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Microorganisms
Special Issues
Diagnosis of Viral Infections
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Diagnosis of Viral Infections

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Virology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 January 2023) | Viewed by 12561

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Giorgia Caruana

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
Interests: diagnostic stewardship; diagnostic virology; rapid susceptibility testing; blood stream infections; antimicrobial resistance
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The recent viral pandemic has highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the laboratory diagnostics of viral infections, as well as the challenges in clinical diagnosis and management. The debates on the choices of diagnostic tests have become increasingly heated, and never before has the interaction between diagnostics, clinic, and epidemiology become so close and important. Given that cellular stress can occur during viral infections and considering the important role of the immune system on the body response to viral infections, inflammation and immune markers are also of great interest in current research in the field.

This Special Issue aims to collect the latest research regarding clinical and laboratory insights in the diagnosis of viral infections. We welcome original research articles as well as review articles. Small reviews, including communications and opinions regarding future perspectives on laboratory diagnosis (e.g., metagenomics, artificial intelligence, machine learning), are also welcome.

Dr. Giorgia Caruana
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • viral infection
  • diagnostic stewardship
  • diagnostic virology
  • antigen tests
  • PCR
  • metagenomics
  • serology
  • inflammation markers
  • immunological markers

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 4272 KiB  
Article
Molecular Typing of Mastadenoviruses in Simultaneously Collected Nasopharyngeal Swabs and Stool Samples from Children Hospitalized for Acute Bronchiolitis, Acute Gastroenteritis, and Febrile Seizures
by Urška Glinšek Biškup, Andrej Steyer, Lara Lusa, Franc Strle, Marko Pokorn, Tatjana Mrvič, Štefan Grosek, Miroslav Petrovec and Monika Jevšnik Virant
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030780 - 17 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1420
Abstract
This study determines and compares the frequency of human mastadenovirus (HAdV) presence in children with acute bronchiolitis (AB), acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and febrile seizures (FS), ascertains types of HAdVs associated with each individual syndrome and contrasts the findings with a control group of [...] Read more.
This study determines and compares the frequency of human mastadenovirus (HAdV) presence in children with acute bronchiolitis (AB), acute gastroenteritis (AGE), and febrile seizures (FS), ascertains types of HAdVs associated with each individual syndrome and contrasts the findings with a control group of children. The presence of HAdVs was ascertained in simultaneously collected nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and stool samples amplifying the hexon gene by RT-PCR; these were sequenced to determine the types of HAdVs. HAdVs were grouped into eight different genotypes. Of these, three (F40, F41, and A31) were found solely in stool samples, whereas the others (B3, C1, C2, C5, and C6) were found in both stool samples and NP swabs. The most common genotypes in NP swabs were C2 (found in children with AGE and FS) and C1 (only in children with FS), whereas in stool samples genotypes F41 (in children with AGE) and C2 (in children with AGE and FS) prevailed, and C2 was simultaneously present in both samples. HAdVs were more often detected in stool samples than in NP swabs in patients (with the highest estimated viral load in stool samples in children with AB and AGE) and healthy controls and were more common in NP swabs in children with AGE than in children with AB. In most patients, the characterized genotypes in NP swabs and stool samples were in concordance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis of Viral Infections)
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15 pages, 3010 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Human Papillomavirus 16 from Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo)—Implications for Pathogenicity and Vaccine Effectiveness
by Paula Iglesias, Celine Tendobi, Silvia Carlos, Maria D. Lozano, David Barquín, Luis Chiva and Gabriel Reina
Microorganisms 2022, 10(12), 2492; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122492 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2325
Abstract
