Generation of recombinant viruses directly from clinical specimens of COVID-19 patients.

Rapid characterization of the causative agent(s) during a disease outbreak can aid in the implementation of effective control measures. However, isolation of the agent(s) from crude clinical samples can be challenging and time-consuming, hindering the establishment of countermeasures. In the present study, we used saliva specimens collected for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2-a good example of a practical target-and attempted to characterize the virus within the specimens without virus isolation. Thirty-four saliva samples from coronavirus disease 2019 patients were used to extract RNA and synthesize DNA amplicons by PCR. New primer sets were designed to generate DNA amplicons of the full-length spike (S) gene for subsequent use in a circular polymerase extension reaction (CPER), a simple method for deriving recombinant viral genomes. According to the S sequence, four clinical specimens were classified as BA. 1, BA.2, BA.5, and XBB.1 and were used for the de novo generation of recombinant viruses carrying the entire S gene. Additionally, chimeric viruses carrying the gene encoding GFP were generated to evaluate viral propagation using a plate reader. We successfully used the RNA purified directly from clinical saliva samples to generate chimeric viruses carrying the entire S gene by our updated CPER method. The chimeric viruses exhibited robust replication in cell cultures with similar properties. Using the recombinant GFP viruses, we also successfully characterized the efficacy of the licensed antiviral AZD7442. Our proof-of-concept demonstrates the novel utility of CPER to allow rapid characterization of viruses from clinical specimens. IMPORTANCE: Characterization of the causative agent(s) for infectious diseases helps in implementing effective control measurements, especially in outbreaks. However, the isolation of the agent(s) from clinical specimens is often challenging and time-consuming. In this study, saliva samples from coronavirus disease 2019 patients were directly subjected to purifying viral RNA, synthesizing DNA amplicons for sequencing, and generating recombinant viruses. Utilizing an updated circular polymerase extension reaction method, we successfully generated chimeric SARS-CoV-2 viruses with sufficient in vitro replication capacity and antigenicity. Thus, the recombinant viruses generated in this study were applicable for evaluating the antivirals. Collectively, our developed method facilitates rapid characterization of specimens circulating in hosts, aiding in the establishment of control measurements. Additionally, this approach offers an advanced strategy for controlling other (re-)emerging viral infectious diseases.

Dominant-negative type of IKZF1 deletion showed a favorable prognosis in adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

IKZF1 deletion is a recurrent genomic alteration in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) and is divided into dominant-negative (DN) and loss of function (LOF) deletions. The prognostic impact of each deletion has not been fully elucidated. We retrospectively analyzed 117 patients with adult B-ALL including 60 patients with BCR::ABL1-positive B-ALL and 57 patients with BCR::ABL1-negative B-ALL by the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method for IKZF1 deletion and multiplex PCR for the 4 most common IKZF1 deletions (∆4-7, ∆2-7, ∆2-8, and ∆4-8). Samples, in which IKZF1 deletion was detected by FISH but a specific type of deletion was not identified by the PCR, were categorized as "other." Patients were classified into a DN group that had at least 1 allele of ∆4-7 (n = 23), LOF and other group (n = 40), and wildtype group (n = 54). DN type IKZF1 deletions were found in 33.3% of BCR::ABL1-positive cases and 5.2% of BCR::ABL1-negative cases. LOF and other type IKZF1 deletions were found in 43.4% of BCR::ABL1-positive cases and 24.6% of BCR::ABL1-negative cases. Patients with the DN group showed significantly higher overall survival (OS) than that of the LOF and other and WT groups (P = 0.011). Multivariate analysis including age, WBC counts, complex karyotype, and DN type IKZF1 deletion showed that the DN type of IKZF1 deletion (HR = 0.22, P = 0.013) had a positive impact and age ≥ 65 (HR = 1.92, P = 0.029) had a negative impact on OS. The prognostic impact of IKZF1 deletion depends on the type of deletion and DN type of IKZF1 deletion showed better prognosis in adult B-ALL patients.Clinical trial registration This study was part of a prospective observational study (Hokkaido Leukemia Net, UMIN000048611). It was conducted in compliance with ethical principles based on the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the institutional review board of Hokkaido University Hospital (#015-0344).

SARS-CoV-2 detection by fluorescence loop-mediated isothermal amplification with and without RNA extraction.

