A5080812769- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Tumors and Oncological Cases
- Education and Learning Interventions
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Teratomas and Epidermoid Cysts
- Leprosy Research and Treatment
- Advanced Glycation End Products research
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics
- Vascular Malformations and Hemangiomas
- Connexins and lens biology
New York State Department of Health
2019-2023
Wadsworth Center
2019-2023
Paul Smith's College
2021-2023
University of Pennsylvania
2021-2023
University at Buffalo, State University of New York
2023
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
2023
State University of New York
2021-2022
NYU Langone Health
2022
University at Albany, State University of New York
2019-2022
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2022
The multidrug-resistant yeast pathogen Candida auris continues to cause outbreaks and clusters of clinical cases worldwide. Previously, we developed a real-time PCR assay for the detection C. from surveillance samples (L. Leach, Y. Zhu, S. Chaturvedi, J Clin Microbiol 56:e01223-17, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01223-17 ).
Outbreaks of cyclosporiasis, a food-borne illness caused by the coccidian parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis have increased in USA recent years, with approximately 2300 laboratory-confirmed cases reported 2018. Genotyping tools are needed to inform epidemiological investigations, yet genotyping has proven challenging due its sexual reproductive cycle which produces complex infections characterized high genetic heterogeneity. We used targeted amplicon deep sequencing and recently described...
Anaplasmosis, caused by the tickborne bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is an emerging public health threat in United States. In northeastern States, blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) transmits human pathogenic genetic variant of A. phagocytophilum (Ap-ha) and a nonpathogenic (Ap-V1). New York has recently experienced rapid geographically focused increase cases anaplasmosis. We analyzed phagocytophilum-infected I. scapularis ticks collected across during 2008-2020 to differentiate...
Abstract Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, a tickborne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, was first identified during 1994 and is now an emerging public health threat in United States. New York state (NYS) has experienced recent increase incidence of anaplasmosis. We analyzed human case surveillance tick data collected NYS Department Health for spatiotemporal patterns emergence. describe epidemiology growing anaplasmosis cases reported 2010–2018. Spatial analysis...
SARS-CoV-2 variants shaped the second year of COVID-19 pandemic and discourse around effective control measures. Evaluating threat posed by a new variant is essential for adapting response efforts when community transmission detected. In this study, we compare dynamics two variants, Alpha Iota, integrating genomic surveillance data to estimate reproduction number (R
Recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants have greater potential than earlier to cause vaccine breakthrough infections. During emergence of the Delta and Omicron variants, a matched case-control analysis used viral genomic sequence dataset linked with demographic vaccination information from New York, USA, examine associations between virus lineage patient status, age, type, time since vaccination. Case-patients were persons infected emerging lineage, controls any other lineage. Infections in...
Sera from white-tailed deer (WTD, Odocoileus virginianus) hunter-harvested throughout New York State (NYS), 2007-2015, were tested by plaque reduction neutralization for antibodies against nine mosquito-borne viruses the families Peribunyaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Togaviridae. Overall, 76.1% (373/490) of sampled WTD seropositive at least one virus, 38.8% exposed to multiple viruses. The seropositivity rate in adult (78.0%) was significantly greater (P < 0.0001) than that fawns (47.7%)....
Summary The emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.7, first detected in the United Kingdom, has become a global public health concern because its increased transmissibility. Over 2500 COVID-19 cases associated with this variant have been US since December 2020, but extent establishment is relatively unknown. Using travel, genomic, diagnostic data, we highlight primary ports entry for B.1.1.7 locations possible underreporting cases. Furthermore, found evidence many independent...
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and human babesiosis are tick-borne diseases spread by the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis Say, Acari: Ixodidae) result of infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum Babesia microti, respectively. In New York State (NYS), incidence rates these increased concordantly until around 2013, when HGA began to increase more rapidly than babesiosis, spatial extent diverged. Surveillance data pathogens (2007 2018) reported cases (n = 4,297) 2,986) (2013-2018)...
