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Background & Aim: Adoptive T cell immunotherapy holds great promise for the treatment of viral complications. Our group has been developing and trialling virus-specific T cell therapies for more than 20 years. Recently, we have generated a repository of multi-virus-specific T cells for our clinical trials. Unfortunately, for many patients with viral complications, there is no suitable trial through which to access these therapies. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has a Special Access Scheme (SAS) to enable provision of unapproved therapies for compassionate use. Our research group is now a leading Australian provider of "off-the-shelf" and custom-grown allogeneic virus-specific T cells to hospitals for patients with no other treatment options. Methods, Results & Conclusion(s): We have generated a repository of multi-virus-specific T cells from 20 healthy donors, with up to 150 doses of T cells per donor generated from a single blood sample. Each product batch is thoroughly characterised in terms of viral antigen specificity, HLA restriction and alloreactivity. These T cells target a combination of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, BK polyomavirus, John Cunningham virus and adenovirus epitopes. We have also generated a repository of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells and occasionally grow custom patient-specific batches of T cells from nominated donors, on request. Since 2008, we have provided virus-specific T cells to 15 hospitals across Australia, and the volume of supply requests has significantly increased in recent years, as clinicians have gained interest in adoptive immunotherapy. In 2022, we provided T cells for 26 patients via the SAS. The majority were experiencing post-transplant complications, including cytomegalovirus disease, BK virus-associated haemorrhagic cystitis and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Through our clinical trials, we have developed rigorous processes for T cell therapy manufacture and characterisation, in addition to a computer-based selection algorithm, which we apply to SAS cases. As these cases are not part of a clinical trial, concomitant therapy varies, and monitoring is not uniform. However, we have received reports of clinical benefit from adoptive T cell therapy. These include cases of reduction in viral load, improvement in symptoms, and complete resolution of infection. We believe that these promising T cell therapies should be available to hospitals through a nationally funded centre for cellular therapies for critically ill patients.Copyright © 2023 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy
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Background & Aim: The new UCOE models we have recently developed, tested on many cell groups (including mouse ES and human iPS cells) and human mAb recombinant production studies as well, shows a powerful resistance to DNA methylation- mediated silencing and provides a higher and stable transfection profile. By the urgent need of vaccine development for COVID-19 during the pandemic, in this study we aimed to produce a potential recombinant vaccine by using the new generation UCOEs models of our own design. Methods, Results & Conclusion(s): Existing new-generation UCOE models and standard plasmid vectors to be used as control group were provided. Then, the sequences related to the PCR method were amplified for sufficient stock generation and cloning experiments. Verification in the plasmid vector was carried out in gel electrophoresis. Transfection of 293T cells was performed with clone plasmids carrying antigen genes and plasmids carrying genetic information of lentivirus units for the production of lentiviral vectors. Afterwards, 293T cells produced lentiviral vectors carrying antigen genes. Harvesting of these vectors was carried out during 48th and 72nd hours. Afterwards, CHO cells were transduced with appropriate quantity of lentiviral vectors. Isolation and purification of targeted proteins from the relevant medium were performed by HPLC and Q-TOF methods. A part of the spike and nucleocapsid gene sequences of COVID-19 were firstly cloned into our UCOE models. These UCOEs plasmids were then transferred into 293T cells along with plasmids carrying the genes that will form the lentivirus vectors (LVs). After harvesting and calculation of LV vector titers, the cloned vectors were then transfected into the CHO cells which the targeted recombinant production of the antigen proteins will be carried out. Antigenic structures were then isolated from the culture medium of CHO cells in following days for confirmation. Using HPLC and qTOF mass spectrometer methods, these structures in the medium were confirmed to be the units of spike and nucleocapsid proteins of the COVID-19 virus. In order to produce large amount of the recombinant antigens, the culture was then carried out with bioreactors in liters. At the final stage, these recombinantly produced antigen proteins were tested on rats to measure their immunogenic responses, and the study recently been completed successfully as a potential recombinant vaccine against COVID-19.Copyright © 2023 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy
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This retrospective case-series analysis evaluated 403 fully vaccinated with Vero Cell or Sputnik V vaccines patients hospitalized in the 6th City Clinical Hospital of Minsk in the period between January 01 and February 28, 2022 with the main diagnosis of "coronavirus infection (COVID-19)". The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR or SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen tests, as well as chest computed tomography data. The study revealed higher prevalence of older patients (over 65 years) infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus and hospitalized in early 2022, at the height of the wave of the pandemic due to the spread of the Omicron variant. Most patients (91.8 %) had moderate symptoms. More than half of them received oxygen support. A relatively small number of inpatient, only 8 persons (1.9 %), were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) and four of them needed mechanical ventilation. Comor-bid conditions and high incidence of mortality (63.5 %) were common in ICU patients. Hypertension and obesity prevailed in the structure of comorbid pathology of all inpatient persons (74.2 and 24.3 %, respectively). Patients of therapeutic departments had relatively short length of stay in the hospital, as well as low in-hospital mortality (0.5 %) and low incidence of complications (5.3 %).Copyright © 2023 The authors.
