Clinical Science and Epidemiology
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAn Observational Laboratory-Based Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Diagnostics in Benin, Western AfricaMonths after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, case numbers from Africa are surprisingly low, potentially because the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests performed in Africa is lower than in other regions. Here, we show an overload of COVID-19-related diagnostics in the central laboratory of Benin, Western Africa, with a stagnating average number of positive samples irrespective of daily sample counts.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyNext-Generation Sequencing Analysis of the Within-Host Genetic Diversity of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses in the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tracts of Patients with Severe InfluenzaThe D222G/N substitution in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus has been reported to be associated with disease severity and mortality in numerous previous studies. In the present study, 75% of lower respiratory samples contained heterogeneous influenza populations that carried different amino acids at position 222 of the HA protein, whereas all upper respiratory samples only contained the wild-type 222D....
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMonitoring COVID-19 Transmission Risks by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Tracing of Droplets in Hospital and Living EnvironmentsSeveral studies evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Saliva and nasopharyngeal droplets can land on objects and surfaces, creating fomites.
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyWidespread Prevalence of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistance Gene mcr-1 in Escherichia coli from Père David's Deer in ChinaThe mcr-1 gene is widely reported around the world and has been identified on various plasmids with different replicon types. Resistance to the last-line antibiotic colistin mediated by mcr-1 still represents a threat to global public health.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyIdentification of a Chromosomal Integrated DNA Fragment Containing the rmpA2 and iucABCDiutA Virulence Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniaeThis study reported for the first time and characterized in detail the genetic features of a mobile virulence-encoding fragment located in the chromosome of a clinical virulent K. pneumoniae strain and revealed the occurrence of a transposition event mediated by IS26. This genetic structure could mediate the transposition of the virulence-encoding fragment...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyDistinct Immunoglobulin Fc Glycosylation Patterns Are Associated with Disease Nonprogression and Broadly Neutralizing Antibody Responses in Children with HIV InfectionTo protect future generations against HIV, a vaccine will need to induce immunity by the time of sexual debut and hence requires immunization during childhood. Current strategies for a prophylactic HIV vaccine include the induction of a broadly neutralizing antibody response and the recruitment of potent effector functions of immune cells via the constant antibody Fc region.
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyDetection of Five mcr-9-Carrying Enterobacterales Isolates in Four Czech HospitalsInfections caused by carbapenemase-producing bacteria have led to the revival of polymyxins as the “last-resort” antibiotic. Since 2016, several reports describing the presence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes, mcr, in different host species and geographic areas were published.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAssociation between Antibody Responses to Epstein-Barr Virus Glycoproteins, Neutralization of Infectivity, and the Risk of Nasopharyngeal CarcinomaEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human oncogenic gammaherpesvirus that infects over 90% of humans in the world and is causally associated with a spectrum of epithelial and B-cell malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). A prophylactic vaccine against EBV is called for, but no approved vaccine is available yet.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyGut Bacteria Shared by Children and Their Mothers Associate with Developmental Level and Social Deficits in Autism Spectrum DisorderGut microbiota may contribute to the pathogenesis and development of autism spectrum disorder. The maternal gut microbiota influences offspring gut microbial structure and composition.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyConserved Genomic Terminals of SARS-CoV-2 as Coevolving Functional Elements and Potential Therapeutic TargetsThe CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) infectious disease outbreak is having a dramatic global effect on public health and the economy. As of October 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in over 189 countries, has infected over 40 million people, and is responsible for more than 1 million deaths.