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is the main etiological agent of cervical cancer worldwide. Mutations within the virus genome may lead to an increased risk of cancer development and decreased vaccine response, but there is a lack of information about strains circulating in [...] Read more.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 is the main etiological agent of cervical cancer worldwide. Mutations within the virus genome may lead to an increased risk of cancer development and decreased vaccine response, but there is a lack of information about strains circulating in Sub-Saharan Africa. Endocervical cytology samples were collected from 480 women attending a voluntary cervical cancer screening program at Monkole Hospital and four outpatient centers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The prevalence of HPV infection was 18.8% and the most prevalent high-risk types were HPV16 (12.2%) followed by HPV52 (8.8%) and HPV33/HPV35 (7.8% each). HPV16 strains were characterized: 57.1% were classified as C lineage; two samples (28.6%) as A1 and one sample belonged to B1 lineage. HPV33, HPV35, HPV16, and HPV58 were the most frequent types associated with low-grade intraepithelial lesion while high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were predominantly associated with HPV16. Several L1 mutations (T266A, S282P, T353P, and N181T) were common in Kinshasa, and their potential effect on vaccine-induced neutralization, especially the presence of S282P, should be further investigated. Long control region (LCR) variability was high with frequent mutations like G7193T, G7521A, and G145T that could promote malignancy of these HPV16 strains. This study provides a helpful basis for understanding HPV16 variants circulating in Kinshasa and the potential association between mutations of LCR region and malignancy and of L1 and vaccine activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis of Viral Infections)
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13 pages, 1670 KiB  
Article
Cathepsin B and Plasma Kallikrein Are Reliable Biomarkers to Discriminate Clinically Significant Hepatic Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis-C Infection
by Alexia de Cassia Oliveira Zanelatto, Gilmar de Souza Lacerda, Camila de Melo Accardo, Natalia Fonseca do Rosário, Andréa Alice da Silva, Guacyara Motta, Ivarne Luis dos Santos Tersariol and Analucia Rampazzo Xavier
Microorganisms 2022, 10(9), 1769; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10091769 - 1 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1819
Abstract
We aimed to determine the biomarker performance of the proteolytic enzymes cathepsin B (Cat B) and plasma kallikrein (PKa) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β to detect hepatic fibrosis (HF) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We studied 53 CHC patients and 71 healthy [...] Read more.
We aimed to determine the biomarker performance of the proteolytic enzymes cathepsin B (Cat B) and plasma kallikrein (PKa) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β to detect hepatic fibrosis (HF) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. We studied 53 CHC patients and 71 healthy controls (HCs). Hepatic-disease stage was determined by liver biopsies, aminotransferase:platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis (FIB)4. Hepatic inflammation and HF in CHC patients were stratified using the METAVIR scoring system. Cat-B and PKa activities were monitored fluorometrically. Serum levels of TGF-β (total and its active form) were determined using ELISA-like fluorometric methods. Increased serum levels of Cat B and PKa were found (p < 0.0001) in CHC patients with clinically significant HF and hepatic inflammation compared with HCs. Levels of total TGF-β (p < 0.0001) and active TGF-β (p < 0.001) were increased in CHC patients compared with HCs. Cat-B levels correlated strongly with PKa levels (r = 0.903, p < 0.0001) in CHC patients but did not correlate in HCs. Levels of Cat B, PKa and active TGF-β increased with the METAVIR stage of HF. Based on analyses of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Cat B and PKa showed high diagnostic accuracy (area under ROC = 0.99 ± 0.02 and 0.991 ± 0.007, respectively) for distinguishing HF in CHC patients from HCs. Taken together, Cat B and PKa could be used as circulating biomarkers to detect HF in HCV-infected patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis of Viral Infections)
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13 pages, 4570 KiB  
Article
Usage of FTA® Classic Cards for Safe Storage, Shipment, and Detection of Arboviruses
by Janina Krambrich, Emelie Bringeland, Jenny C. Hesson, Tove Hoffman, Åke Lundkvist, Johanna F. Lindahl and Jiaxin Ling
Microorganisms 2022, 10(7), 1445; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071445 - 18 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3256
Abstract
Infections caused by arthropod-borne RNA viruses are overrepresented among emerging infectious diseases. Effective methods for collecting, storing, and transporting clinical or biological specimens are needed worldwide for disease surveillance. However, many tropical regions where these diseases are endemic lack analytical facilities and possibility [...] Read more.
