A5018097878- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
- Travel-related health issues
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- COVID-19 diagnosis using AI
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Image Processing Techniques and Applications
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Cell Image Analysis Techniques
University of Cambridge
2016-2025
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
2018-2025
Bridge University
2023
Imperial College London
2022
Quadram Institute
2022
National Health Service
2020-2022
University of Sheffield
2021
King's College London
2016-2021
Addenbrooke's Hospital
2014-2021
UK Research and Innovation
2021
Global dispersal and increasing frequency of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein variant D614G are suggestive a selective advantage but may also be due to random founder effect. We investigate hypothesis for positive selection in United Kingdom using more than 25,000 whole genome sequences. Despite availability large dataset, well represented by both 614 variants, not all approaches showed conclusive signal selection. Population genetic analysis indicates that 614G increases relative 614D manner...
Vaccines based on the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 are a cornerstone public health response to COVID-19. The emergence hypermutated, increasingly transmissible variants concern (VOCs) threaten this strategy. Omicron (B.1.1.529), fifth VOC be described, harbours multiple amino acid mutations in spike, half which lie within receptor-binding domain. Here we demonstrate substantial evasion neutralization by BA.1 and BA.2 vitro using sera from individuals vaccinated with ChAdOx1, BNT162b2...
Significant differences exist in the availability of healthcare worker (HCW) SARS-CoV-2 testing between countries, and existing programmes focus on screening symptomatic rather than asymptomatic staff. Over a 3 week period (April 2020), 1032 HCWs were screened for large UK teaching hospital. Symptomatic staff household contacts additionally tested. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect viral RNA from throat+nose self-swab. 3% group tested positive SARS-CoV-2. 17/30 (57%) truly...
The SARS-CoV-2 delta (B.1.617.2) variant was first detected in England March, 2021. It has since rapidly become the predominant lineage, owing to high transmissibility. is suspected that associated with more severe disease than previously dominant alpha (B.1.1.7) variant. We aimed characterise severity of compared by determining relative risk hospital attendance outcomes.
The burden and influence of health-care associated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections is unknown. We aimed to examine the use rapid SARS-CoV-2 sequencing combined with detailed epidemiological analysis investigate inform infection control measures.
Nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is a key concern, and evaluating the effect testing infection prevention control strategies essential for guiding policy in this area. Using within-hospital SEIR transition model typical English hospital, we estimate that between 9 March 2020 17 July approximately 20% infections inpatients, 73% healthcare workers (HCWs) were due to nosocomial transmission. Model results suggest placing suspected COVID-19 patients single rooms or bays has potential reduce...
<h2>Summary</h2><h3>Background</h3> Preliminary evidence has highlighted a possible association between severe COVID-19 and persistent cognitive deficits. Further research is required to confirm this association, determine whether deficits relate clinical features from the acute phase or mental health status at point of assessment, quantify rate recovery. <h3>Methods</h3> 46 individuals who received critical care for Addenbrooke's hospital 10th March 2020 31st July (16 mechanically...
Type VII protein secretion (T7SS) is a specialised system for excreting extracellular proteins across bacterial cell membranes and has been associated with virulence in Staphylococcus aureus. The genetic diversity of the ess locus, which encodes T7SS, functions encoded within it are poorly understood. We used whole genome sequence data from 153 isolates representative species to investigate variability T7SS S. loci were found comprise four distinct modules based on gene content relative...
The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) is being utilised internationally for mass vaccination. Evidence of single-dose protection against symptomatic disease has encouraged some countries to opt delayed booster doses BNT162b2, but the effect this strategy on rates asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown. We previously demonstrated frequent pauci- and amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) during UK’s first wave pandemic, using a comprehensive PCR-based HCW screening...
Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission in higher education settings is important to limit spread between students, and into at-risk populations. In this study, we sequenced 482 isolates from the University of Cambridge 5 October 6 December 2020. We perform a detailed phylogenetic comparison with 972 surrounding community, complemented epidemiological contact tracing data, determine dynamics. observe limited viral introductions university; majority student cases were linked single genetic...
Abstract Background Estimates of travel-related illness have focused predominantly on populations from highly developed countries visiting low- or middle-income countries, yet travel to and within high-income is very frequent. Despite being a top international tourist destination, few sources describe the spectrum infectious diseases acquired among travellers USA. Methods We performed descriptive analysis summarizing demographic characteristics, clinical diagnoses non-US-resident seen during...
