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1.
Sci Immunol ; : eadg7015, 2023 May 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2318720

ABSTRACT

Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants escape vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies and cause nearly all current COVID-19 cases. Here, we compared the efficacy of three booster vaccines against Omicron BA.5 challenge in rhesus macaques: mRNA-1273, the Novavax ancestral spike protein vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), or Omicron BA.1 spike protein version (NVX-CoV2515). All three booster vaccines induced a strong BA.1 cross-reactive binding antibody and changed immunoglobulin G dominance from IgG1 to IgG4 in the serum. All three booster vaccines also induced strong and comparable neutralizing antibody responses against multiple variants of concern, including BA.5 and BQ.1.1, along with long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow. The ratio of BA.1 to WA-1 spike-specific antibody-secreting cells in the blood was higher in NVX-CoV2515 animals compared to NVX-CoV2373 animals, suggesting a better recall of BA.1 specific memory B cells by the BA.1 spike-specific vaccine compared to the ancestral spike-specific vaccine. Further, all three booster vaccines induced low levels of spike-specific CD4 but not CD8 T cell responses in the blood. Following challenge with SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 variant, all three vaccines showed strong protection in the lungs and controlled virus replication in the nasopharynx. In addition, both Novavax vaccines blunted viral replication in nasopharynx at day 2. The protection against SARS-CoV-2 BA.5 infection in the upper respiratory airways correlated with binding, neutralizing, and ADNP activities of the serum antibody. These data have important implications for COVID-19 vaccine development, as vaccines that lower nasopharyngeal virus may help to reduce transmission.

2.
Structure ; 31(7): 801-811.e5, 2023 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2318034

ABSTRACT

Understanding the molecular features of neutralizing epitopes is important for developing vaccines/therapeutics against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. We describe three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated from COVID-19 recovered individuals during the first wave of the pandemic in India. These mAbs had publicly shared near germline gene usage and potently neutralized Alpha and Delta, poorly neutralized Beta, and failed to neutralize Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 variants. Structural analysis of these mAbs in complex with trimeric spike protein showed that all three mAbs bivalently bind spike with two mAbs targeting class 1 and one targeting a class 4 receptor binding domain epitope. The immunogenetic makeup, structure, and function of these mAbs revealed specific molecular interactions associated with the potent multi-variant binding/neutralization efficacy. This knowledge shows how mutational combinations can affect the binding or neutralization of an antibody, which in turn relates to the efficacy of immune responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 escape variants.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , COVID-19 , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Antibodies, Monoclonal , Epitopes , Neutralization Tests
3.
Blood Cancer Discov ; 4(2): 106-117, 2023 03 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2250696

ABSTRACT

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) mount suboptimal neutralizing antibodies (nAb) following 2 doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. Currently, circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) carry the risk of breakthrough infections. We evaluated immune recognition of current VOC including BA.1, BA.2, and BA.5 in 331 racially representative patients with MM following 2 or 3 doses of mRNA vaccines. The third dose increased nAbs against WA1 in 82%, but against BA variants in only 33% to 44% of patients. Vaccine-induced nAbs correlated with receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific class-switched memory B cells. Vaccine-induced spike-specific T cells were detected in patients without seroconversion and cross-recognized variant-specific peptides but were predominantly CD4+ T cells. Detailed clinical/immunophenotypic analysis identified features correlating with nAb/B/T-cell responses. Patients who developed breakthrough infections following 3 vaccine doses had lower live-virus nAbs, including against VOC. Patients with MM remain susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 variants following 3 vaccine doses and should be prioritized for emerging approaches to elicit variant-nAb and CD8+ T cells. SIGNIFICANCE: Three doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines fail to yield detectable VOC nAbs in nearly 60% and spike-specific CD8+ T cells in >80% of myeloma patients. Patients who develop breakthrough infections following vaccination have low levels of live-virus nAb. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 101.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Multiple Myeloma , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Breakthrough Infections , COVID-19/prevention & control , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , mRNA Vaccines , Antibodies, Neutralizing
5.
J Clin Oncol ; 40(26): 3057-3064, 2022 09 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1731566

