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Objectives: Data about COVID-19 patients treated with veno-arterial-ECMO (VA-ECMO) is limited. Reported survival rates range from 27.9% to 77.8%, depending on VA-ECMO indication. A subgroup of patients suffers from circulatory failure due to a COVID-19 associated hyperinflammatory state (CovHI). In these patients, differentiation between inflammation and sepsis is difficult but important. In this retrospective case series, differential diagnoses of COVID-19 associated refractory circulatory failure and survival rates in different indications for VA-ECMO are investigated. Method(s): Retrospective analysis of 28 consecutive COVID-19 patients requiring VA-ECMO at the University Hospital Regensburg between March 2020 and May 2022. Specific treatment for COVID-19 was in accordance with respective guidelines. Mycotic infections were either invasive or met current definitions of COVID19-associated-pulmonary aspergillosis. Result(s): At VA-ECMO initiation, median age was 57.3 years (IQR: 51.4 - 61.8), SOFA score 16 (IQR: 13 - 17) and norepinephrine dosing 0.53mug/kg/min (IQR: 0.32 - 0.78). Virus-variants were: 61% wild-type, 14% Alpha, 18% Delta and 7% Omicron. Survival to hospital discharge was 39%. 17 patients were primarily supported with VA-ECMO only (survival 42%), 3 patients were switched from VV to VA-ECMO (survival 0%), and 8 patients were converted from VA to VAV or VV-ECMO (survival 50%). Indications for VA-ECMO support were pulmonary embolism (PE) (n=5, survival 80%), right heart failure due to secondary pulmonary hypertension (n=5, survival 20%), cardiac arrest (n=4, survival 25%), acute left heart failure (ALHF) (n=11, survival 36%) and refractory vasoplegia (n=3, survival 0%). Inflammatory markers at VA-ECMO initiation were higher in patients with ALHF or vasoplegia;in these patients a higher rate of invasive fungal infections (10/14, 71% vs. 4/14, 29%;p=0.023) compared to the other patients was found. Conclusion(s): Survival on VA-ECMO in COVID-19 depends on VA-ECMO indication, which should be considered in further studies and clinical decisions making. Circulatory failure due to vasoplegia should be considered very carefully as indication for VA-ECMO. A high rate of mycotic infections mandates an intense microbiological workup of these patients and must be considered as an important differential diagnosis to CovHI.
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Objective: COVID-19 has emerged as a significant global health crisis causing devastating effects on world population accounting for over 6 million deaths worldwide. Although acute RTI is the prevalent cause of morbidity, kidney outcomes centered on a spectrum of AKI have evolved over the course of the pandemic. Especially the emerging variants have posed a daunting challenge to the scientific communities, prompting an urging requirement for global contributions in understanding the viral dynamics. In addition to canonical genes, several subgroup- specific accessory genes are located between the S and E genes of coronaviruses regarding which little is known. Previous studies have shown that accessory proteins (aps) in viruses function as viroporins that regulate viral infection, propagation and egress [1]. In this study we attempted to characterize the function of aps of coronavirus variants as ion channels. Furthermore, we also probed the interaction of ap4 with the host system. Method(s): Serial passaging (selection pressure), growth kinetics, confocal imaging, genome sequence analysis and proteomics were performed in Huh-7, MRC5 cells and/or human monocyte derived macrophages. Potassium uptake assay was performed in a Saccharo myces cerevisiae strain, which lacks the potassium transporters trk1 and trk2. Ion conductivity experiments were performed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using Two Electrode Voltage Clamp (TEVC) method. Result(s): Serial passaging demonstrated the acquisition of several frameshift mutations in ORF4 resulting in C-terminally truncated protein versions (ap4 and ap4a) and indicate a strong selection pressure against retaining a complete ORF4 in vitro. Growth kinetics in primary cells illustrated a reduction of viral titers when the full-length ap4 was expressed compared to the C-terminally truncated protein ap4a. Confocal imaging showed that ap4 and ap4a are not exclusively located in a single cellular compartment. Potassium uptake assay in yeast and TEVC analyses in Xenopus oocytes showed that ap4 and ap4a act as a weak K+ selective ion channel. In addition, accessory proteins of other virus variants also elicited microampere range of currents. Conclusion(s): Our study provides the first evidence that ap4 and other accessory proteins of coronavirus variants act as viroporins. Future studies are aimed at demonstrating the role of ap4 during the viral life cycle by modulating ion homeostasis of host cell in vivo (interacting proteins obtained from proteomic studies) and thereby serve as a tool for potential drug target.
