A5063020804- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- interferon and immune responses
- Infection Control and Ventilation
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Inflammasome and immune disorders
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
- Advanced Biosensing Techniques and Applications
- Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
University of Helsinki
2012-2025
Finnish Food Authority
2023-2025
Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters
2024
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
2021-2022
Helsinki University Hospital
2021-2022
Finnish Meteorological Institute
2022
Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa
2021
University of Zurich
2021
Folkhälsans Forskningscentrum
2012
Since mid-July 2023, an outbreak caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b genotype BB is ongoing among farmed animals in South and Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. Infections foxes, American minks raccoon dogs have been confirmed on 20 farms. Genetic analysis suggests introductions from wild birds scavenging for food farm areas. Investigations point to direct transmission between animals. While no human infections detected, control measures are being implemented...
Abstract SARS-CoV-2 infection has a risk to develop into life-threatening COVID-19 disease. Whereas age, hypertension, and chronic inflammatory conditions are factors, underlying host factors markers for disease severity, e.g. requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, remain poorly defined. To this end, we longitudinally profiled blood inflammation markers, antibodies, 101 plasma proteins of hospitalized patients who did or not require ICU admission. While essentially all displayed...
The newly identified tick-borne Alongshan virus (ALSV), a segmented Jingmen group flavivirus, was recently associated with human disease in China. We report the detection of ALSV RNA Ixodes ricinus ticks south-eastern Finland. Screening sera from patients suspected for encephalitis tick virus-like and antibodies revealed no cases. presence common European warrants further investigations on its role as pathogen.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has caused widespread mortality in both wild and domestic birds Europe 2020-2023. In July 2023, HPAI A(H5N1) was detected on 27 fur farms Finland. total, infections silver blue foxes, American minks raccoon dogs were confirmed by RT-PCR. The pathological findings the animals include inflammatory lesions lungs, brain liver, indicating efficient systemic dissemination of virus. Phylogenetic analysis Finnish strains from identified three clusters...
Abstract Mitochondria are critical modulators of antiviral tolerance through the release mitochondrial RNA and DNA (mtDNA mtRNA) fragments into cytoplasm after infection, activating virus sensors type-I interferon (IFN-I) response 1–4 . The relevance these mechanisms for diseases remains understudied. Here we investigated recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS), which is caused by a common European founder mutation in polymerase gamma ( POLG1 ) 5 Patients homozygous MIRAS variant p.W748S show...
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has seen an unprecedented increase in the demand for rapid and reliable diagnostic tools, leaving many laboratories scrambling resources. We present a fast simple assay principle antigen detection demonstrate its functionality by detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens nasopharyngeal swabs. method is based on of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (NP) S protein (SP) via time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder observed both in humans and animals. Examples of Canine (CD) include excessive tail chasing (TC), light/shadow flank sucking. We performed questionnaire survey to investigate the characteristics compulsive (TC) its possible associations with environmental correlates personality pet population 368 dogs from four dog breeds. an early onset TC at 3–6 months age large variation frequency all breeds, overrepresentation milder...
Exposure, risks and immunity of healthcare workers (HCWs), a vital resource during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, warrant special attention. HCWs at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, filled in questionnaires provided serum samples for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody screening by Euroimmun IgG assay March–April 2020. Positive/equivocal findings were confirmed Abbott microneutralization tests. Positivity two three assays or RT-PCR indicated Covid-19 case (CoV+). The rate CoV(+) was 3.3% (36/1095)...
Small animal models are of crucial importance for assessing COVID-19 countermeasures. Common laboratory mice would be well-suited this purpose but not susceptible to infection with wild-type SARS-CoV-2. However, the development mouse-adapted virus strains has revealed key mutations in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that increase infectivity, and interestingly, many these also present naturally occurring variants concern. This suggests might have ability infect common mice. Herein we show beta...
Abstract The emergence of increasingly immunoevasive SARS-CoV-2 variants emphasizes the need for prophylactic strategies to complement vaccination in fighting COVID-19 pandemic. Intranasal administration neutralizing antibodies has shown encouraging protective potential but there remains a blocking agents that are less vulnerable mutational viral variation and more economical produce large scale. Here we describe TriSb92, highly manufacturable stable trimeric antibody-mimetic sherpabody...
ABSTRACT In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, quest for coronavirus inhibitors has inspired research on a variety of small proteins beyond conventional antibodies, including robust single-domain antibody fragments, i.e., “nanobodies.” Here, we explore potential nanobody engineering in development antivirals and diagnostic tools. Through fusion domains that target distinct binding sites, engineered multimodular constructs neutralize wild-type SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Delta variants at high...