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) may be emerging among international travellers and migrants. Limited data exist on mucocutaneous (MCL) in travellers. We describe the epidemiology of travel-associated CL MCL immigrants over a 20-year period through descriptive analysis GeoSentinel data.Demographic travel-related returned diagnosed with or at Surveillance Network site between 1 September 1997 31 August 2017 were analysed.A total 955 migrants travel-acquired (n = 916) during study period, whom 10%...
There is an urgent need for rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing in hospitals to limit nosocomial spread. We report evaluation of point care (POC) nucleic acid amplification (NAAT) 149 participants with parallel combined nasal and throat swabbing POC versus standard lab RT-PCR testing. Median time result 2.6 (IQR 2.3–4.8) 26.4 h 21.4–31.4, p < 0.001), 32 (21.5%) positive 117 (78.5%) negative. Cohen's κ correlation between tests 0.96 (95% CI 0.91–1.00). When comparing nearly 1,000 pre-...
Previously, we showed that 3% (31/1032)of asymptomatic healthcare workers (HCWs) from a large teaching hospital in Cambridge, UK, tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 April 2020. About 15% (26/169) HCWs with symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also (Rivett et al., 2020). Here, show the proportion both and symptomatic testing rapidly declined to near-zero between 25th 24th May 2020, corresponding decline patient admissions COVID-19 during ongoing UK 'lockdown'. These data demonstrate...
SARS-CoV-2 is notable both for its rapid spread, and the heterogeneity of patterns transmission, with multiple published incidences superspreading behaviour. Here, we applied a novel network reconstruction algorithm to infer viral transmission occurring between patients health care workers (HCWs) in largest clusters COVID-19 infection identified during first wave epidemic at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK. Based upon dates individuals reporting symptoms, recorded...
Abstract Background Analysis of a large cohort business travelers will help clinicians focus on frequent and serious illnesses. We aimed to describe travel-related health problems in travelers. Methods GeoSentinel Surveillance Network consists 64 travel tropical medicine clinics 29 countries; descriptive analysis was performed ill travelers, defined as persons traveling for work, evaluated after international 1 January 1997 through 31 December 2014. Results Among 12 203 seen 1997–2014 (14...
Limited data exist on infectious diseases imported to various locations in Europe, particularly after travel within the continent.To investigate travel-related disease relevant Europe that is potentially preventable through pre-travel intervention, we analyzed EuroTravNet database of 5,965 ill travelers reported by 16 centers "Western" 2011.There were 54 cases vaccine-preventable disease, mostly hepatitis A (n = 16), typhoid fever 11), and measles 8); 6 (including 3 cases) associated with...
VRE bacteraemia has a high mortality and continues to defy control. Antibiotic risk factors for have not been adequately defined. We aimed determine the focusing on duration of antibiotic exposure. A retrospective matched nested case-control study was conducted amongst hospitalized patients at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) from 1 January 2006 31 December 2012. Cases who developed first episode were 1:1 controls by length stay, year, specialty ward type....
High-content imaging (HCI) is a microscopy technique that permits the screening of multiple cells simultaneously in high resolution to detect subtle morphological and phenotypic variation. The power this methodology it can generate large data sets comprised parameters taken from individual subjected range different conditions.
Abstract Identifying linked cases of infection is a critical component the public health response to viral infectious diseases. In clinical context, there need make rapid assessments whether have arrived independently onto ward, or are potentially via direct transmission. Viral genome sequence data great value in making these assessments, but often not only form available. Here, we describe A2B-COVID, method for identification COVID-19 designed settings. Our combines knowledge about...
COVID-19 poses a major challenge to care homes, as SARS-CoV-2 is readily transmitted and causes disproportionately severe disease in older people. Here, 1167 residents from 337 homes were identified dataset of 6600 cases the East England. Older age being home resident associated with increased mortality. genomes available for 700 292 homes. By integrating genomic temporal data, 409 viral clusters within identified, indicating two different patterns – outbreaks among independent introductions...
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) affect the most vulnerable people in society and are increasingly difficult to treat face of mounting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Routine surveillance represents an effective way understanding circulation burden bacterial transmission hospital settings. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing (WGS) retrospectively analyse carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria from a single UK over 6 years (n=165). We found that vast majority isolates were...
Nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infections are a key determinant of patient health in healthcare facilities, leading to longer stays and increased mortality. In addition the direct effects on infected patients, burden imposed by nosocomial impacts both staff other patients increasing load system. The appropriate infection control response may differ depending whether was acquired hospital community. For example, outbreaks require ward closures reduce risk onward transmission, whilst this...