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Background: Long COVID can be developed by individuals after an infection with SARS-CoV-2 as described by the WHO. Although this condition is more commonly described in adults, it can occur in children and adolescents with a wide range of estimated prevalence of 1-25%. Little is known about the role of the immune system in long COVID. However, one of the main hypotheses about the underlying mechanism in long COVID is that there is an immune and inflammatory dysregulation that persists after the acute infection. The objective of this study is to compare immune cells populations, and inflammatory biomarkers in paediatric populations with and without long COVID. Method(s): We analyzed 55 blood samples from the pediaCOVID cohort (Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol), which includes more than 130 children diagnosed with long COVID and 23 controls. We measured different immune cell populations using spectral cytometry with a panel of 37 cellular markers, and 42 inflammatory markers using Luminex or ELISA. EdgeR was used for statistical analysis of the spectral data;p-values of inflammatory markers were calculated using the likelihood ratio test and they were corrected for multiple comparisons. Result(s): The study cohort had a median age of 14.3 (IQR, 12.5-15.2) and 69.1% female. Patients had at least 3 symptoms associated with long COVID (median [IQR];10 [7-16]). The most common symptom was asthenia/fatigue (98.2%). Compared to the control cohort, children with long COVID had increased numbers of CD4+CD8+ T cells, IgA+CD21+CD27+ memory B cells, and IgA+CD21-CD27- memory B cells, while CD4+ TEMRA cells (CD45RA+, CCR7-), intermediate monocytes (CD14+, CD16+) and classical monocytes (CD14+, CD16-) were decreased (all p< 0.05;q=n.s.). None of the 42 inflammatory biomarkers showed significant differences between children with and without long COVID. Conclusion(s): The results of this study suggest that specific populations of peripheral blood immune cells might be involved in the mechanisms underlying prolonged COVID in children and adolescents. The increase in both IgA+CD21-CD27- and IgA+CD21+CD27+ memory B cells could be associated with the persistence of viral antigen in the gut and/or gut dysbiosis. Moreover, the decrease in CD4+ TEMRA cells could be related to autoantibodies against G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), since this cell population can express GPR56, and autoantibodies against GPCRs were previously reported to be elevated in adults with long COVID.
