Publications by authors named "Maria Morales-Betoulle"
Background: In September 2022, Uganda experienced an outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD), mainly in central Uganda. As a result of enhanced surveillance activities for Ebola disease, samples from several patients with suspected viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) were sent to the VHF Program at Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI), Entebbe, Uganda, and identified with infections caused by other viral etiologies. Herein, we report the epidemiologic and laboratory findings of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases that were detected during the SVD outbreak response.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNew World orthohantaviruses are rodent-borne tri-segmented viruses that cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome in humans in the Americas. Molecular diagnostics for orthohantaviruses can be improved with more sequence data. Reported here are completed genomes for Lechiguanas, Maciel, and Laguna Negra viruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: During the 2018-20 Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, thousands of patients received unprecedented vaccination, monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy, or both, leading to a large number of survivors. We aimed to report the clinical, virological, viral genomic, and immunological features of two previously vaccinated and mAb-treated survivors of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who developed second episodes of disease months after initial discharge, ultimately complicated by fatal meningoencephalitis associated with viral persistence.
Methods: In this case report study, we describe the presentation, management, and subsequent investigations of two patients who developed recrudescent Ebola virus disease and subsequent fatal meningoencephalitis.
Article Synopsis
- Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) and non-HPS hantavirus infection are tracked as nationally notifiable diseases in the U.S., with diagnostics based on symptoms and lab results between 2008 and 2020.
- A study merged epidemiological data and diagnostic lab results from the CDC to analyze the occurrence and genetic diversity of hantavirus in the U.S., revealing that the majority of cases were in western states, particularly the Four Corners region.
- Findings highlight a seasonal spike in cases between March and August and reveal discrepancies between commercial and CDC lab tests, suggesting a need for better diagnostic tests to align results.
Article Synopsis
- * From 1993 to 2019, researchers collected rodent samples, resulting in the sequencing of 13 new genomes, which expanded the known New World arenavirus Clade C from 11 to 24 genomes.
- * Among these genomes, two show enough genetic variation to be classified as a new species, and the research indicates widespread circulation of Clade C in rodents, though its risk to humans is still unclear.
In May 2021, an agricultural worker originally from Trementinal, Argentina, sought treatment for febrile illness in Tarija, Bolivia, where he resided at the time of illness onset. The patient tested negative for hantavirus RNA, but next-generation sequencing of a serum sample yielded a complete genome for Rio Negro virus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In June 2019, the Bolivian Ministry of Health reported a cluster of cases of hemorrhagic fever that started in the municipality of Caranavi and expanded to La Paz. The cause of these cases was unknown.
Methods: We obtained samples for next-generation sequencing and virus isolation.
Article Synopsis
- Ebola virus persistence in survivors' semen may contribute to recent outbreaks in places like Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompting this study of 131 male EVD survivors in Liberia.
- The study aimed to categorize participants as "early clearers" or "late clearers" based on their EBOV detection in semen, while also collecting clinical history and conducting medical examinations.
- Findings indicated that older age, milder initial symptoms, and specific immune markers (IgG3 levels and HLA-C*03:04 allele) were linked to longer EBOV persistence in semen, suggesting potential connections to other areas in the body where the virus might hide.
After a pilot study, we tested 443 cadavers using OraQuick Ebola rapid diagnostic tests during surveillance after the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. No false negative and 2% false-positive results were reported. Quickly returning results and engaging the community enabled timely public health actions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe epidemiology of Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) in Jordan is unknown. Our investigation showed 3% of 989 tested dairy cattle, sheep, and goats were RVFV seropositive and 14% were CCHFV seropositive. Ongoing surveillance is needed to assess risk to humans and protect public health.
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- A study on male survivors of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in Liberia evaluated immune responses and persistence of the Ebola virus in blood and semen.
- All 126 participants tested negative for the Ebola virus in blood; however, 1 out of 23 participants with negative antibodies produced specific antibodies when stimulated.
- The findings suggest that the blood of EVD survivors is unlikely to transmit the virus, and the variability in antibody responses indicates that a lack of antibodies should not automatically exclude someone from being considered an EVD survivor.
Article Synopsis
- A study seeks to provide a clearer understanding of the true prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in the U.S. by conducting seroprevalence tests on blood samples collected from various locations between March and May 2020.
