Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health threat and remains a challenge for modern medicine. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 is vital for proper disease and outbreak management. Our review aimed to analyze scientific articles published in the literature addressing the rapid tests available for COVID-19 diagnosis at the first year of the pandemic. METHODS: A systematic review was performed from October 22 to 27, 2020, searching data published in PubMed and Google Scholar databases, using subject headings or keywords related to point of care and rapid test diagnostic for SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. RESULTS: The first survey identified 403 articles, but only 23 met the defined criteria for the systematic analysis. The sensitivity and specificity parameters were assessed in 19 studies, and the data suggested that there was lower sensitivity in the period 1 to 7 days after the emergence of symptoms (∼38%) higher sensitivity at 8 to 14 days (∼90%), and the highest at 15 to 39 days (∼98%). Accuracy was reported in six studies, reporting values above 50%. Only three studies reported a possible cross-reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the rapid tests used in the first year of the pandemic were tested with a small number of samples and not adequately validated. And the studies that described them were conducted with little scientific rigor.

Global expression of noncoding RNome reveals dysregulation of small RNAs in patients with HTLV-1–associated adult T-cell leukemia: a pilot study

Background: Adult T cell lymphoma/leukemia (ATLL) is a peripheral T-cell neoplasm caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1). Small RNAs (sRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), play a pivotal role in the initiation and development of hematological malignancies and may represent potential therapeutic target molecules. However, little is known about how these molecules impact the pathogenesis of ATLL. In this study, we aimed to identify sRNA expression signatures associated with ATLL and to investigate their potential implication in the pathophysiology of the disease. Methods: Small-RNAseq analysis was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from HTLV-1- associated ATLL (n = 10) in comparison to asymptomatic carriers (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 5). Sequencing was carried out using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and the deregulation of selected miRNAs was validated by real-time PCR. Pathway analyses of most deregulated miRNA were performed and their global profiling was combined with transcriptome data in ATLL. Results: The sequencing identified specific sRNAs signatures associated with ATLL patients that target pathways relevant in ATLL, such as the transforming growth factor-(βTGF-β), Wnt, p53, apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades. Network analysis revealed several miRNAs regulating highly connected genes within the ATLL transcriptome. miR-451-3p was the most downregulated miRNA in active patients. Conclusions: Our findings shed light on the expression of specific sRNAs in HTLV-1 associated ATLL, which may represent promising candidates as biomarkers that help monitor the disease activity.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in an asymptomatic population in Sergipe, Brazil

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in an asymptomatic population in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. Methods. This cross-sectional study with stratified sampling (sex and age) included serological immunofluorescent tests for IgM and IgG on samples from 3 046 asymptomatic individuals. Sample collection was performed in wet-markets of the 10 most populous cities of Sergipe, Brazil. Exclusion criteria included symptomatic individuals and health workers. The presence of comorbidities was registered. Results. Of the 3 046 participants, 1 577 (51.8%) were female and 1 469 (48.2%) were male; the mean age was 39.76 (SD 16.83) years old. 2 921 tests were considered valid for IgM and 2 635 for IgG. Of the valid samples, 347 (11.9% [CI 10.7%–13.1%]) tested positive for IgM and 218 (8.3% [CI 7.2%–9.4%]) tested positive for IgG. Women over 40 had the highest prevalence for IgM (group C, p=0.006; group D p=0.04). The capital Aracaju displayed the highest prevalence for both antibodies; 83 (26.3% [CI 21.6%-31.6%]) tested positive for IgM and 35 (14.6% [CI 10.4%-19.7%]) for IgG. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (64/123 individuals) and diabetes (29/123). Conclusions. A high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was found among asymptomatic persons in Sergipe. Women over 40 showed the highest rates. The capital, Aracaju, displayed the highest seroprevalence. Surveys like this one are important to understand how the virus spreads and to help authorities to plan measures to control it. Repeated serologic testing are required to track the progress of the epidemic.