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The severe consequences and high mortality of COVID-19 prompted the development of a wide range of preventive vaccines. The first vaccines to be tested were developed in China and formulated as inactivated SARS-CoV-2 adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide. One of the quality indicators for inactivated adsorbed vaccines is the degree of adsorption, which can be used to control the content not only of non-adsorbed antigen, but also of specific antigen in one dose of a vaccine. The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of desorbing SARS-CoV-2 antigen from formulated adsorbed vaccines and the possibility of measuring its concentration using the BioScan-SARS-CoV-2 (S) ELISA kit for SARS-CoV-2 S-protein content determination. Material(s) and Method(s): the study used four batches of BBIBP-CorV by CNBG, Sinopharm (China) and three batches of CoronaVac by Sinovac Biotech (China). The authors desorbed SARS-CoV-2 S antigen in accordance with monograph FS.3.3.1.0029.15 of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation edition XIV (Ph. Rus.), and quantified it using the BioScan-SARS-CoV-2 (S) ELISA kit by Bioservice Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (Russia). Result(s): mean S-antigen concentrations in the desorbed samples ranged from 61 to 129 ng/mL for BBIBP-CorV and from 461 to 533 ng/mL for CoronaVac. Conclusion(s): the study demonstrated the possibility of specific SARS-CoV-2 antigen desorption from the surface of aluminium hydroxide using the Ph. Rus. method, as well as the possibility of S-antigen quantification in desorbed medicinal products and supernatants using the BioScan-SARS-CoV-2 (S) ELISA kit. The authors observed 3.6- to 8.7-fold difference between the S-antigen concentrations of the desorbed preparations by the two manufacturers.Copyright © 2023 Safety and Risk of Pharmacotherapy. All rights reserved.
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Recently, importance of vaccines for treatment and prevention of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases has been re-recognized. A replication-incompetent adenovirusAdvector DDS vaccine expressing virus antigen proteins is one of the most advanced platforms as a novel vaccine because an Ad vector vaccine can be rapidly applicable to pandemic. In this review, we describe the basic properties of an Ad vector for vaccine, in addition to the summary of the development of an Ad vector vaccine for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including Coronavirus disease 2019COVID-19, worldwide.Copyright © 2022, Japan Society of Drug Delivery System. All rights reserved.
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Ongoing research into the use of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for the treatment of cancer has been expediated by the coronavirus pandemic because similar technology was used in the development of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. So how close are we now to the widespread clinical use of mRNA anti-cancer vaccines?.Copyright © 2023 Wiley Interface Ltd.
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The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is a new variant of concern after Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. The amino acid mutations in the viral antigens, especially in the receptor binding region (RBD) of spike protein, were significantly more than those of other variants, which lead to the significant increase of infectivity, transmissibility and immune escape of Omicron variant. In addition, those spike mutations impaired the protective effect of vaccination. When compared to the infection of other variants, the latency of Omicron variant infection was significantly shortened, and the pathogenicity decreased markedly, which is in consistence with the fact that the vast majority of infected individuals showed no symptoms or only mild disease. Exacerbations in patients infected by Omicron variant were often associated with the progress of underlying disease. Early detection and medical isolation of infected persons, careful personal protection measures to cut off transmission routes, and active vaccination to protect susceptible people are key measures to prevent the spread of Omicron variant epidemic. A small number of patients infected with Omicron variant may develop so-called long COVID-19, post-COVID-19 syndrome, or post-COVID-19 condition, which means that long-term follow-up is needed in those patients. Effective anti-Omicron variant therapy can shorten the course of infection, promote the recovery from infection, and also contribute to the control of infection. Therefore, the development of antiviral drugs with ideal cost-benefit ratio and convenient administration is one of the research hotspot in the future.Copyright © 2022 Authors. All rights reserved.
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Introduction. The introduction of COVID-19 screening through rapid antigen tests has become a key mechanism to ensure the continuity of the learning process and safety of school environment during pandemic. The objective of the study was to investigate and analyse the attitudes and beliefs of students, teachers, and parents regarding the rapid antigen test as a method to limit COVID-19 spreading in school environment. Material and methods. An online anonymous survey was conducted among 228 participants, 11th and 12th grade high school students (n=114), teachers (n=44) and parents (n=70) in November 2021. Results. 43.9% of students and 52.9% of parents agree with rapid antigen testing for COVID-19, while over 63.3% of teachers disagree with it. Students (45.6%) and parents (48.6%) shared optimistic expectations that testing for COVID-19 would reduce the spread of the virus in schools, while 59.1% of the teachers surveyed remained sceptical about this prevention measure. The interruption of school classes does not find support among students and parents, as well as among members of the teaching staff. Conclusions. According to students and parents, rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 seems a more acceptable solution than closing school completely. Given the concern of teachers to conduct antigen tests in the school environment, it is necessary to adequately plan the participation of medical professionals in this process, instead of delegating these activities to teachers.Copyright © 2022 Balkan Medical Union.