Infections caused by arthropod-borne RNA viruses are overrepresented among emerging infectious diseases. Effective methods for collecting, storing, and transporting clinical or biological specimens are needed worldwide for disease surveillance. However, many tropical regions where these diseases are endemic lack analytical facilities and possibility of continuous cold chains, which presents challenges from both a biosafety and material preservation perspective. Whatman® FTA® Classic Cards may serve as an effective and safe option for transporting hazardous samples at room temperature, particularly for RNA viruses classified as biosafety level (BSL) 2 and 3 pathogens, from sampling sites to laboratories. In this study, we investigated the biosafety and perseverance of representative alpha- and flaviviruses stored on FTA® cards. To evaluate the virus inactivation capacity of FTA® cards, we used Sindbis virus (SINV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). We inoculated susceptible cells with dilution series of eluates from viral samples stored on the FTA® cards and observed for cytopathic effect to evaluate the ability of the cards to inactivate viruses. All tested viruses were inactivated after storage on FTA® cards. In addition, we quantified viral RNA of JEV, SINV, and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) stored on FTA® cards at 4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C for 30 days using two reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR assays. Viral RNA of SINV stored on FTA® cards was not reduced at either 4 °C or 25 °C over a 30-day period, but degraded rapidly at 37 °C. For JEV and TBEV, degradation was observed at all temperatures, with the most rapid degradation occurring at 37 °C. Therefore, the use of FTA® cards provides a safe and effective workflow for the collection, storage, and analysis of BSL 2- and 3-virus RNA samples, but there is a risk of false negative results if the cards are stored at higher temperatures for long periods of time. Conscious usage of the cards can be useful in disease surveillance and research, especially in tropical areas where transportation and cold chains are problematic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis of Viral Infections)
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15 pages, 2876 KiB  
Article
Easy Express Extraction (TripleE)—A Universal, Electricity-Free Nucleic Acid Extraction System for the Lab and the Pen
by Christian Korthase, Ahmed Elnagar, Martin Beer and Bernd Hoffmann
Microorganisms 2022, 10(5), 1074; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10051074 - 23 May 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2861
Abstract
The complexity of the current nucleic acid isolation methods limits their use outside of the modern laboratory environment. Here, we describe a fast and affordable method (easy express extraction, called TripleE) as a centrifugation-free and electricity-free nucleic acid isolation method. The [...] Read more.
The complexity of the current nucleic acid isolation methods limits their use outside of the modern laboratory environment. Here, we describe a fast and affordable method (easy express extraction, called TripleE) as a centrifugation-free and electricity-free nucleic acid isolation method. The procedure is based on the well-established magnetic-bead extraction technology using an in-house self-made magnetic 8-channel and a rod cover. With this extraction system, nucleic acids can be isolated with two simple and universal protocols. One method was designed for the extraction of the nucleic acid in resource-limited “easy labs”, and the other method can be used for RNA/DNA extraction in the field for so-called molecular “pen-side tests”. In both scenarios, users can extract up to 8 samples in 6 to 10 min, without the need for any electricity, centrifuges or robotic systems. In order to evaluate and compare both methods, clinical samples from various viruses (African swine fever virus; lumpy skin disease virus; peste des petits ruminants virus; bluetongue virus), matrices and animals were tested and compared with standard magnetic-bead nucleic acid extraction technology based on the KingFisher platform. Hence, validation data were generated by evaluating two DNA viruses as well as one single-stranded and one double-stranded RNA virus. The results showed that the fast, easy, portable and electricity-free extraction protocols allowed rapid and reliable nucleic acid extraction for a variety of viruses and most likely also for other pathogens, without a substantial loss of sensitivity compared to standard procedures. The speed and simplicity of the methods make them ideally suited for molecular applications, both within and outside the laboratory, including limited-resource settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis of Viral Infections)
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