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Ever since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty regarding clinical presentation and differences among various subpopulations exist. With more than 209,870,000 confirmed cases and more than 4,400,000 deaths worldwide, we are facing the new era of health crisis which will undoubtedly impair global health, economic and social circumstances. In the past year, numerous genetic mutations which code SARS-CoV-2 proteins led to the occurrence of new viral strains, with higher transmission rates. Apart from the implementation of vaccination, the effect of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnancy outcome and maternal fetal transmission remains an important concern. Although neonates diagnosed with COVID-19 were mostly asymptomatic or presented with mild disease, the effect on early pregnancy is yet to be evident. While positive finding of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in some samples such as amniotic fluid, placental tissue, cord blood and breast milk exists, additional research should confirm its association with transplacental transmission.Copyright © 2022, Dr. Mladen Stojanovic University Hospital. All rights reserved.
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Cancer patients, particularly those receiving B cell-depleting therapy for lymphoid malignancies, are at risk of prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection, poorer clinical outcomes, and delayed initiation or disruption of cancer-directed therapy (Lee at al., 2022, Clark et al., 2021). We first studied T-cell mediated response to the Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of 69 patients with hematologic and solid cancers, including 18 patients who received prior B-cell depleting therapy. Patients with prolonged COVID-19 clearance, defined by a positive PCR test for longer than 30 days, had a broad but poorly converged CD8+ dominant response and a lacking CD4+ response. To conduct this analysis, we performed bulk T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing of 121 blood samples and tracked over time TCR repertoire statistics such as clonality, convergence, breadth, and depth of COVID-19-associated TCRs during the active and convalescent periods of COVID-19 infection. These SARS-CoV-2-associated TCRs were identified leveraging immunoSEQ T-MAP database (Snyder et al., 2020), a set of TCR sequences derived from COVID-19 patients and experimentally identified as responsive to MHC Class I and II epitopes from the Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strain using the multiplex identification of TCR antigen assay (Klinger et al., 2015). To extend our TCR repertoire analysis to other SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, we developed a deep learning (DL) method to predict TCR specificities for new SARS-CoV-2 epitopes. This DL approach also permits the identification of SARS-CoV2-responsive TCRs private to an individual. Combining this DL approach with our TCR statistics methodology, we studied the dynamics of T-cell response to COVID-19 vaccinations in a cohort of 50 patients with cancer and analyzed TCR repertoire characteristics associated with different degrees of COVID-19 severity in a cohort of 42 cancer patients who contracted the Omicron. Understanding cellular response to novel infections is critical for patient care in the context of cancer, and our novel DL-based approach can leverage existing datasets to analyze and track response to emerging viral strains.
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SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy is associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease including ICU admission, need for invasive ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and death. In addition, COVID-19 in pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. This presentation will review: (1) what is known about increased maternal and obstetric risk in the setting of SARS-CoV-2 infection;(2) how underlying comorbidities and viral strain may impact disease severity;(3) impact of COVID-19 in pregnancy on the placenta and how this may be altered by fetal sex and viral strain;(4) fetal risk and protection including vertical transmission, antibody-mediated protection, and later-life neurodevelopmental or metabolic risk in the setting of maternal immune activation.
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Background: Diarrhea was typical symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the underlying mechanism had not been fully understood. Aim(s): The study aimed to explore the mechanism of intestinal injury during COVID-19 in a coronavirus murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3) induced acute mouse model. Method(s): MHV-3 induced acute infection Balb/cJ mice model was established. Intestine samples were collected at indicated time points as 0 h, 24 h, 48 h and 60 h post infection. The mRNA and protein expression of IL1b, TNFalpha, IL6, caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3 were examined by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot respectively. The intestine injury and apoptosis were measured by HE staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Moreover, Z-DEVD-FMK (caspase 3 inhibitor) pre-treated MHV-3 infection mice model were established, in which the apoptosis of intestine was evaluated as well. Meanwhile, the murine intestinal cell MODE-K was infected by MHV-3 in vitro for evaluation of virus induced apoptosis. Result(s): Post MHV-3 infection, the histopathology of intestine tissue showed extraordinary injury with time dependence, as well as high level of TUNEL positivity. The mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokine IL1b, TNFalpha and IL6 were significantly increased. The protein expressions of caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3 in the intestine was found significantly elevated from 24 to 48 h post MHV-3 infection. Z-DEVD-FMK pretreatment inhibited caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 3 expression and decreased TUNEL positivity. Meanwhile, alleviated gut injury and inhibited TNFalpha expression were observed. In vitro treated by MHV-3, intestinal cell line MODE-K showed nine-fold increase of apoptosis by comparison with saline treated ones. The expressions of apoptosis crucial protein caspase3 and cleaved caspase3 significantly elevated, as well as TNFalpha. Conclusion(s): Coronavirus murine hepatitis virus strain 3 induces intestinal injury via caspase 3 dependent apoptosis, which might shed light on the treatment of intestinal complications in COVID-19.
