Covid's cold cousins.

Four largely ignored coronaviruses circulate in humans without causing great harm and may portend the future for SARS-CoV-2.

The role of lysosomes as intermediates in betacoronavirus PHEV egress from nerve cells.

IMPORTANCE: Betacoronaviruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), exploit the lysosomal exocytosis pathway for egress. However, whether all betacoronaviruses members use the same pathway to exit cells remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) egress occurs by Arl8b-dependent lysosomal exocytosis, a cellular egress mechanism shared by SARS-CoV-2 and MHV. Notably, PHEV acidifies lysosomes and activates lysosomal degradative enzymes, while SARS-CoV-2 and MHV deacidify lysosomes and limit the activation of lysosomal degradative enzymes. In addition, PHEV release depends on V-ATPase-mediated lysosomal pH. Furthermore, this is the first study to evaluate ßCoV using lysosome for spreading through the body, and we have found that lysosome played a critical role in PHEV neural transmission and brain damage caused by virus infection in the central nervous system. Taken together, different betacoronaviruses could disrupt lysosomal function differently to exit cells.

Detection and characterization of novel luchacoviruses, genus Alphacoronavirus, in saliva and feces of meso-carnivores in the northeastern United States.

IMPORTANCE: Several coronaviruses (CoVs) have been detected in domesticated, farmed, and wild meso-carnivores, causing a wide range of diseases and infecting diverse species, highlighting their important but understudied role in the epidemiology of these viruses. Assessing the viral diversity hosted in wildlife species is essential to understand their significance in the cross-species transmission of CoVs. Our focus here was on CoV discovery in meso-carnivores in the Northeast United States as a potential "hotspot" area with high density of humans and urban wildlife. This study identifies novel alphacoronaviruses circulating in multiple free-ranging wild and domestic species in this area and explores their potential epidemiological importance based on regions of the Spike gene, which are relevant for virus-host interactions.

Epidemiología y características de la infección por SARS-COV-2 en el recién nacido y la gestante. Transferencia transplacentaria de inmunoglobulina / Epidemiology and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the newborn and pregnant woman. Transplacemental transfer of immunoglobulins

Introducción La infección por SARS-CoV-2 durante la gestación y su repercusión en el recién nacido eran, en los primeros meses de la pandemia, desconocidas. Recientes estudios han aportado información sobre la afectación clínica en el recién nacido y su evolución. En este trabajo se muestra cómo varía la inmunidad pasiva en el recién nacido con relación al momento de infección SARS-CoV-2 materno. Población y método Estudio observacional, prospectivo y longitudinal en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se recogieron datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de las madres y sus recién nacidos desde mayo del 2020 hasta junio del 2021. Resultados Se ha incluido a un total de 109 madres y 109 neonatos. El 28,4% de las infecciones maternas fueron en el primer trimestre, el 24,8% en el segundo y el 58,8% en el tercero. El 56% de las infecciones maternas fueron sintomáticas, solo una gestante con infección respiratoria grave ingresó en Cuidados Intensivos. La edad gestacional media de los recién nacidos fue de 39 semanas, con un peso medio de 3.232g y un perímetro craneal de 35cm. Ocho recién nacidos hijos de madre con SARS-CoV-2 requirieron ingreso en la UCI neonatal: 2 por ictericia, 2 por distrés respiratorio, uno por prematuridad moderada y 3 por otras causas no relacionadas con infección atribuible a SARS-CoV-2. Los anticuerpos tipo IgG fueron positivas en el 56,9% de los recién nacidos. De las madres infectadas durante el primer trimestre, las IgG fueron positivas en el 32,2% de los recién nacidos, en el segundo trimestre resultaron positivos el 81,5% y en el tercero, el 58,8%. Ningún neonato presentó IgM positivas. Conclusiones La infección por SARS-CoV-2 durante la gestación proporciona anticuerpos IgG a la mitad de los recién nacidos. La presencia de anticuerpos en el recién nacido es más probable cuando la infección se ha producido en el segundo trimestre de gestación (AU)

