and/or Heliox inhalations. © 2020 Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute. All rights reserved

PROPERTIES OF RBD SPECIFIC IGG FROM COVID-19 PATIENTS AND SPUTNIK V VACCINATED INDIVIDUALS [СВОЙСТВА АНТИТЕЛ К RBD У ПЕРЕБОЛЕВШИХ COVID-19 И ВАКЦИНИРОВАННЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОМ «СПУТНИК V»]

SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody response is a generally accepted measure of postinfection and vaccination-induced immunity assessment. The dynamics of avidity maturation and neutralizing activity of virus-specific immunoglobulins G during the SARS-CoV-2–associated coronavirus infection was studied in cohorts of vaccinated volunteers and COVID-19 patients. 4–6 months after vaccination, neutralization activity was low compared to hospitalized patients (medians 57.4% vs 86.4%). On the opposite, the avidity indices in vaccinated volunteers were significantly higher (median 76.7%) than among hospitalized patients (median 61.4%). During the acute phase of the disease (14–16 days PI), post-vaccination patients have also higher avidity indices than primary patients (medians 43.5% vs 20.4%). Our results suggest that in long-term perspective antibody affinity maturation rate is higher after vaccination than after a natural infection. We demonstrated that Sputnik V vaccination leads to formation of high-avidity IgG, which persists for at least 6 months of observation. These results also indicate the presence of protective efficacy markers for at least 4–6 months after the vaccination or a previous illness and gives grounds for the half-year time period chosen for booster immunization with Sputnik V in Russia. © 2022 Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. All rights reserved

ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 CLINICAL COURSE IN PATIENTS VACCINATED WITH SPITNIK V, SARS-COV-2 S PROTEIN RBD DOMAIN VARIATION AND SERUM VIRUS NEUTRALIZING ACTIVITY

The COVID-19-associated mortality remains high. Studying the features of the COVID-19 course in vaccinated patients, who have got ill on different dates after vaccination, compared to unvaccinated individuals is relevant. The study was aimed to assess clinical and immunological features of the COVID-19 course, as well as to assess humoral immunity (virus neutralizing activity, VNA) and SARS-CoV-2 S protein RBD domain variation in the groups of patients, previously vaccinated with Sputnik V, and unvaccinated patients. A total of 251 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were enrolled, of them 116 individuals were previously vaccinated with one or two Sputnik V vaccine components, and 135 patients were not vaccinated (comparison group). Individuals over 50 years of age prevailed (82.8%). The patients, who received two vaccine components, had mild to moderate COVID-19 (92.1%). In the group of unvaccinated patients, 11 individuals received treatment in the ICU, 10 of them died. The viral load was significantly lower in vaccinated patients. Mutations of SARS-CoV-2, such as S477N, S477N+A522S, E484K and E484K+S494P, were identified both in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Assessment of the neutralizing activity of sera revealed no significant differences in VNA against different variants of SARS-CoV-2 mutations. The data obtained demonstrate that the lack of vaccination is an aggravating factor and is capable of increasing the risk of severe course and death in patients with COVID-19

Monitoring of the sensitivity of epidemic influenza virus strains isolated in Russia to etiotropic chemical agents

The paper presents the results of studying the spectrum of influenza A and ? virusee to rimantadine, arbidol, and oseitamivir and describes the methods used for these purposes for epidemiological surveillance. Different sensitivities to rimantadine were found among influenza A viruses During the 2007-2008 season, the vast majority of influenza A(H3N2) virus strains were resistant to rimantadine (77%) while all influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their resistance to this drug. The fact that the epidemic Influenza A(H1N1) virus strains that cany the mutation responsible for resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseitamivir (Tamiflu) circulated in the Russian Federation was first established. At the same time ail the study influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their susceptibility to rimantadine. The sensitivity of the epidemic strains to arbidol has been confirmed

Contamination of hospital surfaces with bacterial pathogens under the current COVID-19 outbreak

