ABSTRACT
COVID-19, caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus, induces numerous immunological reactions linked to the severity of the clinical condition of those infected. The surface Spike protein (S protein) present in Sars-CoV-2 is responsible for the infection of host cells. This protein presents a high rate of mutations, which can increase virus transmissibility, infectivity, and immune evasion. Therefore, we propose to evaluate, using immunoinformatic techniques, the predicted epitopes for the S protein of seven variants of Sars-CoV-2. MHC class I and II epitopes were predicted and further assessed for their immunogenicity, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) inducing capacity, and antigenicity. For B cells, linear and structural epitopes were predicted. For class I MHC epitopes, 40 epitopes were found for the clades of Wuhan, Clade 2, Clade 3, and 20AEU.1, Gamma, and Delta, in addition to 38 epitopes for Alpha and 44 for Omicron. For MHC II, there were differentially predicted epitopes for all variants and eight equally predicted epitopes. These were evaluated for differences in the MHC II alleles to which they would bind. Regarding B cell epitopes, 16 were found in the Wuhan variant, 14 in 22AEU.1 and in Clade 3, 15 in Clade 2, 11 in Alpha and Delta, 13 in Gamma, and 9 in Omicron. When compared, there was a reduction in the number of predicted epitopes concerning the Spike protein, mainly in the Delta and Omicron variants. These findings corroborate the need for updates seen today in bivalent mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 to promote a targeted immune response to the main circulating variant, Omicron, leading to more robust protection against this virus and avoiding cases of reinfection. When analyzing the specific epitopes for the RBD region of the spike protein, the Omicron variant did not present a B lymphocyte epitope from position 390, whereas the epitope at position 493 for MHC was predicted only for the Alpha, Gamma, and Omicron variants.
ABSTRACT
A 26-year-old postpartum female presented with symptoms characteristic of dengue fever on the 16th day of puerperium. On the third day of the illness, the patient presented a clinical picture consistent with shock. Tests determined primary infection with dengue virus serotype 2. Cardiac tamponade was confirmed by echocardiography. This rare manifestation is described in a patient without any associated comorbidity.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Tamponade/diagnostic imaging , Cardiac Tamponade/virology , Severe Dengue/complications , Adult , Echocardiography , Female , Humans , Radiography, Thoracic , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Abstract A 26-year-old postpartum female presented with symptoms characteristic of dengue fever on the 16th day of puerperium. On the third day of the illness, the patient presented a clinical picture consistent with shock. Tests determined primary infection with dengue virus serotype 2. Cardiac tamponade was confirmed by echocardiography. This rare manifestation is described in a patient without any associated comorbidity.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Cardiac Tamponade/virology , Cardiac Tamponade/diagnostic imaging , Severe Dengue/complications , Echocardiography , Radiography, Thoracic , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Here, we present four patients with confirmed Chikungunya virus infection showing atypical neurologic manifestations and death. This case series includes patients ranging in age from five to 92 years, with or without comorbidities. This report is important, as very few cases in the literature reporting death due to atypical Chikungunya virus infection are available.
Subject(s)
Central Nervous System Viral Diseases/virology , Chikungunya Fever/diagnosis , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Central Nervous System Viral Diseases/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Abstract Here, we present four patients with confirmed Chikungunya virus infection showing atypical neurologic manifestations and death. This case series includes patients ranging in age from five to 92 years, with or without comorbidities. This report is important, as very few cases in the literature reporting death due to atypical Chikungunya virus infection are available.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Central Nervous System Viral Diseases/virology , Chikungunya Fever/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Fatal Outcome , Central Nervous System Viral Diseases/diagnosis , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Relatam-se dois casos de pacientes que desenvolveram intensa reaçao inflamatória no local da picada por Crotalus durissus. Ambos queixavam-se de fortes dores musculares e urina de coloraçao vinhosa, sugerindo diagnóstico clínico de rabdomiólise; apresentavam ainda ptose palpebral bilateral e alteraçoes visuais. Os exames laboratoriais nao evidenciaram alteraçao da funçao renal. A terapêutica instituída foi o soro anti-crotálico e antibiotecoterapia, com boa evoluçao, havendo total remissao da sintomatologia.
