First confirmation of importation and transmission in Spain of the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.

INTRODUCTION: A newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, VOC202012/01 originating lineage B.1.1.7, recently emerged in the United Kingdom. The rapid spread in the UK of this new variant has caused other countries to be vigilant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We based our initial screening of B.1.1.7 on the dropout of the S gene signal in the TaqPath assay, caused by the 69/70 deletion. Subsequently, we confirmed the B.1.1.7 candidates by whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: We describe the first three imported cases of this variant from London to Madrid, subsequent post-arrival household transmission to three relatives, and the two first cases without epidemiological links to UK. One case required hospitalization. In all cases, drop-out of gene S was correctly associated to the B.1.1.7 variant, as all the corresponding sequences carried the 17 lineage-marker mutations. CONCLUSION: The first identifications of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Spain indicate the role of independent introductions from the UK coexisting with post-arrival transmission in the community, since the early steps of this new variant in our country.

First confirmation of importation and transmission in Spain of the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant Primera confirmación de importación y transmisión en España de la variante B.1.1.7 del SARS-CoV-2 recientemente identificada

Introduction A newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, VOC202012/01 originating lineage B.1.1.7, recently emerged in the United Kingdom. The rapid spread in the UK of this new variant has caused other countries to be vigilant. Material and methods We based our initial screening of B.1.1.7 on the dropout of the S gene signal in the TaqPath assay, caused by the 69/70 deletion. Subsequently, we confirmed the B.1.1.7 candidates by whole genome sequencing. Results We describe the first three imported cases of this variant from London to Madrid, subsequent post-arrival household transmission to three relatives, and the two first cases without epidemiological links to UK. One case required hospitalization. In all cases, drop-out of gene S was correctly associated to the B.1.1.7 variant, as all the corresponding sequences carried the 17 lineage-marker mutations. Conclusion The first identifications of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Spain indicate the role of independent introductions from the UK coexisting with post-arrival transmission in the community, since the early steps of this new variant in our country.

First confirmation of importation and transmission in Spain of the newly identified SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant.

INTRODUCTION: A newly identified SARS-CoV-2 variant, VOC202012/01 originating lineage B.1.1.7, recently emerged in the United Kingdom. The rapid spread in the UK of this new variant has caused other countries to be vigilant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We based our initial screening of B.1.1.7 on the dropout of the S gene signal in the TaqPath assay, caused by the 69/70 deletion. Subsequently, we confirmed the B.1.1.7 candidates by whole genome sequencing. RESULTS: We describe the first three imported cases of this variant from London to Madrid, subsequent post-arrival household transmission to three relatives, and the two first cases without epidemiological links to UK. One case required hospitalization. In all cases, drop-out of gene S was correctly associated to the B.1.1.7 variant, as all the corresponding sequences carried the 17 lineage-marker mutations. CONCLUSION: The first identifications of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant in Spain indicate the role of independent introductions from the UK coexisting with post-arrival transmission in the community, since the early steps of this new variant in our country.

Miller Fisher syndrome: Adverse effect of booster dose for COVID-19

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been a challenge for public health, establishing the vaccine as the best tool for its prevention. Clinical case: We present the case of a patient in whom Miller Fisher syndrome was documented after receiving her booster dose with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Conclusion(s): At the moment, a causal relationship between vaccination against COVID-19 and the development of Miller Fisher syndrome cannot be established, but knowledge of this potential adverse effect is relevant for early diagnosis and timely treatment. Copyright © 2022 Sociedad Neurologica Argentina

Prevalence and correlation of IgG in patients infected by SARS-COV2 attended at Hospital Dr. Santiago Ramón y Cajal, ISSSTE in Durango

