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Summary Objectives To describe the serological profile of first two SARS-CoV-2 confirmed reinfections in the national healthcare worker cohort study SARS-CoV-2 Immunity and Reinfection Evaluation (SIREN) and potentially identify correlates of protection against reinfection. Methods In addition to routine testing within the SIREN study, viral culture, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Total antibody testing (Anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike) were complemented by receptor binding domain indirect ELISA and neutralising antibody assays. Results The first two SARS-CoV-2 confirmed reinfections had mild symptomatic illness episodes from which infectious virus was recovered at the time of reinfection. The recovered viruses and their sequences were closely related to viruses circulating locally during the time of reinfection and serology was consistent with reinfection. Prior to reinfection, both cases had ELISA and immunoblot detectable anti-N antibodies, but lacked live virus neutralising antibody. Within days following reinfection, neutralising antibodies became detectable and anti-N and anti-S binding antibodies were boosted. Conclusions We hypothesise that titres of neutralising antibody can be used as a correlate of protection against reinfection. Further analysis using a case-control design is essential in order to confirm this hypothesis.

The highest viral loads of the newly emerged Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are detectable in the oral cavity, thus, a potential reduction of infectious virus by nasal sprays could lower transmission. Therefore, the inactivation capacity of nine nasal and oral sprays was evaluated according to EN 14476. One nasal spray based on sodium hypochlorite and an oral spray containing essential oils reduced viral titres between 2 to 3 orders of magnitude. Although clinical data is still sparse, nasal and oral sprays display a more convenient application for elderly people or those who are unable to rinse/gargle.

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading causative agent of foodborne outbreaks and is associated with the second most prevalent cause of waterborne infections in the United States. The goal of this research was to investigate the antiviral activity of chitosan microparticles (CM) against HuNoV GII.4 Sydney and its cultivable surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV), in suspensions mimicking fecally-contaminated water. CM was prepared by crosslinking chitosan molecules with sodium sulfate, and then its anti-noroviral activity was assessed using infectivity assay on TuV and RT-qPCR on TuV and HuNoV. A 3% CM suspension in PBS (pH 7.2) showed binding to TuV particles but with a negligible impact on virus infectivity (p>0.05). TuV and HuNoV suspended in fecal suspensions showed a 1.5-log10 reduction in genomic copies per ml following a 10-min contact time (p

Background Vaccines that are shelf stable and easy to administer are crucial to improve vaccine access and reduce severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission around the world. Methods In this study, we demonstrate that an oral, adenovirus-based vaccine candidate protects against SARS-CoV-2 in a Syrian hamster challenge model. Results Hamsters administered 2 doses of VXA-CoV2-1 showed a reduction in weight loss and lung pathology and had completely eliminated infectious virus 5 days postchallenge. Oral immunization induced antispike immunoglobulin G, and neutralizing antibodies were induced upon oral immunization with the sera, demonstrating neutralizing activity. Conclusions Overall, these data demonstrate the ability of oral vaccine candidate VXA-CoV2-1 to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 disease., Vaccinating Syrian hamsters with an oral vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 protects against disease-associated symptoms of weight loss and lung pathology. Spike-specific IgG was detected in the sera and nasal wash postvaccination, and viral loads were decreased upon challenge with SARS-CoV-2.

