• Title/Summary/Keyword: SARS-CoV

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Comparison of Digital PCR and Quantitative PCR with Various SARS-CoV-2 Primer-Probe Sets

  • Park, Changwoo;Lee, Jina;Hassan, Zohaib ul;Ku, Keun Bon;Kim, Seong-Jun;Kim, Hong Gi;Park, Edmond Changkyun;Park, Gun-Soo;Park, Daeui;Baek, Seung-Hwa;Park, Dongju;Lee, Jihye;Jeon, Sangeun;Kim, Seungtaek;Lee, Chang-Seop;Yoo, Hee Min;Kim, Seil
    • Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.358-367
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    • 2021
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as an international health emergency. Current diagnostic tests are based on the reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method, which is the gold standard test that involves the amplification of viral RNA. However, the RT-qPCR assay has limitations in terms of sensitivity and quantification. In this study, we tested both qPCR and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) to detect low amounts of viral RNA. The cycle threshold (CT) of the viral RNA by RT-PCR significantly varied according to the sequences of the primer and probe sets with in vitro transcript (IVT) RNA or viral RNA as templates, whereas the copy number of the viral RNA by ddPCR was effectively quantified with IVT RNA, cultured viral RNA, and RNA from clinical samples. Furthermore, the clinical samples were assayed via both methods, and the sensitivity of the ddPCR was determined to be equal to or more than that of the RT-qPCR. However, the ddPCR assay is more suitable for determining the copy number of reference materials. These findings suggest that the qPCR assay with the ddPCR defined reference materials could be used as a highly sensitive and compatible diagnostic method for viral RNA detection.

Development of COVID-19 Neutralizing Antibody (NAb) Detection Kits Using the S1 RBD Protein of SARS-CoV-2 (코로나 바이러스 감염증-19의 재조합 S1 RBD 단백질을 이용한 COVID-19 바이러스의 중화항체 검사 키트의 개발)

  • Choi, Dong Ok;Lee, Kang Moon
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.53 no.3
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    • pp.257-265
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    • 2021
  • The COVID-19 virus is a β-genus virus that causes infection by mediating the angiotensin convertible enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which is distributed in large numbers in the human respiratory tract. The disease requires effective post-management of antibody production by complete healers and vaccinators because there is no perfect remedy for the virus infection. This study aimed to develop recombinant proteins specifically responsive to neutralizing antibodies in clinical specimens and use them to develop a rapid diagnostic kit to diagnose neutralizing antibodies quickly and conveniently against the COVID-19 virus and confirm the possibility of commercialization through a performance evaluation. Rapid diagnostic kits using COVID-19 S1 RBD recombinant proteins can be applied to rapid diagnostic kits, with positive percentage agreement (PPA) and negative percentage agreement (NPA) of 100% and 98.3%, respectively, compared to the U.S. FDA-approved ELISA kits. If the performance of the rapid diagnostic kit is improved and neutralizing antibodies can be analyzed quantitatively using quantitative analysis equipment, it can be used as important data to predict immunity to the COVID-19 virus and determine additional vaccinations.

Guidelines for dental clinic infection prevention during COVID-19 pandemic (코로나 바이러스 대유행에 따른 치과 의료 관리 가이드라인)

  • Kim, Jin
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Dental Administration
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    • v.8 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2020
  • Dental settings have unique characteristics that warrant specific infection control considerations, including (1) prioritizing the most critical dental services and provide care in a way that minimizes harm to patients due to delayed care, or harm to personnel from potential exposure to persons infected with the COVID-19 disease, and (2) proactively communicate to both personnel and patients the need for them to stay at home if sick. For health care, an interim infection prevention and control recommendation (COVID-19) is recommended for patients suspected of having coronavirus or those whose status has been confirmed. SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, is thought to be spread primarily between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet) through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Airborne transmission from person-to-person over long distances is unlikely. However, COVID-19 is a new disease, and there remain uncertainties about its mode of spreads and the severity of illness it causes. The virus has been shown to persist in aerosols for several hours, and on some surfaces for days under laboratory conditions. COVID-19 may also be spread by people who are asymptomatic. The practice of dentistry involves the use of rotary dental and surgical instruments, such as handpieces or ultrasonic scalers, and air-water syringes. These instruments create a visible spray that can contain particle droplets of water, saliva, blood, microorganisms, and other debris. While KF 94 masks protect the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose from droplet spatter, they do not provide complete protection against the inhalation of airborne infectious agents. If the patient is afebrile (temperature <100.4°F)* and otherwise without symptoms consistent with COVID-19, then dental care may be provided using appropriate engineering and administrative controls, work practices, and infection control considerations. It is necessary to provide supplies for respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, including alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with 60%~95% alcohol, tissues, and no-touch receptacles for disposal, at healthcare facility entrances, waiting rooms, and patient check-ins. There is also the need to install physical barriers (e.g., glass or plastic windows) in reception areas to limit close contact between triage personnel and potentially infectious patients. Ideally, dental treatment should be provided in individual rooms whenever possible, with a spacing of at least 6 feet between the patient chairs. Further, the use of easy-to-clean floor-to-ceiling barriers will enhance the effectiveness of portable HEPA air filtration systems. Before and after all patient contact, contact with potentially infectious material, and before putting on and after removing personal protective equipment, including gloves, hand hygiene after removal is particularly important to remove any pathogens that may have been transferred to the bare hands during the removal process. ABHR with 60~95% alcohol is to be used, or hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 s.