Introduction SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and its impact on the newborn were, in the first months of the pandemic, unknown. Recent studies have provided information on the clinical involvement in the newborn and its evolution. This work shows how passive immunity varies in the newborn in relation to the moment of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. Population and method Observational, prospective and longitudinal study in a third level hospital. Epidemiological and clinical data from mothers and their newborns were collected from May 2020 to June 2021. Results A total of 109 mothers and 109 neonates have been included. 28.4% of maternal infections were in the first trimester, 24.8% during the second and 58.8% in the third. 56% of maternal infections were symptomatic and only one pregnant woman with severe respiratory infection was admitted to intensive care. The mean gestational age of the newborns was 39 weeks, with a mean weight of 3232g and a head circumference of 35cm. Eight newborns born from mothers with SARS-CoV-2 required admission to the neonatal ICU: 2 due to jaundice, 2 due to respiratory distress, 1 due to moderate prematurity, and 3 due to other causes unrelated to infection attributable to SARS-CoV-2. IgG-type antibodies were positive in 56.9% of newborns. Of the mothers infected during the 1st trimester, IgG were positive in 32.2% of the newborns, in the second trimester 81.5% were positive and in the third 58.8%. No neonate had positive IgM. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy provides IgG antibodies to half of newborns. The presence of antibodies in the newborn is more likely when the infection has occurred in the second trimester of pregnancy (AU)

Infecciones, hospitalizaciones y mortalidad por COVID-19 en Navarra entre febrero de 2020 y septiembre de 2022 / COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and mortality in Navarre (Spain) between February 2020 and September 2022

Fundamento: El SARS-CoV-2 circuló ininterrumpidamente enEspaña durante el período comprendido entre febrero de 2020y septiembre de 2022. Este estudio analiza su repercusión en lasinfecciones, hospitalizaciones y defunciones en Navarra. Métodos: A partir de la vigilancia epidemiológica reforzada yde los resultados de encuestas sero-epidemiológicas, se hananalizado las infecciones, hospitalizaciones y defunciones porCOVID-19 en función de la cobertura vacunal y otras medidaspreventivas aplicadas durante el período del estudio.Resultados: Se confirmaron 295.424 personas con COVID-19(45% de la población navarra), 8.594 requirieron ingreso hospitalario (1,3%), 832 ingresaron en unidades de cuidados intensi-vos (1,3‰) y 1.725 fallecieron (2,6‰). Durante la primera ondapandémica, en pocas semanas se registraron 1.934 hospitalizaciones y 529 defunciones por COVID-19 confirmado; dicha cifrase redujo significativamente tras el confinamiento domiciliario. Hasta octubre de 2021, la circulación del SARS-CoV-2 estuvomodulada por las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas. Laposterior relajación de las mismas dio paso a una amplia circulación de la variante ómicron, triplicando el número de casosregistrados hasta entonces. La alta cobertura vacunal frente ala COVID-19 introdujo cambios decisivos en su epidemiología,reduciendo la proporción de casos que requirieron hospitalización, ingreso en unidades de cuidados intensivos y fallecimientos a menos del 2%, 0,1% y 0,5%, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El confinamiento domiciliario inicial y las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas contuvieron la circulación delSARS-CoV-2 hasta extenderse la vacunación, con la cual se logróuna reducción decisiva en la gravedad y letalidad de la COVID-19.(AU)

Background: Between February 2020 and September 2022,SARS-CoV-2 has circulated uninterruptedly throughout Spain.This study analyses COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, anddeaths in Navarre. Methods: Enhanced epidemiological surveillance and results ofseroepidemiological surveys were used to analyze COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths, based on the vaccinationcoverage and other preventive measures applied from February2020 to September 2022. Results: A total of 295,424 COVID-19 cases were confirmed (45%of the population in Navarre); 8,594 required hospital admission (1.3%), 832 were admitted to intensive care units (1.3‰)and 1,725 died (2.6‰). Over the first wave of the pandemic,there were 1,934 hospitalizations and 529 deaths from confirmed COVID-19 cases over a few weeks; these figures droppedrapidly following lockdown. Until October 2021, SARS-CoV-2circulation was modulated by non-pharmacological preventivemeasures. The subsequent relaxation of these measures led to awide circulation of the omicron variant, increasing the numberof cases by three-fold. The high vaccination coverage againstCOVID-19 introduced decisive changes in the epidemiology ofthe disease, reducing to less than 2%, 0.1%, and 0.5% the casesrequiring hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, or thatdied, respectively. Conclusions: Initial lockdown and non-pharmacological preventive measures helped control SARS-CoV-2 transmission untilvaccination was extended. Vaccination achieved a decisive reduction of the COVID-19 severity and lethality.(AU)

Global patterns of phylogenetic diversity and transmission of bat coronavirus.

