MENSA, a Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, to Identify SARS-CoV-2 Persistence and Latent Viral Reactivation in Long-COVID.

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2) infection (PASC) is a heterogeneous condition, but the main viral drivers are unknown. Here, we use MENSA, Media Enriched with Newly Synthesized Antibodies, secreted exclusively from circulating human plasmablasts, to provide an immune snapshot that defines the underlying viral triggers. We provide proof-of-concept testing that the MENSA technology can capture the new host immune response to accurately diagnose acute primary and breakthrough infections when known SARS2 virus or proteins are present.

Mechanisms by which the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator may influence SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease severity.

Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit pronounced respiratory damage and were initially considered among those at highest risk for serious harm from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Numerous clinical studies have subsequently reported that individuals with CF in North America and Europe-while susceptible to severe COVID-19-are often spared from the highest levels of virus-associated mortality. To understand features that might influence COVID-19 among patients with cystic fibrosis, we studied relationships between SARS-CoV-2 and the gene responsible for CF (i.

An Automated Pipeline for Differential Cell Counts on Whole-Slide Bone Marrow Aspirate Smears.

The pathologic diagnosis of bone marrow disorders relies in part on the microscopic analysis of bone marrow aspirate (BMA) smears and the manual counting of marrow nucleated cells to obtain a differential cell count (DCC). This manual process has significant limitations, including the analysis of only a small subset of optimal slide areas and nucleated cells, as well as interobserver variability due to differences in cell selection and classification. To address these shortcomings, we developed an automated machine learning-based pipeline for obtaining 11-component DCCs on whole-slide BMAs.

Rapid Generation of Neutralizing Antibody Responses in COVID-19 Patients.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, is causing a devastating worldwide pandemic, and there is a pressing need to understand the development, specificity, and neutralizing potency of humoral immune responses during acute infection. We report a cross-sectional study of antibody responses to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein and virus neutralization activity in a cohort of 44 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. RBD-specific IgG responses are detectable in all patients 6 days after PCR confirmation.

Antifungal Activity of the Lipophilic Antioxidant Ferrostatin-1.

Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) is a lipophilic antioxidant that effectively blocks ferroptosis, a distinct non-apoptotic form of cell death caused by lipid peroxidation. During many infections, both pathogens and host cells are subjected to oxidative stress, but the occurrence of ferroptosis had not been investigated. We examined ferroptosis in macrophages infected with the pathogenic yeast Histoplasma capsulatum.

Zinc gluconate toxicity in wild-type vs. MT1/2-deficient mice.

Previous studies have suggested that oral zinc supplementation can help reduce the duration of the common cold; however, the use of intranasal (IN) zinc is strongly associated with anosmia, or the loss of the sense of smell, in humans. Prior studies from this lab showed that upregulation of metallothioneins (MT) is a rapid and robust response to zinc gluconate (ZG). Therefore, we assessed the role of MT in the recovery of nasal epithelial damage resulting from IN zinc administration.

Inverse Correlation between IL-10 and HIF-1α in Macrophages Infected with Histoplasma capsulatum.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor that regulates metabolic and immune response genes in the setting of low oxygen tension and inflammation. We investigated the function of HIF-1α in the host response to Histoplasma capsulatum because granulomas induced by this pathogenic fungus develop hypoxic microenvironments during the early adaptive immune response. In this study, we demonstrated that myeloid HIF-1α-deficient mice exhibited elevated fungal burden during the innate immune response (prior to 7 d postinfection) as well as decreased survival in response to a sublethal inoculum of H.

Histoplasma capsulatum, lung infection and immunity.

Histoplasma capsulatum, an environmental fungus, is the most common endemic pulmonary mycosis in the USA. Disease is most frequently observed in immunocompromised patients living in endemic areas. We present the mechanisms of fungal recognition, innate immune response and adaptive immune response that lead to protection or exacerbation of disease.