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Pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells, but not antibodies, have been detected in some unexposed individuals. This may account for some of the diversity in clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic infection to severe COVID-19. Although age is a risk factor for COVID-19, how age affects SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses remains unknown. We found that pre-existing T cell responses to specific SARS-CoV-2 proteins, Spike (S) and Nucleoprotein (N), were significantly lower in elderly donors (>70 years old) than in young donors. However, substantial pre-existing T cell responses to the viral membrane (M) protein were detected in both young and elderly donors. In contrast, young and elderly donors exhibited comparable T cell responses to S, N, and M proteins after infection with SARS-CoV-2. These data suggest that although SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce T cell responses specific to various viral antigens regardless of age, diversity of target antigen repertoire for long-lived memory T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 may decline with age;however, memory T cell responses can be maintained by T cells reactive to specific viral proteins such as M. A better understanding of the role of pre-existing SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells that are less susceptible to age-related loss may contribute to development of more effective vaccines for elderly people.Copyright © 2021
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Introduction: It is yet not known whether COVID-19 vaccines confer a persistent humoral response in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of the humoral response of antibodies in dialysis patients immunized with the COVID-19 vaccine. Method(s): A multicentre, observational and analytical study was carried out in a prospective cohort of haemodialysis patients >=18 years from six hospitals from the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires who received both components of the COVID-19 vaccine. The date of inclusion to the study was the date of the first dose. IgG antibodies against SARS-Cov-2 were measured using the "COVIDAR IgG" test, which detects antibodies specifically against two coronavirus viral antigens in blood and serum: the spike protein (S) and the binding domain to the receptor (RBD), using the ELISA technique. The COVIDAR IgG test detects qualitatively and semi-quantitatively. In the semi-quantitative determination, the values are measured in absorbance levels (AL) with a maximum of 3.3, and a lower limit of detection of 0.3. The measurements were made immediately before the administration of the first dose, 21 days after it, 21 days after the second dose, and +/- five days of the 1st booster and the 2nd booster. Quantitative data were expressed as median and interquartile range (IQR) according to their distribution. Qualitative data were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. The analysis was performed with the software R version 4.0.3. None of the funding sources provided financial support for data collection, statistical analysis. Result(s): 102 patients were included, (49.0% female). Median age 51.6 years (IQR 39.8-62.0);41.0% were over 55 years old, 20.5% diabetic. 11 patients on peritoneal dialysis (10.7%). 15.7% (n 16) had COVID-19 prior to vaccination, with a median time from diagnosis to administration of the first dose of 7 months (IQR 6-8). The median time for the administration of the second dose was 2.8 months (IQR 2.7-2.9) and from the second dose to the 1st booster was 4.1 months (IQR 4-4.2). Patients received a 2nd booster at a median of 5.1 months (IQR 4.9-5.1) from the 1st booster. Of the 102 patients, 27 (26.5%) had positive IgG against SARS-Cov-2 at baseline. 98% of patients had positive IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 21 days after the second dose (Figure 1) Among the 16 patients (15.7%) who had COVID-19 before the first component, 14 were IgG positive at baseline and only 2 were IgG non-positive 21 days after the second dose. In patients with COVID-19, antibodies at day 21 after the first component reached almost the highest levels compared to those patients who did not have COVID-19, and the rise between the last measures was lower than patients without COVID-19. In those patients, levels of antibodies dropped 21 days after the second dose and raised after the third one (figure 2). [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): This study shows that vaccination against COVID-19 in dialysis patients confers immunity, which was 96% after the third dose. The decline in antibody levels in patients without COVID after the second dose highlights the importance of a booster to achieve a persistent immune response. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023
