[Clinical features of 23 neonates infected with Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]. / æ–°ç”Ÿå„¿æ–°åž‹å† çŠ¶ç— æ¯’Omicronå˜å¼‚æ ªæ„ŸæŸ“23例临床分析.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the clinical features of neonates infected with Omicron variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: The medical data of 23 neonates with Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the City North Campus of Urumqi First People's Hospital from October to December 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: All 23 infants had a history of exposure to confirmed caregivers with SARS-CoV-2 infection after birth, and none of them was vertically transmitted. Clinical classification: 5 cases of asymptomatic infection, 18 cases of mild infection, and no cases of moderate, severe, or critically ill. The first symptoms were fever in 13 cases, cough in 3 cases, nasal congestion in 1 case, and diarrhea in 1 case. Blood white blood cell counts decreased in 2 cases, and C-reactive protein increased in 1 case. Seven infants underwent chest X-ray examination due to cough or shortness of breath, and one of which showed focal exudative changes, while the rest showed no abnormal changes. All infants were discharged after symptomatic treatment and the median hospital stay was 6 days. The duration of nucleic acid positivity of SARS-CoV-2 was negatively correlated with N gene Ct values and ORF1ab gene Ct values (rs=-0.719 and -0.699, respectively; P<0.05). One month after discharge, all infants had no symptoms or signs of nucleic acid re-positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations are usually mild or asymptomatic in neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. The lower the Ct values of the N and ORF1ab genes of SARS-CoV-2, the longer the duration of nucleic acid positivity. Neonates infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant can have a good prognosis after symptomatic treatment.

RNA structure-altering mutations underlying positive selection on Spike protein reveal novel putative signatures to trace crossing host-species barriers in Betacoronavirus.

Similar to other RNA viruses, the emergence of Betacoronavirus relies on cross-species viral transmission, which requires careful health surveillance monitoring of protein-coding information as well as genome-wide analysis. Although the evolutionary jump from natural reservoirs to humans may be mainly traced-back by studying the effect that hotspot mutations have on viral proteins, it is largely unexplored if other impacts might emerge on the structured RNA genome of Betacoronavirus. In this survey, the protein-coding and viral genome architecture were simultaneously studied to uncover novel insights into cross-species horizontal transmission events. We analysed 1,252,952 viral genomes of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 distributed across the world in bats, intermediate animals, and humans to build a new landscape of changes in the RNA viral genome. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that bat viruses are the most closely related to the time of most recent common ancestor of Betacoronavirus, and missense mutations in viral proteins, mainly in the S protein S1 subunit: SARS-CoV (G > T; A577S); MERS-CoV (C > T; S746R and C > T; N762A); and SARS-CoV-2 (A > G; D614G) appear to have driven viral diversification. We also found that codon sites under positive selection on S protein overlap with non-compensatory mutations that disrupt secondary RNA structures in the RNA genome complement. These findings provide pivotal factors that might be underlying the eventual jumping the species barrier from bats to intermediate hosts. Lastly, we discovered that nearly half of the Betacoronavirus genomes carry highly conserved RNA structures, and more than 90% of these RNA structures show negative selection signals, suggesting essential functions in the biology of Betacoronavirus that have not been investigated to date. Further research is needed on negatively selected RNA structures to scan for emerging functions like the potential of coding virus-derived small RNAs and to develop new candidate antiviral therapeutic strategies.

Rhinovirus persistence during the COVID-19 pandemic-Impact on pediatric acute wheezing presentations.

Rhinoviruses have persisted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, despite other seasonal respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenoviruses, human metapneumovirus) being mostly suppressed by pandemic restrictions, such as masking and other forms of social distancing, especially during the national lockdown periods. Rhinoviruses, as nonenveloped viruses, are known to transmit effectively via the airborne and fomite route, which has allowed infection among children and adults to continue despite pandemic restrictions. Rhinoviruses are also known to cause and exacerbate acute wheezing episodes in children predisposed to this condition. Noninfectious causes such as air pollutants (PM2.5 , PM10 ) can also play a role. In this retrospective ecological study, we demonstrate the correlation between UK national sentinel rhinovirus surveillance, the level of airborne particulates, and the changing patterns of pediatric emergency department presentations for acute wheezing, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2018-2021) in a large UK teaching hospital.

Dynamics of spreading of SARS-CoV-2 in a Belgian hemodialysis facility: The importance of the analysis of viral strains.

