Vergara Alert, Júlia

Principal Investigator - Zoonotic Coronaviruses

Latest
Publications

  • Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies from severe COVID-19 individuals or S2 immunizations do not worsen disease in hamsters

    Pedreno-Lopez, Nuria; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Usai, Carla; Raich-Regue, Dalia; Benet, Susana; Ainsua-Enrich, Erola; Carabelli, Julieta; Pradenas,...

    Communications Biology . 2025 10.1038/s42003-025-09034-3
  • Long-term neurocognitive outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in a hamster model

    Ruiz-Casas, Carla; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Roca, Nuria; Perez, Monica; Cantero, Guillermo; Martin, Laura; Olvera, Alex; Ruiz-Riol, Marta; Brander,...

    Frontiers In Microbiology. 2025 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1646616
  • Deep Sequencing Reveals Dual Evolution of SARS-CoV-2: Insights Into Defective Genomes From Wuhan-Hu-1 Variants to Omicron Subvariants

    Campos, C; Ibañez-Lligoña, M; Colomer-Castell, S; Gregori, J; Garcia-Cehic, D; Andrés, C; Piñana, M; Gonzalez-Sanchez, A; Rando-Segura, A;...

    Journal Of Medical Virology. 2025 10.1002/jmv.70476
  • The role of innate immune responses against two strains of PEDV (S INDEL and non-S INDEL) in newborn and weaned piglets inoculated by combined orogastric and intranasal routes

    Lopez-Figueroa, C; Cano, E; Navarro, N; Perez, M; Lopez, R; Skovgaard, K; Vorsholt, H; Heegaard, P M H; Vergara-Alert, J; Segales, J

    Frontiers In Immunology. 2025 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1584785
  • Porcine alveolar macrophages and nasal epithelial cells internalize porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) but do not support its replication in vitro

    Lopez-Figueroa, Carlos; Carmona-Vicente, Noelia; Cano, Esmeralda; Navarro, Nuria; Risco, Cristina; Repulles, Joan; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert,...

    Microbes And Infection. 2025 10.1016/j.micinf.2025.105500
  • Comparison of Three Commercial ELISA Kits for Detection of Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 in Serum Samples from Different Animal Species

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Marfil, Silvia; Pradenas, Edwards; Blanco, Julia; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Segales, Joaquim

    Viruses-Basel. 2025 10.3390/v17050716
  • A human-ACE2 knock-in mouse model for SARS-CoV-2 infection recapitulates respiratory disorders but avoids neurological disease associated with the transgenic K18-hACE2 model

    Pons-Grifols, Anna; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Perez, Monica; Riveira-Munoz, Eva; Raich-Regue, Dalia; Perez-Zsolt, Daniel; Munoz-Basagoiti, Jordana;...

  • Subcutaneous administration of an endocrine-mimetic, slow-release protein material reduces the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection

    Parlade, Eloi; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Favaro, Marianna T P; Lascorz, Jara; Marquez-Matinez, Merce; Mendoza, Rosa; Corchero, Jose Luis; Cantero,...

    Journal Of Drug Delivery Science And Technology. 2025 10.1016/j.jddst.2025.106813
  • An ACE2-Fc decoy produced in glycoengineered plants neutralizes ancestral and newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and demonstrates therapeutic efficacy in hamsters

    Foederl-Hoebenreich, Esther; Izadi, Shiva; Hofacker, Lara; Kienzl, Nikolaus F; Castilho, Alexandra; Strasser, Richard; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran;...

    Scientific Reports. 2025 10.1038/s41598-025-95494-w
  • Targeting eEF1A reprograms translation and uncovers broad-spectrum antivirals against cap or m6A protein synthesis routes

    Molina, Elisa Molina; Bech-Serra, Joan Josep; Franco-Trepat, Eloi; Jarne, Ignasi; Perez-Zsolt, Daniel; Badia, Roger; Riveira-Munoz, Eva;...

    Nature Communications. 2025 10.1038/s41467-025-56151-y
  • Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in exotic pets in Spain

    Cano-Terriza, David; Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Vaquez-Calero, Daniel B; Castro-Scholten, Sabrina; Caballero-Gomez, Javier;...

