Recent molecular techniques for the diagnosis of Zika and Chikungunya infections: A systematic review.

Zika virus (ZIKV) and Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) are arboviruses that cause important viral diseases affecting the world population. Both viruses can produce remarkably similar clinical manifestations, co-circulate in a geographic region, and coinfections have been documented, thus making clinical diagnosis challenging. Therefore, it is urgent to have better molecular techniques that allow a differential, sensitive and rapid diagnosis from body fluid samples. This systematic review explores evidence in the literature regarding the advances in the molecular diagnosis of Zika and Chikungunya in humans, published from 2010 to March 2021. Four databases were consulted (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase) and a total of 31 studies were included according to the selection criteria. Our analysis highlights the need for standardization in the report and interpretation of new promising diagnostic methods. It also examines the benefits of new alternatives for the molecular diagnosis of these arboviruses, in contrast to established methods.

Susceptibility to endemic Aedes-borne viruses among pregnant women in Risaralda, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Aedes-borne viruses (ABV) affect humans on every inhabited continent and frequently cause epidemics. Recent epidemics of chikungunya and Zika viruses (ZIKV) highlight that preparedness for future epidemics requires assessment of susceptibility, particularly among high-risk groups. We sought to determine immunity against the three major circulating ABV among pregnant women in an ABV-endemic area of Colombia. METHODS: A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was performed, enrolling women presenting to Labor and Delivery. Cord blood and maternal peripheral blood samples were obtained. IgG seroprevalence to flaviviruses and chikungunya was determined by ELISA. An abbreviated neutralization test was used to estimate the frequency and magnitude of immunity to Zika and four dengue serotypes. Cluster analyses explored epidemiologic factors associated with seroprevalence. RESULTS: Most women exhibited high levels of neutralizing antibodies to one or more ABV; however, nearly 20% were seronegative for flaviviruses. Our research took place after the epidemic peak of the ZIKV outbreak in Colombia in 2016. However, only 20% of pregnant women had high levels of Zika-neutralizing antibodies consistent with likely protective immunity to ZIKV. CONCLUSION: Hence, a high proportion of pregnant women in Risaralda remain susceptible to one or more ABV including the teratogenic ZIKV, indicating a risk for future epidemics in this region.

SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals: a systematic review of studies and case reports and series.

COVID-19 pandemic is essentially a zoonotic disease. In this context, early in 2020, transmission from humans to certain animals began reporting; the number of studies has grown since. To estimate the pooled prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection in animals and to determine differences in prevalence between countries, years, animal types and diagnostic methods (RT-PCR or serological tests). A systematic literature review with meta-analysis using eight databases. Observational studies were included but analyzed separately. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for prevalence studies and case series. After the screening, 65 reports were selected for full-text assessment and included for qualitative and quantitative analyses. A total of 24 reports assessed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, combining a total of 321,785 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 12.3% (95% CI 11.6%-13.0%). Also, a total of 17 studies additionally assessed serological response against SARS-CoV-2, including nine by ELISA, four by PRTN, one by MIA, one by immunochromatography (rest, two studies, the method was not specified), combining a total of 5319 animals, yielding a pooled prevalence of 29.4% (95% CI 22.9%-35.9%). A considerable proportion of animals resulted infected by SARS-CoV-2, ranking minks among the highest value, followed by dogs and cats. Further studies in other animals are required to define the extent and importance of natural infection due to SARS-CoV-2. These findings have multiple implications for public human and animal health. One Health approach in this context is critical for prevention and control.

Antiproliferative activity of thiazole and oxazole derivatives: A systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies.

Thiazole and oxazole are compounds with a heterocyclic nucleus that have attracted the attention of medicinal chemistry due to the great variety of biological activities that they enable. In recent years, their study has increased, finding a wide range of biological activities, including antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. This systematic review provides evidence from the literature on the antiproliferative and antitumor activities of thiazole and oxazole and their derivatives from 2014 to April 2020. Three bibliographical databases were consulted (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus), and a total of 32 studies were included in this paper based on our eligibility criteria. The analysis of the activity-structure relationship allows us to conclude that most of the promising compounds identified contained thiazole nuclei or derivatives.