Previously identified only in Sierra Leone, Guinea, and southeastern Kenya, Bombali virus-infected Mops condylurus bats were recently found »750 km away western Kenya. This finding supports the role of M. as hosts potential for virus circulation across bats' range sub-Saharan Africa.
Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools are needed for management of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Antibody tests enable detection individuals past initial phase infection help examine vaccine responses. The major targets human antibody response in severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein (SP) nucleocapsid protein (NP). We have developed a homogenous approach termed LFRET (protein L-based time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer...
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is controlled but not halted by public health measures and mass vaccination strategies which have exclusively relied on intramuscular vaccines. Intranasal vaccines can prime or recruit to the respiratory epithelium mucosal immune cells capable of preventing infection. Here we report a comprehensive series studies this concept using various mouse models, including HLA class II-humanized transgenic strains. We found that single intranasal (i.n.) dose serotype-5...
<title>Abstract</title> Parapoxviruses (PPV) cause skin and mucous membrane signs to several animal species humans worldwide. Equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) was first detected in a sick horse Finland 2013. It is potentially zoonotic, similar virus has been the USA. In winter 2021–2022, EqPPV caused large-scale pastern dermatitis epidemic racehorses all over Finland. Field reports suggest that epidemics of unverified have also occurred 2015 2019. The aim this study develop serological test...
Number of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) cases has increased and new foci have emerged in Finland during the last decade. We evaluated risk for locally acquired TBE capital region inhabited by 1.2 million people. screened ticks small mammals from probable places virus (TBEV) transmission without reported circulation. The TBEV positive samples were sequenced subjected to phylogenetic analysis. Within study period 2007-2017, there was a clear increase both all Helsinki area. surveillance...
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains a health threat. COVID-19 infections occurring in humans and animals render human-animal interfaces hot spots for spreading the pandemic. Lessons from past point towards antiviral properties of copper formulations; however, data showing "contact-time limit" surface inhibitory efficacy formulations to contain SARS-CoV-2 are limited. Here, we show rapid inhibition after only 1 5 min on two different surfaces containing...
We report an experimental infection of American mink with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and show that remain positive for viral RNA days, experience clinical signs histopathologic changes, transmit the virus to uninfected recipients. Preparedness is crucial avoid spread among spillover human populations.
The severity of COVID-19 is linked to excessive inflammation. Neutrophils represent a critical arm the innate immune response and are major mediators inflammation, but their role in pathophysiology remains poorly understood. We conducted transcriptomic profiling neutrophils obtained from patients with mild severe COVID-19, as well SARS-CoV-2 infected mice, comparison non-infected healthy controls. In addition, we investigated inflammasome formation potential mice upon infection....
<title>Abstract</title> The SARS-CoV-2 BA.1 (Omicron) variant, which emerged in late 2021, is more transmissible than earlier variants but causes milder symptoms humans. Mink farms, where animals are housed close quarters, present a high risk for virus transmission and mutation, necessitating strict control measures due to documented cases of mink-to-human human-to-mink transmission. Hence, we aimed detect viable airborne using BioSampler-air collectors investigate aerosol between groups...
In humans, orthohantaviruses can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or hantavirus pulmonary (HPS). An earlier study reported that acute Andes virus HPS caused a massive and transient elevation in the number of circulating plasmablasts specificity towards both viral host antigens suggestive polyclonal B cell activation. Immunoglobulins (Igs), produced by different populations, comprise heavy light chains; however, certain amount free chains (FLCs) is constantly present serum....
Abstract Small animal models are of crucial importance for assessing COVID-19 countermeasures. Common laboratory mice would be well-suited this purpose but not susceptible to infection with wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Herein we show that the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant attains infectibility BALB/c and causes pulmonary changes consistent COVID-19.
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne pathogen causing febrile illness with arthralgia, conjunctivitis and rash. The complications include Guillain-Barré syndrome, congenital brain other abnormalities miscarriage. serodiagnosis of ZIKV infection hampered by cross-reactivity members the Flavivirus family, notably dengue (DENV). This report describes novel serological platform for diagnosis infection. approach utilizes time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) elicited two...
We found similar mild perivascular inflammation in lungs of Bombali virus-positive and -negative Mops condylurus bats Kenya, indicating the virus is well-tolerated. Our findings indicate M. may be a reservoir host for virus. Increased surveillance these will important to reduce potential spread.
Emerging variants of concern SARS-CoV-2 can significantly reduce the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy vaccines neutralizing antibodies due to mutations in viral genome. Targeting cell host factors required for infection provides a complementary strategy overcome this problem since genome is less susceptible variation during life span infection. The enzymatic activities endosomal PIKfyve phosphoinositide kinase serine protease TMPRSS2 are essential meditate two entry pathways....