Erratum: Rotavirus Genotypes and Vaccine Effectiveness from a Sentinel, Hospital-Based, Surveillance Study for Three Consecutive Rotavirus Seasons in Lebanon.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The impact of vaccination on the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease from a nationwide surveillance program in Lebanon: an unexpected increase in mortality driven by non-vaccine serotypes.

Background: The impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on the burden of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and serotype distribution was examined across age groups from data collected by the Lebanese Inter-Hospital Pneumococcal Surveillance Program.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2020, 593 invasive isolates were collected from 79 hospitals throughout Lebanon. Serotypes and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles were identified, and trends compared over 3 eras: PCV7, post-PCV7/ pre-PCV13, and PCV13 eras.

Molecular Characterization of Isolates at a Major Tertiary Care Center in Lebanon.

Background: The globally emerging pathogens poses heavy burden to the healthcare system. Their molecular analyses assist in understanding their epidemiology, dissemination, treatment, and control. This study was warranted to describe the genomic features and drug resistance profiles using whole genome sequencing (WGS) among .

Wide Variability in the Sensitivity and Specificity of Rotavirus Immunoassay Diagnostic Kits in Practice.

Introduction: Most hospitals rely on rapid antigen-detection kits for the diagnosis of rotavirus infection. Several small studies reviewed the sensitivity and specificity of some of these kits. These studies showed discrepancy in results obtained for sensitivity and specificity that varied according to the type of kit used, area of study, and type of test used as standard for diagnosis of rotavirus infection.

The Emergence of Invasive Serotype 24F in Lebanon: Complete Genome Sequencing Reveals High Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Characteristics.

Background: Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) remains a global health problem. IPD incidence has significantly decreased by the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV). Nevertheless, non-PCV serotypes remain a matter of concern.

The origins of G12P[6] rotavirus strains detected in Lebanon.

The G12 rotaviruses are an increasingly important cause of severe diarrhoea in infants and young children worldwide. Seven human G12P[6] rotavirus strains were detected in stool samples from children hospitalized with gastroenteritis in Lebanon during a 2011-2013 surveillance study. Complete genomes of these strains were sequenced using VirCapSeq-VERT, a capture-based high-throughput viral-sequencing method, and further characterized based on phylogenetic analyses with global RVA and vaccine strains.

Spoligotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using Luminex®-based method in Lebanon.

Introduction: Data about the genotypes of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (MTB) in Lebanon are scarce. This study was undertaken to reveal the spoligotypes of MTB isolates recovered from patients in Lebanon.

Methodology: MTB isolates from 49 patients living in Lebanon were recovered and identified.

Genetic Diversity of Human Rotavirus A Among Hospitalized Children Under-5 Years in Lebanon.

Human rotavirus remains a major cause of gastroenteritis worldwide despite the availability of effective vaccines. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of rotaviruses circulating in Lebanon. We genetically characterized the VP4 and VP7 genes encoding the outer capsid proteins of 132 rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis specimens, previously identified in hospitalized children (<5 years) from 2011 to 2013 in Lebanon.

Full genome characterization of human G3P[6] and G3P[9] rotavirus strains in Lebanon.

Rotaviruses are the most common infectious agents causing severe diarrheal diseases in young children globally. Three rare human rotavirus strains, two G3P[9] and one G3P[6], were detected in stool samples of children under 5 years of age hospitalized for gastroenteritis in Lebanon during the course of a surveillance study. Complete genomes of these strains were sequenced using VirCapSeq-VERT, a capture based high-throughput sequencing method.

Epidemiology of invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal infections in hospitalised adult patients in a Lebanese medical centre, 2006-2015.

This is a retrospective medical file review of adult inpatients with Streptococcus pneumoniae infections admitted to a Lebanese hospital between 2006 and 2015. We revisited the clinical scenarios of these infections in view of increasing antibiotic resistance in Lebanon. One hundred and three patients were included; 92% were eligible for pneumococcal vaccination, yet none were vaccinated.

Epidemiology of pneumococcal infections in hospitalised adult patients in Lebanon with a highlight on non-invasive disease.

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae causes a wide range of infections classified as invasive and non-invasive pneumococcal disease (non-IPD).

Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed over a decade the clinical course and outcome of 103 adult subjects infected with S. pneumoniae.

Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Lebanon using a novel rapid spoligotyping multiplex luminex method.

