Biology subjects

Noronha, L. E.

Publications and source records attributed to Noronha, L. E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2020

Susceptibility of midge and mosquito vectors to SARS-CoV-2 by natural route of infection

SARS-CoV-2 is a recently emerged, highly contagious virus and the cause of the current pandemic. It is a zoonotic virus, although its animal origin is not clear yet. Person-to-person transmission occurs by inhalation of infected droplets and aerosols, or by direct contact with contaminated fomites. Arthropods transmit numerous viral, parasitic, and bacterial diseases; however, the potential role of arthropods in SARS-CoV-2 transmission is not fully understood. Thus far, a few studies have demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 replication is not supported in cells from certain insect species nor in certain species of mosquitoes after intrathoracic inoculation. In this study, we expanded the work of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility to biting insects after ingesting a SARS-CoV-2infected blood meal. Species tested included Culicoides sonorensis biting midges, as well as Culex tarsalis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, all known biological vectors for numerous RNA viruses. Arthropods were allowed to feed on SARS-CoV-2 spiked blood and at various time points post infection analyzed for the presence of viral RNA and infectious virus. Additionally, cell lines derived from C. sonorensis (W8a), Ae. aegypti (C6/36), Cx. quinquefasciatus (HSU), and Cx. tarsalis (CxTrR2) were tested for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility. Our results indicate that none of the biting insects, nor the insect cell lines support SARS-CoV-2 replication. We conclude, that biting insect do not pose a risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to humans or animals following a SARS-CoV-2 infected blood meal.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2019

High-polyphenol extracts from Sorghum bicolor attenuate replication of Legionella pneumophila within RAW 264.7 macrophages

Polyphenols derived from a variety of plants have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against diverse microbial pathogens. Legionella pneumophila is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that opportunistically causes a severe inflammatory pneumonia in humans, called Legionnaires Disease, via replication within macrophages. Previous studies demonstrated that tea polyphenols attenuate L. pneumophila intracellular replication within mouse macrophages via amplification of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production. Sorghum bicolor is a sustainable and resilient cereal crop that thrives in arid environments and is well suited to continued production in warming climates. Polyphenols derived from sorghum have anticancer and antioxidant properties, but their antimicrobial activity has not been evaluated. Here, we investigated the impact of sorghum polyphenols on L. pneumophila intracellular replication within RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. We discovered that sorghum high-polyphenol extract (HPE) treatment attenuates L. pneumophila intracellular replication in a dose-dependent manner. Sorghum HPE did not impair bacterial replication in vitro or impact macrophage viability. Moreover, in contrast to tea polyphenols, HPE treatment impaired TNF secretion from infected macrophages. Thus, polyphenols derived from sorghum enhance macrophage restriction of L. pneumophila by a novel mechanism. This work provides a foundation for the use of sorghum as an antimicrobial agent.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2018

Medical Nonadherence, Cannabis Use, and Renal Outcome in Systemic Lupus Erythematosis

Background/ObjectiveNon-adherence to recommended medical therapy has been associated with poorer outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The present research investigated the association of medical non-adherence and cannabis use on renal outcomes of SLE.\n\nMethodsThis was a prospective 5-year longitudinal outcome study of 276 female SLE patients 30.4% who chronically used medical cannabis and 69.5% who did not. Outcomes were determined at 5 years after enrollment in the study.\n\nResultsCannabis use in SLE patients was associated with an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric SLE (p<0.05), opioid analgesic use (p<0.01), cigarette smoking (p<0.001), and non-adherence to the medical regimen (non-cannabis: 3% non-adherence vs. cannabis use: 95% non-adherence, p<0.001). Within the 5-year period, the cannabis group demonstrated a 53% increase in mortality (p=0.12) and 127% increase in end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis (p<0.001). With logistic regression analysis adjusting for SLE disease activity (SLEDAI-2K), cannabis use was an independent predictor of end-stage renal disease: Odds ratio 2.65 (CI 1.32 - 5.32, p<0.01). Adjusting for SLE disease damage (SLICC/ACR-DI), cannabis use remained an independent predictor of end-stage renal disease: Odds ratio 2.0 (CI 1.26 - 6.23, p<0.01). With multivariable analysis adjusting for non-adherence, the effect of cannabis on end-stage renal disease could be largely attributed to an increase in non-adherence to medical therapy.\n\nConclusionsNon-adherence to recommended therapy and medical cannabis use are associated with a significant increase in the development of end-stage renal disease in SLE.

epidemiology↗