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Alphacoronaviruses (HCoV-229E and HCoV-NL63) and betacoronaviruses (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1) are common causes of upper respiratory tract infection in humans. SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV emerged in 2002 and 2012, respectively, with the potential of causing severe and lethal disease in humans, termed SARS and MERS, respectively. Bats appear to be the common natural source of SARS-like coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-1, but their role in MERS-CoV is less clear. Civet cats and dromedary camels are the intermediary animal sources for SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV, respectively. Nosocomial outbreaks are hallmarks of SARS and MERS. MERS patients with comorbidities or immunosuppression tend to progress more rapidly to respiratory failure and have a higher case fatality rate than SARS patients. SARS has disappeared since 2004, while there are still sporadic cases of MERS in the Middle East. Continued global surveillance is essential for SARS-like coronaviruses and MERS-CoV to monitor changing epidemiology due to viral variants.Copyright © ERS 2021.
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Intro: With the first case of COVID-19 in Cuba on March 11, 2020, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana began an extensive vaccine program. Two vaccines based on RBD recombinant protein were developed, one for systemic administration "Abdala" and one mucosal vaccine "Mambisa". Abdala received the EUA in July 2021 and "Mambisa" completed its clinical development as a booster dose for convalescent subjects. Method(s): Two doses (25 and 50 microg) and two schedules (0-14-28 and 1-28-56 days) were evaluated in phase I clinical trials with volunteers 19 to 54 years old. The phase II and III clinical trials were also double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled, and included respectively 660 and 48,000 volunteers from 19 to 80 years. The anti-RBD titers were evaluated using a quantitative ELISA system developed at the Center for Immunoassay, Havana Cuba, and ELECSYS system from Roche. The RBD to ACE2 plate-based binding competitive ELISA was performed to determine the inhibitory activity of the anti-RBD polyclonal sera on the binding of the hFc-ACE2 coated plates. The neutralization antibody titers were detected by a traditional virus microneutralization assay (MN50). Finding(s): The Abdala vaccine reached 92.28% efficacy. The epidemic was frankly under control in Cuba after the vaccine introduction having reached the highest levels of cases and mortality in July 2021 with the dominance of the Delta strain. The peak of the Omicron wave, unlike other countries, did not reach half of the cases of the Delta wave with a significant reduction in mortality. The mucosal vaccine candidate "Mambisa" completed its clinical development as a booster dose for convalescent subjects reaching the trial end-point. Conclusion(s): Vaccine composition based on RBD recombinant antigen alone is sufficient to achieve high vaccine efficacy comparable to mRNA and live vaccine platforms. The vaccine also protects against different viral variants including Delta and Omicron strains.Copyright © 2023
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Introduction. The rapid spread of a new coronavirus infection among populations in many countries worldwide has contributed to the genetic evolution of the virus, resulting in the emergence of multiple genetic variants of the SARSCoV-2 coronavirus. Mutations in the viral genome can affect the ability of the virus to bypass the immune system and complicate development of diagnostic and prophylactic drugs. Data on the neutralizing activity of the sera obtained against previously circulating genetic variants of the virus in relation to current SARS-CoV-2 strains may serve as a scientific basis for the selection of the antigens in vaccine development. The aim of this work was to study cross-reactivity of SARSCoV-2 coronavirus strains belonging to different genetic variants, which were isolated in the territory of the Russian Federation during 2020-2022 in the neutralization reaction using mouse hyperimmune sera. Materials and methods. Ten strains of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus belonging to different genetic variants were used (three non-VOC strains, alpha, beta, gamma, delta, delta+AY, omicron 1 and omicron 2). The hCoV-19/Australia/VIC01/2020 strain (Wuhan) was included in the study as a prototypical variant. BALBc mice were immunized with inactivated concentrated antigen mixed with a 1:1 adjuvant, which was a virus-like immunostimulatory complex based on Quillaja saponaria (Quillaja saponaria). The antibody titer was determined in the neutralization reaction. Results. Essential decrease of neutralizing ability of antibodies specific to non-vOC genetic