ABSTRACT
Introduction: Collection media of clinical samples with the capacity to denature viruses reduce the risk of contagion during transportation and processing. Objective(s): To use the nucleic acids transport media (NATM) in nasopharyngeal swab samples collected for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Method(s): An experimental study was conducted to demonstrate the medium capacity to inactivate viral infectivity. Zika virus (ZIKV), of biosafety level 2, was used as an enveloped virus model. The clinical performance of the NATM for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated. A ZIKV strain propagated in the Vero cell line was used and, prior to cells infection, ZIKV was in contact at different intervals (2;15, and 30 min) with pure NATM;subsequently, serial dilutions (10-1-10-4) were performed. Viral inactivation was evaluated by RT-PCR in the supernatant and the collected cells when the propagation period was completed. CITOSWAB VTM was used as reference to estimate the clinical performance of the NATM in 30 nasopharyngeal swabs collected for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Result(s): ZIKV remained infectious at inoculum dilutions of >= 10-2, regardless of contact time. Clinical specificity and sensitivity of the NATM for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 were 100%, respectively. Conclusion(s): Results suggest that ZIKV positive clinical samples at dilutions <= 10-1 of the NATM can be safely handled, which could potentially be applied to the molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. Copyright © 2022, Editorial Ciencias Medicas. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Research with infectious SARS-CoV-2 is complicated because it must be conducted under biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) conditions. Recently, we constructed a live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 virus by rational design through partial recoding of the SARS-CoV-2 genome and showed that the attenuated virus, designated sCPD9, was highly attenuated in preclinical animal models. The recoded sequence was designed by codon pair deoptimization and is located at the distal end of gene ORF1ab. Codon pair deoptimization involves recoding of the viral sequence with underrepresented codon pairs but without altering the amino acid sequence of the encoded proteins. Thus, parental and attenuated viruses produce exactly the same proteins. In Germany, the live attenuated SARS-CoV-2 mutant sCPD9 was recently classified as a BSL-2 pathogen based on its genetic stability and strong attenuation in preclinical animal models. Despite its high attenuation in vivo, sCPD9 grows to high titers in common cell lines, making it suitable as substitute for virulent SARS-CoV-2 in many experimental setups. Consequently, sCPD9 can ease and accelerate SARS-CoV-2 research under BSL-2 conditions, particularly in experiments requiring replicating virus, such as diagnostics and development of antiviral drugs.
ABSTRACT
Rationale: While oxygen therapy is standard for patients with pneumonia, a potential for increased oxidant damage exists. Understanding how oxygen therapy impacts inflammatory lung injury with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and related viruses will inform patient management. We investigated the effects of fractional inspired oxygen concentrations (FiO2s) of 30 or 60% in a mouse hepatitis virus-1 (MHV-1) model of acute lung injury we developed in A/J mice. Methods: MHV-1, a ß-coronavirus like SARS-CoV-2, can be studied at Biosafety Level-2. Intratracheal installation of MHV-1 in our model produces inflammatory lung injury, progressive arterial desaturation, and lethality over 14d, similar to COVID-19. Using this model, we compared outcomes in animals exposed in sealed chambers to atmospheric FiO2s of 21, 30 or 60% beginning 2h after of MHV-1 challenge and continuing for up to 14d. In each of three experiments, MHV-1 challenged animals were randomized to receive FiO2s of 21, 30 or 60% (10 animals per FiO2 group per experiment, 90 animals total). In another experiment, 30 animals challenged with noninfected viral culture medium were randomized to the same three FiO2s. Animals were observed for up to 14d. Results: Compared to FiO2 21%, chambers with FiO2 30 and 60% had similar humidities and temperatures but slightly lower carbon dioxide levels (CO2, p≤0.05) but all chamber CO2s were in the range of 400-2000 ppm. Compared to animals surviving with FiO2 21% in each of the three experiments [#survivors/#total animals (%)] [1/10 (10%);5/10 (50%);4/10 (40%)], and their survival times (Figure-1), survival was reduced in respective experiments with FiO2 30% [1/10 (10%);2/10 (20%);0/10 (0%)] and FiO2 60% [0/10 (0%);0/10 (0%);0/10 (0%)]. Patterns of survival were similar comparing the three experiments for each FiO2 and when combined, there was a significant dose-related difference in survival across the three FiO2's (p<0.0001) (Figure-1). Compared to FiO2 21%, survival decreased with FiO2 30% (p=0.06) and more so with FiO2 60% (p<0.0001) (log-rank test with Dunnett-Hsu adjustment). All animals challenged with noninfected viral culture medium and exposed similarly to FiO2s 21, 30 or 60% (n=10 per group) survived except one 30% animal that died at 12d despite appearing well. Conclusions: FiO2s of 30 and 60% that are considered therapeutic and relatively safe clinically, markedly worsened survival in mice with MHV-1 pneumonia, a ß-coronavirus like SARS-CoV-2. These findings emphasize the need to better understand how oxygen therapy impacts the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in patients.
ABSTRACT
The current study examined the stability of several antidoping prohibited substances analytes in urine after 15-min exposure to UV-C light in a Biosafety Level 2 cabinet. The urine matrices were exposed within the original antidoping bottles with the aim to destroy DNA/RNA and possible SARS CoV-2. The analytes small molecules Phase I and Phase II metabolites and peptides, in total 444, endogenous, internal standards, and prohibited substances, pH, and specific gravity in urine were studied. The accredited analytical methods were used by Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar for the comparison of data of the same urine samples analyzed with and without UV-C exposure. In the study conditions, no problems of stability were detected in the substances spiked in the urine samples exposed in the UV-C irradiation.