Bats are reservoirs for multiple coronaviruses (CoVs). However, the phylogenetic diversity and transmission of global bat-borne CoVs remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a Bayesian phylogeographic analysis based on 3,594 bat CoV RdRp gene sequences to study the phylogenetic diversity and transmission of bat-borne CoVs and the underlying driving factors. We found that host-switching events occurred more frequently for α-CoVs than for ß-CoVs, and the latter was highly constrained by bat phylogeny. Bat species in the families Molossidae, Rhinolophidae, Miniopteridae, and Vespertilionidae had larger contributions to the cross-species transmission of bat CoVs. Regions of eastern and southern Africa, southern South America, Western Europe, and Southeast Asia were more frequently involved in cross-region transmission events of bat CoVs than other regions. Phylogenetic and geographic distances were the most important factors limiting CoV transmission. Bat taxa and global geographic hotspots associated with bat CoV phylogenetic diversity were identified, and bat species richness, mean annual temperature, global agricultural cropland, and human population density were strongly correlated with the phylogenetic diversity of bat CoVs. These findings provide insight into bat CoV evolution and ecological transmission among bat taxa. The identified hotspots of bat CoV evolution and transmission will guide early warnings of bat-borne CoV zoonotic diseases.

Evaluation of five immunoassays and one lateral flow immunochromatography for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detection / Evaluación de cinco inmunoensayos y una inmunocromatografía de flujo lateral para la detección de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2

Introduction: In order to deal with the current pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus several serological immunoassays have been recently developed with the objective of being used as a complementary diagnostic tool and to support the RT-PCR technique currently considered the “gold-standard” method. However, these new assays need to be evaluated and validated. The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of five immunoassays (two ELISA and three CLIA assays) and one rapid immunochromatographic test for the detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Methods: Five semiquantitative immunoassays (MENARINI®, PALEX®, VIRCLIA®, ROCHE® and SIEMENS®) and one lateral flow rapid test (WONDFO®) were performed. A total of 124 samples were studied. Case serum samples (n=78) were obtained from COVID-19 patients confirmed by real-time RT-PCR/epidemiological-clinical-radiological criteria, and control non-SARS-CoV-2 samples (n=46) belonged to healthy healthcare workers involved in a seroprevalence study. Results: Overall, the tests showed sensitivities around 70–90% and specificities greater than 95%, including the immunochromatographic test. In addition, we observed very good agreements among them, being better for the detection of IgG than for IgM antibodies (Cohen's kappa index of 0.95 for VIRCLIA® IgG with ROCHE®), as well as good diagnostic power of the tests as determined by the ROC curves. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the proper performance of the different immunoassays in order to be applied in the clinical practice as support in the diagnostic approach and in the development of vaccines and seroepidemiological studies of COVID-19.(AU)

Introducción: Para hacer frente a la pandemia actual causada por el nuevo coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 se han desarrollado recientemente varios inmunoensayos serológicos con el objetivo de ser utilizados como herramienta diagnóstica complementaria y apoyar la técnica de RT-PCR actualmente considerada como el “estándar de oro”. Sin embargo, estos nuevos ensayos deben evaluarse y validarse. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar cinco inmunoensayos (dos ELISA y tres ensayos CLIA) y una prueba inmunocromatográfica rápida para la detección de anticuerpos anti-SARS-CoV-2. Métodos: Se utilizaron cinco inmunoensayos semicuantitativos (MENARINI®, PALEX®, VIRCLIA®, ROCHE® y SIEMENS®) y un test de inmunocromatografía rápida (WONDFO®). Se estudiaron un total de 124 muestras. Las muestras de suero (n=78) se obtuvieron de pacientes COVID-19 confirmados por RT-PCR en tiempo real/criterios epidemiológicos-clínico-radiológicos. Las muestras control negativas (n=46) pertenecieron a personal sanitario involucrado en un estudio de seroprevalencia. Resultados: En general, las pruebas mostraron sensibilidades en torno al 70-90% y especificidades superiores al 95%, incluso la prueba inmunocromatográfica. Además, observamos muy buenas concordancias entre ellas, presentando mayores sensibilidades para la detección de anticuerpos IgG que para IgM (índice kappa de Cohen de 0,95 para VIRCLIA® IgG con ROCHE®), así como un buen poder diagnóstico de las técnicas determinado por las curvas ROC. Conclusiones: Este estudio demuestra el buen rendimiento de los diferentes inmunoensayos para ser empleados en la práctica clínica como apoyo en el proceso de diagnóstico, en el desarrollo de vacunas y estudios seroepidemiológicos de COVID-19.(AU)

