A5037206592- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Malaria Research and Control
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Tryptophan and brain disorders
- Autophagy in Disease and Therapy
- Infections and bacterial resistance
- Pregnancy and preeclampsia studies
- Hepatitis B Virus Studies
- COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction
University of Ljubljana
2016-2025
Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria
2022
Pomurski muzej Murska Sobota
2022
National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food
2022
Institute of Oncology Ljubljana
2021
Philipps University of Marburg
2020
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
2016
A widespread epidemic of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection was reported in 2015 South and Central America the Caribbean. major concern associated with this is apparent increased incidence microcephaly fetuses born to mothers infected ZIKV. In report, we describe case an expectant mother who had a febrile illness rash at end first trimester pregnancy while she living Brazil. Ultrasonography performed 29 weeks gestation revealed calcifications fetal brain placenta. After requested termination...
Neutralization tests (NT) are the gold standard for detecting and quantifying anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies (NAb), but their complexity restricts them to research settings or reference laboratories. Antibodies against S protein receptor binding domain (RBD) have been shown confer a activity SARS-CoV-2. Assays quantitatively measuring anti-S1-RBD-SARS-CoV-2 could be of great value NAb screening potential donors convalescent-phase plasma therapy, assessing natural vaccine-induced...
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.
Monkeypox virus (MPXV), originally endemic in West Africa (Clade II) and Central I), has recently emerged worldwide reinforced the need for rapid accurate MPXV diagnostics. This review presents critically discusses range of virological methods laboratory diagnosis characterization as well related lessons learned practical experience gained from 2022 Mpox global outbreak. Real-time PCR is currently considered diagnostic gold standard ensures timely confirmation suspected cases based on...
We report a case of natural infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmitted from an owner to pet ferret in the same household Slovenia. The had onset gastroenteritis dehydration. Whole-genome sequencing viruses isolated and revealed 2-nt difference.
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) vaccine breakthrough (VBT) infections are not uncommon in endemic areas. The clinical and immunological outcomes have been poorly investigated. We assessed the magnitude specificity of virus-specific antibody T cell responses after TBE previously vaccinated subjects compared results with those unvaccinated patients study that received vaccination without VBT infection. Symptomatic TBEV infection induced to E protein non-structural 1 (NS1) as well...
Among the various causes of rhomboencephalitis, Listeria monocytogenes infection is most common. However, conventional microbiological methods often yield negative results, making diagnosis challenging and leading to extensive, inconclusive, diagnostics. Advanced molecular techniques like metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) offer a powerful efficient approach pathogen identification. We present case life-threatening rhomboencephalitis in 32-year-old immunocompetent patient where...
Objectives The emergence of mpox outbreaks in non-endemic areas, characterised by human-to-human transmission and unique clinical presentations, poses challenges containment efforts. This study aimed to analyse the 2022 outbreak Slovenia characterise country’s response outbreak. Methods A retrospective, observational analysed all confirmed cases between 1 January 31 December 2023 specific public health measures responses country contain Data were collected from facilities, institutions civil...
Severe coronavirus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, can cause neurological symptoms, but the underlying neurotropic mechanisms are unclear. Experiments with SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.258.17, B.1.1.7, and BA.5.3.2 (termed wild-type, alpha omicron, respectively) revealed that human astrocytes, not neurons, support viral proliferation. During COVID-19 pandemic, new virus exhibited milder disease progression. A retrospective study of patients infected by wild-type or was conducted to test whether...
Abstract Avian-specific toll like receptor 15 (TLR15) is functionally equivalent to a group of TLR2 family proteins that the mammalian innate immune system utilizes recognize broad spectrum microbe-associated molecular patterns, including bacterial lipoproteins. In this study we examined role chicken members in response avian pathogenic bacterium, Mycoplasma synoviae . We found synoviae, and specifically N-terminal diacylated lipopeptide (MDLP) representing amino-terminal portion its mature...
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic (CCHF) are important viral fevers (VHF), especially in the Balkan region. Infections Dobrava or Puumala orthohantavirus orthonairovirus can vary from a mild, nonspecific febrile illness, to severe disease fatal outcome. The pathogenesis of both diseases is poorly understood, but it has been suggested that host’s immune mechanism might influence survival. aim our study characterize cytokine response patients VHF...
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) usually has a biphasic course which begins with unspecific febrile illness, followed by central nervous system involvement. Because TBE is not yet suspected during the initial phase, knowledge of early pathogenesis incomplete. Herein we evaluated laboratory and immune findings in second (meningoencephalitic) phase 88 well-defined adult patients. Comparison nine blood parameters both phases revealed that abnormalities, consisting low leukocyte platelet counts...
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection may cause acute central nervous system inflammation varying in clinical manifestations and severity. A possible correlation of TBEV-specific antibody cell-mediated immune responses, shortly after infection, with manifestations, severity long-term outcome has been poorly investigated. In a cohort thirty early tick-borne (TBE) patients, we assessed the magnitude, specificity functional properties T-cell responses. These responses during disease...
