When infecting humans, Andes orthohantavirus (ANDV) may cause a severe disease called hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). Following non-specific symptoms, the infection may progress to a syndrome of hemorrhagic fever combined with hyper-acute cardiopulmonary failure. The case fatality rate ranges between 25–40%, depending on the outbreak. In this study, we present the follow-up of a male patient who recovered from HCPS six years ago. We demonstrate that the ANDV genome persists within the reproductive tract for at least 71 months. Genome sequence analysis early and late after infection reveals a low number of mutations (two single nucleotide variants and one deletion), suggesting limited replication activity. We can exclude the integration of the viral genome into the host genome, since the treatment of the specimen with RNAse led to a loss of signal. We demonstrate a long-lasting, strong neutralizing antibody response using pseudovirions expressing the ANDV glycoprotein. Taken together, our results show that ANDV has the potential for sexual transmission.

Syndromic multiplex panel testing enables simultaneous detection of multiple respiratory pathogens, but limited data is available on the comparative diagnostic performance of different testing systems. In this multicenter prospective study, we aimed to compare the QIAstat‐Dx Respiratory Panel 2.0 (QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0) with the widely used BioFire‐RP2.1, using 269 respiratory clinical specimens. Concordant test results were obtained in 232 (86.3%) cases. Discordant test results included 33 BioFire‐RP2.1(+)/QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0(−) and 4 BioFire‐RP2.1(‐)/QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0(+) results. Discordant samples showed significantly lower pathogen loads than concordant ones (p < 0.01). Overall, the QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0 showed an analytical sensitivity of 50%–100% depending on the respiratory target, with an analytical specificity ≥ 99.0%. Most significant differences were found for the detection of adenovirus, human coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial virus, human rhinovirus/enterovirus and SARS‐CoV‐2 (kappa‐score: 0.67–0.91). Co‐detections of respiratory pathogens were identified in 47 cases by BioFire‐RP2.1 and 29 by QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0. Agreement rates between the two multiplex panel tests decreased from 91.8% for single pathogen detections to 65.0% and 42.9% for co‐detecting two and three pathogens, respectively. Pathogen loads were significantly lower in co‐detections compared to single pathogen detections (p < 0.01), potentially explaining the lower detection rates with the QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0 in cases of multiple pathogens. In conclusion, our prospective multicenter evaluation showed good diagnostic performance of the QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0 assay, but lower detection rates for some respiratory targets compared to BioFire‐RP2.1. As QIAstat‐Dx‐RP2.0 offers advantages in handling, noise emission, cost effectiveness, and provides semi‐quantitative results compared to BioFire‐RP2.1 an updated version with enhanced analytical sensitivity would be a viable alternative syndromic testing system for detecting respiratory pathogens.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet

The increase of the human population is accompanied by growing numbers of livestock to feed this population, as well as by an increase of human invasion into natural habitats of wild animals. As a result, both animals and humans are becoming progressively vulnerable to infections with known (zoonotic) pathogens, but are also increasingly exposed to novel viruses. Global trade as well as climate changes can contribute to pathogen transmission, e.g. through import of infected vectors or expansion of habitats for arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes and midges. Infectious disease outbreaks, especially those by novel viruses, are generally unexpected, and therefore we should be prepared with tools and abilities for immediate action, including the identification of the causative agent, the evaluation of its pathogenic potential for animals and humans, and the fast development of diagnostic assays to allow contact tracing and quarantine measures. HONOURs is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN), teaching 15 talented young researchers to become "preparedness-experts". HONOURs, initiated in April 2017, involves 11 laboratories from 6 different European countries, all at the forefront of novel virus investigations and characterizations. The network includes surveillance experts in both the veterinary and the human health sector, who have developed and utilize highly sensitive virus discovery techniques, e.g. next generation sequencing based genomics and universal primers based PCR, to allow identification and characterization of novel viruses. Production of pure viral proteins, providing high-resolution structures, aids in the design of novel, fast and easy-to-use diagnostics. Organotypic in vitro cell cultures systems (e.g. pseudostratified human airway epithelia) provide tools for virus replication, if needed via a reverse genetics platform, and the production of virus stocks permits inoculation in animal models to examine disease, evaluate candidate vaccines, and fulfilment of the Koch's postulates. Scientists of the various institutes will provide training in the HONOURs network through specialized courses and workshops, combined with challenging research projects. The final aim of the network is to deliver 15 expert scientists, ready to act in case of the emergence of an epidemic.