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Introduction: Anterior nasal sampling (AN) might be more convenient for patients than NP sampling to diagnose coronavirus disease. This study investigated the feasibility of rapid antigen tests for AN sampling, and the factors affecting the test accuracy. Methods: This single-center prospective study evaluated one qualitative (ESP) and two quantitative (LUMI and LUMI-P) rapid antigen tests using AN and NP swabs. Symptomatic patients aged 20 years or older, who were considered eligible for reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction using NP samples within 9 days of onset were recruited. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative concordance rates between AN and NP samples were assessed for the rapid antigen tests. We investigated the characteristics that affected the concordance between AN and NP sampling results. Results: A total of 128 cases were recruited, including 28 positive samples and 96 negative samples. The sensitivity and specificity of AN samples using ESP were 0.81 and 1.00, while those of NP samples were 0.94 and 1.00. The sensitivity of AN and NP samples was 0.91 and 0.97, respectively, and specificity was 1.00, for both LUMI and LUMI-P. The positive concordance rates of AN to NP sampling were 0.87, 0.94, and 0.85 for ESP, LUMI, and LUMI-P, respectively. No factor had a significant effect on the concordance between the sampling methods. Conclusions: ESP, LUMI, and LUMI-P showed practical diagnostic accuracy for AN sampling compared to NP sampling. There was no significant factor affecting the concordance between AN and NP sampling for these rapid antigen tests. © 2022 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases
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Case Report: As COVID-19 infections became more common, children began presenting with multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). It can be difficult to distinguish rare presentations of common diseases from MIS-C, especially when there has been a close contact with COVID-19. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a universally common infection with 90% of individuals showing serological signs of past infection. Both MIS-C and EBV can present with similar signs and symptoms. Our case aims to remind the reader to keep in mind uncommon presentations of common viral infections which may mimic MIS-C. Case Presentation: A previously healthy 5-year-old girl presented with persistent fevers for 12 days, associated with stomatitis, vomiting, and diarrhea. Physical exam was significant for a moderately ill-appearance, small (<1 cm) left posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and soft palate and buccal oral ulcers. Initial labs (see Table) revealed leukocytosis with reactive lymphocytes and cholestatic hepatitis with mild coagulopathy. Although she had no respiratory symptoms, CT chest revealed left upper lobe pneumonia. Abdominal ultrasound showed diffuse hepatosplenomegaly, gallbladder wall thickening, and enlarged epigastric lymph nodes. Echocardiogram showed normal systolic function and coronary arteries without dilation. Extensive viral and bacterial nasal swab and serologic testing, including for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, was negative. On Day 2, her Monospot was positive, along with EBV viral capsid antigen IgM and IgG with the absence of EBV nuclear antigen IgG. In addition, serum PCR was positive for EBV. Management and Outcome: Due to persistent fevers on Day 3 of broad-spectrum antibiotics, coupled with a close contact with active COVID infection, she was treated with the MIS-C protocol of intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG), prednisone, and aspirin. Within a day of IVIG, she improved clinically and fever resolved. By discharge on Day 8, her lab values had begun to normalize. Discussion(s): EBV is known to present in children with typical infective mononucleosis symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and lymphadenopathy. However, these can be lacking which makes the diagnosis challenging. Although hepatitis is a common sequalae of EBV, EBV induced pneumonitis and stomatitis are rare, especially in immunocompetent individuals. While our patient improved after treatment with IVIG, suggesting MIS-C, we still attribute her illness to EBV, as IVIG has been shown to provide antiviral and anti-inflammatory benefit in EBV infections. This case highlights the challenge of recognizing and overtreating rare presentations of common viral infections in the face of an emerging disease such as MIS-C. Significant Laboratory Values [Table presented] Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.