Risk Factors for COVID-19 Infection Among Healthcare Workers. A First Report From a Living Systematic Review and meta-Analysis

  • Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa;Nkambule, Sphamandla Josias;Hlongwa, Mbuzeleni;Mhango, Malizgani;Iradukunda, Patrick Gad;Chitungo, Itai;Dzobo, Mathias;Mapingure, Munyaradzi Paul;Chingombe, Innocent;Mashora, Moreblessing;Madziva, Roda;Herrera, Helena;Makanda, Pelagia;Atwine, James;Mbunge, Elliot;Musuka, Godfrey;Murewanhema, Grant;Ngara, Bernard
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.263-268
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    • 2022
  • Health care workers (HCWs) are more than ten times more likely to be infected with coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) than the general population, thus demonstrating the burden of COVID-19 among HCWs. Factors that expose HCWs to a differentially high-risk of COVID-19 acquisition are important to elucidate, enable appropriate public health interventions to mitigate against high risk and reduce adverse outcomes from the infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and critically analyze the existing evidence on SARS-CoV-2 risk factors among HCWs. With no geographical limitation, we included studies, in any country, that reported (i) the PCR laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19 as an independent variable (ii) one or more COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs with risk estimates (relative risk, odds ratio, or hazard ratio) (iii) original, quantitative study design, and published in English or Mandarian. Our initial search resulted in 470 articles overall, however, only 10 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. Out of the 10 studies included in the review, inadequate/lack of protective personal equipment, performing tracheal intubation, and gender were the most common risk factors of COVID-19. Based on the random effects adjusted pooled relative risk, HCWs who reported the use of protective personal equipment were 29% (95% CI: 16% to 41%) less likely to test positive for COVID-19. The study also revealed that HCWs who performed tracheal intubations were 34% (95% CI: 14% to 57%) more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Interestingly, this study showed that female HCWs are at 11% higher risk (RR 1.11 95% CI 1.01-1.21) of COVID-19 than their male counterparts. This article presents initial findings from a living systematic review and meta-analysis, therefore, did not yield many studies; however, it revealed a significant insight into better understanding COVID-19 risk factors among HCWs; insights important for devising preventive strategies that protect them from this infection.

Analysis Study on the Detection and Classification of COVID-19 in Chest X-ray Images using Artificial Intelligence (인공지능을 활용한 흉부 엑스선 영상의 코로나19 검출 및 분류에 대한 분석 연구)

  • Yoon, Myeong-Seong;Kwon, Chae-Rim;Kim, Sung-Min;Kim, Su-In;Jo, Sung-Jun;Choi, Yu-Chan;Kim, Sang-Hyun
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.16 no.5
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    • pp.661-672
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    • 2022
  • After the outbreak of the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19, it spreads around the world with the number of infections and deaths rising rapidly caused a shortage of medical resources. As a way to solve this problem, chest X-ray diagnosis using Artificial Intelligence(AI) received attention as a primary diagnostic method. The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the detection of COVID-19 via AI. To achieve this purpose, 292 studies were collected through a series of Classification methods. Based on these data, performance measurement information including Accuracy, Precision, Area Under Cover(AUC), Sensitivity, Specificity, F1-score, Recall, K-fold, Architecture and Class were analyzed. As a result, the average Accuracy, Precision, AUC, Sensitivity and Specificity were achieved as 95.2%, 94.81%, 94.01%, 93.5%, and 93.92%, respectively. Although the performance measurement information on a year-on-year basis gradually increased, furthermore, we conducted a study on the rate of change according to the number of Class and image data, the ratio of use of Architecture and about the K-fold. Currently, diagnosis of COVID-19 using AI has several problems to be used independently, however, it is expected that it will be sufficient to be used as a doctor's assistant.

