Susceptibility of different animal species to experimental infection with SARS-CoV-2 (review)

The susceptibility of animal species to SARS-CoV-2, under experimental conditions, is a subject of great interest for the international scientific community. Compared to observational studies of natural disease outbreaks in different animal species, experimental studies based on in silico, in vitro and in vivo research, are important alternatives to evaluate the prediction of potential hosts for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to determine the susceptibility of a host species and the risk of acting as a potential animal reservoir, a large number of different animal species, domestic and wild, were experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2, which were classified as permissive or resistant. Experimental infections have proven to be crucial for clarifying aspects of the pathogenetic mechanism, viral persistence and elimination, immune response, antiviral sensitivity, vaccine production, immunotherapy and improving diagnostic methods. In this article, some experimental infections carried out in different animal species will be reviewed, according to the data from the literature.

Investigation of the role of healthy and sick equids in the COVID-19 pandemic through serological and molecular testing

Horses may act as incidental host and experience silent infection following spillover from humans with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2-infected humans should avoid close contact with equids during the time of their illness.

Preparation of equine anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin special IgG and special F (ab')2

After immunizing healthy horses with SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs) as immunogens, immunized horse serum was collected. The total IgG in the serum was separated by affinity chromatography, and then digested with pepsin to obtain immunoglobulin F(ab')2, the IgG and F(ab')2 using an immunochro-matographic column that binds to the RBD protein to obtain a highly specific horse Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and F(ab')2. It's concentration of IgG and F(ab')2 is 2.36 mg/mL and 1.05 mg/mL, whi le the recovery rates were 11% and 4.89%, and the purities of prepared IgG and F(ab')2 were 91% and 96%. Semi-inhibited concentrations of pseudovirus (IC50) were 1.406 g/mL and 0.862 g/mL. These results show that a high purity, specificity, activity of specific IgG and F(ab')2 against SARS-CoV-2 was prepared successfully, which laid a foundation for preparing safe and efficient anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic antibody drugs.

Renaissance of Equine Antithymocyte Globulin in Renal Transplantation

Introduction: Anti Thymocyte Globulin(ATG) is very effective as an Induction and antirejection therapy (ART) agent in renal Transplantation. Equine ATG (eATG) has been used less compared to rabbit ATG(rATG) in tranplantation. Cost of eATG as induction agent is 200 USD, in comparison to rATG, which costs minimum 700 USD per dose (approximately four times more than eATG). Experience with eATG initially was not good because of drug reactions but over the years the molecule has evolved into a better drug and is the preferred drug over rATG in severe Aplastic Anemia without any reactions. Covid pandemic has affected the supply chain of rATG because of vaccine production leading to shortage of rATG. Hence eATG is the only available ATG. Method(s): We present our experience with eATG in a tertiary care nephrology centre for the last 95 renal transplants. Patients have been divided into two groups. Group A- contained HLA matched first degree relatives as renal donors and induction agent was injection Methylprednisolone (MP). Group B- Had Recipients of Deceased or Spousal donors and received eATG 10mg/kg as induction agent single dose. Monitoring of renal function and observation for complications including, infections was done. Blood lymphocyte count was monitored for intial 2 weeks to look for lymphocyte depletion as an indicator of eATG efficacy. Patients were followed upto 5 years post transplant (PTX) and assessment was done at 1,3 and 5 years for graft and patient survival. eATG usage as anti rejection therapy (ART) agent in acute T- cell-mediated rejection(TCMR) : All acute TCMRs (biopsy proved) were treated with eATG 10mg/kg body for 5 consecutive days followed by repeat biopsy and additional eATG therapy depending on patient response. Result(s): Induction Therapy: Table 1,2,3 Number of recipients in GrA were 41 and GrB were 54. Marked decrease in Lymphocyte count in Gr B indicated efficacy of eATG (p<0.05). In the first 90 days post transplant, Acute TCMR ( biopsy proved) was seen in 5(9.7 %) of GrA and 7(12.9 %) of GrB (p>0.05). In GrA 1(2.4%) patient had acute antibody mediated rejection (ABMR) but could not be treated with ART because of presence of active infection. In Gr B 1(1.8%) patient had histopathological features suggestive of ABMR but was C4D negative and patient responded to eATG alone. Infections were noticed in 9.7% (5/41) of GrA patients and 11.1% (6/54) of GrB patients in the first 180 days PTX (p>0.05). Urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections and soft tissue infections were commonly seen. Post ART oppurtunistic infections were not seen. Comparison of incidence of Acute rejection rates, graft survival, complications rate and patient survival rate show similar results in both the groups. We achieved good efficacy with eATG as induction and ART agent in biopsy proved acute TCMR. No adverse events and no malignancies were observed after eATG therapy. Conclusion(s): eATG can be used as induction and antirejecton therapy agent in TCMR in renal transplantation. eATG is economical compared to rATG. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023