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Vaccine-induced neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) play a critical role in protection from SARS CoV-2. Patients with B-cell malignancies including myeloma are at increased risk of COVID-19-related mortality and exhibit variable serologic response to the vaccine. The capacity of vaccine-induced antibodies in these patients to neutralize SARS CoV-2 or its variants is not known. METHODS: Sera from 238 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) undergoing SARS CoV-2 vaccination were analyzed. Antibodies against the SARS CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) and viral nucleocapsid were measured to detect serologic response to vaccine and environmental exposure to the virus. The capacity of antibodies to neutralize virus was quantified using pseudovirus neutralization assay and live virus neutralization against the initial SARS CoV-2 strain and the B1.617.2 (Delta) variant. RESULTS: Vaccine-induced nAbs are detectable at much lower rates (54%) than estimated in previous seroconversion studies in MM, which did not monitor viral neutralization. In 33% of patients, vaccine-induced antispike RBD antibodies lack detectable neutralizing capacity, including against the B1.617.2 variant. Induction of nAbs is affected by race, disease, and treatment-related factors. Patients receiving mRNA1273 vaccine (Moderna) achieved significantly greater induction of nAbs compared with those receiving BNT162b2 (Pfizer; 67% v 48%, P = .006). CONCLUSION: These data show that vaccine-induced antibodies in several patients with MM lack detectable virus-neutralizing activity. Vaccine-mediated induction of nAbs is affected by race, disease, vaccine, and treatment characteristics. These data have several implications for the emerging application of booster vaccines in immunocompromised hosts.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Multiple Myeloma , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , BNT162 Vaccine , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Humans , Neutralization Tests , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Vaccination
7.
Cancer Res Commun ; 2(12): 1684-1692, 2022 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2194265

ABSTRACT

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NHL/CLL) patients elicit inadequate antibody responses after initial SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and remain at high risk of severe COVID-19 disease. We investigated IgG, IgA, and IgM responses after booster vaccination against recent SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron BA.5 in 67 patients. Patients had lower fold increase and total anti-spike binding titers after booster than healthy individuals. Antibody responses negatively correlated with recent anti-CD20 therapy and low B cell numbers. Antibodies generated after booster demonstrated similar binding properties against SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to those generated by healthy controls with lower binding against Omicron variants. Importantly, 43% of patients showed anti-Omicron BA.1 neutralizing antibodies after booster and all these patients also had anti-Omicron BA.5 neutralizing antibodies. NHL/CLL patients demonstrated inferior antibody responses after booster vaccination, particularly against Omicron variants. Prioritization of prophylactic and treatment agents and vaccination of patients and close contacts with updated vaccine formulations are essential.

8.
J Clin Oncol ; 40(33): 3808-3816, 2022 Nov 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2117954

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced binding and neutralizing antibody responses in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to SARS-CoV-2 614D (wild type [WT]) strain and variants of concern after the primary 2-dose and booster vaccination. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with NSCLC and 53 healthy volunteers who received SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines were included in the study. Blood was collected longitudinally, and SARS-CoV-2-specific binding and neutralizing antibody responses were evaluated by Meso Scale Discovery assay and live virus Focus Reduction Neutralization Assay, respectively. RESULTS: A majority of patients with NSCLC generated binding and neutralizing antibody titers comparable with the healthy vaccinees after mRNA vaccination, but a subset of patients with NSCLC (25%) made poor responses, resulting in overall lower (six- to seven-fold) titers compared with the healthy cohort (P = < .0001). Although patients age > 70 years had lower immunoglobulin G titers (P = < .01), patients receiving programmed death-1 monotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of both did not have a significant impact on the antibody response. Neutralizing antibody titers to the B.1.617.2 (Delta), B.1.351 (Beta), and in particular, B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants were significantly lower (P = < .0001) compared with the 614D (WT) strain. Booster vaccination led to a significant increase (P = .0001) in the binding and neutralizing antibody titers to the WT and Omicron variant. However, 2-4 months after the booster, we observed a five- to seven-fold decrease in neutralizing titers to WT and Omicron viruses. CONCLUSION: A subset of patients with NSCLC responded poorly to the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination and had low neutralizing antibodies to the B.1.1.529 Omicron variant. Booster vaccination increased binding and neutralizing antibody titers to Omicron, but antibody titers declined after 3 months. These data highlight the concern for patients with cancer given the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Lung Neoplasms , Humans , Aged , COVID-19 Vaccines , Antibody Formation , SARS-CoV-2 , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/therapy , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , COVID-19/prevention & control , Antibodies, Viral , Immunization , Vaccination , Antibodies, Neutralizing , RNA, Messenger
9.
PLoS One ; 17(11): e0277301, 2022.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2109330