Rapid and simple point-of-care detection of SARS-CoV-2 is an urgent need to prevent pandemic. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) can detect SARS-CoV-2 more rapidly than RT-PCR. Saliva is non-invasive specimen suitable for mass-screening, but data comparing utility of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and saliva in RT-LAMP test are lacking and it remains unclear whether SARS-CoV-2 could be detected by direct processing of samples without the need for prior RNA extraction saliva. In this study, we compared utility of saliva and NPS samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 by a novel RT-fluorescence LAMP (RT-fLAMP). The sensitivity and specificity of the RT-fLAMP with RNA extraction were 97% and 100%, respectively, with equivalent utility of NPS and saliva. However, sensitivity was decreased to 71% and 47% in NPS and saliva samples without RNA extraction, respectively, suggesting that RNA extraction process may be critical for the virus detection by RT-fLAMP.

Effect of Ureaplasma parvum co-incubation on Chlamydia trachomatis maturation in human epithelial HeLa cells treated with interferon-γ.

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes a sexually transmitted disease. Ureaplasma parvum is commensal in the human genital tract, with a minimal contribution to urogenital infection. We have recently found that U. parvum has a significant effect on the presence of C. trachomatis in the genital tract of healthy women. We therefore assessed the effect of U. parvum co-incubation on C. trachomatis maturation from reticulate bodies (RBs) to elementary bodies (EBs) in HeLa cells in the absence or presence of interferon (IFN)-γ, which is a critical host defense factor. IFN-γ stimulation of viable U. parvum significantly prompted chlamydial growth with an increase in infectious particles, EBs, in HeLa cells. IFN-γ treatment of killed U. parvum had a similar effect on C. trachomatis maturation in HeLa cells. There was no change in expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in cultures of viable or killed U. parvum. We concluded that U. parvum co-incubation by IFN-γ helped C. trachomatis to mature from RBs to EBs in HeLa cells, independent of IDO expression. This suggests a novel survival strategy of C. trachomatis against IFN-γ exposure, prompting secondary infection of the genital mucosa, with possible clinical implications.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron detection by antigen tests using saliva.

The Omicron emerged in November 2021 and became the predominant SARS-CoV-2 variant globally. It spreads more rapidly than ancestral lineages and its rapid detection is critical for the prevention of disease outbreaks. Antigen tests such as immunochromatographic assay (ICA) and chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA) yield results more quickly than standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, their utility for the detection of the Omicron variant remains unclear. We herein evaluated the performance of ICA and CLEIA in saliva from 51 patients with Omicron and 60 PCR negative individuals. The sensitivity and specificity of CLEIA were 98.0% (95%CI: 89.6-100.0%) and 100.0% (95%CI: 94.0-100.0%), respectively, with fine correlation with cycle threshold (Ct) values. The sensitivity and specificity of ICA were 58.8% (95%CI: 44.2-72.4%) and 100.0% (95%CI: 94.0-100.0%), respectively. The sensitivity of ICA was 100.0% (95%CI: 80.5-100.0%) when PCR Ct was less than 25. The Omicron can be efficiently detected in saliva by CLEIA. ICA also detects high viral load Omicron using saliva.

Ciliates promote the transfer of the gene encoding the extended-spectrum ß-lactamase CTX-M-27 between Escherichia coli strains.

OBJECTIVES: The mechanism by which Escherichia coli acquires multidrug resistance genes from other bacteria in the natural environment or livestock is still unclear. The ability of ciliates to promote the transfer of genes encoding extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) between the CTX-M-27 donor and clinically isolated recipient E. coli strains was investigated. METHODS: Equal amounts (∼10(9) cfu) of donor cefotaxime-resistant E. coli and recipient ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli strains were mixed together in the presence or absence of 10(5) ciliates in Page's amoeba saline for 24 h, in the presence or absence of certain drugs (cytochalasin D, cycloheximide and latrunculin B). RESULTS: Gene transfer frequency in the presence of ciliates was estimated at ∼10(-6); in the absence of ciliates it was ∼10(-10). Protein synthesis (cycloheximide) or phagocytosis (cytochalasin D or latrunculin B) inhibitors significantly reduced the frequency of gene transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Ciliates promote the transfer of genes encoding ESBLs between E. coli strains, implying that the presence of ciliates may provide a significant impact on emerging multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Impact of free-living amoebae on presence of Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in the hospital environment and its survival in vitro without requirement for amoebae.