Study of Efficacy of Equine Anti Thymocyte Immunoglobulin (Eatg) as Induction and Antirejection Therapeutic Agent in Renal Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Equine Anti-Thymocyte Immunoglobulin (eATG) has been used less as an induction immunosuppressant agent in renal transplantation compared to rabbit ATG (rATG). However, eATG is very economical compared to rATG. The cost of eATG as induction agent in renal transplant on an average is INR. 30 000/- per dose, and cost of rabbit ATG ( rATG) as induction agent is INR 1 20 000/-. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the efficacy of eATG as induction and anti-rejection therapeutic agent in renal transplantation. METHOD(S): Material(s) and Method(s): Renal transplant recipients were divided into two groups. Group A (GrA) recipients had renal donation from HLA matched first degree relatives and received only injection methylprednisolone (MP) as induction therapy. Group B (GrB) recipients had renal donation from deceased donors (brain dead) or spousal donors were administered eATG 10 mg/kg along with low dose MP as induction therapy. Outcomes were compared between GrA and GrB. Monitoring for eATG therapy-induced blood lymphocyte count depletion post-transplant was also done to assess eATG efficacy. eATG as antirejection therapy agent: eATG was administered in biopsy-proved acute T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). Repeat transplant kidney biopsy was done to assess improvement. RESULT(S): Number of renal transplant recipients in GrA were 29 and GrB were 35. All recipients of GrA and GrB had normal renal function by 14th post-transplant day (PTX). There was 20% decrease in blood lymphocyte count following MP therapy (GrA) compared to 85% decrease following therapy with eATG ( GrB) and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Marked decrease in lymphocyte count indicated efficacy of eATG. Biopsy-proved acute TCMR was seen in 5% of GrA and 4% of GrB (p > 0.05). None from both groups had antibody mediated rejection. All patients with acute TCMR responded to eATG antirejection therapy. Opportunistic infections was noticed in 9% of GrA patients and 11% of GrB patients in the first 180 days PTX (p > 0.05). Two years graft survival was 83% in GrA and 80% in GrB (p > 0.05). During two-year followup one patient from each group died of Covid19 infection (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION(S): Since excellent results were obtained with eATG as an induction and antirejection therapeutic agent, it can be used in renal transplant with high-risk immunological states as a polyclonal antibody. eATG is more economical compared to rATG.

Real-Time RT-PCR Detection of Equine Coronavirus

Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is a recently identified equine virus, involved mainly in enteric infections. Since the ECoV discovery in 1999, only two real-time RT-PCRs have been developed for viral identification. In this chapter we describe a one-step real-time RT-PCR that has been routinely used in our laboratory for ECoV detection from fecal and respiratory samples. Copyright © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016.

COVID-19 and diffusion of rumors among Arab social media users: reasons and solutions

As the major source of information, social media has outpaced mainstream news channels. In these information overloaded days, differentiating rumors from facts is crucial and difficult. This study aims to explore the respondents' perception of the reasons for spreading rumors related to the Coronavirus on social media. Furthermore, it seeks to look at the respondents' perception of the ways of combating fake news related to the Coronavirus on social media. Lastly, the study attempts to know to what extent the respondents are satisfied with the performance of the media institutions in dealing with the Coronavirus. A cross-sectional survey design was used with a non-probability sample to explore the respondents' perceptions of the above-mentioned aims. A total of 1274 self-selected cases from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Emirates were investigated. The study finds that all respondents agree with the reasons listed in the survey about spreading rumors related to the Coronavirus on social media, except for the reasons of lacking transparency on behalf of the Ministry of Health and other official bodies and lacking accurate information about the Coronavirus. Moreover, the study confirms the respondents' beliefs that all listed ways effectively combat fake news related to the Coronavirus on social media. Furthermore, the study finds that the respondents are satisfied with the performance of the media institutions in dealing with the Coronavirus in their countries. With these findings, the study significantly contributes to the literature. It may assist various parties, such as the government and media organizations, in making the proper decision to combat the spread of rumors via social media.