Clinical manifestations of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are thought to result from the host immune responses infection, but knowledge such is incomplete. We performed a detailed clinical evaluation and characterization innate adaptive inflammatory in matched serum cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples 81 adult patients with TBE. Immune were then correlated laboratory findings. The generally site-specific. Cytokines chemokines associated Th1 significantly higher CSF, while mediators Th17 B-cell...
ObjectivesSeroprevalence surveys provide crucial information on cumulative severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure. This Slovenian nationwide population study is the first longitudinal 6-month serosurvey using probability-based samples across all age categories.MethodsEach participant supplied two blood samples: 1316 in April 2020 (first round) and 1211 October/November (second round). The first-round sera were tested Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG (ELISA)...
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic (CCHF) are common representatives of viral fevers still often neglected in some parts the world. Infection Dobrava or Puumala virus (CCHFV) can result a mild, nonspecific febrile illness as severe disease hemorrhaging high fatality rate. An important factor optimizing survival rate patients VHF is instant recognition form for which significant biomarkers need to be elucidated. To determine prognostic value High...
Several professional societies advise against using real-time Reverse-Transcription PCR (rtRT-PCR) cycle threshold (Ct) values to guide clinical decisions. We comparatively assessed the variability of Ct generated by six diagnostic approaches testing serial dilutions well-characterized isolates 10 clinically most relevant SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Eta, Iota, Omicron, A.27, B.1.258.17, and B.1 with D614G mutation. Comparison three fully automated rtRT-PCR...
Background Information on the sequential appearance, duration, and magnitude of clinical laboratory parameters in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is limited. Methods Analysis obtained serially 81 patients HFRS, whom 15 were infected Dobrava virus 66 Puumala virus. Results The initial signs/symptoms, appearing median day 1 illness, fever, headache, myalgia. These present 86%, 65%, 40% had a duration 4, 5.5 days, respectively. signs/symptoms followed by myopia (appearance 5),...
When a new virus emerges and causes significant epidemic, the emergency response relies on diagnostics, surveillance, testing, proposal of treatments if they exist, also in longer term, redirection research efforts toward understanding newly discovered pathogen. To serve these goals, viral biobanks play crucial role. The European Virus Archive (EVA) is network from laboratories worldwide that has combined into common set practices mutually beneficial objectives to give scientists tools need...
Monkeypox virus (MPXV), typically endemic in West and Central Africa, has raised global concern due to the recent outbreak several non-endemic countries with human-to-human transmission. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of MPXV genomes from Slovenia.Two real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for Orthopoxvirus (OPV) genes were used laboratory confirmation mpox. Complete genomic sequences obtained using nanopore long reads Illumina technology. Phylogenetic analyses...
We demonstrate the nonlinear severity of symptoms SARS-CoV-2 infection in mother leading to fetal death after acute placental failure.Careful clinical evaluation, real-time RT-PCR molecular microbiologic testing, isolation a viable virus, and autopsy with histologic results were used investigate possible vertical transmission from fetus.Histologic changes placenta correlate infection. Total nucleic acid isolated vaginal swabs, fresh tissue, deparaffinized tissue showed high viral load...
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is characterized by endothelial dysfunction capillary leakage without obvious cytopathology in the endothelium. The aim of study was to analyze kinetics vascular growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble receptor (sVEGFR-2) HFRS patients infected Dobrava (DOBV) or Puumala virus (PUUV). VEGF sVEGFR-2 levels were measured daily plasma urine samples 73 (58 PUUV, 15 DOBV) evaluated relation clinical laboratory variables. In comparison healthy controls,...
Hantaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Europe and Asia. Interferon (IFN) responses play an important role HFRS pathogenesis early IFN-β response is delayed by pathogenic hantaviruses. The severity of caused Dobrava virus (DOBV) Puumala (PUUV) varies. Our aim was to determine whether differences activation IFN type 1-induced antiviral state influence severity. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors patients were stimulated DOBV or PUUV...
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), caused by Dobrava (DOBV) and Puumala (PUUV) orthohantaviruses, is an endemic disease in Slovenia. DOBV mainly responsible for a more severe disease, whereas PUUV usually causes milder form. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine whether any differences lymphocyte population between these two viruses exist. Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMCs) were isolated or infected patients different subpopulations analyzed flow cytometry....
Background Rodent-borne viruses such as orthohantaviruses and arenaviruses cause considerable disease burden with regional temporal differences in incidence clinical awareness. Therefore, it is important to regularly evaluate laboratory diagnostic capabilities, e.g. by external quality assessments (EQA). Aim We wished the performance capability of European expert laboratories detect lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) human antibody response towards orthohantaviruses. Methods conducted...