Perfil epidemiológico de óbitos decorrentes da Covid-19 em um município do sudoeste do Paraná / Epidemiological profile of death resulting from Covid-19 in a municipality in southwest of Paraná / Perfil epidemiológico de las muertes por Covid-19 en un municipio del suroeste de Paraná

Introdução: No final do ano de 2019 surgiu na China uma doença infectocontagiosa de característica respiratória e alto grau de disseminação até então desconhecida. No Brasil o primeiro caso de Covid-19 foi confirmado no final de fevereiro de 2020 e a primeira morte em meados de março. Segundo dados da plataforma Coronavírus Brasil, em 17 de março de 2021, houve registro de 11.603.535 casos confirmados e 282.127 óbitos. Objetivo: Descrever o perfil de pessoas que morreram tendo como causa básica do óbito a Covid-19, em um município do Sudoeste do Paraná, entre os anos de 2020 e 2021. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo, documental de caráter quantitativo que foi realizado na prefeitura municipal de Francisco Beltrão. Resultados: Houve prevalência de óbitos em pacientes do sexo masculino, idosos, com presença de alguma comorbidade associada, sendo hipertensão a mais citada (50,8%). Os sintomas mais prevalentes foram tosse (74,4%), dispneia (56,3%) e saturação < 95% (48,3%), necessitando ainda de hospitalização em algum período da doença (94,1%), sendo os leitos de Sistema Único de Saúde os mais procurados (74,4%). Quanto à taxa de ocupação 49,6% dos casos necessitou apenas de leitos de enfermaria e 42% unidades de terapia intensiva. Discussão: Diversas pesquisas apontam que o sexo masculino é o mais acometido por condições graves de saúde, devido à demora na busca de assistência médica. No que se refere à idade, neste estudo, a prevalência de óbitos se deu entre 71 e 75 anos (15,1%) o que justifica que o envelhecimento é um fator de risco elevado para complicações da doença. Durante a análise dos dados, notou- se que grande parte dos pacientes que tiveram como desfecho o óbito, possuíam algum fator associado, dentre os mais citados, verificou-se a Hipertensão Arterial Sistêmica (50,8%) Diabetes Mellitus (24,8%), doenças cardiovasculares (23,9%) e obesidade (14,7%). No que diz respeito à hospitalização, nesse estudo notou-se que 74,4% da amostra foram hospitalizadas em leitos de SUS, 18,5% em hospitais particulares e 7,1% não possuíam essa informação. Conclusão: É possível observar a importância do estudo epidemiológico para identificar o perfil da população em risco, podendo auxiliar no planejamento do atendimento, rastreamento e controle da doença, além de conhecer a evolução da patologia, a fim de buscar ações adequadas para seu enfrentamento.

Introduction: At the end of 2019, a previously unknown infectious disease with respiratory characteristics and a high degree of dissemination emerged in China. In Brazil the first case of Covid-19 was confirmed in late February 2020 and the first death in mid-March. According to data from the Coronavirus Brazil platform, as of March 17, 2021, 11,603,535 confirmed cases and 282,127 deaths were recorded. Objective: To describe the profile of people who died with Covid-19 as the underlying cause of death in a city in southwestern Paraná between the years 2020 and 2021. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, documental, quantitative study carried out at the Francisco Beltrão City Hall. Results: There was a prevalence of deaths in male patients, elderly, with the presence of some associated comorbidity, hypertension being the most cited (50.8%). The most prevalent symptoms were cough (74.4%), dyspnea (56.3%) and saturation < 95% (48.3%), requiring hospitalization in some period of the disease (94.1%), and the Unified Health System beds were the most sought (74.4%). As for the occupancy rate, 49.6% of the cases required only ward beds and 42% intensive care units. Discussion: Several studies show that men are the most affected by serious health conditions, due to the delay in seeking medical assistance. Regarding age, in this study, the prevalence of deaths was between 71 and 75 years (15.1%), which justifies that aging is a high risk factor for disease complications. During data analysis, it was noted that most patients who died had some associated factor, among the most cited were systemic arterial hypertension (50.8%), diabetes mellitus (24.8%), cardiovascular diseases (23.9%) and obesity (14.7%). Regarding hospitalization, in this study it was noted that 74.4% of the sample were hospitalized in SUS beds, 18.5% in private hospitals, and 7.1% did not have this information. Conclusion: It is possible to observe the importance of the epidemiological study to identify the profile of the population at risk, which can help in planning care, tracking and control of the disease, besides knowing the evolution of the pathology in order to seek appropriate actions for its confrontation