    Comparative Immunology, Microbiology And Infectious Diseases. 2025 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102289
  • Proteomics of circulating extracellular vesicles reveals diverse clinical presentations of COVID-19 but fails to identify viral peptides

    Gualdron-Lopez, Melisa; Ayllon-Hermida, Alberto; Cortes-Serra, Nuria; Resa-Infante, Patricia; Bech-Serra, Joan Josep; Aparici-Herraiz, Iris;...

    Frontiers In Cellular And Infection Microbiology. 2024 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1442743
  • Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 infection in urban and peri-urban wildlife species from Catalonia (Spain)

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Montalvo, Tomas; Franco, Sandra; Barahona, Laura; Lopez-Bejar, Manel; Carbajal, Annais; Casas-Diaz, Encarna; Closa-Sebastia,...

    One Health Outlook. 2024 10.1186/s42522-024-00109-5
  • Survey of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in captive and free-ranging wildlife from Spain

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Cano-Terriza, David; Caballero-Gomez, Javier; Beato-Benitez, Adrian; Fernandez, Antonio; Garcia-Parraga, Daniel; Domingo,...

    Veterinary Research. 2024 10.1186/s13567-024-01348-0
  • SARS-CoV-2 in Captive Nonhuman Primates, Spain, 2020-2023

    Cano-Terriza, David; Beato-Benitez, Adrian; Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Martinez-Nevado, Eva; Carretero, Andrea;...

    Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2024 10.3201/eid3006.231247
  • Plitidepsin as an Immunomodulator against Respiratory Viral Infections

    Losada, Alejandro; Izquierdo-Useros, Nuria; Aviles, Pablo; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Latino, Irene; Segales, Joaquim; Gonzalez, Santiago F; Cuevas,...

    The Journal Of Immunology. 2024 10.4049/jimmunol.2300426
  • Middle East respiratory coronavirus (MERS-CoV) internalized by llama alveolar macrophages does not result in virus replication or induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines

    Rodon, Jordi; Sachse, Martin; Te, Nigeer; Segales, Joaquim; Bensaid, Albert; Risco, Cristina; Vergara-Alert, Julia

    Microbes And Infection. 2024 10.1016/j.micinf.2023.105252
  • Immunization with V987H-stabilized Spike glycoprotein protects K18-hACE2 mice and golden Syrian hamsters upon SARS-CoV-2 infection

    Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Amengual-Rigo, Pep; Ainsua-Enrich, Erola; Brustolin, Marco; de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa Rodriguez;...

    Nature Communications. 2024 10.1038/s41467-024-46714-w
  • Exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

    Gomez, Javier Caballero; Cano-Terriza, David; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Zorrilla, Irene; del Rey, Teresa; Paniagua, Jorge; Gonzalvez,...

    Veterinary Microbiology. 2024 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110001
  • Immunisation efficacy of a stabilised SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein in two geriatric animal models

    Usai, Carla; Ainsua-Enrich, Erola; Gales, Victor Urrea; Pradenas, Edwards; Lorca-Oro, Cristina; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Roca, Nuria; Perez, Monica;...

    Npj Vaccines. 2024 10.1038/s41541-024-00840-0
  • A monoclonal antibody targeting a large surface of the receptor binding motif shows pan-neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 activity

    de Campos-Mata, Leire; Trinite, Benjamin; Modrego, Andrea; Tejedor Vaquero, Sonia; Pradenas, Edwards; Pons-Grifols, Anna; Rodrigo Melero, Natalia;...

    Nature Communications. 2024 10.1038/s41467-024-45171-9
  • Clinical, Pathological and Virological Outcomes of Tissue-Homogenate-Derived and Cell-Adapted Strains of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) in a Neonatal Pig Model

    Lopez-Figueroa, Carlos; Cano, Esmeralda; Navarro, Nuria; Perez-Maillo, Monica; Pujols, Joan; Nunez, Jose I; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Segales, Joaquim;...

