Predictors of long-term neutralizing antibody titers following COVID-19 vaccination by three vaccine types: the BOOST study.

As concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic continue, it is critical to understand the impact of vaccination type on neutralizing antibody response durability as well as to identify individual difference factors related to decline in neutralization. This was a head-to-head comparison study following 498 healthy, community volunteers who received the BNT162b2 (n = 287), mRNA-1273 (n = 149), and Ad26.COV2.S (n = 62). Participants completed questionnaires and underwent blood draws prior to vaccination, 1 month, and 6 months after the vaccination series, and neutralizing antibody (nAB) titers at 1- and 6-months post vaccination were quantified using a high-throughput pseudovirus assay. Over 6 months of follow-up, nABs declined in recipients of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, while nABs in recipients of Ad26.COV2.S showed a significant increase. At the 6-month time point, nABs to Ad26.COV2.S were significantly higher than nABs to BNT162b2 and equivalent to mRNA-1273. Irrespective of follow-up timing, being older was associated with lower nAB for participants who received BNT162b2 and Ad26.COV2.S but not for those who received mRNA-1273. A higher baseline BMI was associated with a lower nAB for Ad26.COV2.S recipients but not for recipients of other vaccines. Women and non-smokers showed higher nAB compared to men and current smokers, respectively. The durability of neutralizing antibody responses differed by vaccine type and several sociodemographic factors that predicted response. These findings may inform booster recommendations in the future.

Harnessing Virtual Mom Power: Process and Outcomes of a Pilot Telehealth Adaptation of a Multifamily, Attachment-Based Intervention.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic and mitigation strategies amplified racial and income-based health disparities, profoundly shifted family life, and altered delivery systems for support services. We report pilot data from a telehealth adaptation of Mom Power, an evidence-based, attachment-informed multifamily preventive intervention (clinicaltrials.gov: de-identified). Method: Virtual Mom Power (VMP), adapted for economically marginalized, predominantly Black mothers and their young children (n = 9) was implemented in New Orleans, an early COVID-19 hotspot with an entrenched history of structural racism and trauma. We outline our approach to adaptation of curriculum and service delivery, using a trauma-informed lens. Results: Maternal reports of maternal and child functioning from pre to post were consistent with improvements in maternal depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms and child competence, comparable to outcomes from in-person trials. Feasibility and acceptability data were strong. Discussion: Preliminary results and reflections on process suggest that telehealth service delivery of a multifamily preventive intervention, with attention to decreasing barriers to online access and consideration of culture and context, facilitated engagement while maintaining fidelity and effects on intervention targets. Future research using larger samples, randomized controlled design, and multi-method assessment should continue to guide dissemination of reflective, group-based telehealth parenting programs.

Editors' Best of 2022.

There is, in the content of the Journal, an embarrassment of riches, and picking a "best" seems to demand a certain qualification: is the "best" the most interesting, most surprising, most educational, most important, most provocative, most enjoyable? How to choose? We are hardly unbiased and can admit to a special affection for the ones that we and the authors worked hardest on, hammering version after version into shape. Acknowledging these biases, here are the 2022 articles that we think deserve your attention or at least a second read.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2-Specific T-Cell Activation with a Rapid On-Chip IGRA.

Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) that measure pathogen-specific T-cell response rates can provide a more reliable estimate of protection than specific antibody levels but have limited potential for widespread use due to their workflow, personnel, and instrumentation demands. The major vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated substantial efficacy against all of its current variants, but approaches are needed to determine how these vaccines will perform against future variants, as they arise, to inform vaccine and public health policies. Here we describe a rapid, sensitive, nanolayer polylysine-integrated microfluidic chip IGRA read by a fluorescent microscope that has a 5 h sample-to-answer time and uses ∼25 µL of a fingerstick whole blood sample. Results from this assay correlated with those of a comparable clinical IGRA when used to evaluate the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 peptides in a population of vaccinated and/or infected individuals. Notably, this streamlined and inexpensive assay is suitable for high-throughput analyses in resource-limited settings for other infectious diseases.

Does Sleep Predict Antibody Response and Maintenance to the COVID-19 Vaccine?

Introduction There is growing evidence that insufficient sleep can negatively impact the immune system, including vaccination response. Prior laboratory studies have shown that acute sleep restriction can result in impaired antibody resposne to the hepatitis A and influenza vaccine. Similarly, prospective studies have shown that short sleep duration, measured by self-report and wrist actigraphy, is associated with muted antibody responses. These prior findings have critical implications for the COVID-19 pandemic and the efficacy and durability of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available. Whether sleep accounts for variability in response to the COVID-19 vaccination series has not been investigated. Methods We recruited 530 healthy participants (mean age= 52.4, SD=12.1, range: 18-88 years;64.1% female) who were naive to the COVID-19 vaccination series. Participants completed self-report questionaires (e.g., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and morning sleep diaries for 7-consecutive days surrounding COVID-19 vaccine administrations. Additionally, 198 participants wore a sleep tracking device (Oura ring) continuously for ~2 months beginning prior to vaccination, which provides behavioral sleep data on days prior to and following the COVID-19 vaccination series. Blood samples were collected prior to vaccination, +1 month after their final vaccine shot (peak response), and +6 months after their final vaccine shot (maintenance);neutralization assays using pseudotype virus will be carried out to quantify antibody titers. Results Data collection concludes December 2021, with antibody assays to be completed February 2022. Initial baseline data indicates that most participants reported poor overall global sleep quality (PSQI mean=6.3, SD=3.6;52% PSQI>5). Linear mixed models will be conducted to test associations between habitual sleep duration (averaged over the measurement time points), sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality with antibody responses over time. Additionally, we will report on the relevance of sleep timing (midpoint) and vaccination timing (receiving the vaccine in the morning vs afternoon vs evening), and the role of self-reported sleep disorders (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea) and shift worker status. Covariates in these analyses will include age, gender, race, body mass index, prior COVID infection, and vaccine type (Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson). Conclusion These analyses will provide new knowledge about the role of sleep in mounting and maintaining antibody response to the COVID-19 vaccination series. These findings may provide novel insights into when and for whom improvements in sleep may result in better vaccine efficacy. Support (If Any) R24AG048024

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates of children seeking medical care in Louisiana during the state stay at home order.

Serologic testing of residual blood samples from 812 children from a hospital in New Orleans, LA, between March and May 2020, demonstrated a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence of 6.8% based on S and N protein IgG; Black and Hispanic children, and children living in zip codes with lower household incomes were over-represented.

JAACAP's Role in Advancing the Science of Pediatric Mental Health and Promoting the Care of Youth and Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As we pen these words, the COVID-19 pandemic is having profound impacts on human society. Based on decades of research, we know that the accompanying illness,1 death,2 social isolation,3,4 and malnutrition5 will have deep and lasting impacts on our children and adolescents, their families, and the communities in which they develop. The pandemic is exposing, with terrible clarity, the disparities in human society-racism,6 poverty,7,8 domestic violence,9,10 and child maltreatment and neglect11-and tragically will likely amplify the negative impacts that each has on child development and mental health.