A5022511811- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Respiratory viral infections research
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Blood groups and transfusion
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Glycosylation and Glycoproteins Research
- Immunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders
- Immunotherapy and Immune Responses
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Microbial infections and disease research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
Statens Serum Institut
2019-2025
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
2014-2019
National Health Laboratory Service
2015
University of the Witwatersrand
2013-2014
University of Pretoria
2009-2011
Abstract Due to urgency and demand, numerous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoassays are rapidly being developed placed on the market with limited validation clinical samples. Thorough of serological tests required facilitate their use in accurate diagnosis SARS-CoV-2 infection, confirmation molecular results, contact tracing, epidemiological studies. This study evaluated sensitivity specificity nine commercially available tests. These included three...
Pneumonia is the leading cause of childhood death in sub-Saharan Africa. Comparative estimates contribution causative pathogens to burden disease are essential for targeted vaccine development.To determine viral etiology severe pneumonia among infants and children at a rural Kenyan hospital using comprehensive sensitive molecular diagnostic techniques.Prospective observational case-control study during 2007 district hospital. Participants were aged 1 day 12 years, residing systematically...
1 Abstract The Omicron variant of concern (VOC) is a rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2 that likely to overtake the previously dominant Delta VOC in many countries by end 2021. We estimated transmission dynamics following spread within Danish households during December used data from registers estimate household secondary attack rate (SAR). Among 11,937 (2,225 with VOC), we identified 6,397 infections 1-7 day follow-up period. SAR was 31% and 21% VOC, respectively. found an increased for...
In June-November 2020, SARS-CoV-2-infected mink were detected in 290 of 1,147 Danish farms. North Denmark Region, 30% (324/1,092) people found connected to farms tested SARS-CoV-2-PCR-positive and approximately 27% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25-30) SARS-CoV-2-strains from humans the community mink-associated. Measures proved insufficient mitigate spread. On 4 November, government ordered culling all mink. Farmed constitute a potential virus reservoir challenging pandemic control.
Abstract In late 2021, the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant overtook previously dominant Delta variant, but extent to which this transition was driven by immune evasion or a change in inherent transmissibility is currently unclear. We estimate transmission within Danish households during December 2021. Among 26,675 (8,568 with VOC), we identified 14,140 secondary infections 1–7-day follow-up period. The attack rate 29% and 21% infected Delta, respectively. For Omicron, odds of infection were 1.10...
Following emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron in November 2021, dominant BA.1 sub-lineage was replaced by BA.2 Denmark. We analysed first 2,623 cases from 29 2021 to 2 January 2022. No epidemiological or clinical differences were found between individuals infected with versus BA.2. Phylogenetic analyses showed a geographic east-to-west transmission Capital Region clusters expanding after Christmas holidays. Mutational analysis shows distinct and
We describe 10 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant BA.2.86 detected in Denmark, including molecular characteristics and results from wastewater surveillance that indicate the is circulating country at a low level. This new with many spike gene mutations was classified as under monitoring by World Health Organization on 17 August 2023. Further global COVID-19, other SARS-CoV-2 variants highly warranted.
SARS-CoV-2 has a broad mammalian species tropism infecting humans, cats, dogs, and farmed mink. Since the start of 2019 pandemic, several reverse zoonotic outbreaks have occurred in mink, one which reinfected humans caused cluster infections Denmark. Here we investigate molecular basis mink ferret adaptation demonstrate spike mutations Y453F, F486L, N501T all specifically adapt to use mustelid ACE2. Furthermore, risk assess these conclude mink-adapted viruses are unlikely pose an increased...
the observed decrease in population neutralizing antibody titers corresponds to vaccine efficacy against polymerase chain reaction-confirmed Omicron infection Denmark and symptomatic United Kingdom. 3,4Taken together, vaccine-induced protective responses following a second third dose of BNT162b2 are transient additional booster doses may be necessary, particularly older people; however, conserved T-cell immunity nonneutralizing antibodies still provide protection hospitalization death.
Since the emergence of first omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant at end 2021, several sub-variants have evolved and become predominant in human population, showing enhanced transmissibility ability to (partly) escape adaptive immune response. The XBB (e.g., EG.5.1) globally dominant. Besides sub-variants, a phylogenetically distinct variant, i.e., BA.2.86, is also circulating; it carries mutations spike protein as compared its parental BA.2 variant. Here, we explored infectivity BA.2.86 EG.5.1...