In-center maintenance hemodialysis (HD) patients are at high risk of acquiring coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by cross-contamination inside the unit. The aim of this study was to assess retrospectively the dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission during the very first pandemic phase (March-July 2020) in a cohort of in-center maintenance HD patients and in nurses the same HD facility, using a phylogenetic approach. All SARS-CoV-2 quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction positive patients and nurses from our HD unit-respectively 10 out of 98, and 8 out of 58- and two other positive patients dialyzed in our self-care unit were included. Whole-genome viral sequencing and phylogenetic analysis supported the cluster investigation. Five positive patients were usually dialyzed in the same room and same shift before their COVID-19 diagnosis was made. Viral sequencing performed on 4/5 patients' swabs showed no phylogenetic link between their viruses. The fifth patient (whose virus could not be sequenced) was dialyzed at the end of the dialysis room and was treated by a different nurse than the one in charge of the other patients. Three nurses shared the same virus detected in both self-care patients (one of them had been transferred to our in-center facility). The epidemiologically strongly suspected intra-unit cluster could be ruled out by viral genome sequencing. The infection control policy did not allow inter-patient contamination within the HD facility, in contrast to evidence of moderate dissemination within the nursing staff and in the satellite unit. Epidemiologic data without phylogenetic confirmation might mislead the interpretation of the dynamics of viral spreading within congregate settings.

Epidemiological characteristics of neonates born to mothers infected with COVID-19: A single-centre observational study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 disease can affect women at any stage of pregnancy, and newborns could become infected with SARS-CoV-2 through vertical or horizontal transmission. Little is known about SARS-CoV-2 infection in neonates born to mothers with COVID-19. Experts emphasize the importance of ensuring the safety of newborns without compromising the benefits of early contact with the mother. The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of newborns born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Observational, prospective cohort study was conducted in the intensive care unit of the perinatal center (Georgia). Information was collected by reviewing and personal observations of medical histories of newborns born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: The study included 38 newborns with suspected (n = 16; 42.1%) and confirmed (n = 22; 57.9%) COVID-19 infection cases, treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. The study did not reveal the risk of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection and confirmed a fairly large rate of horizontal transmission of infection (n = 25; 66%). Skin-to-skin mother care was performed in 68.7% of newborns, 26.3% received exclusive maternal or donated breast milk during hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Prevention of horizontal transmission of infection in newborns should be a priority. It is recommended skin-to-skin mother care and maternal or donated breast milk during hospital stay, taking into account the health of the mother and the newborn, following the rules of hygiene and use of the mask by the infected mother.

Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV) Outbreak in a Show Stallion Population.

(1) Background: Equine arteritis virus (EAV) infection causes reproductive losses and systemic vasculitis in susceptible equidae. The intact male becomes the virus' reservoir upon EAV infection, as it causes a chronic-persistent infection of the accessory sex glands. Infected semen is the main source of virus transmission. (2) Here, we describe acute EAV infection and spread in a stallion population after introduction of new members to the group. (3) Conclusions: acute clinical signs, acute phase detection of antigen via (PCR) nasal swabs or (EDTA) blood, and seroconversion support the idea of transmission via seminal fluids into the respiratory tract(s) of others. This outbreak highlights EAV's horizontal transmission via the respiratory tract. This route should be considered in a chronic-persistently infected herd, when seronegative animals are added to the group.

Horizontal Transmission of COVID-19 in a 24-Week Premature Infant and Post-discharge Follow-Up.

The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has rapidly spread across the globe. The clinical spectrum of infection with SARS-CoV-2 among the most vulnerable extremely premature patient population in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), particularly those with chronic lung disease (CLD), remains unclear. Additionally, post-COVID conditions have been described in children with limited published data among infants. Symptoms in children appear similar to those described in the adults. We report a case of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a 24-week preterm infant with CLD acquired via horizontal transmission while still in the NICU. We also provide follow-up data on patient until one year post-discharge. Our patient developed fever prompting testing for SARS-CoV-2. Although extremely premature infants with CLD are known to be at high risk for morbidities if they acquire respiratory viral infections, infection with SARS-CoV-2 in this case report presented with relatively mild clinical symptoms. He remained clinically stable on respiratory support (nasal cannula) with eventual weaning to room air. Our patient was followed until one year post-discharge (chronological age: 20 months) and had follow-up by various subspecialties for chronic lung disease, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and poor growth. We did not observe any specific post-COVID symptoms. This case illustrates that horizontal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection among extremely premature infants with CLD is possible in the NICU but likely presents with mild clinical symptoms during acute infection and less chances of post-COVID conditions. Additionally, this case highlights the need for adherence to infection prevention guidelines to prevent nosocomial transmission amid the ongoing pandemic.

