Potential Rapid Diagnostics, Vaccine and Therapeutics for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV): A Systematic Review.

Rapid diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics are important interventions for the management of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. It is timely to systematically review the potential of these interventions, including those for Middle East respiratory syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV, to guide policymakers globally on their prioritization of resources for research and development. A systematic search was carried out in three major electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library) to identify published studies in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Foodborne Klebsiella pneumoniae: Virulence Potential, Antibiotic Resistance, and Risks to Food Safety.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal carriage of Klebsiella pneumoniae is a predisposing factor for liver abscess in several Asian countries. To determine whether hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in the gut may be transmitted through food, we screened a range of raw and ready-to-eat retail food by culture and recovered K.

in Retail Food and Wild Birds in Singapore-Prevalence, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Sequence Types.

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is a leading cause of foodborne zoonosis. To better understand the epidemiology of human salmonellosis, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance and sequence types of in retail food and wild birds (proximity to humans) in Singapore. We analyzed 21,428 cooked and ready-to-eat food and 1,510 residual faecal samples of wild birds collected during 2010-2015.

One hypervirulent clone, sequence type 283, accounts for a large proportion of invasive Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from humans and diseased tilapia in Southeast Asia.

Background: In 2015, Singapore had the first and only reported foodborne outbreak of invasive disease caused by the group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae). Disease, predominantly septic arthritis and meningitis, was associated with sequence type (ST)283, acquired from eating raw farmed freshwater fish. Although GBS sepsis is well-described in neonates and older adults with co-morbidities, this outbreak affected non-pregnant and younger adults with fewer co-morbidities, suggesting greater virulence.

Microbial Quality and Safety of Sushi Prepared with Gloved or Bare Hands: Food Handlers' Impact on Retail Food Hygiene and Safety.

Food handlers play an important role in retail food hygiene and safety. This study was conducted to better understand the impact of food handlers on the microbiological quality and safety of sushi and ingredients handled by gloved and bare hands. At retail premises, food handlers were asked to prepare a batch of sushi with raw fish followed by a batch of sushi with cooked ingredients.

Exposure and risk assessment of volatile organic compounds and airborne phthalates in Singapore's Child Care Centers.

Infants and children under 6 years old spend most of daily time in Child Care Centers (CCCs), especially in the tropical regions like Singapore. Environmental exposure and associated risk during this early critical developmental stage is of great public concern. In this study, seven representative volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and five typical phthalates were analyzed in the indoor and outdoor air samples collected from 32 Singapore CCCs.

Sick pets as potential reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Singapore.

An analysis of 186 diagnostic reports collected from a veterinary clinic in Singapore between 2014 to 2016 showed that sick companion animals can carry bacteria that are of significance to human health. Among the 186 specimens submitted, 82 showed polymicrobial growth (45%, 82/186) and in total, 359 bacteria were isolated. Of the 359 bacteria reported, 45% (162/359) were multi-drug resistant and 18% (66/359) were extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase species.

Group B Streptococcus Infections Caused by Improper Sourcing and Handling of Fish for Raw Consumption, Singapore, 2015-2016.

We assessed microbial safety and quality of raw fish sold in Singapore during 2015-2016 to complement epidemiologic findings for an outbreak of infection with group B Streptococcus serotype III sequence type (ST) 283 associated with raw fish consumption. Fish-associated group B Streptococcus ST283 strains included strains nearly identical (0-2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms) with the human outbreak strain, as well as strains in another distinct ST283 clade (57-71 single-nucleotide polymorphisms). Our investigations highlight the risk for contamination of freshwater fish (which are handled and distributed separately from saltwater fish sold as sashimi) and the need for improved hygienic handling of all fish for raw consumption.

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) in retail food in Singapore.

We characterised 227  isolates from retail food and food handlers' gloves samples obtained through food surveillance and risk assessment studies between 2011 and 2014. Of 227 isolates, five (2.2%) were methicillin-resistant and belonged to sequence types ST80 ( = 3) and ST6 ( = 2).

Microbial survey of ready-to-eat salad ingredients sold at retail reveals the occurrence and the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes Sequence Types 2 and 87 in pre-packed smoked salmon.

