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We observed an increased frequency of massive perivillous fibrin deposition (MPFD) during the second coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic wave dominated by the Alpha variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). MPFD associated with 100% reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity for SARS-CoV-2 and detection by immunohistochemistry. The Alpha variant was identified in all placentas with MPFD that could be sequenced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants is of public health concern in case of vaccine escape. Described are 3 patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and chronic SARS-CoV-2 infection in whom there is evidence of selection and persistence of novel mutations that are associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Haemodialysis (HD) patients are extremely vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Their immune response after infection is unclear. We have found high seroconversion rates in this population, with 95% developing antibodies. It is unclear if and how long these antibodies persist. Here we investigate this with serial antibody (Ab) testing. Methods We identified HD patients who had confirmedsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 between March and May 2020 and measured monthly antibodies (immunoglobulin G/immunoglobulin M) in those who survived. We used a semiquantitative cut-off index to create a qualitative result and plotted optical density (OD) over time. We used linear regression to examine the slope, as well as noting peak OD and time to peak OD. We correlated these against baseline demographics, markers of illness severity and comorbidities. Results A total of 122 patients were analysed. All remained Ab positive during follow-up for a minimum of 148 days. Seventy-one percent had a positive gradient indicating increasing Ab positivity over time. We found that age (P = 0.01), duration of polymerase chain reaction positivity (P = 0.06) and the presence of symptoms (P = 0.05) were associated with a longer time to peak OD. Immunosuppression did not alter peak OD but did lead to a non-significant increase in time to peak OD, and more patients had a subsequent decrease in Ab levels (P = 0.02). Diabetic patients were more likely to have a positive slope (odds ratio 2.26). Conclusions These results indicate that HD patients have a robust and sustained Ab response after confirmed COVID-19 infection with no suggestion that immunosuppression weakens this response. Although it is unclear what protection these antibodies confer, this is encouraging that HD patients should respond to vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Seasonal influenza is an annual occurrence that leads to large community outbreaks and increased hospitalization. A number of studies have suggested that influenza A (FLUAV) is associated with increased rates of hospitalization and mortality compared with influenza B (FLUBV). This study compared demographic and clinical variables in patients diagnosed with FLUAV or FLUBV during the 2017–2018 UK Influenza season. Methods: Patient demographic and clinical information were obtained by accessing medical records of patients testing FLUAV or FLUBV positive using the Cepheid GXP. We used the χ2 test to compare variables in patients with laboratory‐confirmed FLUAV and FLUBV. Results: One hundred and twenty‐seven adult patients had confirmed Influenza, 71 (55.9%) had FLUAV, and 56 (44.1%) FLUBV. There was no significant difference between severity at presentation, admission to HDU/ITU or median length of stay. The overall mortality was 6 (4.5%) and 9 (7.1%) at 7 and 30 days, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in 7‐day mortality between patients with FLUAV and FLUBV, 1 (1.4%) versus 5 (8.9%), respectively, p =.047) although this became nonsignificant at 30 days. Conclusions: With the exception of mortality, we did not observe significant differences between patients with FLUAV and FLUBV. Seven‐day mortality in patients with FLUBV was significantly higher with FLUAV, although this was was not apparent at 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug resistance mutations emerge in genetic sequences of HIV through drug-selective pressure. Drug resistance can be transmitted. In this review we discuss phylogenetic methods used to study the emergence of drug resistance and the spread of resistant viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study of 78-year-old man with a history of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy on hemodialysis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mixed central and obstructive sleep apnea, ischemic heart disease, is presented. Topics include Genomes were assembled with reference based assembly and a bioinformatics pipeline; and region of the genome and 50% cut-off for defining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).