RESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Humanos , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/química , COVID-19/inmunología , COVID-19/virología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Brasil , Epítopos de Linfocito B/inmunología , Epítopos de Linfocito B/química , Epítopos/inmunología , Epítopos/química , Interferón gamma/inmunología , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Clase II/inmunología , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidad Clase II/genéticaRESUMEN
Numerous commercial tests for the serological diagnosis of COVID-19 have been produced in recent years. However, it is important to note that these tests exhibit significant variability in their sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of results. Therefore, the objective of this study was to utilize bioinformatics tools to map SARS-CoV-2 peptides, with the goal of developing a new serological diagnostic test for COVID-19. Two peptides from the S protein and one from the N protein were selected and characterized in silico, chemically synthesized, and used as a serological diagnostic tool to detect IgM, IgG, and IgA anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through the ELISA technique, confirmed as positive and negative samples by RT-qPCR or serology by ELISA. The results showed a sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value and Negative Predictive Value of 100% (p < 00001, 95% CI) for the proposed test. Although preliminary, this study brings proof-of-concept results that are consistent with the high-performance rates of the ELISA test when compared to other well-established methods for diagnosing COVID-19.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales , Prueba Serológica para COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside de Coronavirus , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática , SARS-CoV-2 , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus , Humanos , COVID-19/diagnóstico , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/aislamiento & purificación , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Prueba Serológica para COVID-19/métodos , Ensayo de Inmunoadsorción Enzimática/métodos , Proteínas de la Nucleocápside de Coronavirus/inmunología , Fosfoproteínas/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina M/sangre , Péptidos/inmunología , Péptidos/química , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Biología Computacional/métodosRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Taponamiento Cardíaco/diagnóstico por imagen , Taponamiento Cardíaco/virología , Dengue Grave/complicaciones , Adulto , Ecocardiografía , Femenino , Humanos , Radiografía Torácica , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa InversaRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Femenino , Adulto , Taponamiento Cardíaco/virología , Taponamiento Cardíaco/diagnóstico por imagen , Dengue Grave/complicaciones , Ecocardiografía , Radiografía Torácica , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa InversaRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/virología , Fiebre Chikungunya/diagnóstico , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico , Preescolar , Resultado Fatal , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Índice de Severidad de la EnfermedadRESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Preescolar , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/virología , Fiebre Chikungunya/diagnóstico , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Resultado Fatal , Enfermedades Virales del Sistema Nervioso Central/diagnóstico , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
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.