Parachlamydia acanthamoebae is an obligately intracellular bacterium that infects free-living amoebae and is a potential human pathogen in hospital-acquired pneumonia. We examined whether the presence of P. acanthamoebae is related to the presence of Acanthamoeba in an actual hospital environment and assessed the in vitro survival of P. acanthamoebae. Ninety smear samples were collected between November 2007 and March 2008 (trial 1, n = 52) and between October 2008 and February 2009 (trial 2, n = 38) from the floor (dry conditions, n = 56) and sink outlets (moist conditions, n = 34) of a hospital. The prevalences of P. acanthamoebae DNA in the first and second trials were 64.3% and 76%, respectively. The prevalences of Acanthamoeba DNA in the first and second trials were 48% and 63.1%, respectively. A statistical correlation between the prevalence of P. acanthamoebae and that of Acanthamoeba was found (trial 1, P = 0.011; trial 2, P = 0.022), and that correlation increased when samples from just the dry area (floor smear samples, P = 0.002) were analyzed but decreased when samples from a moist area were analyzed (P = 0.273). The in vitro experiment showed that, without Acanthamoeba, P. acanthamoebae could not survive in dry conditions for 3 days at 30 degrees C or 15 days at 15 degrees C. Thus, both organisms were coincidentally found in an actual hospital environment, with the presence of Acanthamoeba having a significant effect on the long-term survival of P. acanthamoebae, suggesting that this potential human pathogen could spread through a hospital environment via Acanthamoeba.

Efficacy of a novel SARS-CoV-2 detection kit without RNA extraction and purification.

Rapid detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is critical for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and preventing the spread of the virus. A novel detection kit - the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Detection Kit (nCoV-DK) - halves the detection time by eliminating the steps of RNA extraction and purification. We evaluated the concordance between the nCoV-DK and direct PCR. The virus was detected in 53/71 specimens (74.6%) by direct PCR and in 55/71 specimens (77.5%) by nCoV-DK; the overall concordance rate was 94.4%: 95.2% for nasopharyngeal swab, 95.5% for saliva, and 85.7% for sputum. The nCoV-DK test effectively detects SARS-CoV-2 in all types of sample including saliva, while reducing the time required for detection, labor, and the risk of human error.

Development of a Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Probe for Detecting IKZF1 Deletion Mutations in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Intragenic deletion of IKZF1 is a recurrent genomic alteration in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The deletions are mediated by illegitimate variable(diversity)joining recombination via cryptic recombination signal sequences (RSSs). We developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probe set that can detect any type of IKZF1 deletion, including the commonly deleted exon 4 to 7 region. The probe set consists of a designed probe for the commonly deleted region (Cy3; red) and a bacterial artificial chromosomes clone probe for detecting the 3' flanking region (Spectrum Green). Intact IKZF1 showed a fusion signal, and the deleted allele showed loss of the red signal (0R1G1F). The FISH probes worked correctly for human leukemic cell lines and clinical samples. One case showed an atypical break-apart signal (1R1G1F). Inverse PCR of the case revealed rearrangement of the excised IKZF1 fragment into a legitimate RSS site at Ig κ on chromosome 2, suggesting a pathogenic role of this recombination-activating gene 1/2-mediated event. In this study, we established FISH probe detecting IKZF1 deletion in a quick, quantitative, and cost-effective manner, and the results provided a novel insight into B-cell receptor editing by rearrangement of a cryptic RSS-mediated genomic fragment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia pathology.

Protozoal ciliate promotes bacterial autoinducer-2 accumulation in mixed culture with Escherichia coli.

We have previously demonstrated conjugation of Escherichia coli into vacuoles of the protozoal ciliate (Tetrahymena thermophila). This indicated a possible role of ciliates in evoking bacterial quorum sensing, directly connecting bacterial survival via accumulation in the ciliate vacuoles. We therefore assessed if ciliates promoted bacterial autoinducer (AI)-2 accumulation with vacuole formation, which controls quorum sensing. E. coli AI-2 accumulation was significantly enhanced in the supernatants of a mixed culture of ciliates and bacteria, likely depending on ciliate density rather than bacterial concentration. As expected, AI-2 production was significantly correlated with vacuole formation. The experiment with E. coli luxS mutants showed that ciliates failed to enhance bacterial AI-2 accumulation, denying a nonspecific phenomenon. Fluorescence microscopy revealed accumulation of fragmented bacteria in ciliate vacuoles, and, more importantly, expulsion of the vacuoles containing disrupted bacteria into the culture supernatant. There was no increase in the expression of luxS (encoding AI-2) or ydgG (a transporter for controlling bacterial export of AI-2). We conclude that ciliates promote bacterial AI-2 accumulation in a mixed culture, via accumulation of disrupted bacteria in ciliate vacuoles followed by expulsion of the vacuoles, independently of luxS or ydgG gene induction. This is believed to be the first demonstration of a relationship between E. coli AI-2 dynamics and ciliates. In the natural environment, ciliate biotopes may provide a survival advantage to bacteria inhabiting such biotopes, via evoking quorum sensing.

