The Lambda Variant in Argentina: Analyzing the Evolution and Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage C.37.

The second wave of COVID-19 occurred in South America in early 2021 and was mainly driven by Gamma and Lambda variants. In this study, we aimed to describe the emergence and local genomic diversity of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda variant in Argentina, from its initial entry into the country until its detection ceased. Molecular surveillance was conducted on 9356 samples from Argentina between October 2020 and April 2022, and sequencing, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses were performed.

Omicron Waves in Argentina: Dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages BA.1, BA.2 and the Emerging BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5.

The COVID-19 pandemic has lately been driven by Omicron. This work aimed to study the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages during the third and fourth waves of COVID-19 in Argentina. Molecular surveillance was performed on 3431 samples from Argentina, between EW44/2021 and EW31/2022.

Assessing the hidden diversity underlying consensus sequences of SARS-CoV-2 using VICOS, a novel bioinformatic pipeline for identification of mixed viral populations.

Introduction: Coinfection with two SARS-CoV-2 viruses is still a very understudied phenomenon. Although next generation sequencing methods are very sensitive to detect heterogeneous viral populations in a sample, there is no standardized method for their characterization, so their clinical and epidemiological importance is unknown.

Material And Methods: We developed VICOS (Viral COinfection Surveillance), a new bioinformatic algorithm for variant calling, filtering and statistical analysis to identify samples suspected of being mixed SARS-CoV-2 populations from a large dataset in the framework of a community genomic surveillance.

Analysis of COL7A1 pathogenic variants in a large cohort of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa patients from Argentina reveals a new genotype-phenotype correlation.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a clinically heterogeneous heritable skin disorder, characterized by blistering of the skin and mucous membranes following minor trauma. Dominant (DDEB) and recessive (RDEB) forms are caused by pathogenic variants in COL7A1 gene. Argentina's population has a heterogeneous genetic background, and little is known about the molecular basis of DEB in our country or in native South American populations.

Cost-Effective Method to Perform SARS-CoV-2 Variant Surveillance: Detection of Alpha, Gamma, Lambda, Delta, Epsilon, and Zeta in Argentina.

SARS-CoV-2 variants with concerning characteristics have emerged since the end of 2020. Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants was performed on a total of 4,851 samples from the capital city and 10 provinces of Argentina, during 51 epidemiological weeks (EWs) that covered the end of the first wave and the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country (EW 44/2020 to EW 41/2021). The surveillance strategy was mainly based on Sanger sequencing of a Spike coding region that allows the identification of signature mutations associated with variants.

First detection and molecular analysis of SARS-CoV-2 from a naturally infected cat from Argentina.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has rapidly spread worldwide. Studies of transmission of the virus carried out in animals have suggested that certain animals may be susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2. The aim of the present study was to investigate the infection of SARS-CoV-2 in pets (18 cats and 20 dogs) from owners previously confirmed as COVID-19-positive.

Ichthyosis follicularis, atrichia and photophobia (IFAP) and hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia: Two syndromes that share a common clinical spectrum.

Ichthyosis follicularis, atrichia and photophobia syndrome (IFAP) is an X-linked inherited disease caused by pathogenic variants in the gene encoding the membrane-bound transcription factor peptidase, site 2 (MBTPS2). Clinical presentation includes ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia, photophobia and developmental delay. Hereditary mucoepithelial dysplasia (HMD) is a dominantly inherited disease characterized by keratitis, non-scarring alopecia, skin lesions including follicular keratosis, perineal erythema, and mucosal involvement.

Circulation of human coronaviruses OC43 and 229E in Córdoba, Argentina.

This is the first study of respiratory infections in Córdoba, Argentina, caused by endemic human coronavirus (HCoV)-OC43 and HCOV-229E, which circulated during 2011-2012 at a 3% rate, either as single or multiple infections. They were detected mainly in children, but HCoV-229E was also found in adults. HCoV-229E was detected in five out of 631 samples (0.

[Atypical hand-foot-mouth disease virus genotyping in a pediatric hospital in Buenos Aires city, Argentina].

Typical hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is an exanthematous viral disease with a classic symptomatology of fever, papulovesicular rash on the hands and feet with or without herpangina. It is usually caused by enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus A16, members of the genus Enterovirus. Recently, worldwide outbreaks of HFMD with atypical manifestations caused by Coxsackievirus A6 have been described.

A novel pathogenic FERMT1 variant in four families with Kindler syndrome in Argentina.

Background: Kindler syndrome is a rare genodermatosis. Major clinical criteria include acral blistering in infancy and childhood, progressive poikiloderma, skin atrophy, abnormal photosensitivity, and gingival fragility.

Methods: FERMT1 gene was sequenced in 5 patients with a clinical diagnosis of Kindler syndrome.

An optimized methodology for whole genome sequencing of RNA respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal aspirates.

Over the last decade, the number of viral genome sequences deposited in available databases has grown exponentially. However, sequencing methodology vary widely and many published works have relied on viral enrichment by viral culture or nucleic acid amplification with specific primers rather than through unbiased techniques such as metagenomics. The genome of RNA viruses is highly variable and these enrichment methodologies may be difficult to achieve or may bias the results.

Dengue Virus 1 Outbreak in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2016.

The largest outbreak of dengue in Buenos Aires, Argentina, occurred during 2016. Phylogenetic, phylodynamic, and phylogeographic analyses of 82 samples from dengue patients revealed co-circulation of 2 genotype V dengue virus lineages, suggesting that this virus has become endemic to the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.

Molecular evidence of St. Louis encephalitis virus infection in patients in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

We report two cases of St. Louis encephalitis where the virus was detected in patients' sera directly by molecular techniques allowing subsequent typing. Phylogenetic analysis of both samples showed that NS5 sequences clustered with viruses previously classified as genotype III.

Emergence of intratreatment resistance to oseltamivir in pandemic influenza A H1N1 2009 virus.

Background: Pandemic influenza A H1N1 2009 virus presents a new challenge to health authorities and communities worldwide. In Argentina, the outbreak was at its peak by the end of June 2009, during the southern winter. A systematic analysis of samples from patients with pandemic H1N1 2009 studied in our laboratory (Virology Laboratory, Hospital de Niños R Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina) detected two patients presenting intratreatment emergence of the H275Y neuraminidase mutation, which confers resistance to oseltamivir.

Phylogenetic analysis of rubella viruses isolated in 2008 outbreak in Argentina.

Background: A rubella outbreak was recorded in Buenos Aires during 2008.

Objectives: The objective of this communication is to present the genetic and phylogenetic analyses of wild-type RUBV circulating in Buenos Aires during the 2008 outbreak.

Study Design: Throat swab samples collected from patients diagnosed with rubella between June 2008 and December 2008 were inoculated in cell culture and 23 isolates were sequenced.

Recombinant production of human microsomal cytochrome P450 2D6 in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

Microsomal cytochrome P450 monooxygenases of groups 1-3 are mainly expressed in the liver and play a crucial role in phase 1 reactions of xenobiotic metabolism. The cDNAs encoding human CYP2D6 and human NADPH-P450 oxidoreductase (CPR) were transformed into the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and expressed with control of the methanol-inducible AOX1 promoter. The determined molecular weights of the recombinant CYP2D6 and CPR closely matched the calculated values of 55.