variants of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was revealed against beta VOC and to a lesser degree against alpha and gamma VOC variants. The differences in the neutralizing activity level of antibodies for alpha and beta VOC variants are not significant among themselves, and with gamma VOC variants - there are no significant differences. Neutralizing ability of antibodies specific to delta VOC against alpha and beta VOC variants decreased 4-fold. Neutralizing activity of sera obtained to omicron 1 and 2 variants in relation to the prototype coronavirus variant was reduced 18-fold, to the gamma variant - 12-fold, to delta variants - more than 30-fold;for other variants it was even lower. Conclusions. The results obtained testify to the presence of cross-reactivity between strains of coronavirus belonging to genetic lines Wuhan, alpha, beta, gamma;it is weaker for delta variants. Mutations in the genome of VOC omicron variants led to a significant decrease in antigenic cross-links with earlier genetic variants of the coronavirus. These findings explain the low efficacy of vaccines based on the Wuhan strain, synthetic immunogens, and recombinant proteins based on it against omicron VOC variants, which have caused a rise in morbidity since early 2022, as well as cases of re-infection of humans with new genetic variants of the coronavirus.Copyright © 2023 Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute. All rights reserved.
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South Africa has experienced several waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection following a slow vaccine roll-out. This resulted in extremely high population infection, with >98% of South Africans seropositive, and multiple cases of reinfection with diverse variants, which has shaped the quality and titers of antibody responses. South Africa also bears the brunt of the HIV pandemic, with 7.5 million PLWH. Of these, 2 million people do not access antiretroviral therapy, with implications for their ability to mount effective humoral responses, and to clear SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, Moore will describe population-level vaccine-induced and hybrid humoral immunity in PLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals.
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Background: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sublineages exhibit evolving escape to in vitro neutralization by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), with an unclear impact on in vivo treatment response. Our aim is to assess the impact of SARS-Cov-2 variants on the decline of viral load (VL) after treatment with 3 different drugs approved in EU for the early treatment of patients with mild-moderate COVID-19. Method(s): Post-hoc analysis from MONET (EudraCT: 2021-004188-28), phase 4 open-label RCT to assess efficacy of 500 mg intravenous sotrovimab (SOT), 600 mg intramuscular tixagevimab/cilgavimab (TIX/CIL) and oral 5-days course of NMV/r 300/100 mg BID, in non-hospitalized high-risk patients (pts) with early COVID-19. Pts' features were analyzed as binary variables by Chi-squared test. SARS-Cov-2 VL in nasopharyngeal swabs was carried out at randomization (1d) and at day 7 (7d) by cycle threshold value (Ct). Variant sequencing was performed at 1d. Ct variation was assessed by mixed effect log-linear model including random intercept at pts' level, log of Ct as independent variable, time, arm, viral variant as dependent variables, and interaction between time and arm. Multiple comparisons were adjusted by Bonferroni. Result(s): Among the 320 pts included between 4 Mar and 16 Nov, 2022, 108 (33.75%) received NMV/r, 103 (32.19%) TIX/CIL, and 109 (34.06%) SOT. Main characteristics were balanced across arms. Most of the pts were infected either with BA.2 (N=194;60.63%) or BA.4/BA.5 (N=100;31.25%) (Fig1A). VL at 1d was similar across the arms. In contrast, mean 7d VL was significantly lower in pts receiving NMV/r than in those receiving TIX/ CIL or SOT (P< 0.001) No significant VL variation was observed between the mAb arms (Fig1B). The analysis of the impact of viral variants suggests that while VL was significantly affected by variants (P=0.034), the superior effect of NMV/r over mAbs was homogeneous across all variant groups (P=0.290 for interaction) (Fig1C). Conclusion(s): Our study provides for the first time strong in vivo evidence that, when used against Omicron lineages, NMV/r exerts a stronger antiviral effect than mAbs. These results confirm previous in vitro evidence suggesting that mAbs may not retain neutralizing activity against all Omicron sublineages and provide preliminary information on how to use VL variation as a surrogate marker of efficacy. Further studies are needed to investigate whether the superior virologic activity of NMV/r over mAbs is confirmed for newly emerging variants, including BQ.1.1 or XBB.