Trivalent inactivated flu vaccines (TIV) are currently the best means to prevent influenza infections. However, protection provided by TIV is partial (about 50%) and it needed improve efficacy of protection. Since respiratory tract main site replications, a vaccine that triggers mucosal immunity in this region can potentially against disease. Recently, PapMV nanoparticles used as an adjuvant formulation with administered subcutaneous route have shown improving immune response directed...
Of 379 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 samples collected in New York, USA, we detected 86 Omicron variant sequences containing Delta mutation P681R. Probable explanations were co-infection with viruses or contamination/amplification artifact. Repeated library preparation fewer cycles showed the P681R calls artifactual. Unusual mutations should be interpreted caution.
The addition of an adjuvant to a vaccine is promising approach increasing strength and immunogenicity towards antigens. Despite the fact that adjuvants have been used in vaccines for decades, their mechanisms action influence on kinetics immune response are still not very well understood. use papaya mosaic virus (PapMV) nanoparticles-a novel TLR7 agonist-was recently shown improve broaden directed trivalent inactivated flu (TIV) mice ferrets.We investigated capacity PapMV nanoparticles...
Abstract The emergence of novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants in late 2020 and early 2021 raised alarm worldwide because their potential for increased transmissibility immune evasion. Elucidating the evolutionary epidemiologic dynamics among SARS-CoV-2 is essential understanding trajectory disease pandemic. We describe interplay between B.1.1.7 (Alpha) B.1.526 (Iota) New York State, USA, during December 2020–April through phylogeographic analyses,...
Abstract Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have shaped the second year of COVID-19 pandemic and public health discourse around effective control measures. Evaluating threat posed by a new variant is essential for appropriately adapting response efforts when community transmission detected. However, this assessment requires that true comparison can be made between its predecessors because factors other than virus genotype may influence spread transmission. In study, we develop framework integrates...
Abstract The emergence of a highly contagious novel coronavirus in 2019 led to an unprecedented need for large scale diagnostic testing. associated challenges including reagent shortages, cost, deployment delays, and turnaround time have all highlighted the alternative suite low-cost tests. Here, we demonstrate test SARS-CoV-2 RNA that provides direct detection viral eliminates costly enzymes. We employ DNA nanoswitches respond segments by change shape is readable gel electrophoresis. A new...
ABSTRACT The multidrug-resistant yeast pathogen Candida auris continues to cause outbreaks and clusters of clinical cases worldwide. Previously, we developed a real-time PCR assay for the detection C. from surveillance samples (Leach et al. JCM. 2018: 56, e01223-17). played crucial role in ongoing investigations outbreak New York City. To ease implementation other laboratories, an automated sample-to-result using BD MAX™ open system. We optimized sample extraction at three different...
Abstract New York State, in particular the City metropolitan area, was early epicenter of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic United States. Similar to initial dynamics many areas, multiple introductions from various locations appear have contributed swell positive cases. However, representation and analysis samples regions outside greater area were lacking, as genomes earliest cases associated with Westchester County outbreak, which represents first outbreak recorded State. The Wadsworth Center, public...
Abstract The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants in late 2020 and early 2021 raised alarm worldwide prompted reassessment the management, surveillance, projected future COVID-19. Mutations that confer competitive advantages by increasing transmissibility or immune evasion have been associated with localized dominance single variants. Thus, elucidating evolutionary epidemiological dynamics among is essential for understanding trajectory COVID-19 pandemic. Here we show interplay between...
Abstract Background Recently emerged variants of SARS-CoV-2 have shown greater potential to cause vaccine breakthrough infections. Methods A matched cohort analysis used a genomic sequence dataset linked with demographic and vaccination information from New York State (NYS). Two sets conditional logistic regression analyses were performed, one during the emergence Delta another Omicron. For each set, cases defined as individuals emerging lineage, controls infected any other lineage. The...
Abstract Human granulocytic anaplasmosis, a tickborne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, was first identified during 1994 and is now an emerging public health threat in United States. New York state (NYS) has experienced recent increase incidence of anaplasmosis. We analyzed human case surveillance tick data collected NYS Department Health for spatiotemporal patterns emergence. describe epidemiology growing anaplasmosis cases reported 2010–2018. Spatial analysis...