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PloS One 2020Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has expanded rapidly throughout the world. Thus, it is...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has expanded rapidly throughout the world. Thus, it is important to understand how global factors linked with the functioning of the Anthropocene are responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak. We tested hypotheses that the number of COVID-19 cases, number of deaths and growth rate of recorded infections: (1) are positively associated with population density as well as (2) proportion of the human population living in urban areas as a proxies of interpersonal contact rate, (3) age of the population in a given country as an indication of that population's susceptibility to COVID-19; (4) net migration rate and (5) number of tourists as proxies of infection pressure, and negatively associated with (5) gross domestic product which is a proxy of health care quality. Data at the country level were compiled from publicly available databases and analysed with gradient boosting regression trees after controlling for confounding factors (e.g. geographic location). We found a positive association between the number of COVID-19 cases in a given country and gross domestic product, number of tourists, and geographic longitude. The number of deaths was positively associated with gross domestic product, number of tourists in a country, and geographic longitude. The effects of gross domestic product and number of tourists were non-linear, with clear thresholds above which the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths increased rapidly. The growth rate of COVID-19 cases was positively linked to the number of tourists and gross domestic product. The growth rate of COVID-19 cases was negatively associated with the mean age of the population and geographic longitude. Growth was slower in less urbanised countries. This study demonstrates that the characteristics of the human population and high mobility, but not population density, may help explain the global spread of the virus. In addition, geography, possibly via climate, may play a role in the pandemic. The unexpected positive and strong association between gross domestic product and number of cases, deaths, and growth rate suggests that COVID-19 may be a new civilisation disease affecting rich economies.
Topics: Age Factors; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Climate; Coronavirus Infections; Emigration and Immigration; Gross Domestic Product; Humans; Models, Theoretical; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Population Density; SARS-CoV-2; Time Factors; Travel; Urbanization
PubMed: 32730366
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236856 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2022The NADC30-like strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a novel strain responsible for substantial economic losses to swine production...
Efficacy of the Synergy Between Live-Attenuated and Inactivated PRRSV Vaccines Against a NADC30-Like Strain of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in 4-Week Piglets.
The NADC30-like strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a novel strain responsible for substantial economic losses to swine production in China. This study evaluated the cross-protective efficacy of the synergy between live-attenuated and inactivated PRRSV vaccines compared with a single vaccination with PRRS modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine against challenge with NADC30-like strain, v2016/ZJ/09-03. A total of 45 PRRSV free pigs were randomly divided into five groups: (1) strict control (SC); (2) positive control (PC); (3) single MLV dose (M1); (4) primed intramuscularly with MLV and boosted with killed vaccine 3 weeks later (MK1); and (5) intramuscular prime MLV boosted subcutaneously with killed vaccine B 3 weeks later (MK2). Serological tests in MK groups revealed no differences in both anti-N and anti-GP protein antibodies compared with M1 group, and failed to provide further protection against clinical signs, virus shedding, and gross lesions. However, the viremic titer, gross lung lesions, and average daily weight gain were significantly improved in the MLV vaccinated groups, suggesting that MLV provides substantial cross-protection against the NADC30-like virus. Thus, as a booster, the killed vaccine confers minimal additional protection in NADC30-like infected piglets.
PubMed: 35187144
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.812040 -
Radiotherapy and Oncology : Journal of... Mar 2019To assess gross tumor regression and plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA levels at the end of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and its prognostic impact on...
Prognostic value of gross tumor regression and plasma Epstein Barr Virus DNA levels at the end of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
PURPOSE
To assess gross tumor regression and plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA levels at the end of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and its prognostic impact on patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS
In total, 397 patients with non-metastatic, histologically confirmed NPC were retrospectively examined. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the nasopharynx and neck, and plasma EBV DNA assays before treatment and at the end of IMRT.
RESULTS
The estimated 5-year loco-regional, local and regional relapse-free survival rates for patients with complete response (CR) and non-CR of the total tumor, primary tumor and metastatic lymph nodes at the end of IMRT were 94.9% vs. 85.8%, 96.6% vs. 87.3%, and 98.7% vs. 89.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). The estimated 5-year loco-regional relapse-free survival (LRRFS) rates for patients with persistent tumor with and without boost irradiation were 95.3% vs. 83%, respectively (P = 0.034). The estimated 5-year overall survival (OS), failure-free survival (FFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates for patients with negative and positive plasma EBV DNA at the end of IMRT were 83.1% vs. 50.3%, 81.5% vs. 49.3%, and 87.6% vs. 61.5%, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analyses indicated that regression of the total tumor and boost irradiation was an independent predictor of LRRFS, and plasma EBV DNA levels were independent predictors of OS, FFS and DMFS.
CONCLUSIONS
Gross tumor regression and plasma EBV DNA levels at the end of IMRT served as predictors of poor prognosis for patients with NPC. The patients with persistent tumor and/or positive plasma EBV DNA might require timely strengthening treatment.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; DNA, Viral; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections; Female; Herpesvirus 4, Human; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Prognosis; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; Retrospective Studies; Survival Rate; Young Adult
PubMed: 30366725
DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2018.10.010 -
Arquivos de Neuro-psiquiatria Jul 2020The congenital Zika syndrome involves structural brain changes, including ventriculomegaly, thin cerebral cortices, abnormal gyral pattern, cortical malformations,...
