Browsing by Author "Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J."
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Item Enhancing infectious disease response: A demonstrative dialogue with ChatGPT and ChatGPT-4 for future outbreak preparedness(Elsevier, 2023) Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Jamal, Amr; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Temsah, Mohamad-Hani; Medicine, School of MedicineItem Genomic Epidemiology and Recent Update on Nucleic Acid–Based Diagnostics for COVID-19(Springer, 2020) Rabaan, Ali A.; Al-Ahmed, Shamsah H.; Sah, Ranjit; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Haque, Shafiul; Harapan, Harapan; Arteaga-Livias, Kovy; Aldana, D. Katterine Bonilla; Kumar, Pawan; Dhama, Kuldeep; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Medicine, School of MedicinePurpose of the Review The SARS-CoV-2 genome has been sequenced and the data is made available in the public domain. Molecular epidemiological investigators have utilized this information to elucidate the origin, mode of transmission, and contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2. The present review aims to highlight the recent advancements in the molecular epidemiological studies along with updating recent advancements in the molecular (nucleic acid based) diagnostics for COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Recent Findings Epidemiological studies with the integration of molecular genetics principles and tools are now mainly focused on the elucidation of molecular pathology of COVID-19. Molecular epidemiological studies have discovered the mutability of SARS-CoV-2 which is of utmost importance for the development of therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19. The whole world is now participating in the race for development of better and rapid diagnostics and therapeutics for COVID-19. Several molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed for accurate and precise diagnosis of COVID-19. Summary Novel genomic techniques have helped in the understanding of the disease pathology, origin, and spread of COVID-19. The whole genome sequence established in the initial days of the outbreak has enabled to identify the virus taxonomy. Several rapid, accurate, and sensitive diagnostic methods have been developed; those are based on the principle of detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids in clinical samples. Most of these molecular diagnostics are based on RT-PCR principle.Item Human monkeypox disease (MPX)(Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salern, 2022-09-01) Farahat, Ramadan Abdelmoez; Sah, Ranjit; El-Sakka, Amro A.; Benmelouka, Amira Yasmine; Kundu, Mrinmoy; Labieb, Fatma; Shaheen, Rahma Sameh; Abdelaal, Abdelaziz; Abdelazeem, Basel; Bonilla-Aldana, D. Katterine; Franco-Paredes, Carlos; Henao-Martinez, Andres F.; Garout, Mohammed A.; León-Figueroa, Darwin A.; Pachar, Monica; Suárez, José Antonio; Ramirez, Juan David; Paniz-Mondolfi, Alberto; Rabaan, Ali A.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Nishiura, Hiroshi; Ortiz-Martínez, Yeimer; Garcia-Robledo, Juan Esteban; Cimerman, Sergio; Barbosa, Alexandre Naime; Pagliano, Pasquale; Zambrano-Sanchez, Gabriela; Cardona-Ospina, Jaime A.; Bížová, Beatrice; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Medicine, School of MedicineMonkeypox is a rare viral infection, endemic in many central and western African countries. The last international outbreak of monkeypox reported outside Africa occurred back in 2003. However, monkeypox has reemerged at a global scale with numerous confirmed cases across the globe in 2022. The rapid spread of cases through different countries has raised serious concerns among public health officials worldwide prompting accelerated investigations aimed to identify the origins and cause of the rapid expansion of cases. The current situation is reminiscent of the very early stages of the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Overlapping features between these, two seemingly alike viral entities include the possibility for airborne transmission and the currently unexplained and rapid spread across borders. Early recognition of cases and timely intervention of potential transmission chains are necessary to contain further outbreaks. Measures should include rapid and accurate diagnosis of cases meeting case definitions, active surveillance efforts, and appropriate containment of confirmed cases. Governments and health policymakers must apply lessons learned from previous outbreaks and start taking active steps toward limiting the recent global spread of monkeypox. Herein, we discuss the status of the current monkeypox outbreaks worldwide, the epidemiological and public health situation at a global scale and what can be done to keep at bay its further expansion and future global implications.Item Recent advances in vaccine and immunotherapy for COVID-19(Taylor & Francis, 2020) Rabaan, Ali A.; Al-Ahmed, Shamsah H.; Sah, Ranjit; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Al-Qaneh, Ayman M.; Al-Jamea, Lamiaa H.; Woodman, Alexander; Al-Qahtani, Manaf; Haque, Shafiul; Harapan, Harapan; Bonilla-Aldana, D. Katterine; Kumar, Pavan; Dhama, Kuldeep; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Medicine, School of MedicineThe COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths. Beyond there being no available antiviral therapy, stimulating protective immunity by vaccines is the best option for managing future infections. Development of a vaccine for a novel virus is a challenging effort that may take several years to accomplish. This mini-review summarizes the immunopathological responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and discusses advances in the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics for COVID-19.Item Super-spreading Events and Contribution to Transmission of MERS, SARS, and COVID-19(Elsevier, 2020) Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Medicine, School of MedicineThere is no clear definition for the term ‘super-spreader’ or ‘super-spreading event’. The World Health Organization refers to a super-spreader as a patient (or an event) that may transmit infection to a larger number of individuals than is usual by one individual (or event). In the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) situation, a super-spreading event was defined as the transmission of SARS to at ≥8 contacts, and other authors defined this as individuals infecting an unusually large number of secondary cases [ 1 , 2 ]. A super-spreading event could merely be defined as an event in which one patient infects far more people than an average patient does, which is estimated by the basic reproduction number (R0).Item The global challenges of the long COVID-19 in adults and children(Elsevier, 2023) Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Lopez-Echeverri, María Camila; Perez-Raga, Maria Fernanda; Quintero-Romero, Valentina; Valencia-Gallego, Valentina; Galindo-Herrera, Nicolas; López-Alzate, Santiago; Sánchez-Vinasco, Juan Diego; Gutiérrez-Vargas, Juan José; Mayta-Tristan, Percy; Husni, Rola; Moghnieh, Rima; Stephan, Joseph; Faour, Wissam; Tawil, Samah; Barakat, Hanane; Chaaban, Toufic; Megarbane, Andre; Rizk, Youssef; Sakr, Rania; Escalera-Antezana, Juan Pablo; Alvarado-Arnez, Lucia E.; Bonilla-Aldana, D. Katterine; Camacho-Moreno, German; Mendoza, Henry; Rodriguez-Sabogal, Ivan Arturo; Millán-Oñate, Jose; Lopardo, Gustavo; Barbosa, Alexandre Naime; Cimerman, Sergio; do Socorro Souza Chaves, Tânia; Orduna, Tomas; Lloveras, Susana; Rodriguez-Morales, Andrea G.; Thormann, Monica; Zambrano, Patricia Gabriela; Perez, Clevy; Sandoval, Nancy; Zambrano, Lysien; Alvarez-Moreno, Carlos A.; Chacon-Cruz, Enrique; Villamil-Gomez, Wilmer E.; Benites-Zapata, Vicente; Savio-Larriera, Eduardo; Cardona-Ospina, Jaime A.; Risquez, Alejandro; Forero-Peña, David A.; Henao-Martínez, Andrés F.; Sah, Ranjit; Barboza, Joshuan J.; León-Figueroa, Darwin A.; Acosta-España, Jaime David; Carrero-Gonzalez, Carmen María; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Rabaan, Ali A.; Leblebicioglu, Hakan; Gonzales-Zamora, Jose A.; Ulloa-Gutiérrez, Rolando; Medicine, School of MedicineItem The human monkeypox in Saudi Arabia and global tourism(Elsevier, 2022-09-17) Alshahrani, Najim Z.; Assiri, Abdullah M.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Sah, Ranjit; Medicine, School of MedicineItem The resurgence of monkeypox: Epidemiology, clinical features, and public health implications in the post-smallpox eradication era(Elsevier, 2024-09-24) Singh, Parminder; Sridhar, Sathvik Belagodu; Shareef, Javedh; Talath, Sirajunisa; Mohapatra, Priyanka; Khatib, Mahalaqua Nazli; Ballal, Suhas; Kaur, Mandeep; Nathiya, Deepak; Sharma, Shilpa; Prasad, G. V. Siva; Sinha, Aashna; Varma, Amit; Bushi, Ganesh; Gaidhane, Abhay M.; Satapathy, Prakasini; Shabil, Muhammed; Sah, Renu; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Sah, Ranjit; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Medicine, School of MedicineThe recent global resurgence of Mpox (formerly monkeypox), primarily transmitted via close contact and respiratory droplets, highlights a significant shift in its epidemiology, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This resurgence underscores the need for robust public health responses and improved surveillance. This comprehensive review of current literature focuses on recent outbreaks, virology, and available treatments. Epidemiological data were gathered from various international health reports and analysed to understand transmission dynamics and outbreak patterns. Mpox, characterised by symptoms like fever and rash, has shown variable clinical presentations, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. Recent outbreaks have prompted the development of new diagnostic methods and treatments, including antivirals like Tecovirimat and vaccines such as MVA-BN. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of these vaccines in preventing infection, which is crucial for outbreak containment. The global response to the Mpox resurgence requires integrated strategies combining vaccination, antiviral treatments, and public health policies tailored to high-risk populations. Future efforts should focus on vaccine distribution equity and enhancing diagnostic capabilities to effectively manage and mitigate the impact of Mpox.Item The use of antivirals in the treatment of human monkeypox outbreaks: a systematic review(Elsevier, 2023) Shamim, Muhammad Aaqib; Padhi, Bijaya Kumar; Satapathy, Prakasini; Veeramachaneni, Sai D.; Chatterjee, Chandrima; Tripathy, Snehasish; Akhtar, Naushaba; Pradhan, Anindita; Dwivedi, Pradeep; Mohanty, Aroop; Rodriguez-Morales, Alfonso J.; Sah, Ranjit; Al-Tammemi, Ala’a B.; Al-Tawfiq, Jaffar A.; Nowrouzi-Kia, Behdin; Chattu, Vijay Kumar; Medicine, School of MedicineObjectives: Human monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection is a recently declared public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization. Besides, there is scant literature available on the use of antivirals in MPXV infection. This systematic review compiles all evidence of various antivirals used on their efficacy and safety and summarizes their mechanisms of action. Methods: A review was done of all original studies mentioning individual patient data on the use of antivirals in patients with MPXV infection. Results: Of the total 487 non-duplicate studies, 18 studies with 71 individuals were included. Tecovirimat was used in 61 individuals, followed by cidofovir in seven and brincidofovir (BCV) in three individuals. Topical trifluridine was used in four ophthalmic cases in addition to tecovirimat. Of the total, 59 (83.1%) were reported to have complete resolution of symptoms; one was experiencing waxing and waning of symptoms, only one (1.8%) had died, and the others were having a resolution of symptoms. The death was thought unrelated to tecovirimat. Elevated hepatic panels were reported among all individuals treated with BCV (leading to treatment discontinuation) and five treated with tecovirimat. Conclusion: Tecovirimat is the most used and has proven beneficial in several aggravating cases. No major safety concerns were detected upon its use. Topical trifluridine was used as an adjuvant treatment option along with tecovirimat. BCV and cidofovir were seldom used, with the latter often being used due to the unavailability of tecovirimat. BCV was associated with treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.