Introducción: A finales del año 2019 apareció en China una enfermedad infecto- contagiosa de característica respiratoria y alto grado de diseminación desconocida hasta entonces. En Brasil se confirmó el primer caso de Covid-19 a finales de febrero de 2020 y la primera muerte a mediados de marzo. Según los datos de la plataforma Coronavirus Brasil, hasta el 17 de marzo de 2021, había 11.603.535 casos confirmados y 282.127 muertes. Objetivo: Describir el perfil de las personas fallecidas con Covid-19 como causa subyacente de muerte en una ciudad del sudoeste de Paraná entre los años 2020 y 2021. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio transversal, descriptivo, documental de carácter cuantitativo que se realizó en la prefectura municipal de Francisco Beltrão. Resultados: Hubo una prevalencia de muertes en pacientes masculinos, de edad avanzada, con presencia de alguna comorbilidad asociada, siendo la hipertensión la más citada (50,8%). Los síntomas más prevalentes fueron la tos (74,4%), la disnea (56,3%) y la saturación < 95% (48,3%), requiriendo hospitalización en algún periodo de la enfermedad (94,1%), siendo las camas del Sistema Único de Salud las más solicitadas (74,4%). En cuanto a la tasa de ocupación, el 49,6% de los casos sólo necesitaban camas de sala y el 42% unidades de cuidados intensivos. Discusión: Varias investigaciones señalan que el género masculino es el más afectado por las condiciones de salud graves, debido al retraso en la búsqueda de asistencia médica. En cuanto a la edad, en este estudio, la prevalencia de muertes se produjo entre los 71 y los 75 años (15,1%), lo que justifica que el envejecimiento sea un factor de riesgo elevado para las complicaciones de la enfermedad. Durante el análisis de los datos, se observó que la mayoría de los pacientes que fallecieron tenían algún factor asociado, entre los más citados estaban la Hipertensión Arterial Sistémica (50,8%), la Diabetes Mellitus (24,8%), las enfermedades cardiovasculares (23,9%) y la obesidad (14,7%). En lo que respecta a la hospitalización, en este estudio se observó que el 74,4% de la muestra estaba hospitalizada en camas del SUS, el 18,5% en hospitales privados y el 7,1% no tenía esta información. Conclusión: Es posible observar la importancia del estudio epidemiológico para identificar el perfil de la población en riesgo, pudiendo ayudar en la planificación de la atención, el rastreo y el control de la enfermedad, además de conocer la evolución de la patología, con el fin de buscar las acciones adecuadas para su enfrentamiento.

Wildlife susceptibility to infectious diseases at global scales.

Disease transmission prediction across wildlife is crucial for risk assessment of emerging infectious diseases. Susceptibility of host species to pathogens is influenced by the geographic, environmental, and phylogenetic context of the specific system under study. We used machine learning to analyze how such variables influence pathogen incidence for multihost pathogen assemblages, including one of direct transmission (coronaviruses and bats) and two vector-borne systems (West Nile Virus [WNV] and birds, and malaria and birds). Here we show that this methodology is able to provide reliable global spatial susceptibility predictions for the studied host-pathogen systems, even when using a small amount of incidence information (i.e., [Formula: see text] of information in a database). We found that avian malaria was mostly affected by environmental factors and by an interaction between phylogeny and geography, and WNV susceptibility was mostly influenced by phylogeny and by the interaction between geographic and environmental distances, whereas coronavirus susceptibility was mostly affected by geography. This approach will help to direct surveillance and field efforts providing cost-effective decisions on where to invest limited resources.