    Viruses-Basel. 2024 10.3390/v16010044
  • Novel Spike-stabilized trimers with improved production protect K18-hACE2 mice and golden Syrian hamsters from the highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant

    Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Amengual-Rigo, Pep; Ainsua-Enrich, Erola; Brustolin, Marco; de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa Rodriguez;...

    Frontiers In Immunology. 2023 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1291972
  • Quantification of camelid cytokine mRNA expression in PBMCs by microfluidic qPCR technology

    Rodon, Jordi; Te, Nigeer; Ballester, Maria; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bensaid, Albert

    Developmental And Comparative Immunology. 2023 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105061
  • Transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 from humans to animals: is there a risk of novel reservoirs?

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Segales, Joaquim

    Current Opinion In Virology. 2023 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101365
  • Animal models to study the neurological manifestations of the post-COVID-19 condition

    Usai, Carla; Mateu, Lourdes; Brander, Christian; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Segales, Joaquim

    Lab Animal. 2023 10.1038/s41684-023-01231-z
  • Beta-Cyclodextrins as affordable antivirals to treat coronavirus infection

    Raich-Regue, Dalia; Tenorio, Raquel; Fernandez de Castro, Isabel; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Sachse, Martin; Perez-Zsolt, Daniel; Munoz-Basagoiti,...

    Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114997
  • Enhanced antiviral immunity and dampened inflammation in llama lymph nodes upon MERS-CoV sensing: bridging innate and adaptive cellular immune responses in camelid reservoirs

    Rodon, Jordi; Te, Nigeer; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bensaid, Albert

    Frontiers In Immunology. 2023 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1205080
  • Preclinical evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on a recombinant RBD fusion heterodimer of SARS-CoV-2

    Barreiro, Antonio; Prenafeta, Antoni; Bech-Sabat, Gregori; Roca, Merce; Mur, Eva Perozo; March, Ricard; Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Luis; Madrenas, Laia;...

  • Extended Viral Shedding of MERS-CoV Clade B Virus in Llamas Compared with African Clade C Strain

    Rodon, Jordi; Mykytyn, Anna Z; Te, Nigeer; Okba, Nisreen M A; Lamers, Mart M; Pailler-Garcia, Lola; Cantero, Guillermo; Albulescu, Irina; Berend-Jan,...

    Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023 10.3201/eid2903.220986
  • Enhanced replication fitness of MERS-CoV clade B over clade A strains in camelids explains the dominance of clade B strains in the Arabian Peninsula

    Te, Nigeer; Rodon, Jordi; Perez, Monica; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bensaid, Albert

    Emerging Microbes & Infections. 2022 10.1080/22221751.2021.2019559
  • Kinetics of immune responses elicited after three mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses in predominantly antibody-deficient individuals

    Ainsua-Enrich, Erola; Pedreno-Lopez, Nuria; Bracke, Carmen; Avila-Nieto, Carlos; de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa Rodriguez; Pradenas, Edwards; Trinite,...

  • Agreement and differential use of laboratory methods for the detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in experimentally infected animals

    Usai, Carla; Pailler-Garcia, Lola; Lorca-Oro, Cristina; Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Roca, Nuria; Brustolin, Marco; Rodon, Jordi; Perez, Monica; Cantero,...

    Frontiers In Microbiology. 2022 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1016201
  • Heterologous Systemic Prime-Intranasal Boosting Using a Spore SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Confers Mucosal Immunity and Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Mice as well as Protection in Hamsters

    Katsande, Paidamoyo M; Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Ferreira, William T; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Hess, Mateusz; Lloyd-Jones, Katie; Hong, Huynh A; Segales,...

    Vaccines. 2022 10.3390/vaccines10111900
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and humoral responses against different variants of concern in domestic pet animals and stray cats from North-Eastern Spain

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Marfil, Silvia; Pradenas, Edwards; Valle, Rosa; Roca, Nuria; Rodon, Jordi; Pailler-Garcia, Lola; Trinite, Benjamin; Parera,...