Introduction: Incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Lebanon, according to the WHO, is estimated to be 35 cases per 100,000 people. However, data about the genotypes of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (MTB) in this country is lacking. This study aims to reveal the genotypes of TB isolates recovered from patients in Lebanon.

Characterization of astrovirus-associated gastroenteritis in hospitalized children under five years of age.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and genetic diversity of astrovirus (AstV) detected in children hospitalized for gastroenteritis (GE).

Methods: A multi-center, hospital-based surveillance study was conducted across Lebanon to investigate the incidence of AstV among diarrheal hospitalizations. Viral RNA was extracted from stool samples collected between 2011 and 2013 from children, below the age of 5years, hospitalized for GE at six medical centers across Lebanon.

Rotavirus Genotypes and Vaccine Effectiveness from a Sentinel, Hospital-Based, Surveillance Study for Three Consecutive Rotavirus Seasons in Lebanon.

Introduction: Globally, rotavirus (RV) is the leading cause of gastroenteritis (GE) in children. Longitudinal data about changes in RV genotype distribution and vaccine effectiveness (VE) are scarce. This study was conducted in Lebanon over 3 consecutive RV seasons to estimate the rate of RVGE hospitalization, identify RV genotypes, determine the seasonal and geographical variations, and calculate RV VE.

The Novel PKCθ from Benchtop to Clinic.

The protein kinases C (PKCs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases involved in regulating multiple essential cellular processes such as survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Of particular interest is the novel, calcium-independent PKCθ which plays a central role in immune responses. PKCθ shares structural similarities with other PKC family members, mainly consisting of an N-terminal regulatory domain and a C-terminal catalytic domain tethered by a hinge region.

Preclinical activity of the type II CD20 antibody GA101 (obinutuzumab) compared with rituximab and ofatumumab in vitro and in xenograft models.

We report the first preclinical in vitro and in vivo comparison of GA101 (obinutuzumab), a novel glycoengineered type II CD20 monoclonal antibody, with rituximab and ofatumumab, the two currently approved type I CD20 antibodies. The three antibodies were compared in assays measuring direct cell death (AnnexinV/PI staining and time-lapse microscopy), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cell-mediated phagocytosis (ADCP), and internalization. The models used for the comparison of their activity in vivo were SU-DHL4 and RL xenografts.

Preclinical studies on the mechanism of action and the anti-lymphoma activity of the novel anti-CD20 antibody GA101.

GA101 is a novel glycoengineered Type II CD20 monoclonal antibody. When compared with rituximab, it mediates less complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). As expected for a Type II antibody, GA101 appears not to act through CDC and is more potent than the Type I antibody rituximab in inducing cell death via nonclassical induction of apoptosis cytotoxicity, with more direct cytotoxicity and more antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Identification of Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony genes coding for T-cell antigens.

Genes of the Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides small colony biotype (MmmSC) coding for proteins capable of eliciting protective T-cell memory responses have potential for incorporation into a recombinant subunit vaccine against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). Here we used lymphocytes from cattle that had completely recovered from infection to screen products of MmmSC genes for recognition by CD4(+) effector memory (Tem) and central memory (Tcm) T lymphocytes.

Understanding and circumventing resistance to anticancer monoclonal antibodies.

With the widespread use of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of patients with cancer, resistance to these agents has become a major issue. Preclinical models of drug action or resistance have contributed to unravel the main mechanisms of resistance, involving both tumor-associated and host related factors. However our understanding of how a monoclonal antibody destroys cancer cells in a patient and why it one day stops being effective are still far from being complete.

Transfection of cells in suspension by ultrasound cavitation.

Sonoporation holds many promises in developing an efficient, reproducible and permanent gene delivery vector. In this study, we evaluated sonoporation as a method to transfect nucleic acids in suspension cells, including the human follicular lymphoma cell line RL and fresh human Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) cells. RL and CLL cells were exposed to continuous ultrasound waves (445 kHz) in the presence of either plasmid DNA coding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) or fluorescent siRNA directed against BCL2L1.

In vivo model of follicular lymphoma resistant to rituximab.

Purpose: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common subtype of indolent lymphomas. Rituximab is widely used alone or in combination therapy for the treatment of FL. Despite its well-established clinical efficacy, a subpopulation of patients does not respond to rituximab and most patients will relapse after therapy.