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess hospitalized COVID-19 inpatients for the prevalence of retinopathy and tear film SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and associated risk factors for their detection. METHODS: Hospitalized COVID-19 patients underwent dilated ophthalmic examination and fundus photography. Conjunctival swabs were assessed for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR via a triple target assay. We assessed the relationships of retinopathy with clinical outcomes, systemic risk factors and laboratory data. RESULTS: The median age was 59.5 years and 29 (48%) were female. Retinopathy associated with COVID-19 was observed in 12 of 60 patients (20%). The median age of patients with COVID-19 retinopathy was 51.5 compared to 62.5 years in individuals without retinopathy (p = 0.01). Median BMI was 34.3 in patients with retinopathy versus 30.9 in those without retinopathy (p = 0.04). Fifteen of 60 patients (25%) tested SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive in their tear film without a relationship with timing of illness and hospitalization. The N2 gene was particularly sensitive with 18 of 19 eyes (94.7%) showing N2-positivity, including 2 patients with alpha variant-positivity (B.1.1.7). CONCLUSION: Retinopathy was observed in 20% of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients with retinopathy were more likely to be younger and have higher BMI than hospitalized patients without retinopathy. Tear film SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 25% of patients. The relationship of obesity and age with retinopathy requires further investigation.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Retinal Diseases , Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Male , COVID-19/diagnosis , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , RNA, Viral/genetics , RNA, Viral/analysis , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors
11.
Sci Adv ; 8(40): eadd2032, 2022 10 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2053092

ABSTRACT

In this study, by characterizing several human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from single B cells of the COVID-19-recovered individuals in India who experienced ancestral Wuhan strain (WA.1) of SARS-CoV-2 during early stages of the pandemic, we found a receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific mAb 002-S21F2 that has rare gene usage and potently neutralized live viral isolates of SARS-CoV-2 variants including Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron sublineages (BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5) with IC50 ranging from 0.02 to 0.13 µg/ml. Structural studies of 002-S21F2 in complex with spike trimers of Omicron and WA.1 showed that it targets a conformationally conserved epitope on the outer face of RBD (class 3 surface) outside the ACE2-binding motif, thereby providing a mechanistic insights for its broad neutralization activity. The discovery of 002-S21F2 and the broadly neutralizing epitope it targets have timely implications for developing a broad range of therapeutic and vaccine interventions against SARS-CoV-2 variants including Omicron sublineages.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 , Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Antibodies, Viral , Epitopes , Humans , Neutralization Tests , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
13.
Clinical lymphoma, myeloma & leukemia ; 22(9):S281-S282, 2022.
Article in English | EuropePMC | ID: covidwho-2033826