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Estimar la prevalencia de anticuerpos dirigidos contra el SARS-CoV-2 en una población asintomática del estado de Sergipe, Brasil. Métodos. Estudio transversal con muestreo estratificado (por sexo y edad) que incluyó pruebas serológicas de inmunofluorescencia para IgM e IgG en muestras de 3 046 individuos asintomáticos. La recolección de muestras se realizó en los mercados húmedos de las 10 ciudades más pobladas de Sergipe, Brasil. Se excluyó a los individuos sintomáticos y a los trabajadores de la salud. Se registró la presencia de comorbilidades. Resultados. De los 3 046 participantes, 1 577 (51,8%) eran mujeres y 1 469 (48,2%) varones; la edad promedio fue de 39,76 (SD 16,83) años. Se consideraron válidas 2 921 pruebas para la IgM y 2 635 para la IgG. De las muestras válidas, 347 (11,9% [CI 10,7%-13,1%]) resultaron positivas para IgM y 218 (8,3% [CI 7,2%-9,4%]) para IgG. Las mujeres mayores de 40 años tuvieron la mayor prevalencia de IgM (grupo C, p=0,006; grupo D, p=0,04). Aracaju, la capital del estado, mostró la mayor prevalencia para ambos anticuerpos; 83 (26,3% [CI 21,6%-31,6%]) resultaron positivas para IgM y 35 (14,6% [CI 10,4%-19,7%]) para IgG. Las comorbilidades más frecuentes fueron la hipertensión (64/123 individuos) y la diabetes (29/123). Conclusiones. Se encontró una alta prevalencia de anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 en personas asintomáticas en Sergipe. Las mujeres mayores de 40 años mostraron las tasas más altas. La capital, Aracaju, mostró la mayor seroprevalencia. Las encuestas como esta son importantes para comprender cómo se propaga el virus y para ayudar a las autoridades a planificar medidas de control. Se requieren pruebas serológicas repetidas para dar seguimento al progreso de la epidemia.

Small RNA profiles of HTLV-1 asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal and polyclonal rearrangement of the t-cell antigen receptor γ-chain using massively parallel sequencing: a pilot study

In the present pilot study, massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology was used to investigate cellular small RNA (sRNA) levels in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of human T‑lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV‑I) infected asymptomatic carriers with monoclonal (ASM) and polyclonal (ASP) T cell receptor (TCR) γ gene. Blood samples from 15 HTLV‑I asymptomatic carriers (seven ASM and eight ASP) were tested for the clonal TCR‑γ gene and submitted for sRNA library construction together with blood samples of five healthy controls (HCs) using Illumina sequencing platform. The sRNA‑sequencing reads were aligned, annotated and profiled using various bioinformatics tools. Based on these results, possible markers were validated in the study samples by performing reverse transcription‑quantitative (RT‑q)PCR analysis. A total of 76 known sRNAs and 52 putative novel sRNAs were identified. Among them, 44 known and 34 potential novel sRNAs were differentially expressed in the ASM and ASP libraries compared with HCs. In addition, 10 known sRNAs were exclusively dysregulated in the ASM group and one (transfer RNA 65) was significantly upregulated in the ASP group. Homo sapiens (hsa) microRNA (miRNA/mir)‑23a‑3p, ‑28‑5p, hsa‑let‑7e‑5p and hsa‑mir‑28‑3p and ‑361‑5p were the most abundantly upregulated mature miRNAs and hsa‑mir‑363‑3p, ‑532‑5p, ‑106a‑5p, ‑25‑3p and ‑30e‑5p were significantly downregulated miRNAs (P<0.05) with a >2‑fold difference between the ASM and ASP groups compared with HCs. Based on these results, hsa‑mir‑23a‑3p and ‑363‑3p were selected for additional validation. However, the quantification of these two miRNAs using RT‑qPCR did not provide any significant differences. While the present study failed to identify predictive sRNA markers to distinguish between ASM and ASP, the MPS results revealed differential sRNA expression profiles in the PBMCs of HTLV‑1 asymptomatic carriers (ASM and ASP) compared with HCs.