Analysis of the Monophyletic Lineage of Avian Influenza H5N1 Which Circulated in Venezuelan Birds During the 2022-2023 Outbreak.

Avian influenza subtype H5N1 has caused outbreaks worldwide since 1996, with the emergence of the Guandong lineage in China. The current clade 2.3.

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.

Effect of Sleeping Position on the Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer in Individuals with Glaucoma.

Aims And Background: To evaluate the effect of sleeping in the lateral decubitus position on the average thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in the peripapillary region of the optic nerve since the effect of posture on intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucoma progression is not yet sufficiently understood.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with 40 volunteers who preferably slept in a right lateral decubitus (RLD) (RLD group = 20) and left lateral decubitus (LLD) (LLD group = 20) position. IOP was measured in both eyes, first in the sitting position and again after 10 minutes in a supine position, right lateral, and LLD, respectively.

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).

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).

Antiviral activity of myricetin glycosylated compounds isolated from against chikungunya virus.

The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) has produced epidemic outbreaks of significant public health impact. The clinical symptoms of this disease are fever, polyarthralgia, and skin rash, generally self-limiting, although patients may develop a chronic disabling condition or suffer lethal complications. Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment or vaccine available.

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.

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.

Lasting SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG Antibody response in health care workers from Venezuela, 6 months after vaccination with Sputnik V.

Background: Scarce information is available regarding the long-term immunogenicity of the Sputnik V vaccine. Here Sputnik V vaccinated subjects were evaluated 6 months after receiving the 2-dose prime-boost schedule.

Methods: Eighty-six hospital workers from Venezuela, 32 with a previous COVID-19 infection and 54 SARS-CoV-2 naïve subjects, were enrolled.

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.

Omicron SARS-CoV-2 Variant Spike Protein Shows an Increased Affinity to the Human ACE2 Receptor: An In Silico Analysis.

The rise of SARS-CoV-2 variants, with changes that could be related to an increased virus pathogenicity, have received the interest of the scientific and medical community. In this study, we evaluated the changes that occurred in the viral spike of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and whether these changes modulate the interactions with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) host receptor. The mutations associated with the Omicron variant were retrieved from the GISAID and covariants.

Leishmania donovani and HIV co-infection in vitro: Identification and characterization of main molecular players.

The incidence of Leishmania/HIV co-infection is growing and few studies detail the cellular processes and macromolecules participating in co-infection. Thus, the goal of this study was to partially describe the Leishmania/HIV co-infection events by measuring molecular and functional parameters associated with both pathogens in vitro. MT-4 cells (human T-lymphocytes), primary monocytes, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to HIV and/or Leishmania donovani.

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).

Minireview: Epidemiological impact of arboviral diseases in Latin American countries, arbovirus-vector interactions and control strategies.

Mosquitoes are the most crucial insects in public health due to their vector capacity and competence to transmit pathogens, including arboviruses, bacterias and parasites. Re-emerging and emerging arboviral diseases, such as yellow fever virus (YFV), dengue virus (DENV), zika virus (ZIKV), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), constitute one of the most critical health public concerns in Latin America. These diseases present a significant incidence within the human settlements increasing morbidity and mortality events.

Immunoglobulin G antibody response to the Sputnik V vaccine: previous SARS-CoV-2 seropositive individuals may need just one vaccine dose.

Introduction: We evaluated the immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibody response against the nucleocapsid protein (NP) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of 86 individuals in Venezuela, before and after receiving the Sputnik V vaccine.

Methods: Antibody responses against NP and RBD were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay just before, 3 weeks after the first, and 6 weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.

Results: Before vaccination, 59 individuals were seronegative, and 27 seropositive for NP and/or RBD.

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).

Inverse Molecular Docking Study of NS3-Helicase and NS5-RNA Polymerase of Zika Virus as Possible Therapeutic Targets of Ligands Derived from and Its Implications to Dengue Virus.

Dengue and Zika are two mosquito-borne diseases of great impact on public health around the world in tropical and subtropical countries. DENV and ZIKV belong to the Flaviviridae family and the genus. Currently, there are no effective therapeutic agents to treat or prevent these pathologies.

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.

SARS-CoV-2 host tropism: An in silico analysis of the main cellular factors.

Recent reports have shown that small and big felines could be infected by SARS-CoV-2, while other animals, like swines and mice, are apparently not susceptible to this infection. These findings raise the question of the role of cell factors associated with early stages of the viral infection in host selectivity. The cellular receptor for SARS-CoV-2 is the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE2).

Role of changes in SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the interaction with the human ACE2 receptor: An analysis.

Many human viral diseases are a consequence of a zoonotic event. Some of the diseases caused by these zoonotic events have affected millions of people around the world, some of which have resulted in high rates of morbidity/mortality in humans. Changes in the viral proteins that function as ligands of the host receptor may promote the spillover between species.