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Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccines have been used by many countries to manage the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous studies, considerable uncertainty remains about the effects of these public health interventions due to data quality issues and methodological challenges to estimating effects. However, producing accurate and precise estimates of the effects of these interventions is of utmost importance for the preparedness of any new epidemic. Method(s): We developed a population-based mechanistic compartmental model that includes the effect of NPIs on SARS-CoV-2 transmission and the effect of vaccination on the transmission and the rate of hospitalization. Our statistical approach estimated all parameters in one step, thus accurately propagating uncertainty, and representing spatial heterogeneity. We fitted the model to all available epidemiological data (hospital admissions and occupancy, cases, and deaths) from March 2020 to October 2021 in France. Hence, we estimated the time-varying transmission rate, and derived the effect of NPIs through an integrated regression model. We simulated counterfactual scenarios of the interplay of NPIs and vaccine availability and rollout with the same model. Result(s): We found that the first lockdown reduced transmission by 84% (95% CI [83-85]) and was more effective than the second and third lockdowns (reduction of 75% [72-77] and 9% [6-13], respectively). A 6pm curfew was more effective than an 8 pm curfew (transmission reduction of 69% [67-70] vs. 50% [48-53]). School closures had a smaller effect on transmission (15% [12-19]). By the end of the study period, the protection conferred by vaccines against hospitalization and against infection, considering viral variants and population vaccine coverage, ranged between 69-92% and 29-40%, respectively. In a scenario without vaccines, we predicted 209% (95% PI [34-520]) more deaths and 346% [101-798] more hospitalizations throughout the study period. Conversely, if an effective vaccine had been available after 100 days, 65% [36-80] deaths and 72% [45-84] hospitalizations could have been averted. Conclusion(s): Our results provide reliable effect and uncertainty estimates of each NPI and demonstrate that NPIs and vaccination synergistically reduced COVID-19 transmission, hospitalization, and deaths. This emphasizes the importance of stringent NPIs and a high vaccination rate to prevent further epidemic resurgences and control other emerging respiratory infectious diseases.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 is one of the worst catastrophic events in human history. A number of therapeutic modalities have been utilized in order to fight the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), although the majority of them failed to demonstrate a beneficial clinical effect. Among the anti-COVID-19 agents being investigated, the convalescent plasma collected from recovered donors has gained a growing interest. Convalescent plasma has been employed for over a hundred years to treat severe acute viral infections when a vaccine or a specific antiviral treatment was not yet available. In this narrative review, we summarize the literature data on the use of convalescent plasma during previous viral outbreaks and pandemics, including influenza viruses, coronaviruses other than SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola virus. A literature search, using the Medline and PubMed electronic database, was performed to retrieve publications on the use of convalescent plasma in previous viral epidemics. In conclusion, the available literature data suggest the safety profile of convalescent plasma and its potential benefit in treating emerging viral infectious diseases. In addition, these data retrieved from previous viral epidemics provide a solid rationale for the employment of plasma from convalescent donors also in COVID-19 patients.Copyright © 2021 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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Objectives: Shotgun proteomics is a generic method enabling detection of multiple viral species in one assay. The reliable and accurate identification of these viral species by analyzing peptides from MS-spectra is a challenging task. The aim of this study was to develop an easy accessible proteome analysis approach for the identification of viruses that cause respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Method(s): For this purpose, a shotgun proteomics based method and a web application, 'proteome2virus', were developed. Identified peptides were searched in a database comprising proteomic data of 46 viruses known to be infectious to humans. Result(s): The method was successfully tested for cultured viruses and eight fecal samples consisting of ten different viral species from seven different virus families, including SARS-CoV-2. The samples were prepared with two different sample preparation methods and were measured with two different mass spectrometers. Conclusion(s): The results demonstrate that the developed web application is applicable to different MS data sets, generated from two different instruments, and that with this approach a high variety of clinically relevant viral species can be identified. This emphasizes the potential and feasibility for the diagnosis of a wide range of viruses in clinical samples with a single shotgun proteomics analysis.Copyright © 2023
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Adenovirus vectors have been employed to develop a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for curtailing the Covid-19 pandemic spreading. Many different viral vectors have been mainly targeting the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein as an antigen. Spike (S) protein is comprised of S1 and S2 subunits, in which the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of S1 is responsible for recognizing and engaging with its host cellular receptor protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), S2 accounts for membrane fusion of virus and host cell. Chimpanzee adenovirus was also used as a vector vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 (ChAdSARS-CoV-2-S) by intramuscular injection, and intranasal administration has been tested. Adenovirus vector-based vaccines are the most advanced, with several vaccines receiving Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). It was shown that rhesus macaques were protected from SARS-CoV-2 challenge after a month of being vaccinated with ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-S. A single intranasal or two intramuscular ChAd-SARSCoV-2-S vaccines could induce humoral antibodies and T cell responses to protect the upper and lower respiratory tract against SARS-CoV-2. As the effectiveness was demonstrated in non-human primates, ChAd-SARS-CoV-2-Sa potential option for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans. However, detecting novel more transmissible and pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 variants added concerns about the vaccine efficacy and needs monitoring. Moreover, the cause of recently documented rare cases of vaccine indicated immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia. This review article provided details for the adenovirus vector vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 in humans and tried to provide solutions to the adenovirus vector hemagglutinin issueCopyright © 2023, World's Veterinary Journal.All Rights Reserved.