ABSTRACT

Context: Patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NHL/CLL) are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is highly recommended for these patients but their antibody responses after the initial vaccination series is impaired, particularly when measured against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Objective: To assess antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants after booster vaccination in NHL/CLL patients. Design: We designed a single center, prospective, observational study and collected blood and clinical data on 69 patients who received an approved booster dose. Antibody binding against SARS-CoV-2 spike of the original strain and of variants of concern were measured using a multiplex assay. Live-virus neutralization against Delta, Omicron, and the ancestral WA1/2020 strains were measured by focus reduction neutralization test (FRNT). Correlation between vaccine response and clinical factors were determined. Results: Median anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG binding titers were 8.6-fold lower in NHL/CLL patients without prior SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to healthy individuals. IgA and IgM titers were similarly reduced. Among the 51 patients with available pre- and post-booster samples, only 45% achieved a >3.16 fold-increase in IgG titers after booster (median fold increase = 2.58 vs 41.0 for healthy vaccinees). A substantial decrease in IgG binding to variant SARS-CoV-2 spike, particularly from B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants, was observed. However, reductions were similar to healthy vaccinees (median fold reduction: 4.82 vs 4.83, respectively). Neutralizing antibody titers against WA1/2020 strain were detected in 44% of patients but only 16% of patients had neutralizing antibody titers against Omicron before booster vaccination. Neutralizing titers against WA1/2020 and Omicron were detected in 61% and 43% of patients after booster respectively, though mean titers against Omicron were 11.5-fold lower than WA1/2020. Clinical correlates to vaccine response including treatment status will be presented. Conclusions: Antibody binding and live-virus neutralization titers against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants including Omicron are lower in NHL/CLL patients compared to healthy individuals even after booster vaccination. Our study reinforces the need to prioritize anti-SARS-CoV-2 prophylactic and treatment agents to protect this highly immunosuppressed population. Funding: Winship Cancer Institute and Emory University Institutional Funds, NCI U54 CA260563, P30CA138292, NIH P51 OD011132, HHSN272201400004C, U19AI090023, R35CA197603.

14.
Cell Rep Med ; 3(4): 100603, 2022 04 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2004611

ABSTRACT

The ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic highlights the importance of determining the breadth and durability of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Herein, we characterize the humoral response in 27 naive and 40 recovered vaccinees. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and memory B cell (MBC) responses are durable up to 6 months, although antibody half-lives are shorter for naive recipients. The magnitude of the humoral responses to vaccination strongly correlates with responses to initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Neutralization titers are lower against SARS-CoV-2 variants in both recovered and naive vaccinees, with titers more reduced in naive recipients. While the receptor-binding domain (RBD) is the main neutralizing target of circulating antibodies, Moderna-vaccinated naives show a lesser reliance on RBDs, with >25% neutralization remaining after depletion of RBD-binding antibodies. Overall, we observe that vaccination induces higher peak titers and improves durability in recovered compared with naive vaccinees. These findings have broad implications for current vaccine strategies deployed against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Viral Vaccines , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Vaccination
15.
J Clin Oncol ; 40(26): 3020-3031, 2022 09 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1879289

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (NHL/CLL) are at higher risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. We investigated vaccine-induced antibody responses in patients with NHL/CLL against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and variants of concern including B.1.167.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood from 121 patients with NHL/CLL receiving two doses of vaccine were collected longitudinally. Antibody binding against the full-length spike protein, the receptor-binding, and N-terminal domains of the original strain and of variants was measured using a multiplex assay. Live-virus neutralization against Delta, Omicron, and the early WA1/2020 strains was measured using a focus reduction neutralization test. B cells were measured by flow cytometry. Correlation between vaccine response and clinical factors was determined. RESULTS: Mean anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G-binding titers were 85-fold lower in patients with NHL/CLL compared with healthy controls, with seroconversion occurring in only 67% of patients. Neutralization titers were also lower and correlated with binding titers (P < .0001). Treatment with anti-CD20-directed therapies within 1 year resulted in 136-fold lower binding titers. Peripheral blood B-cell count also correlated with vaccine response. At 3 months from last anti-CD20-directed therapy, B-cell count ≥ 4.31/µL blood around the time of vaccination predicted response (OR 7.46, P = .04). Antibody responses also correlated with age. Importantly, neutralization titers against Delta and Omicron were reduced six- and 42-fold, respectively, with 67% of patients seropositive for WA1/2020 exhibiting seronegativity for Omicron. CONCLUSION: Antibody binding and live-virus neutralization against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants of concern including Delta and Omicron were substantially lower in patients with NHL/CLL compared with healthy vaccinees. Anti-CD20-directed therapy < 1 year before vaccination and number of circulating B cells strongly predict vaccine response.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin , Vaccines , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/therapy , Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccines, Synthetic , Viral Envelope Proteins/chemistry , Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics , mRNA Vaccines
16.
J Virol ; 96(9): e0002622, 2022 05 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1784768

