Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, there have been a number of clusters of human-to-human transmission. These cases of human-to-human transmission involve close contact and have occurred primarily in healthcare settings, and they are suspected to result from repeated zoonotic introductions. In this study, we sequenced whole MERS-CoV genomes directly from respiratory samples collected from 23 confirmed MERS cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These samples included cases from three nosocomial and three household clusters. The sequences were analysed for changes and relatedness with regard to the collected epidemiological data and other available MERS-CoV genomic data. Sequence analysis supports the epidemiological data within the clusters, and further, suggests that these clusters emerged independently. To understand how and when these clusters emerged, respiratory samples were taken from dromedary camels, a known host of MERS-CoV, in the same geographic regions as the human clusters. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus genomes from six virus-positive animals were sequenced, and these genomes were nearly identical to those found in human patients from corresponding regions. These data demonstrate a genetic link for each of these clusters to a camel and support the hypothesis that human MERS-CoV diversity results from multiple zoonotic introductions.
The present review describes the various roles of cyclodextrins (CDs) in vaccines against viruses and in antiviral therapeutics. The first section describes the most commonly studied application of cyclodextrins—solubilisation and stabilisation of antiviral drugs; some examples also refer to their beneficial taste-masking activity. The second part of the review describes the role of cyclodextrins in antiviral vaccine development and stabilisation, where they are employed as adjuvants and cryopreserving agents. In addition, cyclodextrin-based polymers as delivery systems for mRNA are currently under development. Lastly, the use of cyclodextrins as pharmaceutical active ingredients for the treatment of viral infections is explored. This new field of application is still taking its first steps. Nevertheless, promising results from the use of cyclodextrins as agents to treat other pathologies are encouraging. We present potential applications of the results reported in the literature and highlight the products that are already available on the market.
This short paper investigates the solubilizing ability of various cyclodextrins with efavirenz as well as the formation of solid inclusion complexes of efavirenz with β-CD and γ-CD. (1) Background: Efavirenz is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used as first-line treatment for adult and pediatric human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection (HIV-1). Belonging to class II of Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), efavirenz is poorly water-soluble. Inclusion into cyclodextrins is a possible strategy for increasing its solubility. (2) Methods: Solubility modulation was investigated by the phase solubility method; inclusion of efavirenz with β- and γ-cyclodextrins was attempted by co-dissolution with co-precipitation; the precipitates were studied by DSC, FT-IR, powder X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. (3) Results: Solid state analysis of the precipitates shows evidence of separate recrystallization of β-cyclodextrin and efavirenz, whereas in the case of γ-cyclodextrin, a single new phase was observed. (4) Conclusion: Results show that the cavity of β-cyclodextrin is too narrow to accommodate efavirenz and only γ-cyclodextrin, the largest of native cyclodextrins, is able to form a true inclusion complex with this bulky guest.
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