Designing a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory for Testing Highly Pathogenic Viruses (고병원성 바이러스 검사를 위한 분자진단검사실 구축)

  • Jung, Tae Won;Jung, Jaeyoung;Kim, Sunghyun;Kim, Young-Kwon
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.53 no.2
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    • pp.143-150
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    • 2021
  • The recent spread of novel and highly variant pathogenic viruses, including the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), has increased the demand for diagnostic testing for rapid confirmation. This has resulted in investigating the functional capability of each space, and preparing facility guidelines to secure the safety of medical technologists. During viral evaluations, there is a requirement of negative pressure facilities along with thread separation, during pre-treatment of samples and before nucleic acid amplification. Space composition therefore needs to be planned by considering unidirectional air flow. This classification of safety management facilities is designated as biosafety level 2, and personal protective equipment is placed accordingly. In case of handling dangerous materials, they need to be carried out of the biosafety cabinet, and sterilizers are required for suitable disposal of infectious agents. A common feature of domestic laboratories is maintenance of the sample pre-treatment space at a negative pressure of -2.5 Pa or less, and arranging separate pre-treatment and reagent preparation spaces during the test process. We believe that the data generated in this study is meaningful, and offers an efficient direction and detailed flow for separation of the inspection process and space functions. Moreover, this study introduces construction of the laboratory by applying the safety management standards.

A Nationwide Study on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Volume of Spine Surgery in South Korea

  • Lee, Mu Ha;Park, Hye Ran;Chang, Jae Chil;Park, Hyung Ki;Lee, Gwang Soo
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.65 no.5
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    • pp.741-750
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    • 2022
  • Objective : In March 2020, World Health Organization declared a global pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). The disease caused by this virus is called COVID-19. Due to its high contagiousness, many changes have occurred in overall areas of our daily life including hospital use by patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on volume of spine surgery in South Korea using the National Health Insurance database and compare it with the volume of a homologous period before the pandemic. Methods : Data of related to spine surgery from January 2019 to April 2021 were obtained from the National Health Insurance and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Primary outcomes were total number of patients, rate of patients per 100000 population, and total number of procedures. The number of patients by hospital size was also analyzed. Results : COVID-19 outbreaks occurred in South Korea in March, August, and December of 2020. Compared to the previous year, the total number of patients who underwent spinal surgery showed a decrease for 2-3 months after the first and second outbreaks. However, it showed an increasing trend after the third outbreak. The same pattern was observed in terms of the ratio of the number of patients per 100000 population. Between 2019 and 2021, the mean number of spine surgeries per month tended to increase. Mean annual medical expenses increased over the years (p=0.001). When the number of spine surgeries was analyzed by hospital size, proportion of tertiary general hospital in 2021 increased compared to those in 2019 and 2020 (vs. 2019, p=0.012; vs. 2020, p=0.016). The proportion of general hospital was significantly decreased in 2020 compared to that in 2019 (p=0.037). Conclusion : After the COVID-19 outbreak, patients tended to postpone spinal surgery temporarily. The number of spinal surgeries decreased for 2-3 months after the first and second outbreaks. However, as the ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic at the hospital and society-wide level gradually increased, the number of spine surgeries did not decrease after the third outbreak in December 2020. In addition, the annual number of spine surgeries continued to increase. However, it should be noted that patients tend to be increasingly concentrated in tertiary hospitals for spinal surgery.

Plant-derived Anti-HIV Natural Products: A Review of Recent Research (천연물의 항 HIV 효능에 대한 최신 연구동향)