ABSTRACT

Humoral immunity is a major component of the adaptive immune response against viruses and other pathogens with pathogen-specific antibody acting as the first line of defense against infection. Virus-specific antibody levels are maintained by continual secretion of antibody by plasma cells residing in the bone marrow. This raises the important question of how the virus-specific plasma cell population is stably maintained and whether memory B cells are required to replenish plasma cells, balancing their loss arising from their intrinsic death rate. In this study, we examined the longevity of virus-specific antibody responses in the serum of mice following acute viral infection with three different viruses: lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), influenza virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). To investigate the contribution of memory B cells to the maintenance of virus-specific antibody levels, we employed human CD20 transgenic mice, which allow for the efficient depletion of B cells with rituximab, a human CD20-specific monoclonal antibody. Mice that had resolved an acute infection with LCMV, influenza virus, or VSV were treated with rituximab starting at 2 months after infection, and the treatment was continued for up to a year postinfection. This treatment regimen with rituximab resulted in efficient depletion of B cells (>95%), with virus-specific memory B cells being undetectable. There was an early transient drop in the antibody levels after rituximab treatment followed by a plateauing of the curve with virus-specific antibody levels remaining relatively stable (half-life of 372 days) for up to a year after infection in the absence of memory B cells. The number of virus-specific plasma cells in the bone marrow were consistent with the changes seen in serum antibody levels. Overall, our data show that virus-specific plasma cells in the bone marrow are intrinsically long-lived and can maintain serum antibody titers for extended periods of time without requiring significant replenishment from memory B cells. These results provide insight into plasma cell longevity and have implications for B cell depletion regimens in cancer and autoimmune patients in the context of vaccination in general and especially for COVID-19 vaccines. IMPORTANCE Following vaccination or primary virus infection, virus-specific antibodies provide the first line of defense against reinfection. Plasma cells residing in the bone marrow constitutively secrete antibodies, are long-lived, and can thus maintain serum antibody levels over extended periods of time in the absence of antigen. Our data, in the murine model system, show that virus-specific plasma cells are intrinsically long-lived but that some reseeding by memory B cells might occur. Our findings demonstrate that, due to the longevity of plasma cells, virus-specific antibody levels remain relatively stable in the absence of memory B cells and have implications for vaccination.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis , Memory B Cells , Rituximab , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Humans , Immunity, Humoral , Immunologic Memory , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/immunology , Memory B Cells/cytology , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology , Plasma Cells/cytology , Rhabdoviridae Infections/immunology , Rituximab/pharmacology
17.
Radiother Oncol ; 165: 20-31, 2021 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1525928

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low-dose radiotherapy (LD-RT) has produced anti-inflammatory effects in both animal models and early human trials of COVID-19-related pneumonia. The role of whole-lung LD-RT within existing treatment paradigms merits further study. METHODS: A phase II prospective trial studied the addition of LD-RT to standard drug treatments. Hospitalized and oxygen-dependent patients receiving dexamethasone and/or remdesevir were treated with 1.5 Gy whole-lung LD-RT and compared to a blindly-matched contemporaneous control cohort. RESULTS: Of 40 patients evaluated, 20 received drug therapy combined with whole-lung LD-RT and 20 without LD-RT. Intubation rates were 14% with LD-RT compared to 32% without (p = 0.09). Intubation-free survival was 77% vs. 68% (p = 0.17). Biomarkers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, p = 0.02) and cardiac injury (creatine kinase, p < 0.01) declined following LD-RT compared to controls. Mean time febrile was 1.4 vs 3.3 days, respectively (p = 0.14). Significant differences in clinical recovery (7.5 vs. 7 days, p = 0.37) and radiographic improvement (p = 0.72) were not detected. On subset analysis, CRP decline following LD-RT was predictive of recovery without intubation compared to controls (0% vs. 31%, p = 0.04), freedom from prolonged hospitalizations (21+ days) (0% vs. 31%, p = 0.04), and decline in oxygenation burden (56% reduction, p = 0.06). CRP decline following 1st drug therapy was not similarly predictive of outcome in controls (p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Adding LD-RT to standard drug treatments reduced biomarkers of inflammation and cardiac injury in COVID-19 patients and may have reduced intubation. Durable CRP decline following LD-RT predicted especially favorable recovery, freedom from intubation, reduction in prolonged hospitalization, and reduced oxygenation burden. A confirmatory randomized trial is now ongoing. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04366791.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Drug Treatment , Dexamethasone/therapeutic use , Humans , Lung , Oxygen , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , Treatment Outcome
18.
Ocul Immunol Inflamm ; 29(4): 743-750, 2021 May 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1379400