The use of auto sanitizer in the disinfection of human body and surfaces against dangerous micro-organisms like coronavirus diseases that are infectious is of great importance to schools, family, community, and public health. The outbreak of novel Coronavirus in late 2019, which has crippled the academic, social, and economic activities globally is as a result of unhygienic activities of living creatures like, man, and animals. But a good number of technologies can be developed to tackle the emergence of this novel infectious virus. The challenge of COVID-19 that resulted to ill-health, high death rate, and shutdown of activities was being addressed radically by different medical practitioners, engineers through various practical innovations, methods and mitigation approach - ranging from the use of face shields and respiratory facemasks to practicing of social and physical distancing. This part of preventive measures has led us to developing an Auto Sanitizer that is made of Aluminum Chamber which does not wet the cloth or human body but disinfects it against COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19 infection, which first reported as a cluster of pneumonia from Wuhan, China, in December 2019, has rapidly emerged as a global pandemic. During the early course of the pandemic. The duration of infectious virus replication is an important factor for clinicians. There is a significant correlation between the duration of SARS-CoV-2 virus clearance and the prognosis of COVID-19. Aims and Objective: To study Duration of viral clearance in COVID 19 patients, admitted in an Indian setting. Materials and Methods: The prospective single-center study considered adults patients of both the gender, diagnosed with COVID-19 infection by RT-PCR technique. Necessary demographic and clinical data were collected and selected subjects were followed-up until discharge or death. Based on the number of days required for viral clearance, the subjects were classified as: group 1: = 14 days, group 2: 15-28 days, and group 3:>28 days. Results: The study included 536 patients it was found that mean duration required for viral clearance was around 8.98±3.54. Mean ages noted for group1, 2 and 3(based on viral clearance) were 37.57±13.65 years, 37.12±13.73 years and 49.50±23.56 years respectively. There was a significant difference between mean age of group 1 and 2, as well as group 1 and 3. Moreover, the distribution of patients across different age group was found to be statistically significant (P

Cancer therapy with oncolytic measles virus (MV) requires high titers of pure, infectious virus particles (~108 times more particles per dose than the measles vaccine). A gentle but efficient downs...

In this essay I reflect on the meaning of atmospheres while the human world has been overwhelmed by a respiratory disease. In an auto-ethnographic gesture I reflect different ways of sensing and becoming sensitive to the atmospheric changes in my home during self-isolation. This self-questioning is directly related to the conceptualisation of air in view of its potential risk of carrying infectious virus particles. The air we breathe is currently stylised as a cloud on the micro level of aerosols, which gives reason to think anew about the status of the atmospheric with regard to our being in the world. Through combining philosophical reflection with aesthetic practice, I explore how an attunement towards the ways air flows through our habitats can open a new perspective on processes of subjectivation in a time of ongoing crisis. I argue that becoming sensitive towards air flow not only heightens our sensitivity for the affectivity of atmospheric processes but also for the different registers of our experience able to capture these effects.

Background: This study was an attempt to evaluate the knowledge and awareness among dentists about COVID-19 infection. Methodology: This study was conducted among 580 dental professionals that comprised graduates (BDS), masters (MDS), postgraduates, and PhD fellows. A questionnaire containing information about knowledge, attitude, and awareness about COVID-19 infection was administered and recorded. Results: A total of 493 (85%) respondents replied correct answer that SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19. A total of 464 (80%) respondents replied that SARS-CoV-2 is the highest infectious virus among all. A total of 510 (88%) respondents replied the correct answer that 2–14 days is the incubation period of COVID-19 virus. Only 116 (20%) respondents replied the correct answer that MERS has high mortality. Only 87 (15%) respondents were aware of the appropriate mortality rate of COVID-19 disease. A total of 455 (78.4%) respondents had knowledge of the method of detecting COVID-19 infection (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Knowledge level was good as seen in 81%, fair in 9.5%, and poor in 10.5% of the respondents. Conclusion: The authors found that dental professionals had fair knowledge and awareness regarding COVID-19 infection.

INTRODUCTION: Corona virus disease was first reported in Wuhan city of China in 2019. The disease is caused by a highly infectious virus which can be transmitted from human to human through physical contact, droplets, or touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. AIM: The study aims to get an assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 disease among the dental practitioners in Bhutan.MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online cross- sectional study was conducted among dental practitioners working in different hospitals across the country. All dental professionals who provided their email address were included in the study. Data were collecting using a structured questionnaire shared though email. A total of 157 dental professionals were invited through e-mail to participate in the study. RESULTS: A total of 125 dental professionals participated in the study (response rate 79.6%). Over half of the participants (51.2%) were between the age group 20-30 years. Despite almost everyone (98.4%) knowing the causative agent and management of COVID-19 positive patients, only around a half of the participants (48%) had a good level of knowledge on COVID-19.CONCLUSION: The study found that less than half of the participants have a good level of knowledge on COVID-19 while a majority of them feel that there is discrimination against COVID-19 positive patients and health professionals working for COVID-19 patients. The study highlights the need to conduct sensitization, trainings or CME on COVID-19 periodically to keep all health professionals updated with latest advancements to help maintain safety in clinical practice.

