ABSTRACT
The effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination strategies is affected by several factors, including the genetic background of the host. In our study, we evaluated the contribution of the functional polymorphism rs1883832 affecting the Kozak sequence of the TNFSF5 gene (c.-1C>T), encoding CD40, to humoral immune responses after vaccination with the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. The rs1883832 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP in 476 individuals (male/female: 216/260, median age: 55.0 years, range: 20-105) of whom 342 received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine and 134 received the adenovirus-based vector vaccines (67 on ChAdOx1-nCoV-19 vaccine, 67 on Ad.26.COV2.S vaccine). The IgG and IgA responses were evaluated with chemiluminescent microparticle and ELISA assays on days 21, 42, and 90 after the first dose. The T allele of the rs1883832 polymorphism (allele frequency: 32.8%) was significantly associated with lower IgA levels and represented, as revealed by multivariable analysis, an independent risk factor for reduced anti-spike protein IgA levels on days 42 and 90 following BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination. Similar to serum anti-spike IgA levels, a trend of lower anti-spike IgA concentrations in saliva was found in individuals with the T allele of rs1883832. Finally, the intensity of IgA and IgG responses on day 42 significantly affected the prevalence of COVID-19 after vaccination. The rs1883832 polymorphism may be used as a molecular predictor of the intensity of anti-spike IgA responses after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination.
Subject(s)
BNT162 Vaccine , COVID-19 , Humans , Female , Male , Middle Aged , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , CD40 Antigens/genetics , Vaccination , Immunoglobulin A , Immunoglobulin G , RNA, MessengerABSTRACT
COVID-19 has been challenging our society since January 2020. Due to global travel, the new coronavirus has rapidly spread worldwide. This article aims to provide an overview of the challenges in implementing measures in the air and maritime transport sector from the perspective of the German Public Health Service (Öffentlicher Gesundheitsdienst, ÖGD). Significant events and measures for air and maritime transport between January and August 2020 were selected. Lessons learned are discussed.During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ÖGD has been operating in a field of tension between the dynamics of scientific knowledge, political decision-making, social acceptance and consent.There are specific challenges at points of entry such as airports and seaports. These include staff shortages and the need to implement measures with a high organisational effort at very short notice such as health authority passenger checks carried out on aircraft, the establishment of test centres at points of entry and control of compliance with quarantine measures. Aggravating the situation, passenger lists, which are necessary for effective contact tracing, are often not available or incomplete. There is also a lack of digital tools for contact tracing but also, for example, the exchange of personal data within the ÖGD. Further difficulties in outbreak management arise from the cramped conditions on board ships and from the potential psychological stress on crew members and passengers, which have not yet been sufficiently considered.In view of all these challenges, it is paramount to strengthen the German Public Health Service in general and at points of entry and to intensify the exchange between the national, federal state and local levels.