introduction. In the immune system there are two types of responses: rapid and unspecified innate immune response, and one adaptive response, slower but capable of creating memory. objective. To identify the prevalence of the igg in sars-cov-2 infected patients at issste Hospital in Durango. material and methods. Descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study;igg concentration was measured in 33 sars-cov-2 infected patients, the chemiluminescence method was used in the Architect i 2000 sr®;a concentration ≥1.4 was considered positive, it was expressed in conventional units. The spss v24, descriptive statistics, ji2 of Bartlett, t of student, “r” of Pearson with ic95% and p<0.05 were used as a reference point. The information obtained was kept anonymous. results. An media of 42.7 years was obtained, out of which the 60.6% were male, the media igg concentration was 3.8 conventional units, symptoms persisted 9.5 days, and between the beginning of the symptoms and sampling, 104.2 days elapsed;the 87.8% of the patients had symptoms and 86.2% of them igg was detected. There was a positive correlation between igg concentration and duration of symptoms, this being significant. conclusions. igg concentrations will depend on how many days the symptoms last, there were patients that despite presenting symptoms, igg was no longer detected for 104 days, this also happened with patients classified as asymptomatic.

Detection of a SARS-CoV-2 sequence with genosensors using data analysis based on information visualization and machine learning techniques

We report on genosensors to detect an ssDNA sequence from the SARS-CoV-2 genome, which mimics the GU280 gp10 gene (coding the viral nucleocapsid phosphoprotein), using four distinct principles of detection and treating the data with information visualization and machine learning techniques. Genosensors were fabricated on either gold (Au) interdigitated electrodes for electrical and electrochemical measurements or on Au nanoparticles on a glass slide for optical measurements. They contained a matrix of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (11-MUA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) onto which a layer of capture probe (cpDNA) sequence was immobilized. Detection was performed using electrical and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies and localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The highest sensitivity was reached with impedance spectroscopy, including using a low-cost (US$ 100) homemade impedance analyzer. Complementary ssDNA sequences were detected with a detection limit of 0.5 aM (0.3 copy per mu L). This performance may be attributed to the high sensitivity of the electrical impedance technique combined with an appropriate arrangement of the sequences on the electrodes and hybridization between the complementary sequences, as inferred from polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS). The selectivity of the genosensor was confirmed by plotting the impedance spectroscopy data with a multidimensional projection technique (interactive document mapping, IDMAP), where a clear separation was observed among the samples of the complementary DNA sequence at various concentrations and from buffer samples containing a non-complementary sequence and other DNA biomarkers. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 mimicking sequences was also achieved with machine learning techniques applied to scanning electron microscope images taken from genosensors exposed to distinct concentrations of the complementary ssDNA sequences. In summary, the genosensors proposed here are promising for detecting SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (RNA) in biological fluids in point-of-care settings.

How have children experienced the confinement due to coronavirus?

Introduction: children have feelings and experiences that they cannot or will not express and that may manifest through their drawings and imagination. The Asociación Española de Pediatría de Atención Primaria (Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics, AEPap) wanted to explore how children have experienced the confinement. Material and methods: we organized a contest through the Family and Health website. The study population consisted of children residing anywhere in Spain aged 3 to 16 years. The works submitted were drawings, micro stories or micro videos. Results: we received 53 works from children in different autonomous communities and gave 5 awards. The elements featured most frequently were the coronavirus, figures of children indoors, a rainbow in the clouds and health care professionals. Some of the subjects expressed in the works were boredom, missing grandparents and friends, trust in health care professionals, a positive perception of the change in life in the family, the improvement in environmental pollution and a positive view that eve-rything will turn out well. Conclusions: the results obtained in this study suggest a generalized optimism and allow us to con-clude that drawings, stories and videos are a useful tool to analyze the perception of this population in risk situations. We also ought to highlight the interest of primary care paediatricians in how children have experienced the confinement imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic and raise awareness that children’s drawings should be carefully studied. © 2020, Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics. All rights reserved.

"Ask the ag agent" weekly webinar series: agriculture-focused response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted traditional delivery of Extension programs. Our group of Rutgers agricultural agents responded by developing a weekly webinar series to remotely continue agricultural consultations and provide an open forum for farmers. Pandemic-related topics included farm labor, compliance with state executive orders, supply-chain disruptions, livestock processing, farmer assistance programs, and other issues. Participation from 258 farmers, agricultural agencies, and other groups resulted in effective networking and timely delivery of information to the agriculture industry. By using available online tools, we were able to efficiently deliver Extension programming and resources to agricultural producers and industry partners. Our efforts may be informative for others as needs related to the pandemic evolve.