Contaminated surfaces have been discussed as a possible source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Under experimental conditions, SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious on surfaces for several days. However, the frequency of SARS-CoV-2 detection on surfaces in healthcare settings and the public is currently not known. A systematic literature review was performed. On surfaces around COVID-19 cases in healthcare settings (42 studies), the SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection rates mostly were between 0% and 27% (Ct values mostly > 30). Detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 was only successful in one of seven studies in 9.2% of 76 samples. Most of the positive samples were obtained next to a patient with frequent sputum spitting during sampling. Eight studies were found with data from public surfaces and RNA detection rates between 0% and 22.1% (Ct values mostly > 30). Detection of infectious virus was not attempted. Similar results were found in samples from surfaces around confirmed COVID-19 cases in non-healthcare settings (7 studies) and from personal protective equipment (10 studies). Therefore, it seems plausible to assume that inanimate surfaces are not a relevant source for transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In public settings, the associated risks of regular surface disinfection probably outweigh the expectable health benefits.

Introduction . Since the development of inactivated polio vaccines, different stages of the production process have been changed and improved. Current production of inactivated polio vaccines based on both wild and attenuated strains includes several technological stages, one of which is the concentration of the virus-containing liquid, which ensures poliovirus concentration, and purification of the virus-containing liquid from a significant part of the ballast components. Research objective is to compare the characteristics of ultrafiltration membranes and select the membranes that provide optimal value of purification and concentration of poliovirus type 1 (Sabin strain). Materials and methods . Laboratory ultrafiltration systems from two manufacturers with 50, 100, and 300 kDa membranes were used for the concentration. Results were evaluated by the content of total protein, which is the main stress for the subsequent purification stages, the value of infectious virus titer in the concentrate, and the content of D-antigen as the target product. Results and discussion . Obtained results demonstrated that the content of the target product (the highest D-antigen content) and purification from impurity proteins (the total protein content in the concentrate) were most optimal when a membrane with a cut-off of 300 kDa was used for concentration. The study also evaluated the real cut-off components by various membranes to determine the composition of the protein load on the target product. Conclusion . In terms of quality of the resulting target product and the manufacturability of the production process, the use of a 300 kDa membrane is the most appropriate when working out the technology for manufacturing inactivated polio vaccine based on Sabin strains of poliovirus and the Vero line as a producing culture.

The new variant of concern (VOC), B.1.1.7, has a distinct set of mutations in nucleotides encoding the spike (S) protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 previously accumulated mutations at a much slower rate, of 1-2 per month; the sudden appearance of a large cluster of mutations was thought to be unusual. We now suspect that VOC may have arisen from immunosuppressed individuals who shed virus for longer periods. Epidemiological analyses estimate VOC to be more infectious; this is of most concern because these estimates were calculated during periods where many regions of the UK were in high social distancing restrictions. Therefore, the previous 'tiered' system implemented in the UK was ineffective at containing VOC. The most likely reason for this is that previous restrictions, no matter how strict, still allowed for gatherings in certain places. VOC also has implications for the national vaccination programme - a higher proportion of people will need to be vaccinated with a more infectious virus. Prolongation of the second dose of vaccines to increase vaccine uptake has understandably caused concern, but is based on sound immunological principles. There is now an urgent need to monitor the effect of new variants on vaccine efficacy - marking a new chapter in the global fight against COVID-19.

