SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant Infection of a Patient Immunized by Inactive Sinovac (CoronaVac) Vaccine

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in December 2019, and shortly after pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its unstoppable global spread. Considerable amount of effort has beenput around the World in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated and RNA vaccines have already passed phase three studies showing sufficient efficacy and safety, respectively. Nowadays, there is a noticeable dominance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with various mutations over the wild type SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no report showing the efficacy of these vaccines on these variants. This case study describes a thirty-eight-year-old male reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant following two doses of inactive CoronaVac administration with a protective level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The variant analysis of the virus reported to be positive for N501Y mutation.This is the first case in the literature demonstrating that inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine might have a lower efficacy on alpha variant.Copyright © 2022 Cenk Serhan Ozverel et al., published by Sciendo.

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 N501Y mutation in Northern Cyprus

Emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has been an important source of concern since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Variants of Concern (VoC) carry important mutations especially in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein that render the virus more transmissible. The N501Y mutation was first defined in the B.1.1.7. lineage that was identified in the UK and is also shared with other VoCs including P.1 and B.1.351 lineages from Brazil and South Africa. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been reported to affect transmissibility of the virus, have an impact on vaccine effectiveness and evade viral diagnostic tests. In this context, monitoring of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants bearing mutations represents a major requirement for a public health response in a country. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples bearing the N501Y mutation in Northern Cyprus between November 2020 and March 2021. All samples that were identified as SARS-CoV-2 positive between these dates were screened for the presence of N501Y mutation by reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technique. Our results indicate that while no samples that contain the N501Y mutation was detected in November and December 2020, the proportion of N501Y bearing variants significantly increased from January through March 2021 (45.2%-69.2%) and became the dominant lineage in Northern Cyprus. These results highlight an alarming situation that require strict governmental measures to minimize COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality in the country.

In vitro and clinical studies on the efficacy of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol against SARS-CoV-2 infection

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus responsible for the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus attacks cells of the airway epithelium by binding transmembrane angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Hydroxytyrosol has anti-viral properties. Alpha-cyclodextrin can deplete sphingolipids and phospholipids from cell membranes. The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol in improving defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection in in vitro cell models and humans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For in vitro experiments on Vero E6 cells, RNA for RT-qPCR analysis was extracted from Caco2 and human fibroblast cell lines. For study in humans, the treatment group consisted of 149 healthy volunteers in Northern Cyprus, considered at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population. The volunteers used nasal spray containing alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol for 4 weeks. The control group consisted of 76 healthy volunteers who did not use the spray. RESULTS: RT-qPCR experiments on targeted genes involved in endocytosis showed a reduction in gene expression, whereas cytotoxicity and cytoprotective tests showed that the compounds exerted a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection at non-cytotoxic concentrations. None of the volunteers became positive to SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR assay during the 30 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol nasal spray improved defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced synthesis of viral particles.

Scoping review on the role and interactions of hydroxytyrosol and alpha-cyclodextrin in lipid-raft-mediated endocytosis of SARS-CoV-2 and bioinformatic molecular docking studies.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to show the effect that two naturally occurring compounds, a cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol, can have on the entry of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The PubMed database was searched to retrieve studies published from 2000 to 2020, satisfying the inclusion criteria. The search keywords were: SARS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus, lipid raft, endocytosis, hydroxytyrosol, cyclodextrin. Modeling of alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol were done using UCSF Chimera 1.14. RESULTS: The search results indicated that cyclodextrins can reduce the efficiency of viral endocytosis and that hydroxytyrosol has antiviral properties. Bioinformatic docking studies showed that alpha-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol, alone or in combination, interact with the viral spike protein and its host cell receptor ACE2, thereby potentially influencing the endocytosis process. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxytyrosol and alpha-cyclodextrin can be useful against the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

In vitro and clinical studies on the efficacy of α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new coronavirus responsible for the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This virus attacks cells of the airway epithelium by binding transmembrane angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Hydroxytyrosol has anti-viral properties. Alpha-cyclodextrin can deplete sphingolipids and phospholipids from cell membranes. The aim of the present experimental study was to evaluate the efficacy of α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol in improving defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection in in vitro cell models and humans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For in vitro experiments on Vero E6 cells, RNA for RT-qPCR analysis was extracted from Caco2 and human fibroblast cell lines. For study in humans, the treatment group consisted of 149 healthy volunteers in Northern Cyprus, considered at higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than the general population. The volunteers used nasal spray containing α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol for 4 weeks. The control group consisted of 76 healthy volunteers who did not use the spray. RESULTS: RT-qPCR experiments on targeted genes involved in endocytosis showed a reduction in gene expression, whereas cytotoxicity and cytoprotective tests showed that the compounds exerted a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection at non-cytotoxic concentrations. None of the volunteers became positive to SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR assay during the 30 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with α-cyclodextrin and hydroxytyrosol nasal spray improved defenses against SARS-CoV-2 infection and reduced synthesis of viral particles.