In addition to humans, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can transmit animals that include hamsters, cats, dogs, mink, ferrets, tigers, lions, cynomolgus macaques, rhesus and treeshrew. Among these, mink are particularly susceptible. Indeed, 10 countries in Europe North America reported SARS-CoV-2 infection among on fur farms. Denmark, spread rapidly farms spilled-over back into acquiring mutations/deletions with unknown consequences for virulence antigenicity....
Abstract Background Our aim was to characterize the clinical presentation and outcome in adults with tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) determine incidence test activity of TBE Denmark. Methods A nationwide prospective cohort study all hospitalized at departments infectious diseases Denmark from 2015 2023. An age- sex-matched herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) patients included compare outcome. Results Fifty-two were included. Median age 50 years, 32/52 (62%) men, 1/52 (2%) fully vaccinated...
The contribution of viruses to lower respiratory tract disease in sub-Saharan Africa where human immunodeficiency virus may exacerbate infections is not well defined. No data exist on some these for Southern Africa. Comprehensive molecular screening define the role as single and co-infections a population with high HIV-AIDS burden. To address this, children less than 5 years age from 3 public sector hospitals, Pretoria South were screened 14 viruses, by PCR over 2 years. Healthy control same...
We compared the performance of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody testing between 12 European laboratories involved in convalescent plasma trials. Raw titres differed almost 100-fold differences when blind-testing 15 samples. Calibration relation to reference reagent and standard curve obtained by a dilution series reduced inter-laboratory variability ca 10-fold. The harmonisation quantification is vital step towards determining protective therapeutic levels antibodies.
Mink, on a farm with about 15,000 animals, became infected SARS-CoV-2. Over 75% of tested animals were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in throat swabs and 100% seropositive. The virus responsible had deletion nucleotides encoding residues H69 V70 within the spike protein gene as well A22920T mutation, resulting Y453F substitution this protein, seen previously mink. mink recovered after free-testing 300 (a level giving 93% confidence detecting 1% prevalence), remained During further follow-up...
Virus neutralization assays provide a means to quantitate functional antibody responses that block virus infection. These are instrumental in defining vaccine and therapeutic potency, immune evasion by viral variants, post-infection immunity. Here we describe the development, optimization evaluation of live microneutralization assay specific for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this assay, SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates pre-incubated with serial diluted added...
New generation plasmid DNA vaccines may be a safe, fast and simple emergency vaccine platform for preparedness against emerging viral pathogens. Applying optimization strategies, we tested the pre-clinical immunogenicity protective effect of candidate specific severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The induced spike-specific binding IgG neutralizing antibodies in mice, rabbits, rhesus macaques together with robust Th1 dominant cellular responses small animals....
Multiple mutations in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) increase transmission, disease severity, and immune evasion facilitate zoonotic or anthropozoonotic infections. Four such mutations, ΔH69/V70, L452R, E484K, N501Y, occurred the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein combinations that allow simultaneous detection VOCs. Here, we present two flexible reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) platforms for small- large-scale screening...
Given the importance of neutralising antibodies in protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection, it is critical to assess neutralisation persistence long-term following recovery. This study investigated titres up 6 months post-symptom onset individuals with mild COVID-19.Plasma convalescent COVID-19 were determined at baseline and using a cell culture infectious assay. Total spike-specific IgG IgA binding was measured lectin capture ELISA compared between timepoints correlated titres.All 48 found...
Several factors may account for the recent increased spread of SARS-CoV-2 Delta sub-lineage AY.4.2 in United Kingdom, Romania, Poland, and Denmark. We evaluated sensitivity to neutralisation by sera from 30 Comirnaty (BNT162b2 mRNA) vaccine recipients Denmark November 2021. was comparable other circulating lineages or sub-lineages. Conversely, less prevalent B.1.617.2 with E484K showed a significant more than 4-fold reduction that warrants surveillance strains acquired mutation.
Abstract Multiple mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) may increase, transmission, disease severity, immune evasion and facilitate zoonotic or anthoprozoonotic infections. Four such mutations, ΔH69/V70, L452R, E484K N501Y, occur the spike glycoprotein combinations that allow detection most important VOCs. Here we present two flexible RT-qPCR platforms for small-and large-scale screening to detect these schemes adapting future mutations. The platform, was validated by pair-wise...