Corona viruses COVID-19 is a novel and highly infectious virus emerged in December 2019, (Wuhan) China and affected a wide range of global population with deaths worldwide till date. Lack of knowledge regarding the clinical management and treatment of infected patient has augmented this epidemic of China to get transformed into a global pandemic. This review outlines briefly about the novel coronavirus, its taxonomic classification, associated symptoms, origin, life cycle and the treatment strategy which includes diagnosis as well as on-going trials related to antiviral drugs and vaccine with its pros and cons to combat SARS-CoV 2 infection. Presently, to deal with the infection therapeutic strategies are only supportive and prevention is the best weapon to abate transmission in the community. Efforts have been made to develop vaccines against human coronavirus (CoV) infections such as MERS and SARS in the past decades. However, to date, no licensed antiviral treatment or vaccine exists for MERS and SARS. Researchers are searching for effective and suitable vaccine candidates and therapeutics for controlling the deadly COVID-19. There are no effective vaccines or specific antiviral drugs for COVID-19. Hence, we have to rely exclusively on enforcing strict preventive and control measures that minimize the risk of possible disease transmission. There is an urgent requirement of vaccine to stop the spreading of SARS-CoV2 infection. Since there is no antiviral drug or vaccine so it is important to enhance the host immune response against the infection. We except our analysis to become a milestone for future studies helping with acting as a credible groundwork for their results.

Measures to control SARS-CoV-2 often include the regular disinfection of public surfaces. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 detection on surfaces in the surrounding of confirmed cases was evaluated in this systematic review. Overall, 26 studies showed 0 and 100% rates of contamination with SARS-CoV-2 RNA on surfaces in the surrounding of patients. Seven studies with at least 100 samples mostly showed detection rates between 1.4 and 19%. Two other studies did not detect infectious SARS-CoV-2 on any surface. Similar results were obtained from surfaces in the surrounding of confirmed SARS- and influenza-patients. A contamination of public surfaces with infectious virus is considerably less likely because there are much less potential viral spreaders around a surface, the contact time between a person and the surface is much shorter, and the asymptomatic carriers typically have no symptoms. In addition, a hand contact with a contaminated surface transfers only a small part of the viral load. A simple cleaning reduces the number of infectious viruses already by 2 logMaßnahmen zur Eingrenzung von SARS-CoV-2 beinhalten häufig die regelmäßige Desinfektion öffentlicher Flächen. In dieser systematischen Übersichtsarbeit wird dargelegt, wie häufig sich SARS-CoV-2 im Umfeld bestätigter Fälle auf Flächen nachweisen lässt. In 26 Studien zeigt sich, dass die RNA von SARS-CoV-2 zu 0 bis 100% auf Flächen im Patientenumfeld gefunden werden kann. Die 7 Studien mit mindestens 100 Proben zeigen mehrheitlich Nachweisraten zwischen 1,4 und 19%. Aus 2 weiteren Studien geht hervor, dass der Nachweis von infektiösem SARS-CoV-2 bislang von keiner Fläche gelungen ist. Vergleichbare Erkenntnisse finden sich für Flächen im Umfeld bestätigter SARS- bzw. Influenzapatienten. Eine Kontamination öffentlicher Flächen mit infektiösem SARS-CoV-2 ist durch die wenigen Virenausscheider im öffentlichen Raum, die meist kurze Kontaktzeit dieser Personen zur Fläche und die fehlende Symptomatik asymptomatischer Fälle noch weitaus unwahrscheinlicher. Außerdem wird durch das Berühren von Flächen nur ein Teil der Viruslast auf die Hände übertragen. Ein reinigendes Wischverfahren kann die Zahl infektiöser Viren bereits um ca. 2 log