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of retinopathy and its association with systemic morbidity and laboratory indices of coagulation and inflammatory dysfunction in severe COVID-19. DESIGN: Retrospective, observational cohort study. METHODS: Adult patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 who underwent ophthalmic examination from April to July 2020 were reviewed. Retinopathy was defined as one of the following: 1) Retinal hemorrhage; 2) Cotton wool spots; 3) Retinal vascular occlusion. We analyzed medical comorbidities, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, clinical outcomes, and laboratory values for their association with retinopathy. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with severe COVID-19 were reviewed, the majority of whom were female (n = 23, 62%), Black (n = 26, 69%), and admitted to the intensive care unit (n = 35, 95%). Fourteen patients had retinopathy (38%) with retinal hemorrhage in 7 (19%), cotton wool spots in 8 (22%), and a branch retinal artery occlusion in 1 (3%) patient. Patients with retinopathy had higher SOFA scores than those without retinopathy (8.0 vs. 5.3, p = .03), higher rates of respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and shock requiring vasopressors (p < .01). Peak D-dimer levels were 28,971 ng/mL in patients with retinopathy compared to 12,575 ng/mL in those without retinopathy (p = .03). Peak CRP was higher in patients with cotton wool spots versus those without cotton wool spots (354 mg/dL vs. 268 mg/dL, p = .03). Multivariate logistic regression modeling showed an increased risk of retinopathy with higher peak D-dimers (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.73, p = .04) and male sex (aOR 9.6, 95% CI 1.2-75.5, p = .04). CONCLUSION: Retinopathy in severe COVID-19 was associated with greater systemic disease morbidity involving multiple organs. Given its association with coagulopathy and inflammation, retinopathy may offer insight into disease pathogenesis in patients with severe COVID-19.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Retinal Diseases/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Hospitalization/trends , Morbidity , Retrospective Studies , Severity of Illness Index , United States/epidemiology
19.
Blood Cancer Discov ; 2(1): 9-12, 2021 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1299253

ABSTRACT

Patients with hematologic malignancies have increased susceptibility to viral infections and suboptimal immunologic responses to current vaccines due to both disease-associated and therapy-related immune dysfunction. These considerations may impact the efficacy of emerging COVID-19 vaccines in this patient population as well and warrant the need to systematically study natural and vaccine-induced virus-specific immunity in these patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hematologic Neoplasms , Virus Diseases , COVID-19 Vaccines , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , Virus Diseases/prevention & control
20.
Cell Rep Med ; 2(7): 100354, 2021 07 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1294297

ABSTRACT

Ending the COVID-19 pandemic will require long-lived immunity to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we evaluate 254 COVID-19 patients longitudinally up to 8 months and find durable broad-based immune responses. SARS-CoV-2 spike binding and neutralizing antibodies exhibit a bi-phasic decay with an extended half-life of >200 days suggesting the generation of longer-lived plasma cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection also boosts antibody titers to SARS-CoV-1 and common betacoronaviruses. In addition, spike-specific IgG+ memory B cells persist, which bodes well for a rapid antibody response upon virus re-exposure or vaccination. Virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are polyfunctional and maintained with an estimated half-life of 200 days. Interestingly, CD4+ T cell responses equally target several SARS-CoV-2 proteins, whereas the CD8+ T cell responses preferentially target the nucleoprotein, highlighting the potential importance of including the nucleoprotein in future vaccines. Taken together, these results suggest that broad and effective immunity may persist long-term in recovered COVID-19 patients.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibody Formation , COVID-19/immunology , Immunologic Memory , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Memory B Cells , Memory T Cells , Middle Aged , Young Adult
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