- The research analyzed 16,025 serum samples, revealing that most individuals tested did not have antibodies to the virus, indicating that reported COVID-19 cases likely underrepresent the actual number of infections.
- Findings showed the importance of adjusting estimates based on age and sex, and highlighted that the estimated number of infections was significantly higher than confirmed COVID-19 cases in the sampled locations.
Article Synopsis
- The study addresses the need for understanding SARS-CoV-2 prevalence and transmission since its emergence in late 2019, specifically focusing on the limitations of molecular diagnostics for true case counts and asymptomatic infections.
- It outlines the optimization and validation of a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against the virus, using the prefusion-stabilized spike protein for improved accuracy.
- The research employs receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analyses to assess the assay's sensitivity and specificity, while also examining cross-reactivity with antibodies from other coronaviruses, aiming to enhance disease burden assessments through large-scale surveillance.
Article Synopsis
- In 2017, a multistate investigation confirmed Seoul virus (SEOV) infections in both humans and pet rats, with 147 humans and 897 rats tested across multiple states.
- Seven reported symptoms, with three requiring hospitalization, but all recovered; the study identified significant correlations between human infections and rat antibody/virus presence.
- Genomic analysis showed a high similarity of SEOV strains, highlighting transmission through the trade of pet rats, leading to recommendations for enhanced prevention measures among pet rat owners and public health officials.
(SEOV) infections, uncommonly reported in the United States, often result in mild illness. We report a case of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to SEOV infection that was domestically acquired in Washington, DC.
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- In October 2017, the first positive case of the Marburg virus in Kween District, Uganda led to an immediate outbreak response, involving specialized teams for case management and community engagement.
- Epidemiological investigations identified a total of 70 individuals, with four confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD), resulting in a high case fatality rate of 75% within a single family.
- Rapid detection and effective containment measures, including timely laboratory testing and trained response teams, successfully controlled the outbreak within a month, preventing further spread.
We report a case of infection with New York orthohantavirus in a woman who showed renal impairment and hemorrhage, complicated by hydrocephalus, in Long Island, New York, USA. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this virus was genetically similar to a New York orthohantavirus isolated in the same region during 1993.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe selection of vertebrate hosts by Culex mosquitoes relative to West Nile virus (WNV) transmission in neotropical countries such as Guatemala is not described. This study determined the feeding patterns of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWest Nile virus ecology has yet to be rigorously investigated in the Caribbean Basin. We identified a transmission focus in Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, and established systematic monitoring of avian abundance and infection, seroconversions in domestic poultry, and viral infections in mosquitoes. West Nile virus transmission was detected annually between May and October from 2005 to 2008.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In February 2009, a group of Guatemalan school children developed acute gastroenteritis (AGE) after participating in a school excursion.
Objectives: We conducted a retrospective cohort investigation to characterize the outbreak and guide control measures.
Study Design: A case was defined as an illness with onset of diarrhea or vomiting during February 25-March 5, 2009.
Article Synopsis
- * Mosquito collections in Al Khokha and Al Muneera districts revealed Aedes aegypti as the primary species, with significant positive results for Chikungunya virus from mosquito pools, marking a first for this virus in Yemen.
- * The study highlighted a growing public health concern for the region, suggesting that improved mosquito management and public education could help mitigate the spread of these vector-borne diseases.
The role wild bird species play in the transmission and ecology of avian influenza virus (AIV) is well established; however, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the worldwide distribution of these viruses, specifically about the prevalence and/or significance of AIV in Central and South America. As part of an assessment of the ecology of AIV in Guatemala, we conducted active surveillance in wild birds on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. Cloacal and tracheal swab samples taken from resident and migratory wild birds were collected from February 2007 to January 2010.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDengue is caused by any of the four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV-1 to 4). Each serotype is genetically distant from the others, and each has been subdivided into different genotypes based on phylogenetic analysis. The study of dengue evolution in endemic regions is important since the diagnosis is often made by nucleic acid amplification tests, which depends upon recognition of the viral genome target, and natural occurring mutations can affect the performance of these assays.
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- * The study evaluated the effectiveness of plastic pots as sampling tools for engorged Culex mosquitoes compared to CDC light traps and gravid traps.
- * While the overall density of engorged mosquitoes was similar across all collection methods, plastic pots yielded a higher proportion of engorged mosquitoes than the other traps.