BACKGROUND
The congenital Zika syndrome involves structural brain changes, including ventriculomegaly, thin cerebral cortices, abnormal gyral pattern, cortical malformations, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, myelination delay, subcortical diffuse calcifications, brainstem hypoplasia, and microcephaly in newborns.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of children with congenital Zika syndrome; to compare the outcomes of infants infected in the first (1T, n=20) and second trimesters of pregnancy (2T, n=11); to investigate correlations between birth weight, birth and follow-up head circumference, birth gestational age, and gross motor scores.
METHODS
Participants were evaluated with Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and part A of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-A). ANOVA compared head circumference, birth gestational age, birth weight, and gross motor performance of 1T and 2T.
RESULTS
The correlations were investigated by Pearson correlation coefficients. ANOVA showed differences in birth and follow-up head circumferences. Head circumference was smaller in 1T, compared to 2T. Motor performance was classified as below the fifth percentile in AIMS in all children and 1T showed lower scores in prone, sitting, and total AIMS score, compared to 2T. Children ranged from 8 to 78% on GMFM-A and there was a poorer motor performance of 1T. Nineteen children showed hypertonia, six showed normal tone and six showed hypotonia. Birth head circumference was correlated with AIMS prone postural control. Follow-up head circumference was correlated to prone, supine and total AIMS scores. Smaller head circumference at birth and follow-up denoted poorer postural control.
DISCUSSION
Children with congenital Zika syndrome showed microcephaly at birth and follow-up. Smaller head circumferences and poorer motor outcomes were observed in 1T. Infants showed poor visual and motor outcomes. Moderate positive correlations between birth and follow-up head circumference and gross motor function were found.
Topics: Brain; Cephalometry; Child; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Microcephaly; Motor Skills; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Zika Virus; Zika Virus Infection
PubMed: 32627805
DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20200020 -
Viruses Aug 2020Bungowannah virus is a novel pestivirus identified from a disease outbreak in a piggery in Australia in June 2003. The aim of this study was to determine whether...
The Outcome of Porcine Foetal Infection with Bungowannah Virus Is Dependent on the Stage of Gestation at Which Infection Occurs. Part 2: Clinical Signs and Gross Pathology.
Bungowannah virus is a novel pestivirus identified from a disease outbreak in a piggery in Australia in June 2003. The aim of this study was to determine whether infection of pregnant pigs with Bungowannah virus induces the clinical signs and gross pathology observed during the initial outbreak and how this correlates with the time of infection. Twenty-four pregnant pigs were infected at one of four stages of gestation (approximately 35, 55, 75 or 90 days). The number of progeny born alive, stillborn or mummified, and signs of disease were recorded. Some surviving piglets were euthanased at weaning and others at ages up to 11 months. All piglets were subjected to a detailed necropsy. The greatest effects were observed following infection at 35 or 90 days of gestation. Infection at 35 days resulted in a significant reduction in the number of pigs born alive and an increased number of mummified foetuses (18%) and preweaning mortalities (70%). Preweaning losses were higher following infection at 90 days of gestation (29%) and were associated with sudden death and cardiorespiratory signs. Stunting occurred in chronically and persistently infected animals. This study reproduced the clinical signs and gross pathology of the porcine myocarditis syndrome and characterised the association between the time of infection and the clinical outcome.
Topics: Animals; Australia; Female; Fetus; Myocarditis; Pestivirus; Pestivirus Infections; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 32785119
DOI: 10.3390/v12080873 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2020African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable disease that in recent years has spread remarkably in Europe and Asia. Eurasian wild boar () plays a key role in the...
African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable disease that in recent years has spread remarkably in Europe and Asia. Eurasian wild boar () plays a key role in the maintenance and spread of the pathogen. Here we examined gross pathology of infection in wild boar with a highly virulent, hemadsorbing genotype II ASF virus (ASFV) strain. To this end, six wild boars were intramuscularly inoculated with the 10 HAD50 Arm07 ASFV strain, and 11 wild boars were allowed to come into direct contact with the inoculated animals. No animals survived the infection. Clinical course, gross pathological findings and viral genome quantification by PCR in tissues did not differ between intramuscularly inoculated or contact-infected animals. Postmortem analysis showed enlargement of liver and spleen; serosanguinous effusion in body cavities; and multiple hemorrhages in lungs, endocardium, brain, kidneys, urinary bladder, pancreas, and alimentary system. These results provide detailed insights into the gross pathology of wild boar infected with a highly virulent genotype II ASFV strain. From a didactic point of view, this detailed clinical course and macroscopic description may be essential for early postmortem detection of outbreaks in wild boar in the field and contribute to disease surveillance and prevention efforts.
PubMed: 32842614
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9090688 -
BMC Veterinary Research Oct 2023Thirty-two-day-old broiler chickens at a farm located in northwestern South Korea displayed adverse neurological symptoms including limping, lying down, and head...
