ABSTRACT
COVID-19, caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, poses major challenges for global public health. The detection of antibodies in blood serum is one of the important methods for diagnostics of COVID-19 patients. The main aim was to study the dynamics of the appearance of neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 proteins in COVID-19 patients sera. Material and methods. The blood sera of four groups of people were studied: "intact" donors (blood sera were collected in 2016-2019);patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of acute respiratory viral infection;patients with influenza (antibodies to the influenza virus have been identified) and patients with a PCR confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Blood sera were analyzed in ELISA with commercial kits for detection of IgG to SARS-CoV-2 (N, S) proteins and total antibodies to RBD of protein S and in neutralization test (NT). Results and discussion. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were not detected in paired blood sera of people from groups 1-3 by ELISA and NT. At the time of hospitalization of patients with COVID-19 in the sera of 12 (19%) patients antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were absent when they were determined by NT and ELISA. In blood sera taken 4-9 days after hospitalization, neutralizing antibodies and antibodies to at least one viral protein were detected in ELISA. Conclusion. At the time of hospitalization, the overwhelming majority of patients had a humoral immune response to the SARS-CoV-2. In the dynamics of observation, the levels of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 proteins increased, to a greater extent to RBD.Copyright © 2022 Geotar Media Publishing Group
ABSTRACT
The analyses of effectiveness of medical means of protection based on virus specific antibodies, intended for special prophylactic and current of COVID-19 is conducted. The plasma of patients, obtained from the blood takes the leading part among these prepares. It is concluded, that convalescents plasma, containing virus neutralizing antibodies, may be used for emergency prevention or in the early stages of the disease. A risk group, that primarily needs in such drugs for special prophylactics, is medical workers. The other prepares, based on virus specific antibodies, including purified prepares of monoclonal antibodies, that may have certain advantages to convalescent's plasma due to their safety and high activity, due to complexity of their production and presumably high cost are unlikely to be available in the near future for mass use in the practice of medicine. The use of convalescents plasma for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.can be based on the experience of their application in specialized medical centers and summarizing data from randomized clinical trials.Copyright © 2021 Moscow State University of Psychology and Education. All right reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background Management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and evidence of disease activity during treatment with cladribine tablets represents a challenging point. Objectives To report a patient with highly active multiple sclerosis (HAMS) who has been early switched from cladribine to alemtuzumab owing to tumultuous clinical and radiological activity Methods A single retrospective case report. Results. Treatment with alemtuzumab has led to a complete suppression of disease activity without any evidence of infections or acquired autoimmune diseases. Conclusion Our report suggests that an early switch from cladribine to alemtuzumab, may be safe and efficacious in selected HAMS cases.Copyright © 2022 The Authors
ABSTRACT
Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease caused by influenza A and B, which is a virus characterized by a high mutation rate with new strains appearing regularly, making regular booster vaccinations necessary. In this study, we evaluated the immune status of Influenza A and B by using ELISA. A questionnaire was utilized to appraise the immunization anamnesis and the stance on vaccination. In total, 202 probands participated in this study. 35.6% of the probands were vaccinated, 10.9% indicated a confirmed influenza infection. 88.1% had a positive influenza A titer, whereas a positive influenza B titer was determined in only 38.6%. Additionally, a correlation between vaccination and titer could be observed. In this study, we were able to show a higher vaccination rate in our cohort than the Austrian average. Additionally, a higher percentage showed a positive influenza A titer compared to influenza B titer.Copyright © 2022
ABSTRACT
A 20-year-old patient was presented with subacute onset of headache, nausea and vomiting. Testing of nasal/oropharyngeal swabs indicated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and later the antibodies to this virus were found. The treatment in the hospital for Coronavirus 19 Disease (COVID-19) provided only temporary relief, and the patient then was referred to the Regional Stroke Center (RSC) to exclude a subarachnoid hemorrhage. RSC neurologists drew attention to multiple skin nevi in the patient. Brain MRI demonstrated abnormal T1 hyperintensity in the brain leptomeninges, with leptomeningeal contrast enhancement as well as hyperintensity in amygdala regions on T1 weighted images, bilaterally. The anomaly of the Dandy-Walker malformation complex was also revealed. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed elevated protein (0.52 g/L), low lymphocytosis (lymphocytes, 6 in mm3), and decreased glucose (1.8 mmol/L). Neurocutaneous melanocytosis (NCM) was diagnosed, which neurological manifestation was probably triggered by COVID-19. The patient's vision gradually progressively worsened. In 2.5 months after the clinical manifestation of NCM, fundoscopy revealed optic discs atrophy (despite the absence of previous edema), and repeated CSF analysis showed atypical cells with characteristics corresponding to melanoma. Malignant transformation of cerebral melanocytosis was suspected, and the patient was referred to an oncological dispensary for further therapy. In the presented literature review, special attention is paid to the issues of neuroimaging, cytological and immunocytochemical diagnostics of NCM.Copyright © Russian Neurological Journal. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
By April 28, 2020, the global pandemic of COVID-19 has resulted in over 3 million infections and more than 200, 000 deaths. As the epidemic of COVID-19 has been basically controlled in China, the asymptomatic infection becomes one of most serious challenges for "External defense input, internal defense rebound" currently. Studies have shown that patients with asymptomatic infections are highly contagious in the early stage, most of whom are in the pre-symptomatic stage. Children and pregnant women have a higher incidence of asymptomatic infections, but the impacts are not yet clear. This article reviews the definition, epidemiological characteristics, contagiousness, viral shedding and cause of persistent positive nucleic acid in asymptomatic patients. Active detection of nucleic acids and antibodies and timely diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic cases are the critical issues for the prevention and control of COVID-19.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.
ABSTRACT
By April 28, 2020, the global pandemic of COVID-19 has resulted in over 3 million infections and more than 200, 000 deaths. As the epidemic of COVID-19 has been basically controlled in China, the asymptomatic infection becomes one of most serious challenges for "External defense input, internal defense rebound" currently. Studies have shown that patients with asymptomatic infections are highly contagious in the early stage, most of whom are in the pre-symptomatic stage. Children and pregnant women have a higher incidence of asymptomatic infections, but the impacts are not yet clear. This article reviews the definition, epidemiological characteristics, contagiousness, viral shedding and cause of persistent positive nucleic acid in asymptomatic patients. Active detection of nucleic acids and antibodies and timely diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic cases are the critical issues for the prevention and control of COVID-19.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.