Equestrian world during the COVID pandemic

The paper examines the difference between the coronavirus disease in humans (COVID-19) and horses (ECoV). It provides a response to the issue of whether the horses are capable of transferring the contagion to a human and what role horses might have in finding out a medicine for the human coronavirus disease, based upon a study of the most recent scientific discoveries in this respect. Since both viral diseases are very contagious and primary symptomatic treatment, self-isolation, and quarantine of the confirmed cases is recommended up to a discovery of adequate vaccines to prevent their further expansion, the paper also quotes certain experiences and provides advice on how to do business self-sustainably and take care about the horses even in the challenging times of the pandemic.

Quarterly report of investigations of suspected exotic diseases: July to September 2021

Exotic pest and disease investigations are managed and reported by the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI's) Diagnostic and Surveillance Directorate. This article presents a summary of investigations of suspect exotic and emerging pests and diseases in New Zealand during the period from July to September 2021.

French animal sectors facing the COVID-19 pandemic

This article offers an analysis of the economic situation of several animal sectors (cow's milk, beef, pork, poultry meat and the equine sector) in France, two years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Starting from the latest statistical data available for the period 2020 to 2021 and while taking into account historical trajectories, it seeks to highlight how this crisis has had implications for production, prices, consumption, foreign trade and, in the case of the equine sector, the various activities (horse betting, equestrian centres, etc.). The production of agricultural goods was generally little impacted by the health crisis because farmers continued to produce, sometimes despite certain difficulties, such as the lack of labor, temporary loss of outlets, etc. Faced with a significant change in the structure of demand (increase in products purchased by households to the detriment of those favored in out-of-home catering), the sudden measures imposed by the State and the difficulties sometimes encountered in maintaining the number of employees, processors have been able to adapt quickly to provide consumers with the goods demanded. Trade flows were also disrupted in 2020, before picking up again in 2021, according to trends that were ultimately fairly consistent with those preceding the crisis. Under the influence, on the one hand, of the increase in the price of energy (even before the war in Ukraine which began on February 24, 2022) and, on the other hand, fluctuating imports from China into global animal product markets, producer prices increased in late 2021 and early 2022, but this increase is offset by a sharp increase in production costs. In the equine sector, turnover losses were temporarily significant due to the interaction of this sector with the public. After the shock of 2020, and subject to adaptation by the players in the sector, activities are gradually resuming.

Evolutionary analysis of mammalian ACE2 and the key residues involved in binding to the Spike protein revealed potential SARS-CoV-2 hosts

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV- 2) spilled over to humans via wild mammals, entering the host cell using angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as receptor through Spike (S) protein binding. While SARS-CoV-2 became fully adapted to humans and globally spread, some mammal species were infected back. The present study evaluated the potential risk of mammals becoming hosts for SARS-CoV-2 through bioinformatics prediction based on ACE2 receptors.

The effects of COVID-19 on equine welfare and the equine industry in 2020

A review on the economic, welfare, and health impacts in horses and the equine sector due to Covid-19 in 2020 was discussed.

Animal Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses (CoVs) infect diverse animal species and cause respiratory, enteric, hepatic, renal, neurologic, and even systemic diseases. The majority of CoVs have a narrow host specificity, but a few CoVs have a broad range of host specificity. This chapter provides a brief review of animal CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2 of animals for their receptors, host tropism, and pathogenesis in target animals.