    Transboundary And Emerging Diseases. 2022 10.1111/tbed.14714
  • Evaluation of alpaca tracheal explants as an ex vivo model for the study of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection

    Te, Nigeer; Rodon, Jordi; Creve, Rhea; Perez, Monica; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Jolia; Bensaid, Albert

    Veterinary Research. 2022 10.1186/s13567-022-01084-3
  • Susceptibility of Domestic Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) to Experimental Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) B.1.351/Beta Variant

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Roca, Nuria; Romero-Durana, Miguel; Rodon, Jordi; Cantero, Guillermo; Garcia, Oscar; Lopez, Carlos; Perez, Monica; Lopez,...

    Viruses-Basel. 2022 10.3390/v14092002
  • Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in camelids

    Te, Nigeer; Ciurkiewicz, Malgorzata; van den Brand, Judith M A; Rodon, Jordi; Haverkamp, Ann-Kathrin; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bensaid, Albert;...

    Veterinary Pathology. 2022 10.1177/03009858211069120
  • Chronological brain lesions after SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2-transgenic mice

    Vidal, Enric; Lopez-Figueroa, Carlos; Rodon, Jordi; Perez, Monica; Brustolin, Marco; Cantero, Guillermo; Guallar, Victor; Izquierdo-Useros, Nuria;...

    Veterinary Pathology. 2022 10.1177/03009858211066841
  • Protective efficacy of an RBD-based Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) particle vaccine in llamas

    Rodon, Jordi; Mykytyn, Anna Z; Cantero, Guillermo; Albulescu, Irina C; Bosch, Berend-Jan; Brix, Alexander; Audonnet, Jean-Christophe; Bensaid,...

    One Health Outlook. 2022 10.1186/s42522-022-00068-9
  • Heterogeneous Infectivity and Pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Beta, Delta and Omicron in Transgenic K18-hACE2 and Wildtype Mice

    Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Trinite, Benjamin; Pons-Grifols, Anna; Romero-Durana, Miguel; Riveira-Munoz, Eva; Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Perez, Monica;...

    Frontiers In Microbiology. 2022 10.3389/fmicb.2022.840757
  • Unraveling the antiviral activity of plitidepsin against SARS-CoV-2 by subcellular and morphological analysis

    Sachse, Martin; Tenorio, Raquel; Castro, Isabel Fernandez de; Munoz-Basagoiti, Jordana; Perez-Zsolt, Daniel; Raich-Regu, Dalia; Rodon, Jordi; Losada,...

    Antiviral Research. 2022 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105270
  • Clinical course impacts early kinetics, magnitude, and amplitude of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies beyond 1 year after infection

    Pradenas, Edwards; Trinite, Benjamin; Urrea, Victor; Marfil, Silvia; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Ortiz, Raquel; Rovirosa, Carla; Rodon, Jordi;...

    Cell Reports Medicine . 2022 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100523
  • Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Inactivation in a Simulated Hospital Room Using a Mobile and Autonomous Robot Emitting Ultraviolet-C Light

    Lorca-Oro, Cristina; Vila, Jordi; Pleguezuelos, Patricia; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Rodon, Jordi; Majo, Natalia; Lopez, Sergio; Segales, Joaquim;...

    Journal Of Infectious Diseases. 2022 10.1093/infdis/jiab551
  • First Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) Variant of Concern in a Dog with Clinical Signs in Spain

    Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Rodon, Jordi; Pradenas, Edwards; Marfil, Silvia; Trinite, Benjamin; Parera, Mariona; Roca, Nuria; Pou, Anna; Cantero,...

    Viruses-Basel. 2021 10.3390/v13122526
  • Monitoring Natural SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Lions (Panthera leo) at the Barcelona Zoo: Viral Dynamics and Host Responses

    Fernandez-Bellon, Hugo; Rodon, Jordi; Fernandez-Bastit, Leira; Almagro, Vanessa; Padilla-Sole, Pilar; Lorca-Oro, Cristina; Valle, Rosa; Roca, Nuria;...

    Viruses-Basel. 2021 10.3390/v13091683
  • Critical Presentation of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Reinfection: A Case Report

    Massanella, Marta; Martin-Urda, Anabel; Mateu, Lourdes; Marin, Toni; Aldas, Irene; Riveira-Munoz, Eva; Kipelainen, Athina; Jimenez-Moyano, Esther;...