A Novel Pathway for Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Transmission from Sows to Neonatal Piglets Mediated by Colostrum.

The mechanisms of colostrum-mediated virus transmission are difficult to elucidate because of the absence of experimental animal models and the difficulties in tissue sample collection from mothers in the peripartum period. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a reemerging enteropathogenic coronavirus that has catastrophic impacts on the global pig industry. PEDV primarily infects neonatal piglets by multiple routes, especially 1- to 2-day-old neonatal piglets. Here, our epidemiological investigation and animal challenge experiments revealed that PEDV could be vertically transmitted from sows to neonatal piglets via colostrum, and CD3+ T cells in the colostrum play an important role in this process. The results showed that PEDV colonizing the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of orally immunized infected sows could be transferred to CD3+ T cells located just beneath the IECs. Next, PEDV-carrying CD3+ T cells, with the expression of integrin α4ß7 and CCR10, migrate from the intestine to the mammary gland through blood circulation. Arriving in the mammary gland, PEDV-carrying CD3+ T cells could be transported across mammary epithelial cells (MECs) into the lumen (colostrum), as illustrated by an autotransfusion assay and an MECs/T coculture system. The PEDV-carrying CD3+ T cells in colostrum could be interspersed between IECs of neonatal piglets, causing intestinal infection via cell-to-cell contact. Our study demonstrates for the first time that colostrum-derived CD3+ T cells comprise a potential route for the vertical transmission of PEDV. IMPORTANCE The colostrum represents an important infection route for many viruses. Here, we demonstrate the vertical transmission of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) from sows to neonatal piglets via colostrum. PEDV colonizing the intestinal epithelial cells could transfer the virus to CD3+ T cells located in the sow intestine. The PEDV-carrying CD3+ T cells in the sow intestine, with the expression of integrin α4ß7 and CCR10, arrive at the mammary gland through blood circulation and are transported across mammary epithelial cells into the lumen, finally leading to intestinal infection via cell-to-cell contact in neonatal piglets. Our study not only demonstrates an alternative route of PEDV infection but also provides an animal model of vertical transmission of human infectious disease.

Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus Infection Disrupts the Nasal Endothelial Barrier To Favor Viral Dissemination.

Crossing the endothelium from the entry site and spreading in the bloodstream are crucial but obscure steps in the pathogenesis of many emerging viruses. Previous studies confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) caused intestinal infection by intranasal inoculation. However, the role of the nasal endothelial barrier in PEDV translocation remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that PEDV infection causes nasal endothelial dysfunction to favor viral dissemination. Intranasal inoculation with PEDV compromised the integrity of endothelial cells (ECs) in nasal microvessels. The matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) released from the PEDV-infected nasal epithelial cells (NECs) contributed to the destruction of endothelial integrity by degrading the tight junctions, rather than direct PEDV infection. Moreover, the proinflammatory cytokines released from PEDV-infected NECs activated ECs to upregulate ICAM-1 expression, which favored peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) migration. PEDV could further exploit migrated cells to favor viral dissemination. Together, our results reveal the mechanism by which PEDV manipulates the endothelial dysfunction to favor viral dissemination and provide novel insights into how coronavirus interacts with the endothelium. IMPORTANCE The endothelial barrier is the last but vital defense against systemic viral transmission. Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) can cause severe atrophic enteritis and acute viremia. However, the mechanisms by which the virus crosses the endothelial barrier and causes viremia are poorly understood. In this study, we revealed the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in PEDV infection. The viral infection activates NECs and causes the upregulation of MMP-7 and proinflammatory cytokines. Using NECs, ECs, and PBMCs as in vitro models, we determined that the released MMP-7 contributed to the destruction of endothelial barrier, and the released proinflammatory cytokines activated ECs to facilitate PBMCs migration. Moreover, the virus further exploited the migrated cells to promote viral dissemination. Thus, our results provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction induced by coronavirus infection.