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic remains a global health issue for several reasons, such as the low vaccination rates and a lack of developed herd immunity to the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, as well as its potential inclination to elude neutralizing antibodies. It should be noted that the severity of the COVID-19 disease is significantly affected by the presence of co-infections. Comorbid conditions are caused not only by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms but also by some representatives of the environmental microbiome. The presence of patients with moderate and severe forms of the disease in hospitals indicates the need for epidemiological monitoring of (1) bacterial pathogens circulating in hospitals, especially the ESKAPE group pathogens, and (2) the microbiome of various surfaces in hospitals. In our study, we used combined methods based on PCR and NGS sequencing, which are widely used for epidemiological monitoring. Through this approach, we identified the DNA of pathogenic bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, CoNS, and Achromobacter spp.) on various surfaces. We also estimated the microbiome diversity of surfaces and identified the potential reservoirs of infections using 16S rRNA profiling. Although we did not assess the viability of identified microorganisms, our results indicate the possible risks of insufficient regular disinfection of surfaces, regardless of department, at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Controlling the transmission of nosocomial diseases is critical to the successful treatment of COVID-19 patients, the rational use of antimicrobial drugs, and timely decontamination measures. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Efficacy of ozeltamivir (Tamiflu™) in adult influenza on the epidemic rise of morbidity in Russia in the 2006-2007 season

The paper gives the results of using ozeltamivir in patients with influenza during the epidemic upsurge of morbidity in Russia in the 2006-2007 season. Comparative analysis of nucteotide sequences of viral strains isolated from the patients taking ozeltamivir revealed no marker mutations determining the resistance to this chemical

Monitoring of the sensitivity of epidemic influenza virus strains isolated in Russia to etiotropic chemical agents

The paper presents the results of studying the spectrum of influenza A and ? virusee to rimantadine, arbidol, and oseitamivir and describes the methods used for these purposes for epidemiological surveillance. Different sensitivities to rimantadine were found among influenza A viruses During the 2007-2008 season, the vast majority of influenza A(H3N2) virus strains were resistant to rimantadine (77%) while all influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their resistance to this drug. The fact that the epidemic Influenza A(H1N1) virus strains that cany the mutation responsible for resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseitamivir (Tamiflu) circulated in the Russian Federation was first established. At the same time ail the study influenza A(H1N1) virus strains preserved their susceptibility to rimantadine. The sensitivity of the epidemic strains to arbidol has been confirmed

Efficacy of ozeltamivir (Tamiflu™) in adult influenza on the epidemic rise of morbidity in Russia in the 2006-2007 season

The paper gives the results of using ozeltamivir in patients with influenza during the epidemic upsurge of morbidity in Russia in the 2006-2007 season. Comparative analysis of nucteotide sequences of viral strains isolated from the patients taking ozeltamivir revealed no marker mutations determining the resistance to this chemical

Sars-cov-2 aerosol and surface contamination in health care settings: The moscow pilot study

The ongoing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had serious impacts on not only the health care system but also all sectors of the economy. Thanks to the adoption of various epidemiological measures, a significant reduction in new cases of infection has been achieved. However, there are still “hotspots”, such as healthcare settings focused on treating patients with COVID-19, which are characterized by the risk of nosocomial transmission among health care workers, patients, and visitors. The proper monitoring and timely detection of pathogens in a hospital environment will help prevent further spread of coronavirus infection. In this study, we collected samples from the air and surface swabs at the First Moscow Infectious Diseases Hospital to study the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 in various hospital locations. More than 130 aerosol and surface samples were collected and analysed by RT-PCR. We detected viral contamination of the air in the intensive care unit (ICU) but not in the respiratory infection department where less severe patients are treated. The concentration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was low, consisting of less than one copy per litre of air. The contact surfaces in both departments were contaminated with SARS-CoV-2. Considering the possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through fomites, these results indicate the need to strictly follow personal hygiene rules as well as wear personal protective equipment to prevent disease spread. © The Author(s)