Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody in Mississippi White-Tailed Deer.

Background: Early detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal populations living in close proximity to humans is crucial for preventing reverse zoonosis of new viral strains. Evidence accumulated has revealed widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer (WTD), (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in the United States except in the southeast region. Therefore, the objective was to conduct surveillance for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among WTD in Mississippi. Materials and Methods: Blood, kidney tissues, and nasal swab samples were collected in 17 counties from hunter-harvested deer during 2021-2022 and 2022-2023.Samples of kidney tissue were collected to evaluate for detecting antibody as a possible alternative to blood that is not always available from dead WTD. Nasal swab samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by a RT-PCR assay. Sera and kidney tissue samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibody by an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and sera by a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT80). Results: The results of testing sera and kidney homogenate samples provided the first evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among WTD in Mississippi. The infection rate during 2021-2022 was 67% (10/15) based on the detection of neutralizing antibody by the PRNT80 and 26%(16/62) based on the testing of kidney tissue homogenates by an ELISA, and viral RNA was detected in 25% (3/12) of nasal swab samples. In 2022 to 2023, neutralizing antibody was detected in 62% (28/45) of WTD serum samples. In contrast, antibodies were not detected in 220 kidney homogenates by an ELISA nor was viral RNA detected in 220 nasal swab samples. Evidence of WTD activity was common in urban areas during the survey. Conclusion: Overall, the findings documented the first SARS-CoV-2 infection among WTD in Mississippi and showed that WTD commonly inhabited urban areas as a possible source of acquiring infection from humans infected with this virus.

Characterizing Membrane Association and Periplasmic Transfer of Bacterial Lipoproteins through Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Escherichia coli lipoprotein precursors at the inner membrane undergo three maturation stages before transport by the Lol system to the outer membrane. Here, we develop a pipeline to simulate the membrane association of bacterial lipoproteins in their four maturation states. This has enabled us to model and simulate 81 of the predicted 114 E. coli lipoproteins and reveal their interactions with the host lipid membrane. As part of this set we characterize the membrane contacts of LolB, the lipoprotein involved in periplasmic translocation. We also consider the means and bioenergetics for lipoprotein localization. Our calculations uncover a preference for LolB over LolA and therefore indicate how a lipoprotein may be favorably transferred from the inner to outer membrane. Finally, we reveal that LolC has a role in membrane destabilization, thereby promoting lipoprotein transfer to LolA.