Comparison of RT-qPCR results of different gene targets for SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic individuals during COVID-19 pandemic

A reverse transcriptase-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is regarded as the most sensitive method available and is being used for screening procedure for all incoming passengers to Northern Cyprus for SARS-CoV-2. This study investigated the compatibility of two different RT-qPCR methodologies Diagnovital® and Bio-Speedy® by re-analyzing the previously confirmed positive samples. A total of 43 previously confirmed positive samples were re-analyzed by two different commercially available SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR kits. Only 23.5% of positive samples detected by Diagnovital® RT-qPCR kit were detected by Bio-Speedy® detection kit. In conclusion, adoption of Diagnovital® RT-qPCR kit detecting two regions of SARS-CoV-2 genome in our laboratories enabled the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in asymptomatic cases with higher sensitivity and contributed to the prevention of viral transmission within the country. The timely detection of infection in asymptomatic individuals may be the key to a successful fight against the COVID- 19 pandemic. © 2021 Gulten Tuncel, Mahmut Cerkez Ergoren, Buket Baddal, Pinar Tulay, Ayse Arikan, Emrah Guler, Cenk Serhan Ozverel, H. Kaya Suer, Murat Sayan, Tamer Sanlidag, published by Sciendo 2021.

First direct human-to-cat transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.

A highly transmissible severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which resulted the highest morbidity and mortality rates among SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant indicated the higher transmission among human-to-human and increasing hospitalisation. SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in domestic animals showing human-to-pet transmission. In the current study, we report the first direct known human-to-cat transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant within the same family. Previous findings showed that companion animals can get infected by COVID-19 patients after 3-6 weeks; however, according to our molecular findings, the cat was infected by the viral variant at the same period. Moreover, B.1.1.7 infection caused and developed several clinical symptoms including cardiac and ocular abnormalities. Overall, our findings determined the first direct and high transmission ability of the B.1.1.7 variant from COVID-19 affected family members to cat. This result showed that the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant could have the highest transition capacity from human to domestic cat as shown for human-to-human. The governmental or worldwide policies should consider more detailed against the war with COVID-19 pandemic.

Analysis of ACE2 gene coding variants by direct whole exome sequencing in the Turkish Population

Objective: Due to the rapid spread of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) globally, the WHO declared the situation as a pandemic. ACE2 is crucial for SARS-CoV-2 attachment onto the host cells. The expression levels and variations of ACE2 may facilitate or slow down the entrance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into host cells. This might explain the variability of infection through individuals and populations. Materials-Methods: In this study, a retrospective comparative WES analysis of the ACE2 variants was conducted to 584 individuals around Turkey. Allele frequencies of all variants were calculated and filtered to remove variants with allele frequencies lower than 0.003. Results: The variants that showed a susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the literature were compared with our data. The most frequent variant, ACE2 N720D, and the second most frequent variant, ACE2 K26R that alters ACE2 protein and enhances its affinity for SARS-CoV-2 are not frequent in the Turkish population. Conclusion: The main ACE variants that has susceptibility effect to SARS-CoV-2 were not determined. It shows that the Turkish genetic makeup lacks any ACE2 variant that increases susceptibility for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, this study will contribute to the formation of a national variation database and may also contribute to further studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 vaccines: Where do we stand?

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in the city Wuhan, China in December 2019. The high rates of infection led to quick spread of the virus around the world and on March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the pandemic of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2. The pharmaceutical companies and institutions have been working towards developing a safe and effective vaccine in order to control the pandemic. The biology of SARS-CoV-2 is briefly discussed describing the transcription of the virus and the receptor recognition. The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is important in the attachment of the host cell and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is involved in the replication of the virus making them good candidates for drug and vaccine targets. To date many different strategies have been employed in the development of vaccines and a number of them are in the phase III of clinical trials with promising results. In this mini-review, we assessed the literature throughly and described the latest developments in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for humans. The main benefits and drawbacks of each platform is evaluated and the possible changes in the vaccine effectivity due to naturally occuring SARS-CoV-2 mutations have been described.

Are new genome variants detected in SARS-CoV-2 expected considering population dynamics in viruses?

The pandemic COVID-19 is caused by a highly transmissible severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which showed the highest morbidity and mortality rates among the other coronavirus infections such as SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. However, the numbers of infected cases as well as mortality rates are varying from population to population. Therefore, scientist has urged the SARS-CoV-2 genome and host genetic factors investigations. Recently, new SARS-CoV-2 variants has been detected and though to affect the diseases transmission from human to human. In this mini-review, we aimed to explained detected SARS-CoV-2 variants that thought to influence the COVID-19 severity and transmission using the literature.