ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Seroprevalence estimation of COVID-19 is quite necessary for controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Seroprevalence rate in recovered COVID-19 patients help us to identify individual with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and its protective nature. The objective of present study was to evaluate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among potential convalescent plasma donors and analysis of their deferral reasons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total 400 potential convalescent plasma donors were enrolled over five-month period for this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were lab confirmed COVID-19 recovered patients and 14 days of symptoms free period. All prospective plasmapheresis donors were tested for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibody through chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, CBC, serum protein, blood grouping along with other required test for normal blood donation as per Drugs & Cosmetics Act. After pre donation testing and medical examination if donor was found to be ineligible for plasmapheresis was deferred. Seroprevalence rate was calculated by positive IgG antibody test results among the potential plasma donors. RESULTS: Seroprevalence rate was 87% for IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in prospective convalescent plasma donors (recovered COVID-19 patients). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence rate between different sub-groups with respect to gender, age, blood groups, Rh factor, mode of treatment, day of Ab testing and repeat plasma donation. Most common reason for their deferral was absent IgG SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (13%) followed by absenteeism of eligible screen donors (6.7%), low Hb (1.7%) and poor veins for plasmapheresis (1.7%). Till five-month study period none of the plasmapheresis develop symptoms of reinfection with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: In all, 13% recovered patients did not develop IgG antibodies after SARS-CoV-2 infection. SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies persist for quite some time and are protective against reinfection. More long-term serology studies are needed to understand better antibody response kinetics and duration of persistence of IgG antibodies.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Antibodies, Viral , Blood Donors , COVID-19/therapy , Humans , Immunization, Passive , Prospective Studies , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Tertiary Care Centers , COVID-19 SerotherapyABSTRACT
Members of the serine proteinase inhibitor or serpin superfamily inhibit their target proteinases by a remarkable conformational transition that involves the enzyme being translocated more than 70 A (1 A = 10(-10) m) from the upper to the lower pole of the inhibitor. This elegant mechanism is subverted by point mutations to form ordered polymers that are retained within the endoplasmic reticulum of secretory cells. The accumulation of polymers underlies the retention of mutants of alpha(1)-antitrypsin and neuroserpin within hepatocytes and neurons to cause cirrhosis and dementia respectively. The formation of polymers results in the failure to secrete mutants of other members of the serpin superfamily: antithrombin, C1 inhibitor and alpha1-antichymotrypsin, to cause a plasma deficiency that results in the clinical syndromes of thrombosis, angio-oedema and emphysema respectively. Understanding the common mechanism underlying the retention and deficiency of mutants of the serpins has allowed us to group these conditions as the serpinopathies. We review in this paper the molecular and structural basis of the serpinopathies and show how this has allowed the development of specific agents to block the polymerization that underlies disease.
Subject(s)
Lung Diseases/metabolism , Serpins/metabolism , Animals , Antithrombins/chemistry , Antithrombins/genetics , Antithrombins/metabolism , Antithrombins/pharmacology , Biopolymers/chemistry , Biopolymers/metabolism , Humans , Lung Diseases/pathology , Serine Proteinase Inhibitors/genetics , Serine Proteinase Inhibitors/metabolism , Serine Proteinase Inhibitors/pharmacology , Serpins/chemistry , Serpins/classification , Serpins/pharmacologyABSTRACT
We report a case of carcinomatous meningitis diagnosed at autopsy that was clinically diagnosed as a case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) because of rapidly evolving dementia. Pathological study revealed diffusely spreading carcinomatous meningitis, infiltrating into cortex along Virchow Robin space. Immunostaining for Prion protein was negative. Despite advances in clinical diagnosis, tissue diagnosis remains a pre-requisite for confirmation of CJD.
Subject(s)
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/pathology , Meningeal Neoplasms/pathology , Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/diagnosis , Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome/psychology , Diagnosis, Differential , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Meningeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Meningeal Neoplasms/psychology , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Metastasis/pathologyABSTRACT
A 40 year old male patient presented with jaundice. The patient had a small periumbilical nodule. He was referred to the department of Pathology for FNAC of the nodule. A diagnosis of metastases from adenocarcinoma was made. Further investigations revealed carcinoma of stomach with metastatic deposits in liver. The present report highlights the utility of F N A C in diagnosis and to decide on further investigations to arrive at a final diagnosis in a given case. A brief review of historical aspect is also given.