Background: As the preparation of salads involves extensive handling and the use of uncooked ingredients, they are particularly vulnerable to microbial contamination. This study aimed to determine the microbial safety and quality of pre-packed salads and salad bar ingredients sold in Singapore, so as to identify public health risks that could arise from consuming salads and to determine areas for improvement in the management of food safety.

Results: The most frequently encountered organism in pre-packed salad samples was B.

MICROBIOLOGICAL SAFETY ASSESSMENT AND RISK MITIGATION OF INDIAN ROJAK (DEEP FRIED READYTO-EAT FOOD) IN SINGAPORE.

We conducted a microbiological assessment of Indian Rojak, a popular deep fried food in Singapore to evaluate its overall microbial quality, assess the effectiveness of reheating and identify key food items that could contribute to the microbial load of the dish. In 2009, an outbreak of foodborne illness associated with this food led to 154 reported cases of acute gastroenteritis, 48 were hospitalized and 2 died. Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from the patients.

Diarrheagenic pathogens in adults attending a hospital in Singapore.

Background: Singapore's diarrhoeal notification system is based on specific pathogens. Official data may thus be skewed towards notifiable diseases. Limited information is available on the profiles of aetiological agents responsible for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases, especially among the adult population.

Highly pathogenic influenza A(H5N1) virus survival in complex artificial aquatic biotopes.

Background: Very little is known regarding the persistence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses in aquatic environments in tropical countries, although environmental materials have been suggested to play a role as reservoirs and sources of transmission for H5N1 viruses.

Methodology/principal Findings: The survival of HPAI H5N1 viruses in experimental aquatic biotopes (water, mud, aquatic flora and fauna) relevant to field conditions in Cambodia was investigated. Artificial aquatic biotopes, including simple ones containing only mud and water, and complex biotopes involving the presence of aquatic flora and fauna, were set up.

Environment: a potential source of animal and human infection with influenza A (H5N1) virus.

Background: Very little is known regarding the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses in natural settings during outbreaks in tropical countries, although environmental factors may well play a role in the persistence and in the transmission of H5N1 virus.

Objective: To investigate various environmental compartments surrounding outbreak areas as potential sources for H5N1 virus transmission.

Methods: Environmental specimens were collected following outbreaks of avian influenza in Cambodia between April 2007 and February 2010.

Eurasian Tree Sparrows, risk for H5N1 virus spread and human contamination through Buddhist ritual: an experimental approach.

Background: The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus has dramatically spread throughout Southeast Asia since its first detection in 1997. Merit Release Birds, such as the Eurasian Tree Sparrow, are believed to increase one's positive karma when kissed and released during Buddhist rituals. Since these birds are often in close contact with both poultry and humans, we investigated their potential role in the spread of H5N1 virus.

Biased mutational pattern and quasispecies hypothesis in H5N1 virus.

Like other RNA viruses, influenza viruses are subject to high mutation rates. Carrying segmented RNA genomes, their genetic variability is even higher. We aimed at analyzing the mutational events occurring during the infection of chickens by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus.

Direct detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus from mud specimens.

Contaminated mud and soil may play roles as reservoirs and sources of transmission for avian influenza A virus. However, the persistence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus in soil or mud has not been well documented, and specific methods of H5N1 virus detection in mud and soil specimens have not been described. The aim of this work was to evaluate the capacities of five different commercial kits and one elution-concentration technique to extract nucleic acids from H5N1 virus and to detect infectious viral particles in experimentally infected mud specimens.

Superior neutralizing antibody response and protection in mice vaccinated with heterologous DNA prime and virus like particle boost against HPAI H5N1 virus.

Background: Although DNA plasmid and virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines have been individually tested against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses, the combination of both vaccines into a heterologous prime-boost strategy against HPAI H5N1 viruses has not been reported before.

Methodology/principal Findings: We constructed DNA plasmid encoding H5HA (A/Shenzhen/406H/06, subclade 2.3.

A(H5N1) Virus Evolution in South East Asia.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus is an ongoing public health and socio-economic challenge, particularly in South East Asia. H5N1 is now endemic in poultry in many countries, and represents a major pandemic threat. Here, we describe the evolution of H5N1 virus in South East Asia, the reassortment events leading to high genetic diversity in the region, and factors responsible for virus spread.