Neutralizing antibody levels detected early after mRNA-based vaccination do not predict by themselves subsequent breakthrough infections of SARS-CoV-2.

The development of mRNA vaccines represented a significant achievement in response to the global health crisis during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Evaluating vaccine efficacy entails identifying different anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, such as total antibodies against the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the S-protein, or neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). This study utilized an innovative PETIA-based kit to measure NAb, and the investigation aimed to assess whether levels of anti-RBD IgG and NAb uniformly measured 30 days after vaccination could predict individuals at a higher risk of subsequent infection in the months following vaccination. Among a cohort of healthy vaccinated healthcare workers larger than 6,000, 12 mRNA-1273- and 115 BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals contracted infections after the first two doses. The main finding is that neither anti-RBD IgG nor NAb levels measured at day 30 post-vaccination can be used as predictors of breakthrough infections (BI). Therefore, the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected shortly after vaccination are not the pivotal factors involved in antiviral protection, and other characteristics must be considered in understanding protection against infection. Furthermore, the levels of anti-RBD and NAbs followed a very similar pattern, with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.96. This robust correlation would justify ceasing the quantification of NAbs, as the information provided by both determinations is highly similar. This optimization would help allocate resources more efficiently and speed up the determination of individuals' humoral immunity status.

IgG anti-RBD levels during 8-month follow-up post-vaccination with BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 vaccines in healthcare workers: A one-center study.

Introduction: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, specific mRNA-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed and distributed worldwide. Because this is the first time that mRNA vaccines have been used, there are several questions regarding their capacity to confer immunity and the durability of the specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 response. Therefore, the objective of this study was to recruit a large cohort of healthcare workers from the Gregorio Marañón Hospital vaccinated with the mRNA-1273 or BNT126b2 vaccines and to follow-up on IgG anti-RBD levels at 8 months post-vaccination. Methods: We recruited 4,970 volunteers and measured IgG anti-RBD antibodies on days 30 and 240 post-vaccination. Results: We observed that both vaccines induced high levels of antibodies on day 30, while a drastic wane was observed on day 240, where mRNA-1273 vaccinated induced higher levels than BNT162b2. Stratifying by vaccine type, age, gender, and comorbidities, we identified that older mRNA-1273-vaccinated volunteers had higher antibody levels than the younger volunteers, contrary to what was observed in the BNT162b2-vaccinated volunteers. Discussion: In conclusion, we observed that mRNA-1273 has a higher capacity to induce a humoral response than BNT162b2 and that age is a factor in the specific response.

Absence of IgG antibodies among high-risk contacts of two confirmed cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in the autonomous region of Madrid (Spain).

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widely distributed tick-borne disease. In Spain, the disease has emerged as outbreak associated with high-risk exposures. Our goal was to evaluate the prevalence of antibodies against the CCHF virus (CCHFV) in high-risk contacts. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Three hundred eighty-six high-risk contacts were identified comprising family contacts and hospital workers who had attended the cases. Fifty-seven cases with closer exposure were selected. However, forty-nine cases participated in the study. IgG antibodies were detected by immunoenzymatic techniques. All determinations tested negative for anti-CCHFV IgG antibodies. Most of the responders were women (73.5%), and belong to the intensive care department (53.1%). In relation to other possible sources of exposures, 18.4% travelled to countries with CCHF transmission risk. No CCHF positivity was recorded among selected high-risk contacts. This highlights the importance of standard precautions which might have protected healthcare workers and care providers from CCHF infection.

Two new ootaxa from the late Jurassic: The oldest record of crocodylomorph eggs, from the Lourinhã Formation, Portugal.

The Late Jurassic Lourinhã Formation is known for its abundant remains of dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs and other vertebrates. Among this record are nine localities that have produced either dinosaur embryos, eggs or eggshell fragments. Herein, we describe and identify the first crocodiloid morphotype eggs and eggshells from the Lourinhã Formation, from five occurrences. One clutch from Cambelas, composed of 13 eggs, eggshell fragments from Casal da Rola and Peralta, one crushed egg and eggshells from Paimogo North, and four crushed eggs as well as eggshell fragments from Paimogo South. We observed and confirmed diagnostic morphological characters for crocodiloid eggshells and which are consistent with a crocodylomorph affinity, such as the ellipsoidal shape, wedge-shaped shell units, triangular extinction under cross-polarized light, and tabular ultrastructure. This material is distinctive enough to propose two new ootaxa within the oofamily Krokolithidae, Suchoolithus portucalensis, oogen. and oosp. nov., for the material from Cambelas, the most complete clutch known for crocodiloid eggs, and Krokolithes dinophilus, oosp. nov., for the remaining material. These are the oldest crocodylomorph eggs known, extending the fossil record for this group to the Late Jurassic. Furthermore, except for the clutch from Cambelas, the material was found with theropod eggs and nests, in the other four occurrences, which seem to suggest some form of biological relationship, still unclear at this point.

Screening de tuberculosis mediante la técnica IGRA en los residentes incorporados en mayo de 2014 en un hospital de tercer nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid / Screening for tuberculosis by igra assay in resident physicians incorporated in May 2014 in a Tertiary level hospital of Madrid Community

OBJETIVOS: La tuberculosis es una enfermedad transmisible, de forma mayoritaria por vía aérea de paciente con enfermedad activa a individuo sano, producida por especies del género Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis principalmente, M. africanum y M. bovis). El principal objetivo de este estudio es determinar la incidencia de la TB, mediante la técnica IGRA, en los residentes del primer año que se han incorporado en mayo de 2014 en un hospital de tercer nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid. Material y MÉTODOS: es un estudio transversal que recoge los datos de los 136 residentes (médicos, enfermeros, psicólogos, biólogos, físicos, químicos) que se han incorporado en mayo de 2014 en un Hospital General Universitario de tercer nivel de la Comunidad de Madrid y a quienes se les realizó el examen inicial de salud. RESULTADOS: se han identificado 5 casos con infección latente tuberculosa (un residente español y otros 4 procedentes del extranjero) y se han enviado al Servicio de Neumología para recibir tratamiento profiláctico. No se ha encontrado ningún caso de TB activa. CONCLUSIONES: los residentes procedentes del extranjero presentan mayor incidencia de la TB que los nacionales españoles

OBJECTIVE: Tuberculosis is a communicable disease largely through air by species of the genus Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis, M. africanum and M. bovis) but the usual etiologic agent is M. tuberculosis. The main objective of this study is to determine the incidence of TB by IGRA technique, in resident physicians from first year who joined in May 2014 in a tertiary hospital of Madrid Community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that collects data from the 136 residents (doctors, nurses, psychologists, biologists, physicists, chemists) who joined in May 2014 in a tertiary hospital of Madrid Community and who underwent initial health examination. RESULTS: we have identified 5 cases with latent tuberculosis infection (a Spanish resident and another 4 from abroad) and sent to the Service of Pneumology to receive prophylactic treatment. Not found any case of active TB. CONCLUSIONS: residents from abroad have a higher incidence of TB as Spanish nationals