Biology subjects

Poveda, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Poveda, E..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) of Ecuador

Bumble bee diversity and distribution in the Tropical Andes remain insufficiently documented. Here, we provide the first comprehensive checklist of Bombus species for continental Ecuador, integrating data from regional museum collections, published literature, and online biodiversity databases. We further assessed Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) barcode variation in six species. In total, we documented 15 Bombus species occurring across 22 provinces of continental Ecuador. Relative to previous reports, we extend the known elevational ranges of B. transversalis and B. funebris to higher altitudes, and of B. excellens to lower elevations. Three species (B. mexicanus, B. coccineus, and B. ephippiatus) were excluded from the checklist, as earlier records are now considered erroneous. Additionally, citizen science data revealed interactions between eight bumble bee species and 138 plant species, of which 87 species are native. Our findings highlight the value of integrating natural history collections, molecular approaches, and participatory science to secure the long-term conservation of bumble bee diversity in the Tropical Andes.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2021

Deciphering the quality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response associated with disease severity, immune memory and heterologous response

SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response has been associated with disease severity, immune memory and heterologous response to endemic coronaviruses. However, an integrative approach combining a comprehensive analysis of the quality of SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response with antibody levels in these three scenarios is needed. In the present study we found that, in acute infection, while mild disease was associated with high T-cell polyfunctionality biased to IL-2 production and inversely correlated with anti-S IgG levels, combinations only including IFN-{gamma} with absence of perforin production predominated in severe disease. Seven months after infection, both non-hospitalized and previously hospitalized patients presented robust anti-S IgG levels and SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response. In addition, only previously hospitalized patients showed a T-cell exhaustion profile. Finally, combinations including IL-2 in response to S protein of endemic coronaviruses, were the ones associated with SARS-CoV-2 S-specific T-cell response in pre-COVID-19 healthy donors samples. These results have implications for protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and recurrent COVID-19 and may help for the design of new prototypes and boosting vaccine strategies.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Elevated anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and IL-6, IL-8, MIP-1β, early predictors of severe COVID-19.

BackgroundViral and host immune kinetics during acute COVID-19 and after remission of acute symptoms need better characterization. MethodsSARS-CoV-2 RNA, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured in sequential samples among hospitalized COVID-19 patients during acute infection and 6 months following diagnosis. Results24 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients with mild/moderate and severe COVID-19 were included. Most were males 83%, median age of 61 years. 21% were admitted to the ICU and 8 of them (33.3%) met criteria for severe COVID-19 disease. A delay in SARS-CoV-2 levels decline during the first 6 days of follow-up and viral load persistence until month 3 were related with severe COVID-19, but not viral load levels at the diagnosis. Higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA, IgM, IgG and the cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and MIP-1{beta} at the diagnosis time were related with severe COVID-19 outcome. Higher levels of MIP-1{beta}, IL-1{beta}, MIP-1 and IFN-{gamma} were observed at month 1/3 during mild/moderate disease compared to severe COVID-19. IgG persisted at low levels after 6 months of diagnosis. ConclusionsHigher concentrations of IgA, IgM, and IgG, and IL-6, IL-8 and MIP-1{beta} are identified as early predictors of COVID-19 severity, but not SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels at diagnosis.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN- production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously non-hospitalized patients while integrin {beta}7 and indoleamine 2,3- dyoxigenase (IDO) no restoration was observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19.

immunology↗