Indian Herb-Derived Phytoconstituent-Based Antiviral, Antimicrobial and Antifungal Formulation: An Oral Rinse Candidate for Oral Hygiene and the Potential Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreaks.

Outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases continue to challenge human health. Novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has triggered a global coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19. Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus are circulating, thus raising questions with respect to the effectiveness of different lines of treatment, such as vaccines and antiviral drugs. To find the appropriate prevention/treatment, 21 plant-based ingredients (Glycyrrhizin, Withanone, Aloe-emodin, Rhein, Emodin, Chrysophanol, Physcion, Kaempferol, Progallin A, Gallic acid, Naringin, Quercetin, Luteolin, and Apigenin) having antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties were identified. We pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 on a lentiviral vector plasmid and tested the impact of five different herbal formulations in mammalian HEK293T cells. Viral inactivation assay showed that the natural extracts in a herb-derived phytoconstituent-based formulation, BITS-003, comprising Bacopa monnieri, Glycyerrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus-wild, and Nigella sativa had strong virucidal properties, inactivating enveloped viruses from 2log10 (or 99%) to >4log10 (or 99.99%). Moreover, bacterial and yeast cells treated with BITS-003 displayed reduced growth. Topical use of the formulation as a mouthwash/gargle could be effective in reducing symptoms of respiratory viral infections, with the potential to decrease the viral load in the buccal/oral cavity. This may inhibit the coronavirus spreading to the lungs of infected persons and at the same time may reduce the risk of viral transmission to other susceptible persons through micro-droplets originating from the oral cavity of the infected person.

Evidence of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in atmospheric air and surfaces of a dedicated COVID hospital.

The present study was conducted from July 1, 2020 to September 25, 2020 in a dedicated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospital in Delhi, India to provide evidence for the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus in atmospheric air and surfaces of the hospital wards. Swabs from hospital surfaces (patient's bed, ward floor, and nursing stations area) and suspended particulate matter in ambient air were collected by a portable air sampler from the medicine ward, intensive care unit, and emergency ward admitting COVID-19 patients. By performing reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for E-gene and RdRp gene, SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected from hospital surfaces and particulate matters from the ambient air of various wards collected at 1 and 3-m distance from active COVID-19 patients. The presence of the virus in the air beyond a 1-m distance from the patients and surfaces of the hospital indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has the potential to be transmitted by airborne and surface routes from COVID-19 patients to health-care workers working in COVID-19 dedicated hospital. This warrants that precautions against airborne and surface transmission of COVID-19 in the community should be taken when markets, industries, educational institutions, and so on, reopen for normal activities.

Lowering the transmission and spread of human coronavirus.

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has created an unprecedented healthcare, social, and economic disaster. Wearing of masks and social distancing can significantly decrease transmission and spread, however, due to circumstances such as medical or dental intervention and personal choice these practices have not been universally adopted. Additional strategies are required to lessen transmission. Nasal rinses and mouthwashes, which directly impact the major sites of reception and transmission of human coronaviruses (HCoV), may provide an additional level of protection against the virus. Common over-the-counter nasal rinses and mouthwashes/gargles were tested for their ability to inactivate high concentrations of HCoV using contact times of 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min. Reductions in titers were measured by using the tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50 ) assay. A 1% baby shampoo nasal rinse solution inactivated HCoV greater than 99.9% with a 2-min contact time. Several over-the-counter mouthwash/gargle products including Listerine and Listerine-like products were highly effective at inactivating infectious virus with greater than 99.9% even with a 30-s contact time. In the current manuscript we have demonstrated that several commonly available healthcare products have significant virucidal properties with respect to HCoV.

Perinatal COVID-19: a case report, literature review, and proposal of a national system for case record.