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Purpose: Exosomes are small vesicles which are released by cells into body fluids. We have demonstrated the presence of circulating exosomes with viral antigens in lung transplant recipients (LTxRs) diagnosed with respiratory viral infections. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) infection results Covid-19 disease and SARS-CoV2 infection of LTxRs can be severe with poor clinical outcomes. The goal of this single center study is to determine the development of antibody responses specific to SARS-CoV2 in LTxRs, characterize the immune and molecular markers in the circulating exosomes induced and its role in eliciting immunity. Method(s): To determine that antibody responses and induction of circulating exosomes we enrolled LTxRs with SARS-CoV2 infection (n=50), following 2 doses of vaccination (n=100). Exosomes were isolated from plasma by exosome precipitation kit followed by 0.2 micron filtration and size determination by NanoSight300. Exosomes were subjected to transmission electron microscopy for spike (CSP) and nucleocapsid (CNP) antigens. Exosomes were also characterized by western blot for immune and molecular markers (NFkB, CIITA, 20S proteasome, beta catenin and VWF). C57BL/6 mice were immunized with circulating exosomes isolated from LTxRs with infection. Result(s): 78% of SARS-CoV2 infected LTxRs developed antibodies to CSP and CNP as opposed to normal infected individuals. In contrast, only 55% vaccinated LTxRs developed antibodies to SARS-CoV2 spike. Exosomes from SARS-CoV2 infected and vaccinated individuals contained CSP S2, CNP and immune and molecular markers. Transmission electron microscopy also revealed the presence of CSP and CNP on exosomes. C57BL/6 mice immunized with exosomes carrying CSP developed antibodies to SARS-CoV2 spike antigens. Severe inflammation and lung lesions were also demonstrated in the lungs of mice immunized with exosomes carrying CSP. Conclusion(s): In conclusion, we demonstrated that SARS-CoV2 infected and vaccinated LTxRs induced circulating exosomes with SARS-CoV2 CSP. In addition, exosomes contained important immune activating molecules suggesting that the exosomes induced by SARS-CoV2 may have a physiological role in inducing immune responses. Immunization of mice with exosomes from SARS-CoV2 infected and vaccinated LTxRs not only induced SARS-CoV2 spike specific antibody but also resulted in inflammation and lung lesions in the immunized animals.
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SESSION TITLE: TB and TB-Involved Case Posters SESSION TYPE: Case Report Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/17/2022 12:15 pm - 01:15 pm INTRODUCTION: Patients who are HIV positive have a high risk of co-infection with tuberculosis (TB). Screening tests for HIV identify antibodies that are present during the seroconversion, or window phase. Here we present a case of reactivation TB during the seroconversion phase of HIV with an initially negative QuantiFERON test. CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy 24-year-old female presented with a productive cough. She was found to have leukopenia and apical consolidation on chest CT and was treated for community-acquired pneumonia with mild improvement of symptoms. Her QuantiFERON, COVID-19, and HIV antibody screen were negative;however, her reflex HIV antigen was positive. She re-presented a month later with a worsening cough, drenching night sweats, weight loss, vomiting, and dysphonia. Her chest CT noted a right apical cavitary lesion and bilateral upper lobe micronodules with endobronchial spreading. Her QuantiFERON and HIV antibody were now both positive. She was started on rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (RIPE) therapy and on raltegravir and emtricitabine/tenofovir. DISCUSSION: Above we describe a case of reactivation TB during the seroconversion phase of HIV with a negative QuantiFERON. Primary TB presents in the middle lobes without signs of structural damage whereas secondary TB typically involves the apices and presents with cavitation. Secondary TB is typically due to reactivation or reinfection in immunosuppressed patients. Although we believe this case is due to reactivation due to radiographic findings, her initial QuantiFERON was negative. However, studies have shown that QuantiFERON may have uncertain results in latent TB infections in patients with underlying HIV (1). Reliable testing for latent TB in HIV-positive individuals is necessary as HIV increases the risk of developing active TB and TB increases the risk of transitioning from HIV to AIDS (2). CONCLUSIONS: TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and HIV is a common coinfection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report of reactivation TB during the seroconversion phase of HIV with an initially negative QuantiFERON. Overall, more research must be done to identify the risk of infections during the seroconversion phase and physicians must be able to identify radiographic findings concerning for TB in patients with underlying HIV. Reference #1: Elisa Petruccioli, Teresa Chiacchio, Elisa Petruccioli, et al. Effect of HIV-infection on QuantiFERON-plus accuracy in patients with active tuberculosis and latent infection, Journal of Infection, 2020;80(5): 536-546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.02.009. Reference #2: Bruchfeld, Judith et al. "Tuberculosis and HIV Coinfection.” Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine vol. 5,7 a017871. 26 Feb. 2015, doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a017871 Reference #3: Johnson JL, Okwera A, Hom DL, et al. Duration of efficacy of treatment of latent tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected adults. AIDS. 2001;15(16):2137-2147. doi:10.1097/00002030-200111090-00009 World Health Organization. Tuberculosis [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2022 Mar. 15];Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Loor Alshawa No relevant relationships by Angela Binkowski No relevant relationships by Sara Qutubuddin
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Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging across the globe since early January 2020. Various geographical regions have been passing multiple swells of upsurge of cases which aren't matched temporally as well as in severity. The diapason of the complaint ranges from asymptomatic to severe life-hanging complaint. Advanced age and the presence of comorbidities similar as cardiovascular complaint, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic lung complaint, chronic kidney complaint, cancer, and obesity are among the major threat factors for severe disease. Aims and objectives: Significance of lab parameter among Corona Patients. Materials and methods: The covid- 19 opinion was verified by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR) assay of nasopharyngeal swab sample. Hematology blood samples were used to analyze by flow cytometry. Biochemical samples were used to analyze by completely auto analyzer diagnostic outfit. Serology tests were carried out the styles based on indirect ELISA technique, immune plates are coated with a admixture of purified viral antigen and probe using the patient serum. Results: It is found that there is statistically significant (p-value<0.05) mean difference within the lab parameters (IL-6, LDH and Ferritin) in Covid patients using the Post Hoc Analysis. It is also found that there statistically significant (p-value<0.05) mean difference between RBC, Hb level, Hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Platelet, RDW, PCT and NL ratio while Age, WBC, MPV, M(Monocyte), E(Eosinophil), B(Basophil), D-dimer and PDW were found to be statistically insignificant (p-value>0.05) with respect to gender. Discussion: CBC, D- dimer, IL-6, LDH and Ferritin were analysed and found associated with adverse outcomes. There is significant association of age, gender, comorbidity. Conclusion: High NLR at admission associated with a higher mortality. Laboratory features (e.g., IL-6, LDH, Ferritin D-dimer etc.) were associated with poor outcomes.
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Introduction: Sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack.) plant had been used as an immune system enhancer. Aim: In this study, the effect of Sungkai leaf extracts from 4 different fractions, namely n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and residual water with 3 variations in doses of 1,10 and 100 mg/kg bw on the activity of NK and CD8+T cells in male white mice that have been exposed to SARS-Cov-2 virus antigen was investigated. Methods: The experimental animals used were 60 animals divided into 12 groups with 14 days of treatment which had previously been induced with SARS-Cov-2 virus antigen (Moderna) and given with Sungkai leaf extracts for 14 days and evaluated on day 15. The evaluation results of NK cells concentrations sequentially were 2.96;4.66;5.38;5.43;4.05;2.89;3.56;4.21;2.88;1.99;2.07;4.40;3.21;3.40;and 6.93 ng/ml. On the other hand, the evaluation results of CD8+T cells concentrations sequentially were 27.47;28.96;29.19;27.90;21.85;25.79;27.98;23.50;23.39;26.56;22.62;25.19;23,55;26,75;and 29,69 ng/ml. One-way ANOVA and Duncan test were used for the data analysis. Results: The results showed significant increase of concentration (p<0.05) towards concentration of NK cells in the butanol fraction at a dose of 1 mg/kg BW and CD8+T cells in the residual water fraction at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW. Conclusion: It can be concluded that fraction from sungkai (Peronema canescens Jack.) at doses of 1,10 and 100 mg/kg bw shows immunostimulatory activity.