Background Baloxavir marboxil has demonstrated safety and efficacy in treating adult and adolescent outpatients with acute influenza (CAPSTONE-1 trial). Here, we report a subgroup analysis of outcomes in adolescents from the trial. Methods CAPSTONE-1 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Eligible adolescent outpatients (aged 12-17 years of age) were randomized in a ratio of 2:1 to a single dose of baloxavir 40/80 mg if less than/greater than or equal to 80 kg or placebo. The main outcomes were the time to alleviation of symptoms (TTAS), duration of infectious virus detection, and incidence of adverse events (AEs). Results Among 117 adolescent patients, 90 (77%) comprised the intent-to-treat infected population (63 baloxavir and 27 placebo; 88.9% A(H3N2)). The median TTAS was 38.6 hours shorter (95% confidence interval: −2.6, 68.4) in the baloxavir group compared with placebo (median TTAS, 54.1 hours vs 92.7 hours, P = .0055). The median time to sustained cessation of infectious virus detection was 72.0 hours for baloxavir compared with 120.0 hours for placebo recipients (P < .0001). Treatment-emergent PA/I38X-substituted viruses were detected in 5 of the 51 (9.8%) baloxavir recipients. In the safety population (76 baloxavir and 41 placebo), AEs were less common in baloxavir than placebo recipients (17.1% vs 34.1%; P = .0421). In the baloxavir group, no AEs except for diarrhea were reported in 2 or more patients. Conclusions Baloxavir demonstrated clinical and virologic efficacy in the otherwise healthy adolescents with acute influenza compared with placebo. There were no safety concerns identified. These results were similar to the adult population in CAPSTONE-1 and support baloxavir as a treatment option in adolescents., Single-dose baloxavir marboxil was clinically and virologically effective in otherwise healthy adolescent influenza patients (12-17 years) in CAPSTONE-1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. This analysis supports the use of baloxavir marboxil in an adolescent population with uncomplicated influenza.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Evaluating the single-, dual-, triple-target detection kits based on RT-qPCR. • The number of targets in a detection kit is not a key factor affecting sensitivity. • The amount of sample loading may influence the performance of a detection kit. • Providing a guide when developing a nucleic acid detection kit for SARS-CoV-2. • Digital PCR can be used to review clinically suspected samples., Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) has played a vital role in the diagnosis of COVID-19, but the rates of false negatives is not ideal in dealing with this highly infectious virus. It is thus necessary to systematically evaluate the clinical performance of the single-, dual-, triple-target detection kits to guide the clinical diagnosis of this disease. Methods A series of reference materials calibrated by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and 57 clinical samples were used to evaluate the clinical performance of six single-, dual-, triple-target SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid detection kits based on RT-qPCR. Results The dual-target kits, kit B and kit C had the highest and the lowest detection sensitivity, which was 125 copies/mL and 4000 copies/mL, respectively. Among the 57 clinical samples from patients with COVID-19, 47 were tested positive by the kit B, while 35, 29, 28, 30, and 29 were found positive by the kits A, C, D, E, and F, respectively. The number of targets in a detection kit is not a key factor affecting sensitivity, while the amount of sample loading may influence the performance of a detection kit. Conclusions This study provides a guide when choosing or developing a nucleic acid detection kit for the diagnosis of COVID-19. Also, the absolute-quantification feature and high-sensitivity performance of ddPCR, suggesting that it can be used to review clinically suspected samples.

Highlights • 15 studies were included - 13 SARS-CoV-2 culture and 2 contact tracing studies. • Mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients highly unlikely to be infectious after day 10. • Immunocompromised and severe-to-critical patients may be infectious for >10 days. • This evidence may be used to inform duration of isolation guidance., Objectives To summarise the evidence on the duration of infectiousness of individuals in whom SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid is detected. Methods A rapid review was undertaken in PubMed, Europe PubMed Central and EMBASE from 1 January 2020 to 26 August 2020. Results We identified 15 relevant studies, including 13 virus culture and 2 contact tracing studies. For 5 virus culture studies, the last day on which SARS-CoV-2 was isolated occurred within 10 days of symptom onset. For another 5 studies, SARS-CoV-2 was isolated beyond day 10 for approximately 3% of included patients. The remaining 3 virus culture studies included patients with severe or critical disease; SARS-CoV-2 was isolated up to day 32 in one study. Two studies identified immunocompromised patients from whom SARS-CoV-2 was isolated for up to 20 days. Both contact tracing studies, when close contacts were first exposed greater than 5 days after symptom onset in the index case, found no evidence of laboratory-confirmed onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate illness are highly unlikely to be infectious beyond 10 days of symptoms. However, evidence from a limited number of studies indicates that patients with severe-to-critical illness or who are immunocompromised, may shed infectious virus for longer.