Riesgo de contagio por COVID-19 en función del tipo de contacto y de la renta familiar / Risk of contagion by COVID-19 depending on the type of contact and family income

Introducción: tras una segunda oleada de la pandemia COVID-19 en Zaragoza, se estudian los contactos estrechos con pacientes con COVID-19, con la finalidad de valorar el riesgo de infección tras exposición en función del paciente índice, adulto o niño, y la renta familiar. Material y métodos: se realiza un estudio descriptivo de todos los pacientes pediátricos que han tenido contacto con pacientes con COVID-19 en el centro de salud de Delicias Sur de Zaragoza entre los meses de julio y agosto de 2020 y se valora la aparición de síntomas, consultas en servicio de urgencias, realización de pruebas complementarias, contacto estrecho con adulto o con niño y la renta familiar. Resultados: un total de 292 pacientes fueron contacto estrecho con pacientes con COVID-19, de los cuales 128 fueron positivos para la PCR de SARS-CoV-2. Al analizar el tipo de contacto, se encontró que un 10,94% había mantenido contacto estrecho con un niño y un 89,06% con un adulto. El riesgo de contagio tras sufrir contacto con un niño positivo fue del 34,15%, mientras que, tras contacto con un adulto positivo, el riesgo fue del 45,78%. Asimismo, el riesgo de contagio entre las rentas inferiores a 18 000 € fue de 47,9 frente al 27,6% de aquellos pacientes con rentas superiores a 18 000 €. Conclusiones: el riesgo de contagio de COVID-19 es mayor cuando el contacto estrecho es con un adulto y cuando el nivel de renta familiar es inferior (AU)

Purpose: during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Zaragoza, we studied the paediatric contacts of COVID-19-positive patients to estimate the risk of infection after exposure to a positive child or adult and the risk of infection based on household income.Methods: we conducted a descriptive study of all paediatric patients that were close contacts of individuals with COVID-19 in the Delicias Sur Primary Care Centre (Zaragoza, Spain) between July and August 2020. We also analysed the most frequent symptoms, visits to the emergency department, diagnostic tests, contact with a child versus an adult with COVID-19 and household income.Results: a total of 292 patients had had close contact with individuals with COVID-19; 218 of them had positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test results. When we analysed the close contacts, we found that 10.94% of patients that tested positive had been in close contact with a child with COVID-19 and 89.06% with an adult with COVID-19. The estimated risk of infection after exposure was 29.8% in the case of close contact with a child with COVID-19 compared to 46.53% when it came to close contact with an adult case. The risk of infection was higher in patients with an annual household income of less than €18000 (47.9%) compared to patients with a higher annual household income (27.6%).Conclusion: the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was higher in patients that had close contact with adult cases and with lower household incomes. (AU)

Two novel human coronavirus OC43 genotypes circulating in hospitalized children with pneumonia in China.

HCoV-OC43 is one of the mildly pathogenic coronaviruses with high infection rates in common population. Here, 43 HCoV-OC43 related cases with pneumonia were reported, corresponding genomes of HCoV-OC43 were obtained. Phylogenetic analyses based on complete genome, orf1ab and spike genes revealed that two novel genotypes of HCoV-OC43 have emerged in China. Obvious recombinant events also can be detected in the analysis of the evolutionary dynamics of novel HCoV-OC43 genotypes. Estimated divergence time analysis indicated that the two novel genotypes had apparently independent evolutionary routes. Efforts should be conducted for further investigation of genomic diversity and evolution analysis of mildly pathogenic coronaviruses.

Feed or feed transport as a potential route for a porcine epidemic diarrhoea outbreak in a 10,000-sow breeding herd in Mexico.

Porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) infects pigs of all ages causing vomiting and diarrhoea. PEDV is transmitted via the oral-faecal route, and a very low dose is enough to infect susceptible pigs, resulting in significant production losses. This short communication aims to describe the introduction of PEDV into a 10,000-sow farrow-to-wean farm located in northwest Mexico. Following the onset of clinical signs, an outbreak investigation was conducted to determine the most probable route of introduction. Based on data collected from interviews, construction of a timeline of events, and the detection of PEDV RNA in feed samples and samples collected from various surfaces of feed transport vehicles, it was concluded that the most probable route for PEDV incursion into this breeding herd was contaminated feed or a contaminated feed transport vehicle. This paper describes how feed or feed transport could serve as potential routes of PEDV infection to a farm and highlights the importance of establishing biosecurity programs to mitigate these risks.