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The COVID-19 outbreak spreads around world, accumulated to more than 27 million confirmed cases and 800k deaths. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a gold-standard diagnostic method, were labor intensive, time-consuming and costly, which restricted its application to widespread screening. Herein, this study purposes a one-pot and non-washing method to rapidly detect virus by dual-clamped surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) mechanism. COVID Antigens were captured by SERS nanoparticles and novel SERS substrate simultaneously to achieve 6 order enhancements within 20 minutes. The dual-SERS sensors have reached a detection limit of 1 ng/ml in clinical samples for recognizing nucleocapsid & Spike proteins of COVID-19, which is comparable with PCR results. © 2021 MicroTAS 2021 - 25th International Conference on Miniaturized Systems for Chemistry and Life Sciences. All rights reserved.
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Background: Influenza and bronchiolitis are serious infections especially among vulnerable pediatric populations. Earlier studies have suggested that the transmission of influenza viruses can be reduced by face masking and social distancing measures. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ohio adopted various measures including school closing, travel restrictions, social distancing, and face masking in March, 2020. These measures have created a unique opportunity to study the impact of social distancing measures on the spread of potentially serious viral infections such as influenza and respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) infections of children in our locality. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at Akron Children's hospital in Northeast Ohio where the peak respiratory season extends from October to April. The primary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of influenza A and B and RSV infections before and after implementation of social distancing measures. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 was also tracked for comparison. Viral assay data were collected between October 1, 2020 through April 30th, 2021 (during the pandemic and social distancing implementation) and compared with two pre-COVID19 respiratory seasons: 2018-19 and 2019-20. Results from all patients who received viral testing as a part of their medical care were included. Viral tests included rapid antigen tests for Influenza A/B and RSV (Quidel SoFIA), Respiratory Film Array (BioFire, includes flu, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 targets), and single target tests for SARS-CoV-2 from multiple vendors (see Table 1). Results: There was a dramatic increase in viral testing in the 2020-2021 respiratory season. With most of the new test targeting SARS-CoV-2, Flu and RSV antigen tests decreased significantly but were replaced in part by Respiratory FilmArray use (Table 1). Pre-COVID-19, the peak incidence of RSV occurred in December for the 2018-19 (28.9%, average of 8.8%) and 2019- 20 (24.7%, average of 8.8%) seasons. After social distancing measures, the incidence and positivity rate for RSV was 0% until March 14, 2021 when the first RSV case was detected in our locality, concurrent with relaxation of social distancing measures. Pre-COVID 19, the peak incidence of Influenza A virus occurred during February in the seasons 2018-19 (40.9%;average of 13.6%) and 2019-20 (24.1%, average of 6.1%). Influenza B had a low incidence throughout 2018-2019 (average of 0.3%) with a peak during January in the 2019-2020 season (24.0%, average of 6.8%). During the 2020-2021 season, we detected only two isolated cases of Influenza B virus and no cases of Influenza A virus through April 30, 2021 (Figure-1). Conclusion: Social distancing and mask mandates can be effective tools to decrease the rates of potentially serious infections such as Influenza and RSV in the pediatric population. Travel restrictions and school closures likely had an affect but were not evaluated during this study.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted an unprecedented race to find the means to contrast the SARS-CoV-2 infection, resulting in a huge common effort to develop an efficacious vaccine as soon as possible and an exceptional acceleration of the review process to ensure its safety and efficacy. Many technological platforms are currently under investigation or have already been approved, including those based on the inactivated virus, mRNA- or DNA-based vaccines expressing viral antigens, recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins and vector-based vaccines exploiting chimeric adenoviruses. The emergence of new viral variants has represented ad additional challenge and has induced the entire scientific community to potentiate the monitoring process of the ongoing vaccination campaigns. In this scenario, laboratory medicine certainly plays a pivotal role not only in the diagnosis of the infection but also in monitoring the immune response to vaccines and in the detection and prevention of clinically significant adverse events, ultimately contributing to the determination of the biological and clinical efficacy of the available vaccines. This review offers an overview of the most recent and updated data on anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and the technological principles behind them as well as on the resources that laboratory medicine can offer to support the vaccination campaigns. All these aspects represent a rapid step forward in the clinical field which transcends the COVID-19 outbreak and that will certainly pave the way for the future scientific research.