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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
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BACKGROUND: Quantitative models leveraging non-clinical data to predict clinical vaccine efficacy provide a translational framework to rapidly develop vaccines/ boosters against new strains of SARS-CoV- 2. METHOD(S): Previously, based on a systematic literature review, we performed a translational Model-Based Meta-Analysis (MBMA)1 integrating data of wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV- 2 from 13 rhesus macaques (RM) studies and eight clinical trials. The model is here updated with data from 32 additional RM studies including newer strains of SARS-CoV- 2 (e.g., omicron). Non-linear mixed-effects modeling was used to quantify the relationship in RM between serum neutralizing (SN) titers after vaccination and peak viral load (VL) post challenge in relevant tissue matrices. RESULT(S): The plot2 shows the model describes the relationship between SN titers and peak VL across all specimens well. The overlap between the confidence intervals across virus strains suggests that the model can be leveraged to describe RM data across viral SARS-CoV- 2 strains. CONCLUSION(S): The previous work1 demonstrated that RM VL is quantitatively predictive of clinical efficacy, and so this update provides a framework to predict clinical vaccine efficacy against newer variants using only RM data (Figure Presented).
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that can lead to severe respiratory symptoms. Pregnant women have an increased risk for a severe course. Therefore, the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF) Guidelines 015/092 "SARS-CoV-2 in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium" were established to standardize care in the COVID-19 pandemic. The guideline group used data from the "COVID-19 related obstetrics and neonatal outcome study" (CRONOS) to generate evidence-based recommendations for action. CRONOS collects data from more than 130 affiliated maternity hospitals nationwide in Germany. According to the study, pregnant women positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are often asymptomatic;however, in 1 out of 25 detected infections there is a severe course requiring intensive medical treatment. Thromboembolism occurs in 1 out of 30 women hospitalized for COVID-19. An infection of the neonate of a mother infected peripartum is occasionally detected (about 1 out of 20 infants) and usually remains without consequence in the short-term outcome. Many other questions have been answered using CRONOS data. The registry is still open and recruiting and will also provide more in-depth information on different virus variants and vaccination in the future with more than 6000 cases. CRONOS is exemplary for an unprecedented cooperation of gynecologists during the pandemic.Copyright © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.
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Immunity plays a fundamental role in the maintenance and protection of the human body from infectious and pathogenic microorganisms. It requires regular intake of nutrients for proper functioning of the immune system. Due to an unbalanced lifestyle and consumption of ready-to-eat foods, immunity is being affected negatively. Inflammation and immunity are influenced by diet and nutrition. Simple sugars, trans fats, refined carbs, and processed meat, among other meals, may induce inflammation while simultaneously counteracting the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. As a result, unhealthy food intake may enhance systemic inflammation in individuals, boosting the generation of IL-6. Dietary nutrition is a well-known aspect of immune system maintenance, with the significance of micronutrients prominently featured in a variety of scientific literary works. Currently, global population is susceptible viral infection such as COVID-19. This viral strain is directly attacking the immunity of the individual and bringing it at risk. When a patient's immune system isn't operating correctly, COVID-19 is thought to raise the harshness of the infection or make it more vulnerable to contagious diseases. This review paper will help in understanding the immune responses mechanism along with diet balance and maintaining the sufficiency of vitamins and minerals to fight against COVID-19 infection.Copyright © 2023 The Author(s)