Sars-Cov-2 Infection Associated with Aplastic Anemia and Pure Red Cell Aplasia

Introduction: Aplastic anemia (AA) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by pancytopenia and a hypocellular bone marrow. Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a similar disorder with primary reduction in the red blood cell population and virtual absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. While the etiology of immune mediated marrow failure is multifactorial, preceding viral infections have been associated with the disease;these include parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. We present four cases of immune mediated marrow failure with either preceding or simultaneous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: The medical records of patients treated for AA or PRCA at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Parkland Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were reviewed for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Four patients without prior hematological diseases were identified who had SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to or with simultaneous the diagnosis of AA or PRCA. Results: Patient #1 was a 22-year-old white female who was diagnosed with asymptomatic COVID-19 10 days prior to her pancytopenia and AA diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy (5% cellularity;Table 1). Her extensive work-up including HIV, hepatitis panel, immunoglobulins, B12 and folate was negative, and she underwent HLA-matched family donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Patient #2 was a 69-year-old Asian female who presented to her primary care physician with symptoms of fatigue and was found to be pancytopenic. CBC from a few months prior was completely normal. Further work-up was positive for COVID-19 and negative for HIV, nutritional deficiency, or hemolysis. She did not have respiratory symptoms, was eventually diagnosed with pRBC and platelet transfusion-dependent severe AA (5-10% cellularity on bone marrow), and underwent treatment with cyclosporine, equine antithymocyte globulin, and eltrombopag. She has had a partial response to this therapy. Both patients had bone marrow specimens stained for SARS-CoV-2 by immunohistochemistry that were negative. Patient #3 was a 76-year-old white male who was diagnosed with COVID-19 4 months prior to presenting with a non-ST segment myocardial infarction and found to be profoundly anemic, requiring pRBC transfusion. He re-presented with chest pain one week later and was found to be anemic again, and required transfusion. A trial of darbepoetin alfa was unsuccessful. Extensive work-up for malignancy, infection, and autoimmune etiologies were negative. He was diagnosed with PRCA based on the bone marrow biopsy and initiated treatment with cyclosporine. Patient # 4 was diagnosed with severe AA (presenting as pancytopenia) and COVID-19 infection. He had fatigue for one month and fever, chills and sore throat one-week prior seeking medical care. Testing for hepatitis, HIV, EBV, and CMV was negative. He was treated on a clinical trial (NCT04304820) at NIH with cyclosporine and eltrombopag until SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative then received equine anti-thymocyte globulin. He has achieved a complete hematologic response at 6 months and remains well at last follow-up. Conclusion: The four patients described had minimal respiratory COVID-19 symptoms, but they presented with cytopenia and were eventually diagnosed with bone marrow failure. It is possible that this is co-incidental due to the high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2. However, there is emerging evidence that COVID-19 pneumonia is a hyperinflammatory and immune dysregulated state improved by dexamethasone therapy. Other immune mediated hematologic conditions, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia, have been reported. The onset from infection to cytopenia appears rapid, although patients often presented with symptoms for many days prior to diagnosis and thus testing may have been delayed from the onset of infection. This case series does not provide a mechanistic link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and bone marrow failure, but it raises the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 may mediate an immunologic response that cont ibutes to marrow failure. Patients appear to respond well to standard immunosuppressive treatment. Further cases and studies are needed to determine if this is directly linked to SARS-CoV-2 and whether the natural history and response to standard therapy is different than idiopathic cases. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Young: Novartis: Research Funding.

How was the corona pandemic perceived by the Romanian business environment?

The Covid crisis has hit all national economies, with some areas of activity being more severely affected than others. Trade credit/supplier credit mechanisms were very common on the market due to the weak capitalization of the economy. Many companies have faced serious financial difficulties, some of which have had to fundamentally restructure their business.

Analysis of cash flows registered by the Romanian commercial bank in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

This research is aimed at analyzing the cash flows, in structure and dynamics, registered by the Romanian Commercial Bank, in the period 2019-2020. Cash flows from operating activities, investment and financing activities are analyzed in evolution at the beginning and end of the reporting period. The macroeconomic impact and the estimated economic contraction, due to the Covid-19 crisis, influenced the bank's activity and financial indicators. The paper also highlights the impact that Romanian Commercial Bank has on the economy, as well as the cost of risk and the quality of the bank's assets. The Covid-19 pandemic put the Romanian banking system in front of unprecedented challenges.