Background: On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, and on February 28, Mexico reported its first case. Internationally, cases in newborns are few and the outcomes, in general, are good. There is no certainty of possible vertical transmission, and the presence of the virus in human milk is improbable. The gold standard for diagnosis is the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. We performed a literature review and presented a case of perinatal COVID-19. Clinical case: We describe the case of a full-term male infant with a birth weight of 3450 g and history of rooming-in with another mother-baby pair, both positive for SARS-CoV-2. On the second day of life, the neonate developed pneumonia, with clinical, X-ray and ultrasound diagnostic confirmation. On the third day of life, RT-PCR was positive for SARS-CoV-2; the mother was also positive but remained asymptomatic. The patient required mechanical ventilation and was transferred to a tertiary level neonatal unit on day 5 of life, where congenital heart disease was ruled out. He evolved satisfactorily with a negative RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 on day 8 and was extubated and discharged on day 21 of life. Telephone follow-up was performed without complications. Conclusions: The present case was classified as horizontal transmission with a short incubation period of COVID-19.

Introducción: El 11 de marzo de 2020 la Organización Mundial de la Salud declaró la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 y el 28 de febrero México reportó su primer caso. En todo el mundo, los casos en recién nacidos son pocos y la evolución, en general, es buena. No hay certeza sobre la posible transmisión vertical, y la presencia del virus en la leche humana es altamente improbable. El método de referencia para el diagnóstico es la prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcriptasa inversa (RT-PCR). Se presenta un caso clínico de COVID-19 perinatal y se llevó a cabo una revisión de la literatura sobre el tema. Caso clínico: Recién nacido de sexo masculino, de término, con un peso al nacer de 3,450 g, con antecedente de alojamiento conjunto con otro binomio madre-hijo positivo para SARS-CoV-2. Al segundo día de vida desarrolló neumonía diagnosticada por clínica, rayos X y ultrasonido. Presentó prueba positiva para SARS-CoV-2 al día 3 de vida, al igual que la madre, quien permaneció asintomática. El paciente requirió ventilación mecánica y fue trasladado a una unidad neonatal de tercer nivel el día 5 de vida, donde se descartó cardiopatía congénita y evolucionó satisfactoriamente. La prueba de RT-PCR para SARS-CoV-2 fue negativa al día 8, por lo que se realizó extubación y egreso al día 21 de vida. Se realizó seguimiento telefónico, sin complicaciones. Conclusiones: El presente caso fue catalogado como transmisión horizontal con un periodo corto de incubación de COVID-19.

Multicentre Spanish study found no incidences of viral transmission in infants born to mothers with COVID-19.

AIM: Our aim was to describe the clinical features of mothers infected with COVID-19 and examine any potential vertical mother to newborn transmission. We also assessed how effective the discharge recommendations were in preventing transmission during the first month of life. METHODS: This multicentre descriptive study involved 16 Spanish hospitals. We reviewed the medical records of 42 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 13, 2020, to March 29, 2020, when they were in their third trimester of pregnancy. They and their newborn infants were monitored until the infant was 1 month old. RESULTS: Over half (52.4%) of the women had a vaginal delivery. The initial clinical symptoms were coughing (66.6%) and fever (59.5%), and one mother died due to thrombo-embolic events. We admitted 37 newborn infants to the neonatal unit (88%), and 28 were then admitted to intermediate care for organisational virus-related reasons. No infants died, and no vertical transmission was detected during hospitalisation or follow-up. Only six were exclusively breastfed at discharge. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of COVID-19 transmission in any of the infants born to COVID-19 mothers, and the post-discharge advice seemed effective. The measures to avoid transmission appeared to reduce exclusive breastfeeding at discharge.

Asymptomatic cases with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

On 31 March 2020, Chinese Health Authorization announced that numbers of asymptomatic cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection will be made to the public daily. This was a very important step since different counties have different capacities for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection and control strategy for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak. We summarized the characteristics of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections and the transmission potential of asymptomatic cases. Then we provided guidelines for the management of asymptomatic cases through quarantine and nucleic acid/serology tests.

Evaluation of coronavirus in tears and conjunctival secretions of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the presence of novel coronavirus in tears and conjunctival secretions of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. METHODS: A prospective interventional case series study was performed, and 30 confirmed novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) patients were selected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from 26 January 2020 to 9 February 2020. At an interval of 2 to 3 days, tear and conjunctival secretions were collected twice with disposable sampling swabs for reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. RESULTS: Twenty-one common-type and nine severe-type NCP patients were enrolled. Two samples of tear and conjunctival secretions were obtained from the only one patient with conjunctivitis yielded positive RT-PCR results. Fifty-eight samples from other patents were all negative. CONCLUSION: We speculate that SARS-CoV-2 may be detected in the tears and conjunctival secretions in NCP patients with conjunctivitis.