Purpose of the review The aim of this article is to summarize recent data on rubella virus (RuV) vaccine in chronic inflammation focusing on granulomas in individuals with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs). Recent findings The live attenuated RuV vaccine has been recently associated with cutaneous and visceral granulomas in children with various PIDs. RuV vaccine strain can persist for decades subclinically in currently unknown body site(s) before emerging in granulomas. Histologically, RuV is predominately localized in M2 macrophages in the granuloma centers. Multiple mutations accumulate during persistence resulting in emergence of immunodeficiency-related vaccine-derived rubella viruses (iVDRVs) with altered immunological, replication, and persistence properties. Viral RNA was detected in granuloma biopsies and nasopharyngeal secretions and infectious virus were isolated from the granuloma lesions. The risk of iVDRV transmissibility to contacts needs to be evaluated. Several broad-spectrum antiviral drugs have been tested recently but did not provide significant clinical improvement. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only reliable option for curing chronic RuV-associated granulomas in PIDs. Summary Persistence of vaccine-derived RuVs appears to be a crucial factor in a significant proportion of granulomatous disease in PIDs. RuV testing of granulomas in PID individuals might help with case management.

The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic has created an unprecedented healthcare, social, and economic disaster. Wearing of masks and social distancing can significantly decrease transmission and spread, however, due to circumstances such as medical or dental intervention and personal choice these practices have not been universally adopted. Additional strategies are required to lessen transmission. Nasal rinses and mouthwashes, which directly impact the major sites of reception and transmission of human coronaviruses (HCoV), may provide an additional level of protection against the virus. Common over-the-counter nasal rinses and mouthwashes/gargles were tested for their ability to inactivate high concentrations of HCoV using contact times of 30 s, 1 min, and 2 min. Reductions in titers were measured by using the tissue culture infectious dose 50 (TCID50 ) assay. A 1% baby shampoo nasal rinse solution inactivated HCoV greater than 99.9% with a 2-min contact time. Several over-the-counter mouthwash/gargle products including Listerine and Listerine-like products were highly effective at inactivating infectious virus with greater than 99.9% even with a 30-s contact time. In the current manuscript we have demonstrated that several commonly available healthcare products have significant virucidal properties with respect to HCoV.

Background The rate at which COVID-19 has spread throughout the globe has been alarming. While the role of fomite transmission is not yet fully understood, precise data on the environmental stability of SARS-CoV-2 is required to determine the risks of fomite transmission from contaminated surfaces. Methods This study measured the survival rates of infectious SARS-CoV-2, suspended in a standard ASTM E2197 matrix, on several common surface types. All experiments were carried out in the dark, to negate any effects of UV light. Inoculated surfaces were incubated at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C and sampled at various time points. Results Survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 were determined at different temperatures and D-values, Z-values and half-life were calculated. We obtained half lives of between 1.7 and 2.7 days at 20 °C, reducing to a few hours when temperature was elevated to 40 °C. With initial viral loads broadly equivalent to the highest titres excreted by infectious patients, viable virus was isolated for up to 28 days at 20 °C from common surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and both paper and polymer banknotes. Conversely, infectious virus survived less than 24 h at 40 °C on some surfaces. Conclusion These findings demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious for significantly longer time periods than generally considered possible. These results could be used to inform improved risk mitigation procedures to prevent the fomite spread of COVID-19.