    Open Forum Infectious Diseases. 2021 10.1093/ofid/ofab329
  • Pigs are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection but are a model for viral immunogenicity studies

    Vergara-Alert, Julia; Rodon, Jordi; Carrillo, Jorge; Te, Nigeer; Izquierdo-Useros, Nuria; Rodriguez de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa; Avila-Nieto,...

    Transboundary And Emerging Diseases. 2021 10.1111/tbed.13861
  • Previous SARS-CoV-2 Infection Increases B.1.1.7 Cross-Neutralization by Vaccinated Individuals

    Trinite, Benjamin; Pradenas, Edwards; Marfil, Silvia; Rovirosa, Carla; Urrea, Victor; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Ortiz, Raquel; Rodon, Jordi;...

    Viruses-Basel. 2021 10.3390/v13061135
  • Type I and III IFNs produced by the nasal epithelia and dimmed inflammation are features of alpacas resolving MERS-CoV infection

    Te, Nigeer; Rodon, Jordi; Ballester, Maria; Perez, Monica; Pailler-Garcia, Lola; Segales, Joaquim; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bensaid, Albert

    Plos Pathogens. 2021 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009229
  • Identification of Plitidepsin as Potent Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Cytopathic Effect After a Drug Repurposing Screen

    Rodon, Jordi; Munoz-Basagoiti, Jordana; Perez-Zsolt, Daniel; Noguera-Julian, Marc; Paredes, Roger; Mateu, Lourdes; Quinones, Carles; Perez, Carles;...

    Frontiers In Pharmacology. 2021 10.3389/fphar.2021.646676
  • Stable neutralizing antibody levels 6 months after mild and severe COVID-19 episodes

    Pradenas, Edwards; Trinite, Benjamin; Urrea, Victor; Marfil, Silvia; Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Rodriguez de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa; Tarres-Freixas,...

    Med (N Y). 2021 10.1016/j.medj.2021.01.005
  • SARS-CoV-2 infection elicits a rapid neutralizing antibody response that correlates with disease severity

    Trinite, Benjamin; Tarres-Freixas, Ferran; Rodon, Jordi; Pradenas, Edwards; Urrea, Victor; Marfl, Silvia; Rodriguez de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa;...

    Scientific Reports. 2021 10.1038/s41598-021-81862-9
  • Protection against reinfection with D614-or G614-SARS-CoV-2 isolates in golden Syrian hamster

    Brustolin, Marco; Rodon, Jordi; Rodriguez de la Concepcion, Maria Luisa; Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Cantero, Guillermo; Perez, Monica; Te, Nigeer;...

    Emerging Microbes & Infections. 2021 10.1080/22221751.2021.1913974
  • Cross-neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 is present in currently available intravenous immunoglobulins

    Maria Diez, Jose; Romero, Carolina; Vergara-Alert, Julia; Bello-Perez, Melissa; Rodon, Jordi; Manuel Honrubia, Jose; Segales, Joaquim; Sola, Isabel;...

    Immunotherapy. 2020 10.2217/imt-2020-0220
  • Animal models for COVID-19

    Munoz-Fontela, Cesar; Dowling, William E; Funnell, Simon G P; Gsell, Pierre-S; Riveros-Balta, A Ximena; Albrecht, Randy A; Andersen, Hanne; Baric,...

  • Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in a cat owned by a COVID-19-affected patient in Spain

    Segales, Joaquim; Puig, Mariona; Rodon, Jordi; Avila-Nieto, Carlos; Carrillo, Jorge; Cantero, Guillermo; Terron, Maria Teresa; Cruz, Silvia; Parera,...

    Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America. 2020 10.1073/pnas.2010817117
  • Use of the informational spectrum methodology for rapid biological analysis of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV: Prediction of potential receptor, natural reservoir, tropism and therapeutic/vaccine target

    Veljkovic V; Vergara-Alert J; Segalés J; Paessler S

    F1000research. 2020 10.12688/f1000research.22149.1
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