Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater as an earlier predictor of COVID-19 epidemic peaks in Venezuela.

Wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance has proven to be a useful and cost-effective tool for detecting COVID-19 outbreaks. Here, our objective was to evaluate its potential as an early warning system in Venezuela by detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater and its correlation with reported cases of COVID-19. Viral RNA was concentrated from wastewater collected at various sites in Caracas (northern Venezuela), from September 2021 to July 2023, using the polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation method.

Sputnik V-Induced Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 Variants during the Dissemination of the Gamma Variant in Venezuela.

The COVID-19 pandemic was characterized by the emergence and succession of SARS-CoV-2 variants able to evade the antibody response induced by natural infection and vaccination. To evaluate the IgG reactivity and neutralizing capacity of the serum of individuals vaccinated with Sputnik V (105 volunteers vaccinated) against different viral variants. IgG reactivity to the Spike protein (S) was evaluated by ELISA.

Humoral Immunity across the SARS-CoV-2 Spike after Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) Vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have contributed to attenuating the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic by promoting the development of effective immune responses, thus reducing the spread and severity of the pandemic. A clinical trial with the Sputnik-V vaccine was conducted in Venezuela from December 2020 to July 2021. The aim of this study was to explore the antibody reactivity of vaccinated individuals towards different regions of the spike protein (S).

Updates on Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Infection 2.0.

Hepatitis B is a "silent epidemic" that is fifty to a hundred (50-100) times more infectious than HIV and is a potentially life-threatening liver infection [...

Neutralization of Different Variants of SARS-CoV-2 by a F(ab')2 Preparation from Sera of Horses Immunized with the Viral Receptor Binding Domain.

The Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, is the functional region of the viral Spike protein (S), which is involved in cell attachment to target cells. The virus has accumulated progressively mutations in its genome, particularly in the RBD region, many of them associated with immune evasion of the host neutralizing antibodies. Some of the viral lineages derived from this evolution have been classified as Variant of Interest (VOI) or Concern (VOC).

The Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes E to J: The Overlooked Genotypes.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes E to J are understudied genotypes. Genotype E is found almost exclusively in West Africa. Genotypes F and H are found in America and are rare in other parts of the world.

Dissemination of the Omicron Variant and Its Sub-Lineages among Residents and Travelers in Its First Year of Emergence in Venezuela.

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC), Omicron, has been characterized by an explosive number of cases in almost every part of the world. The dissemination of different sub-lineages and recombinant genomes also led to several posterior waves in many countries. The circulation of this VOC and its major sub-lineages (BA.

First Case of Monkeypox in Venezuela: Partial Complete Genome Sequence Allowed Its Grouping into the West African Clade II.

The ongoing epidemic of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection has already reached more than 50,000 persons worldwide until the end of August 2022. We report the first case detected in Venezuela. The patient reported traveling from Spain and contact with friends tested positive for MPXV after his return.

Changes in clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during two years of the pandemic: experience in a venezuelan hospital.

Objectives.: To determine changes in the clinical characteristics and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in a private hospital in Caracas during two years of the pandemic.

Materials And Methods.

Description of a One-Year Succession of Variants of Interest and Concern of SARS-CoV-2 in Venezuela.

Some of the lineages of SARS-CoV-2, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, exhibit higher transmissibility or partial resistance to antibody-mediated neutralization and were designated by WHO as Variants of Interests (VOIs) or Concern (VOCs). The aim of this study was to monitor the dissemination of VOIs and VOCs in Venezuela from March 2021 to February 2022. A 614 nt genomic fragment was sequenced for the detection of some relevant mutations of these variants.

Detection of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in international travelers returning to Venezuela.

Background: By the end of 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern (VOC) Delta was predominant in most of the world. At the end of November, the Omicron variant was first detected in South Africa. This variant was immediately classified as VOC, due to the explosive increase of cases in South Africa, and the great number of mutations exhibited by this new lineage.

Special Issue: "Updates on HBV Infection".

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a global public health issue: a number of barriers still hamper the control of the HBV epidemic and in finding a cure for HBV [...

SARS- CoV-2 infection and oxidative stress in early-onset preeclampsia.

SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) also in pregnant women. Infection in pregnancy leads to maternal and placental functional alterations. Pregnant women with vascular defects such as preeclampsia show high susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection by undefined mechanisms.

World Society for Virology first international conference: Tackling global virus epidemics.

This communication summarizes the presentations given at the 1st international conference of the World Society for Virology (WSV) held virtually during 16-18 June 2021, under the theme of tackling global viral epidemics. The purpose of this biennial meeting is to foster international collaborations and address important viral epidemics in different hosts. The first day included two sessions exclusively on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.

Introduction and rapid dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 Gamma Variant of Concern in Venezuela.

In less than two years since SARS-CoV-2 emerged, the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19, has accumulated a great number of mutations. Many of these mutations are located in the Spike protein and some of them confer to the virus higher transmissibility or partial resistance to antibody mediated neutralization. Viral variants with such confirmed abilities are designated by WHO as Variants of Concern (VOCs).

Immunoinformatics and Pepscan strategies on the path of a peptide-based serological diagnosis of COVID19.

Several diagnostic tools have been developed for clinical and epidemiological assays. RT-PCR and antigen detection tests are more useful for diagnosis of acute disease, while antibody tests allow the estimation of exposure in the population. Currently, there is an urgent need for the development of diagnostic tests for COVID-19 that can be used for large-scale epidemiological sampling.

Mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein modulate the virus affinity to the human ACE2 receptor, an analysis.

The increasing number of SARS-CoV-2 variants associated with highly transmissible phenotypes is a health-public concern in the current pandemic scenario. Herein, we developed a comprehensive analysis of the changes occurring upon mutations in the viral spike. We focused on mutants located in the receptor-binding domain of the viral spike protein and analyzed whether these mutants modulate the interaction with the human host receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2).

Hepatitis B Virus Genotype Study in West Africa Reveals an Expanding Clade of Subgenotype A4.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) classification comprises up to 10 genotypes with specific geographical distribution worldwide, further subdivided into 40 subgenotypes, which have different impacts on liver disease outcome. Though extensively studied, the classification of subgenotype A sequences remains ambiguous. This study aimed to characterize HBV isolates from West African patients and propose a more advanced classification of subgenotype A.

SARS-CoV-2 genetic diversity in Venezuela: Predominance of D614G variants and analysis of one outbreak.

SARS-CoV-2 is the new coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 disease. The first two cases of COVID-19 were detected in Venezuela on March 13, 2020. The aim of this study was the genetic characterization of Venezuelan SARS-CoV-2 isolates.

Understanding Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Replication to Design Efficient Drug Combination Therapies.

Background: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its disease CO-VID-19 has strongly encouraged the search for antiviral compounds. Most of the evaluated drugs against SARS-CoV-2 derive from drug repurposing of Food and Drug Administration-approved molecules. These drugs have as target three major processes: (1) early stages of virus-cell interaction, (2) viral proteases, and (3) the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase.