Biology subjects

GeurtsvanKessel, C.

Publications and source records attributed to GeurtsvanKessel, C..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Temporal kinetics of RNAemia and associated systemic cytokines in hospitalized COVID-19 patients

COVID-19 is associated to a wide range of extra-respiratory complications, of which the pathogenesis is currently not fully understood. In this study we report the temporal kinetics of viral RNA and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in serum during the course of COVID-19. We show that a RNAemia occurs more frequently and lasts longer in patients that develop critical disease compared to patients that develop moderate or severe disease. Furthermore we show that concentrations of IL-10 and MCP-1--but not IL-6--are associated with viral load in serum. However, higher levels of IL-6 were associated with the development of critical disease. The direct association of inflammatory cytokines with viral load or disease severity highlights the complexity of systemic inflammatory response and the role of systemic viral spread.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Jumping back and forth: anthropozoonotic and zoonotic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 on mink farms

The zoonotic origin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still unknown. Animal experiments have shown that non-human primates, cats, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and bats can be infected by SARS-CoV-2. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 RNA has been detected in felids, mink and dogs in the field. Here, we describe an in-depth investigation of outbreaks on 16 mink farms and humans living or working on these farms, using whole genome sequencing. We conclude that the virus was initially introduced from humans and has evolved, most likely reflecting widespread circulation among mink in the beginning of the infection period several weeks prior to detection. At the moment, despite enhanced biosecurity, early warning surveillance and immediate culling of infected farms, there is ongoing transmission between mink farms with three big transmission clusters with unknown modes of transmission. We also describe the first animal to human transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in mink farms. One sentence summarySARS-CoV-2 transmission on mink farms.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2020

SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing human antibodies protect against lower respiratory tract disease in a hamster model

Effective clinical intervention strategies for COVID-19 are urgently needed. Although several clinical trials have evaluated the use of convalescent plasma containing virus-neutralizing antibodies, the effectiveness has not been proven. We show that hamsters treated with a high dose of human convalescent plasma or a monoclonal antibody were protected against weight loss showing reduced pneumonia and pulmonary virus replication compared to control animals. However, a ten-fold lower dose of convalescent plasma showed no protective effect. Thus, variable and relatively low levels of virus neutralizing antibodies in convalescent plasma may limit their use for effective antiviral therapy, favouring concentrated, purified (monoclonal) antibodies.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Rapid SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing for informed public health decision making in the Netherlands

SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus that has rapidly spread across the globe. In the Netherlands, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 has been notified on the 27th of February. Here, we describe the first three weeks of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the Netherlands, which started with several different introductory events from Italy, Austria, Germany and France followed by local amplification in, and later also, outside the South of the Netherlands. The timely generation of whole genome sequences combined with epidemiological investigations facilitated early decision making in an attempt to control local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands.

genomics↗