  • Karadeniz, Fatih;Oh, Jung Hwan
    • Journal of Life Science
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    • v.32 no.9
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    • pp.734-741
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    • 2022
  • Currently, around 40 million people worldwide are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection making HIV a critical global health risk. Present therapies for HIV infection consist of drug cocktails that target different steps of the HIV life cycle to prevent infection, replication, and release of the virus. Due to its mutating nature, drug resistance coupled with side-effects of long-term drug use, novel strategies, and pharmaceuticals to treat and manage HIV infection are constant needs and continuously being studied. Plants allocate a major repertoire of chemical diversity and are therefore regarded as an important source of new bioactive agents that can be utilized against HIV. Since the early 1990s, upon recommendations of the World Health Organization, numerous studies reported phytochemicals from different structural classes such as flavonoids, coumarins, tannins and terpenes with strong inhibitory effects against HIV infection. The present review gathered and presented recent research (2021-present) on plant extracts and phytochemicals that exhibit anti-HIV properties with the aim of providing insights into future studies where ethnomedical and underutilized plant sources may yield important natural products against HIV. Considering the relation and importance of HIV treatment with current viral infection risks such as SARS-CoV-2, screening plants for anti-HIV agents is an important step towards the discovery of novel antivirals.

Cardiac Phenotyping of SARS-CoV-2 in British Columbia: A Prospective Echo Study With Strain Imaging

  • Jeffrey Yim;Michael Y.C. Tsang;Anand Venkataraman;Shane Balthazaar;Ken Gin;John Jue;Parvathy Nair;Christina Luong;Darwin F. Yeung;Robb Moss;Sean A Virani;Jane McKay;Margot Williams;Eric C. Sayre;Purang Abolmaesumi;Teresa S.M. Tsang
    • Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging
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    • v.31 no.3
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    • pp.125-132
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    • 2023
  • BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the residual echocardiographic findings including strain analysis among post-coronavirus disease (COVID) patients. The aim of our study is to prospectively phenotype post-COVID patients. METHODS: All patients discharged following acute COVID infection were systematically followed in the post-COVID-19 Recovery Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital and St. Paul's Hospital. At 4-18 weeks post diagnosis, patients underwent comprehensive echocardiographic assessment. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed by 3D, 2D Biplane Simpson's, or visual estimate. LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) was measured using a vendor-independent 2D speckle-tracking software (TomTec). RESULTS: A total of 127 patients (53% female, mean age 58 years) were included in our analyses. At baseline, cardiac conditions were present in 58% of the patients (15% coronary artery disease, 4% heart failure, 44% hypertension, 10% atrial fibrillation) while the remainder were free of cardiac conditions. COVID-19 serious complications were present in 79% of the patients (76% pneumonia, 37% intensive care unit admission, 21% intubation, 1% myocarditis). Normal LVEF was seen in 96% of the cohort and 97% had normal right ventricular systolic function. A high proportion (53%) had abnormal LV GLS defined as < 18%. Average LV GLS of septal and inferior segments were lower compared to that of other segments. Among patients without pre-existing cardiac conditions, LVEF was abnormal in only 1.9%, but LV GLS was abnormal in 46% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Most post-COVID patients had normal LVEF at 4-18 weeks post diagnosis, but over half had abnormal LV GLS.

Antibody Response Induced by Two Doses of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, mRNA-1273, or BNT162b2 in Liver Transplant Recipients

  • So Yun Lim;Young-In Yoon;Ji Yeun Kim;Eunyoung Tak;Gi-Won Song;Sung-Han Kim;Sung-Gyu Lee
    • IMMUNE NETWORK
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    • v.22 no.3
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    • pp.24.1-24.12
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    • 2022
  • Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in immunocompromised, especially transplant recipients, may induce a weaker immune response. But there are limited data on the immune response after COVID-19 vaccination in liver transplant (LT) recipients, especially on the comparison of Ab responses after different vaccine platforms between mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines. Thus, we conducted a prospective study on LT recipients who received two doses of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (ChAdOx1), mRNA-1273, or BNT162b2 vaccines compared with healthy healthcare workers (HCWs). SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific IgG Ab titers were measured using ELISA. Overall, 89 LT recipients (ChAdOx1, n=16 [18%]) or mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273 vaccine, n=23 [26%]; BNT162b2 vaccine, n=50 [56%]) received 3 different vaccines. Of them, 16 (18%) had a positive Ab response after one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 62 (73%) after 2 doses. However, the median Ab titer after two doses of mRNA vaccines was significantly higher (44.6 IU/ml) than after two doses of ChAdOx1 (19.2 IU/ml, p=0.04). The longer time interval from transplantation was significantly associated with high Ab titers after two doses of vaccine (p=0.003). However, mycophenolic acid use was not associated with Ab titers (p=0.53). In conclusion, about 3-quarters of LT recipients had a positive Ab response after 2 doses of vaccine, and the mRNA vaccines induced higher Ab responses than the ChAdOx1 vaccine.