Amoebal endosymbiont Parachlamydia acanthamoebae Bn9 can grow in immortal human epithelial HEp-2 cells at low temperature; an in vitro model system to study chlamydial evolution.

Ancient chlamydiae diverged into pathogenic and environmental chlamydiae 0.7-1.4 billion years ago. However, how pathogenic chlamydiae adapted to mammalian cells that provide a stable niche at approximately 37 °C, remains unknown, although environmental chlamydiae have evolved as endosymbionts of lower eukaryotes in harsh niches of relatively low temperatures. Hence, we assessed whether an environmental chlamydia, Parachlamydia Bn9, could grow in human HEp-2 cells at a low culture temperature of 30 °C. The assessment of inclusion formation by quantitative RT-PCR revealed that the numbers of bacterial inclusion bodies and the transcription level of 16SrRNA significantly increased after culture at 30 °C compared to at 37 °C. Confocal microscopy showed that the bacteria were located close to HEp-2 nuclei and were actively replicative. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed replicating bacteria consisting of reticular bodies, but with a few elementary bodies. Cytochalasin D and rifampicin inhibited inclusion formation. Lactacystin slightly inhibited bacterial inclusion formation. KEGG analysis using a draft genome sequence of the bacteria revealed that it possesses metabolic pathways almost identical to those of pathogenic chlamydia. Interestingly, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic chlamydia revealed that the Parachlamydia similarly possess the genes encoding Type III secretion system, but lacking genes encoding inclusion membrane proteins (IncA to G) required for inclusion maturation. Taken together, we conclude that ancient chlamydiae had the potential to grow in human cells, but overcoming the thermal gap was a critical event for chlamydial adaptation to human cells.

Penetration of drug resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from laboratory animals.

A total of 713 strains of fecal Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolated from laboratory animals in the colonies of 4 research laboratories and 4 commercial breeders in Japan in 1994 were examined in regard to resistance to 8 antibacterial agents. The incidence of resistance to sulfadimethoxine (Su), streptomycin (Sm), ampicillin, cephaloridine, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, kanamycin, and gentamicin was 99.9%, 32.5%, 6.7%, 0.7%, 7.0%, 2.6%, 6.6% and 0.7%, respectively. These results indicated that Su and Sm resistance are penetrating into normal E. coli strains isolated from laboratory animals.

Ciliates rapidly enhance the frequency of conjugation between Escherichia coli strains through bacterial accumulation in vesicles.

The mechanism underlying bacterial conjugation through protozoa was investigated. Kanamycin-resistant Escherichia coli SM10λ+ carrying pRT733 with TnphoA was used as donor bacteria and introduced by conjugation into ciprofloxacin-resistant E. coli clinical isolate recipient bacteria. Equal amounts of donor and recipient bacteria were mixed together in the presence or absence of protozoa (ciliates, free-living amoebae, myxamoebae) in Page's amoeba saline for 24 h. Transconjugants were selected with Luria broth agar containing kanamycin and ciprofloxacin. The frequency of conjugation was estimated as the number of transconjugants for each recipient. Conjugation frequency in the presence of ciliates was estimated to be approximately 10⁻6, but in the absence of ciliates, or in the presence of other protozoa, it was approximately 10⁻8. Conjugation also occurred in culture of ciliates at least 2 h after incubation. Successful conjugation was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction. Addition of cycloheximide or latrunculin B resulted in suppression of conjugation. Heat killing the ciliates or bacteria had no effect on conjugation frequency. Co-localization of green fluorescent protein-expressing E. coli and PKH-67-vital-stained E. coli was observed in the same ciliate vesicles, suggesting that both donor and recipient bacteria had accumulated in the same vesicle. In this study, the conjugation frequency of bacteria was found to be significantly higher in vesicles purified from ciliates than those in culture suspension. We conclude that ciliates rapidly enhance the conjugation of E. coli strains through bacterial accumulation in vesicles.