BACKGROUND
Thirty-two-day-old broiler chickens at a farm located in northwestern South Korea displayed adverse neurological symptoms including limping, lying down, and head shaking. Approximately 2.1% of chickens died or were culled due to severe symptoms. Five carcasses were submitted to the Avian Disease Division of the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) for disease diagnosis.
RESULTS
Broilers displayed severe pericarditis and perihepatitis associated with gross lesions. Broilers also displayed microscopic lesions in the cerebrum and in the granular layer of the cerebellum, which were associated with multifocal perivascular cuffing and purulent necrosis in the cerebrum, and severe meningitis with heterophil and lymphocyte infiltration. Staphylococcus spp. were identified in the liver and heart using bacteriological culture. PCR/RT-PCR assays revealed that broilers were negative for avian Clostridium botulinum, Newcastle disease virus, and avian encephalomyelitis virus. Bacterial and viral metagenomic analysis of brain sample further revealed the presence of Pseudomonas spp. and Marek's disease virus, which are known etiological agents of chicken meningoencephalitis.
CONCLUSIONS
This study reports a diagnostic analysis of gross and histopathological lesions from 32-day-old broilers displaying unique neurological symptoms that revealed the presence of the several neurological diseases including meningoencephalitis. The causative agents associated with meningoencephalitis of broilers that had not been identified by routine diagnostic methods could be diagnosed by metagenomics, which proves the usefulness of metagenomics as a diagnostic tool for unknown neurological diseases in broilers.
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Newcastle disease virus; Newcastle Disease; Brain; Meningoencephalitis; Poultry Diseases
PubMed: 37798783
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03732-y -
Poultry Science Jun 2020Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection is highly infectious respiratory disease in poultry industry with significant economic importance. The prevalence of IBV in...
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection is highly infectious respiratory disease in poultry industry with significant economic importance. The prevalence of IBV in quail industry in Malaysia was not well documented; therefore, its actual role in the epidemiology of the disease is relatively unknown. This study was to determine the susceptibility of Japanese quail, as one of the species in commercial poultry industry, toward IBV. In addition, it will also give a potential impact on the overall health management in the quail industry even though it had been established that quail are resistant to diseases affecting poultry. Moreover, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first experimental study on IBV inoculation in quail. In this experimental study, 20 quails were divided into 4 groups (n = 5 for group A, B, and C, n = 5 for control group). The quails in group A, B, and C were infected via intraocular and intranasal routes with 0.2 mL of 10 × 5 EID of the virus. Clinical signs, gross lesions, positive detection of virus, and trachea histopathological scoring were used to assess the susceptibility of these Japanese quails. The results have indicated mild ruffled feathers and watery feces in these inoculated birds. Trachea, lung, and kidney were subjected to one-step reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for virus detection. The virus was found from trachea and lung samples, whereas it was absent from all kidney samples. Only 3 quails were found with gross lesions. There was a significant difference of tracheal lesion by 0.009 ± 0.845 (P < 0.05) within the treatment groups. In summary, Japanese quails might be susceptible to IBV.
Topics: Animals; Coronavirus Infections; Coturnix; Disease Susceptibility; Infectious bronchitis virus; Malaysia; Poultry Diseases; Prevalence; Virulence
PubMed: 32475428
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.01.026 -
Current Biology : CB Jan 2018Two years after an enormous international effort overcame the catastrophic Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, research is now making the first steps towards better...
Two years after an enormous international effort overcame the catastrophic Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, research is now making the first steps towards better understanding, treatment and prevention of the disease. However, many scientific questions are still left to be answered and Ebola remains a threat. Michael Gross reports.
Topics: Africa, Western; Epidemics; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola; Humans; International Cooperation
PubMed: 29412896
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.01.011 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2024Lassa virus (LASV) causes an acute multisystemic hemorrhagic fever in humans known as Lassa fever, which is endemic in several African countries. This manuscript focuses...
An atlas of gross and histologic lesions and immunohistochemical immunoreactivity during the temporal progression of aerosolized Lassa virus induced hemorrhagic fever in cynomolgus macaques.
Lassa virus (LASV) causes an acute multisystemic hemorrhagic fever in humans known as Lassa fever, which is endemic in several African countries. This manuscript focuses on the progression of disease in cynomolgus macaques challenged with aerosolized LASV and serially sampled for the development and progression of gross and histopathologic lesions. Gross lesions were first noted in tissues on day 6 and persisted throughout day 12. Viremia and histologic lesions were first noted on day 6 commencing with the pulmonary system and hemolymphatic system and progressing at later time points to include all systems. Immunoreactivity to LASV antigen was first observed in the lungs of one macaque on day 3 and appeared localized to macrophages with an increase at later time points to include immunoreactivity in all organ systems. Additionally, this manuscript will serve as a detailed atlas of histopathologic lesions and disease progression for comparison to other animal models of aerosolized Arenaviral disease.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Lassa virus; Lassa Fever; Macaca fascicularis; Antigens, Viral; Viremia
PubMed: 38404292
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1341891